Peter Johnston

Dr. Peter Johnston is known for his work exploring relationships among classroom talk, engagement, and children’s social, emotional and literate development. Peter was an elementary classroom teacher in New Zealand before moving to the US to pursue his graduate studies. He has published over 80 scholarly articles and 13 books, some in multiple languages. Two of his most popular books, Opening Minds: Using Language to Change Lives and Choice Words: How Our Language Affects Children's Learning have been widely circulated and highly influential in classrooms. Recognition for his work includes the Albert J. Harris Award from the International Literacy Association for contributions to the understanding of reading disability and the State University of New York Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Research. His article, “Voices We Want to Hear and Voices We Don't” with John Nicholls, received the “Learned Article” achievement award from the Educational Press Association. Most recently, the Literacy Research Association honored him with the Oscar Causey Award for outstanding contributions to reading research and the P. David Pearson Scholarly Influence Award, citing his book Choice Words as having “demonstrably and positively influenced literacy teaching in classrooms and districts nationally.” He was inducted into the Reading Hall of Fame in 2005. His most recent book, co-authored with six classroom teachers, is Engaging Literate Minds: Developing Children’s Social, Emotional, and Intellectual Lives, K-3. Peter is Professor Emeritus in the Literacy Teaching and Learning Department at the University at Albany – State University of New York.

To cite this episode: Persohn, L. (Host). (2021, Apr. 13). A conversation with Peter Johnston. (Season 1, No. 22) [Audio podcast episode]. In Classroom Caffeine Podcast series. https://www.classroomcaffeine.com/guests. DOI: 10.5240/2AB9-B758-8BE3-3B3B-0AEB-B