Dr. Pongratz serves as the program coordinator for the M.Ed. in Reading Program. Elaine holds a D.Ed. in Adult Education from Penn State University, an M.Ed. in Reading, an M.S. in Exceptionality, and a B.S. in Secondary Education from Bloomsburg University. She spent 26 years as a reading specialist in public education, working primarily with middle school students. In addition to her teaching responsibilities, Elaine also served as Title I coordinator for the Danville Area School District. She joined the faculty at Bloomsburg University in January of 2001. Areas of interest include content literacy, young adult literature, and lifelong learning.
Dr. Cherrington holds a Ph.D. in Education from the University of Virginia, an M.Ed. in Reading from the University of Virginia, and a B.S. in Special Education from the University of Oklahoma. She began her teaching career as a special education teacher in Ohio. Two years later, she moved to Charlottesville, Virginia and taught children with learning disabilities for 3 years. After completing her doctoral degree, she taught four years at Lycoming College in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. She left Lycoming College in 1987 and joined the graduate reading faculty at Bloomsburg University.