Dr. Tatum is an associate professor in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) where he earned his Ph.D. He also serves as the Director of the UIC Reading Clinic. Before joining UIC’s faculty, he served on the faculties of Northern Illinois University, University of Maryland-College Park, and Buffalo State College. Additionally, he was a Senior Program Associate for the North Central Regional Education Lab. He began his career as an eighth-grade teacher later becoming a reading specialist.
Alfred has written more than 25 articles, chapters, monographs, and is the author of the book Teaching Reading to Black Adolescent Males: Closing the Achievement Gap. His work focuses on the literacy development of African American adolescent males, particularly the impact of texts on their lives. He continues to support middle and high school teachers and administrators. Dr. Tatum is active in several professional, international and national literacy organizations.
