Beverly Otto, Ph.D.,an early childhood educator for over 25 years, is a professor in the Teacher Education Department at Northeastern Illinois University.nbsp; She earned her doctorate at Northwestern University in Teaching and Learning Processes with a focus on emergent literacy.nbsp; Dr. Otto teaches courses in language and literacy development for preservice and in-service teachers, along with research for classroom teachers. She also serves as advisor for the MAT: Language Arts-Elementary Education and MSI: Language Arts-Elementary programs.nbsp; Her major professional goal is preparing teachers to support childrenrsquo;s life-long learning through language and literacy development. Dr.… Otto has also served as department chair as well as associate dean in the College of Education. nbsp; nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp; Dr. Otto is the author ofLiteracy Development in Early Childhood: Reflective Teaching for Birth to Age Eight,(copy; 2008 Pearson)and has also authored articles published in international, national and state professional journals.nbsp; Her field-based research on emergent literacy has been presented at international, national, state, and local conferences. She has served as a consultant to early childhood centers, school districts, as well as the Illinois State Board of Education.