Mellissa has supported students and teachers as an educator in Florida for 30years. She received a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from the University of South Florida in 1992 and earned a master’s degree in educational leadership in 2004. Mellissa has now returned to the University of South Florida as a PhD student in Curriculum and Instruction with a concentration in Literacy Studies and cognate in educational leadership. Her research interests center on the positioning and access of high-quality professional job-embedded learning in schools, cultures for growth in practice models, and sensemaking of coaching roles by school leaders. During her career as an educator, Mellissa has served as an elementary teacher, assistant principal, District Literacy Supervisor, President of Reading Supervisors of Florida and the Florida Literacy Coaches’ Association, and an adjunct instructor at the University of South Florida. In 2004-2005, Mellissa was named the Hillsborough County Teacher of the Year and was inducted to the Thomas Jefferson Hall of Fame. As the author of two professional books and her district’s literacy coaching program, she has led district coaching initiatives for coaches, administrators, and teachers. To learn more about Mellissa, visit the USF Alumni Spotlight page Alonso-Teston USF Alumni Spotlight.
Poster Description
“Reciprocity Between Practice and Research: Vexations & Ventures in Literacy Professional Development“
Vexation: Pressures for student performance during an era of accountability often include literacy coaching as a driving force for school reform (Kurz, 2017). Coaching has the potential for effective professional development (Gibbons & Cobb, 2017), yet impact is minimized as access is limited to educators. Venture: This interactive poster session seeks to examine the research on coaching, understand possible influences equitable access to literacy coaching, and discuss the impact on the field of teacher and leadership development.