J. Helen Perkins is a professor of literacy at the University of Memphis in Tennessee. She is the literacy coordinator in the Instruction, Curriculum and Leadership Department, College of Education.
She has served on several ILA committees. Most notably, she has served as coeditor of The Reading Teacher and as a lead writer for the Standards for the Preparation of Literacy Professionals 2017. In addition, she is currently cochair of the Advocacy/Legislative Committee and conference diversity advisor for the Literacy Association of Tennessee. She is also the advisor to the University of Memphis Student Chapter of the Literacy Association of Tennessee.
Her scholarly work focuses on all children of poverty, their literacy acquisition and enhancement, including promising practices; she has coauthored a book, several articles, and book chapters. She has conducted numerous hours of professional development with educators.