About
About Rebecca
Rebecca Lacko is an author, adjunct, and doctoral researcher at the University of Birmingham. Her work explores how literary narrative shapes emotional and ethical formation in adult life. Her research brings together philosophy of education, aesthetics, adult learning, and literary studies, with particular interest in the formative power of story.
She wrote The Secret Song of Shelby Rey, My Life Journal, Dream Up Now: The Teen Journal for Self-Discovery, and A Song For The Road, a social-emotional learning-themed Young Adult novel, and Eric Hoffer Book Award honorable mention. Her short fiction and poetry appear in Writer’s Digest, Ariel Chart International Literary Journal, Gravel, Mixtape Methodology, and Poetry Corners Anthology 2023. She has contributed to several publications to help families and teens stimulate change, help themselves and others, and be a force for good. She served as president of Bainbridge Performing Arts and is a volunteer assistance dog trainer for canine programs serving hospitalized children and children in trauma testifying in Washington courts.
Rebecca cohosted creative writing workshops and camps, and facilitated a teen arts showcase for seven years. She made TV appearances representing her former blog on new motherhood. She edited trade and consumer publications in the outdoor adventure industry with 2.7 million annual circulation.
Rebecca holds a Master of Arts in Humanities with concentrations in Creative Writing and Social-Emotional Learning, a Certificate in Teaching Higher Education from Harvard University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies with concentrations in Creative Writing and Leadership. She teaches at Northwest University and is pursuing a PhD at the University of Birmingham.
Through her newsletter, Pages of Evidence, Rebecca writes about discernment, spiritual growth, and the daily practice of recognizing God’s presence, guidance, and provision in ordinary life.
Classroom Values
- Commitment to ensuring equitable access within the learning environment, including but not limited to considerations related to cost; universal design for learning (UDL); and the integration of culturally relevant teaching practices
- Commitment to and respect for diverse views and opinions in the classroom and workplace
- Commitment to developing and implementing instructional strategies and practices that enhance student success, particularly those that support and improve academic, spiritual, and mental health outcomes
- Ability to integrate non-traditional delivery methods, as appropriate, to teach students of varying backgrounds, abilities, and learning styles
Associations
SEL Solutions – Founder, Lead teacher
Assistance Dogs Northwest – Volunteer trainer raising an assistance dog puppy for people with limited mobility 2022-present
Bainbridge Public Library – Teen Writers’ Workshop, and Writing Camp Instructor/Mentor
Arts & Humanities Bainbridge – Board of Trustees 2022
Bainbridge Performing Arts – Advisory Council Member (current) President – Board of Trustees; and Bainbridge Symphony Orchestra liaison 2018-2021
Reading Opens Minds – chose Radio Head as a book club selection
She Writes – Member
Pongo Teen Writing – Completed Training to Teach Poetry to Youth in Juvenile Detention
Kitsap Mental Health Services – Certified to provide Mental Health First Aid to YouthSEL Solutions
Rayne is a volunteer at Assistance Dogs Northwest (ADNW).
Puppies in training learn over 90 commands to assist people with various physical challenges such as spinal cord injuries, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, spina bifida, and multiple sclerosis.
