Faculty and Administration

Dr. Mary Ruth Moore

Biography:

Mary Ruth Moore, a native of Tomball, Texas,  is professor of Education at the Dreeben School of Education of the University of the Incarnate Word.  She holds degrees from Baylor University, Butler University, and a doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Texas at Austin.  In addition to teaching at U.I.W., Dr. Moore provides professional development for teachers at the national, district and local levels.   During the past 25 years, she has trained thousands of teachers in literacy and play techniques.  She is a co-founder of the Alamo Chapter of the U.S. Play Coalition.  She is the wife of the Rev. Marshall Moore and together they serve Crestview Baptist Church.  Her hobbies include antiques, jewelry making, and dog showing. 

Areas of Research:

• Children’s play and play environments
• The history of education
• Early literacy

Areas of Teaching:

• Emergent Literacy
• Applied Research in Play
• Instruction and Assessment
• Children’s Play and Play Environments
• Families, Schools, and Community

Committee/University Service:

• University Wide Mission Effectiveness Committee
• Grievance Committee
• Presidential Teaching Award  Selection Committee
• Faculty Liaison to the Joe L. Frost Play Research Collection at the Mabee Library
• President of the Faculty Senate 2003-2005

Degrees:

• B.A. Baylor University
• M.S. Butler University
• Ph.D. University of Texas at Austin,  Curriculum and Instruction

Selected Publications/Presentations:

• Moore, M., Campos, D., Collazo, J., Maytum, A., Sampayo, V., & Sanchez, M. (2010). Inspiration to teach: reflections on Friedrich Froebel. Young Children,65:6, 74-76.

  Moore, M. (2009)  Play=learning:  integrating play and wonder into our cultural institutions and   schools in   Southern Taiwan University, Creative Playground:  conversations between industries and institutions, pp.20-24.  Tainan City, Taiwan:  Southern Taiwan University.

  Moore, M. “A monument to play.” In  Goodenough, Elizabeth, editor.  Where Do the Children Play?, the    anthology to accompany the PBS film of the same name.  (January 2008

  Moore, M. and Hall, S. “Literacy Instruction for Young Children.    Early Years, The Journal of the Texas   Association for the Education of Young Children, Vol. 29/3, Winter, 2007,10-15.

  Moore, M. and Morgan, M.  “Viva Play!”  Today’s Playground, July 2006, pp. 24-29.

  Moore, Mary Ruth (2002).  An  American's journey to kindergarten's birthplace," Childhood Education, 79/1, 15-20.

Professional Experience:

• U.I.W. Moody Professor 2009-2010
• Minnie Stevens Piper Foundation Piper Professor for the state of Texas 2003
• Outstanding Service to the Children and Families of San Antonio as recognized by the City of San Antonio.  
• Higher Education Award from the San Antonio Association for the Education of Young Children 2001
• Elementary School  Teacher for 25 years in Kentucky, Indiana, South Carolina and Texas:  Teacher of the Year at the local, district, and state levels in three states

Contact:

• Office:  Gorman 122
• Email:  moore@uiwtx.edu
• Phone (210) 283-5038