Dr Kathleen Rushton

BA(Hons)(Sociology), GradDipAdultEd(TESOL), DipEd, MA, MEd(Research), PhD
Honorary Lecturer
Phone
+61 2 9351 6351
Fax
+61 2 93512606
Building/Room
A35 / 607
The University of Sydney
Kathy Rushton is an experienced TESOL and classroom teacher and provides professional learning for teachers, having worked in primary, secondary and tertiary settings and with adults learning English. She is an Honorary Lecturer in the School of Education and Social Work at the University of Sydney and is interested in the development of language and literacy, especially in culturally and linguistically diverse socio-economically disadvantaged communities.
Outstanding Professional Service Award, Association for TESOL Professional Teachers Council, NSW 


  • Member CREATE centre University of Sydney
  • Member of the Settlement/University of Sydney working group 2021-present
  • University of Sydney representative of the Settlement Board 2008-2021
  • Council Member, ATESOL NSW, 2020- present & 1996–2015
  • Council Member, Australian Council of TESOL Associations, 2012-2015
  • Reviewer, TESOL Quarterly
  • Reviewer, TESOL in Context
  • Reviewer, Language and Education
  • Reviewer, The Australian Journal of Language and Literacy 
  • Reviewer, Teaching and Teacher Education Review
Books
  • Ewing, R. & Rushton, K. Eds. (2023). The role of the arts in early language and literacy development. Switzerland:MDPI.
  • Ewing, R; O’Brien, S.; Rushton, K.; Stewart, L.; Burke, R. & Brousseuk, D. (2022)
    English and Literacies: Learning how to make meaning in primary classrooms. Port Melbourne: Cambridge University Press
  • Dutton, J., D'warte, J., Rossbridge, J., Rushton, K. (2018). Tell me your story: Confirming identity and engaging writers in the middle years. Sydney: Primary English Teachers Association Australia (PETAA).
  • Ewing, R., Callow, J., Rushton, K. (2016). Language and literacy development in early childhood. Port Melbourne: Cambridge University Press. [More Information]
  • Rossbridge, J. & Rushton, K. (2015) Put it in Writing. Sydney: Primary English Teachers Association Australia PETAA
  • Rossbridge, J., Rushton, K. (2011). Conversations about text 2: teaching grammar using factual text. Sydney: Primary English Teachers Association Australia (PETAA).
  • Rushton, K., Rossbridge, J. (2010). Conversations about Text. Teaching Grammar using Literary Texts. Newtown, NSW: Primary English Teachers Association Australia (PETAA).

Book chapters
  • Rushton, K. (2022). Developing knowledge about language and grammar in context. In R. Ewing, S. O’Brien, K. Rushton, L. Stewart, R. Burke & D. Brosseuk, English and literacies: Learning how to make meaning in primary classrooms, (pp. 227-248). Port Melbourne: Cambridge University Press. [More Information]
  • Rushton, K. (2022). Working with EAL/D learners: creating positive, inclusive environments, especially for First Nations learners. In R. Ewing, S. O’Brien, K. Rushton, L. Stewart, R. Burke & D. Brosseuk, English and literacies: Learning how to make meaning in primary classrooms, (pp. 249-272). Port Melbourne: Cambridge University Press. [More Information]
  • Callow, J., Rushton, K. (2019). "A gallery of practices - Mobile learning, language, literacy and the arts (K-6)." In Grace Oakley (Eds.), Mobile technologies in children's language and literacy: Innovative pedagogy in preschool and primary education, (pp. 29-49). Bingley: Emerald Publishing Limited. [More Information]
  • Rushton, K. (2007). "The significance of text in the teaching of reading in the early years." In Alyson Simpson (Eds.), Future directions in literacy: International conversations conference 2007, (pp. 256-268). Sydney: Sydney University Press.

Journal articles

Research reports

Conference presentations
  • Rossbridge, J. & Rushton, K. (2024). Critical Conversations about Writing: Joint construction. Dept of Education /UTS EAL/D Seminar
  • Rushton, K. (2024). Cohesive academic writing: moving from sentence and paragraph to complete texts.Dept of Education /UTS EAL/D Seminar
  • Dutton, J. & Rushton, K. (2024). Connected Curriculum: Creating translanguaging spaces in secondary settings. ALEA Annual conference Adelaide.
  • Rossbridge, J. & Rushton, K. (2024). Supporting students to choose and use appropriate vocabulary and grammatical features in written texts. ALEA Annual conference Adelaide.
  • Rushton, K. (2024). Reading with students learning English as an additional language or dialect (EAL/D). Smith Family National Learning club toolkit - online presentation for tutors.
  • Rossbridge, J. & Rushton, K. (2023). Reading for pleasure: supporting student learning by harnessing its power. ALEA Annual conference Canberra.
  • Rossbridge, J. & Rushton, K. (2023). Developing engaging and inclusive classrooms: writing for a reason and reading for pleasure. Dept of Education /UTS EAL/D Seminar
  • Rushton, K. (2023). Poetry: The ultimate ‘freedom machine’. Dept of Education /UTS EAL/D Seminar
  • Dutton, J. & Rushton, K. (2022). Embracing home languages: fostering identity through translanguaging poetry pedagogy. Australian Association for Research in Education (AARE).
  • Rushton, K. (2022). Supporting students learning English as an additional language or dialect (EAL/D). Smith Family National Learning club toolkit -online presentation for tutors.
  • Rushton, K. (2022) EAL/D Elaborations of the Australian Professional Standards for Teachers: teachers’ perceptions of their roles. Australian Council of TESOL Associations (ACTA) Qld.
  • Rossbridge,J. & Rushton,K. (2021). Amplifying the needs of EAL/D students in times of curriculum change. Dept of Education /UTS EAL/D Seminar – online presentation for teachers.
Arts rich EAL/D project – CREATE Centre, The University of Sydney 
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