As a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, she completed the program in Culture, Curriculum and Change and developed an interest in English language arts teacher preparation, service-learning and critical literacy. Dr. Coffey's primary teaching responsibilities include graduate English language arts methods as well as service-learning courses. Her research interests include ways to develop critical literacy with urban learners, bridging the gap between educational theory and practice in teacher education, and supporting in-service teachers in urban school setttings through professional development. Dr. Coffey's record of publication includes book chapters and articles in refereed practitioner and research journals.