Barbara Kirchmeier joined the faculty of the English Department at the University of Idaho in 2009. She is the Director of First-Year Composition and a Senior Instructor. Her teaching duties include Writing Workshop for Teachers, courses in professional writing and rhetoric, and first-year composition courses. Her administrative duties include training and mentoring English TAs, planning and implementing curriculum for first-year writing, and acting as the faculty liaison for dual credit instructors.

Barb attended U of I from 1996 until 2005, earning a B.S. in secondary education, an M.Ed. in curriculum and instruction and an M.A. in English. Her graduate research included writing across the curriculum (specifically strategies for implementing writing-to-learn activities) and TA education.

Barb is a member of International Writing Centers Association, National Council of Teachers of English and participates in statewide conversations regarding First-Year Composition Across Idaho.

Barb lives in Moscow, Idaho with her husband Ben and their two children.

• Developmental and First-Year Writing
• TA Education
• Teacher Education
• Composition Theory and Pedagogy
• Online Writing Education Best Practices
• Business and Professional Writing

• Alumni Award for Excellence Mentor, University of Idaho, 2018
• Graduate Professional Student Association Teaching Excellence Award, Arizona State University, Spring 2007
• Outstanding Teaching Assistant, University of Idaho, Spring 2005
• Graduate Research Excellence, University of Idaho, Spring 2005
• Vandal Helping Hand Award, University of Idaho, Spring 2004