April 18, 2006

BIRMINGHAM, AL — University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Professor Maryann Manning, Ed.D., has been elected to the International Reading Association (IRA) board of directors.

Manning will assume office at the close of the 51st annual IRA convention that will be held April 30-May 4 in Chicago. She will serve on the nine-member board through the spring of 2009.

Manning specializes in reading education and literacy. She teaches in the UAB School of Education’s Department of Curriculum and Instruction. Manning has been a member of the UAB faculty since 1972. In 2005, she won the IRA Special Service Award.

IRA is a professional organization for those involved in teaching reading. Members are dedicated to teaching learners of all ages. The IRA has nearly 90,000 members.