Douglas Fisher

Douglas Fisher, PhD, is professor of language and literacy education in the Department of Teacher Education at San Diego State University and a classroom teacher at Health Sciences High and Middle College. He teaches preservice courses in literacy and English language learners, graduate courses in reading instruction and intervention and doctoral courses in policy, research and literacy. As a classroom teacher, Dr. Fisher focuses on English language arts instruction. He was director of professional development for the City Heights Educational Collaborative and also taught English at Hoover High School.

Dr. Fisher received an International Reading Association Celebrate Literacy Award for his work on literacy leadership. For his work as codirector of the City Heights Professional Development Schools, Dr. Fisher received the Christa McAuliffe award. He was corecipient of the Farmer Award for excellence in writing from the National Council of Teachers of English for the article, “Using Graphic Novels, Anime, and the Internet in an Urban High School,” published in The English Journal.

Dr. Fisher has written numerous articles on reading and literacy, differentiated instruction and curriculum design. His books include Creating Literacy-Rich Schools for Adolescents, Checking for Understanding, Better Learning Through Structured Teaching and Content-Area Conversations.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in communication, a master’s degree in public health, an executive master’s degree in business and a doctoral degree in multicultural education. Dr. Fisher completed post-doctoral study at the National Association of State Boards of Education focused on standards-based reforms.