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Melissa S. Ferro
25528 Heathfield Circle
South Riding, VA 20152
703-327-3350
melissasferro@gmail.com

Education

PhD Student: Multilingual/Multicultural Education
George Mason University
Fall 2006 to Present

M. Ed., Curriculum and Instruction: Foreign Language PK-12
George Mason University
Fall 2004 to Summer 2006

B. A., Foreign Language, Spanish
with Highest Distinction
George Mason University
Fall 1996 to Spring 1999

Certification

Professional Teaching License: Spanish PK-12, Commonwealth of Virginia

Professional Experiences

Graduate Lecturer
January 2008 to Present
Graduate School of Education, George Mason University
Spring 2009 Instructor EDRD 620: Teaching Reading and Writing in Foreign/World Languages
Summer 2008 Instructor EDCI 684: Advanced Methods of Teaching Foreign/World Languages
Spring 2008 Instructor: EDRD 620: Teaching Reading and Writing in Foreign/World Languages
Responsibilities include:
-- delivering course content to pre-service and in-service foreign/world language teachers seeking a professional state teaching license (VA)
-- updating the EDRD 620 syllabus
-- updating the EDRD 620 course reading packet to include recent articles on the teaching of reading and writing in foreign/world languages
-- preparing course instructional materials and activities
-- developing performance-based assessments
-- updating scoring rubrics for performance-based assessments
-- assessing teaching simulations conducted in a variety of languages that demonstrate an understanding of research-based reading and writing strategies for use with PK-12 language learners (EDRD 620 course)
-- assessing teaching simulations that demonstrate an understanding of research-based teaching methodologies and assessment practices for use with PK-12 language learners (EDCI 684)
--evaluating student coursework and assigning final course grades

Graduate Research Assistant
Fall 2006 to Spring 2009
Graduate School of Education, George Mason University
Responsibilities include:
-- conducting research to support the writings and speeches of Dr. Marjorie Hall Haley
-- creating and editing documents for the Graduate School of Education
-- co-creating and maintaining a new web site for the Chinese Language Licensure Program
-- co-creating and maintaining a new web site for the Multiple Intelligences Research Studies of Dr. Marjorie Hall Haley
-- monitoring and editing the web site for courses taught by Dr. Marjorie Haley
-- editing lesson plans for Dr. Marjorie Hall Haley's book on brain-based teaching and learning
Outcomes include:
-- co-authoring a published article in a peer-reviewed journal with Dr. Marjorie Hall Haley
-- co-authoring an article that was submitted to a peer-reviewed journal with Dr. Marjorie Hall Haley
-- co-presenting at a regional conference (NECTFL) with a middle school teacher
-- presenting at a local conference (GWATFL)
-- co-presenting with Dr. Marjorie Hall Haley at a StarTalk workshop for Chinese language teachers
-- co-presenting at a national conference (ACTFL) with Dr. Marjorie Hall Haley

Contractor: 2009 ACTFL Video Podcast Contest
Winter 2008
American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages
Web site Editor and Contest Judge
Responsibilities include:
-- updating documents on contest web site: http://www.actflvideocontest.org
-- judging video entries submitted by PK-12 foreign/world language students
-- nominating semi-finalists and finalists for the 2009 ACTFL Video Podcast Contest

Graduate Teaching Assistant
Spring 2008
Graduate School of Education, George Mason University
Substitute Instructor: EDCI 560--Methods of Teaching in Foreign/World Languages
Responsibilities include:
-- delivering course content to pre-service and in-service foreign/world language teachers seeking a professional state teaching license (VA)
-- preparing course instructional materials and activities
-- assessing teaching simulations that demonstrate an understanding of research-based teaching methodologies and assessment practices for use with PK-12 language learners
-- evaluating student work and recommending final course grades to the professor of record, Dr. Marjorie Hall Haley

Graduate Intern
Fall 2007 to Spring 2008
American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages, Alexandria, VA
Responsibilities include:
-- developing a nation-wide technology-based contest for PK-16 language learners and the contest web site: http://www.actflvideocontest.org
-- judging videos for the 2008 ACFL Video Podcast Contest
-- collaborating on the National Security Language Initiative (NSLI) research study
-- contacting foreign language supervisors in all 50 states to verify information on their PK-12 language programs
-- preparing documents and presentations for the Director of Education and the Executive Director

Faculty Term Instructor, Spanish
Fall 2006 to Spring 2007
Modern and Classical Languages, George Mason University
Responsibilities include:
-- developing technology-based instructional materials for Spanish 101 and 102 courses
-- teaching and assessing students enrolled in Spanish 101 and 102
-- preparing exams and quizzes
-- administering and grading oral and written exams
-- developing new rubric for evaluating student writing

Graduate Teaching Assistant
Fall 2004 to Spring 2005
Modern and Classical Languages, George Mason University
Responsibilities included:
-- preparing instructional materials for Spanish 101 and 102 courses
-- teaching and assessing students enrolled in Spanish 101 and 102
-- preparing and administering quizzes
-- administering and assessing oral and written assignments
-- administering and grading oral and written exams

Long Term Substitute, Spanish
December 2005 to January 2006
Broad Run High School, Ashburn, VA
Responsibilities included:
-- teaching and assessing students in Spanish I and II
-- preparing instructional materials, quizzes and exams
-- administering mid-year oral and written exams
-- participating in parent/teacher conferences
-- providing input for Individual Educational Plans

Spanish Language Instructor
Spring 2001 to Summer 2004
Fairfax County Adult and Community Education, Fairfax, VA
Responsibilities included:
-- developing and delivering Beginner Level Spanish I-IV courses geared toward the adult learner
-- developing and delivering Beginner/Advanced courses in Cuban Culture and Film
-- collaborating on the development of workbooks for Beginner Level Spanish I-IV courses
-- initiating and maintaining relationships with local libraries for obtaining space to conduct courses

Spanish Language Tutor
Summer 1999 to Present
Responsibilities include:
-- identifying and reviewing individual Spanish language learning problems
-- developing review materials that address common problem areas in learning Spanish
-- preparing individual students for oral and written exams

Professional Development

Study Abroad, Bilbao Spain
Summer 2006
Universidad de Deusto

Student Teaching Internship, Spanish
Fall 2005
Francis Hazel Reid Elementary School, Grades 2-5
Broad Run High School, Spanish Level I
Stone Bridge High School, Spanish Levels I, II, III
Loudoun County Public Schools, Ashburn, VA

Study Abroad, Madrid Spain
Summer 1998
Universidad Complutense

Conference Presentations &
Professional Development Workshops

Haley, M. H. & Ferro, M. S. (2007). Ensuring the successful student internship. Presentation accepted for the 41st Annual American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL). San Antonio, TX.

Haley, M. H., & Ferro, M. (2007). Processing the know: An MI theory activity. STARTALK Workshop. Northern Virginia Community College. Arlington, VA.

Ferro, M. (2007). It's all about communication. Fairfax County Adult Education (ACE). Professional Development Workshop. Falls Church, VA.

Abare, C. and Ferro, M. (2007). I'll take games and grammar for $100: Middle school activities and assessments. Presentation accepted for the 54th Annual Northeast Conference on the Teaching of Foreign Languages. New York.

Ferro, M. (Fall 2006). Teacher action research: Multiple intelligence theory in the FL classroom. Presentation accepted for the Greater Washington Association for Teachers of Foreign Languages Conference. Alexandria, VA.

Ferro, M. (Spring 2005). Teacher action research: Multiple intelligence theory in the FL classroom. Poster Presentation accepted for the 52nd Annual Northeast Conference on the Teaching of Foreign Languages. New York.

Publications

Invited Author: (2009). The Language Educator, August 2009. The American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages.

Ferro, M.S., & Haley, M.H. (2007). From licensure coursework to the student-teaching internship: Building bridges in the era of ACTFL/NCATE standards. Submitted to Foreign Language Annals March, 2007.

Haley, M. H., & Ferro, M. S. (2007). When levees break:"What do we do now?"--Pedagogical implications for teachers and learners. The Journal of Race and Policy 3 (1), pp. 122-131.

Featured Reviewer: (2007-2008). Learning Languages. The National Network for Early Language Learning (NNELL).

Co-editor: The Student Teaching/Internship Manual EDCI 790. Graduate School of Education, George Mason University. Fall 2006.

Affiliations

American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL)
American Educational Research Association (AERA)
Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD)
Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE)
Greater Washington Association of Teachers of Foreign Languages (GWATFL)
Modern Language Association (MLA)
National Network for Early Language Learning (NNELL)
Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education (SITE)

Awards

VISTA Higher Learning Award
NECTFL Conference
Spring 2005

Outstanding Instructor Award
Fairfax County Adult and Community Education
Fall 2003, Fall 2004

Excellence in Spanish Award
Modern and Classical Languages
George Mason University
Spring 1999

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Melissa S. Ferro 25528 Heathfield Circle South Riding, VA 20152 703-327-3350 melissasferro@gmail.com
Education	PhD Student: Multilingual/Multicultural Education George Mason University Fall 2006 to Present M. Ed., Curriculum and Instruction: Foreign Language PK-12 George Mason University Fall 2004 to Summer 2006 B. A., Foreign Language, Spanish with Highest Distinction George Mason University Fall 1996 to Spring 1999
Certification	Professional Teaching License: Spanish PK-12, Commonwealth of Virginia
Professional Experiences	Graduate Lecturer January 2008 to Present Graduate School of Education, George Mason University Spring 2009 Instructor EDRD 620: Teaching Reading and Writing in Foreign/World Languages Summer 2008 Instructor EDCI 684: Advanced Methods of Teaching Foreign/World Languages Spring 2008 Instructor: EDRD 620: Teaching Reading and Writing in Foreign/World Languages Responsibilities include: -- delivering course content to pre-service and in-service foreign/world language teachers seeking a professional state teaching license (VA) -- updating the EDRD 620 syllabus -- updating the EDRD 620 course reading packet to include recent articles on the teaching of reading and writing in foreign/world languages -- preparing course instructional materials and activities -- developing performance-based assessments -- updating scoring rubrics for performance-based assessments -- assessing teaching simulations conducted in a variety of languages that demonstrate an understanding of research-based reading and writing strategies for use with PK-12 language learners (EDRD 620 course) -- assessing teaching simulations that demonstrate an understanding of research-based teaching methodologies and assessment practices for use with PK-12 language learners (EDCI 684) --evaluating student coursework and assigning final course grades Graduate Research Assistant Fall 2006 to Spring 2009 Graduate School of Education, George Mason University Responsibilities include: -- conducting research to support the writings and speeches of Dr. Marjorie Hall Haley -- creating and editing documents for the Graduate School of Education -- co-creating and maintaining a new web site for the Chinese Language Licensure Program -- co-creating and maintaining a new web site for the Multiple Intelligences Research Studies of Dr. Marjorie Hall Haley -- monitoring and editing the web site for courses taught by Dr. Marjorie Haley -- editing lesson plans for Dr. Marjorie Hall Haley's book on brain-based teaching and learning *Outcomes include:* -- co-authoring a published article in a peer-reviewed journal with Dr. Marjorie Hall Haley -- co-authoring an article that was submitted to a peer-reviewed journal with Dr. Marjorie Hall Haley -- co-presenting at a regional conference (NECTFL) with a middle school teacher -- presenting at a local conference (GWATFL) -- co-presenting with Dr. Marjorie Hall Haley at a StarTalk workshop for Chinese language teachers -- co-presenting at a national conference (ACTFL) with Dr. Marjorie Hall Haley Contractor: 2009 ACTFL Video Podcast Contest Winter 2008 American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages Web site Editor and Contest Judge Responsibilities include: -- updating documents on contest web site: http://www.actflvideocontest.org -- judging video entries submitted by PK-12 foreign/world language students -- nominating semi-finalists and finalists for the 2009 ACTFL Video Podcast Contest Graduate Teaching Assistant Spring 2008 Graduate School of Education, George Mason University Substitute Instructor: EDCI 560--Methods of Teaching in Foreign/World Languages Responsibilities include: -- delivering course content to pre-service and in-service foreign/world language teachers seeking a professional state teaching license (VA) -- preparing course instructional materials and activities -- assessing teaching simulations that demonstrate an understanding of research-based teaching methodologies and assessment practices for use with PK-12 language learners -- evaluating student work and recommending final course grades to the professor of record, Dr. Marjorie Hall Haley Graduate Intern Fall 2007 to Spring 2008 American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages, Alexandria, VA Responsibilities include: -- developing a nation-wide technology-based contest for PK-16 language learners and the contest web site: http://www.actflvideocontest.org -- judging videos for the 2008 ACFL Video Podcast Contest -- collaborating on the National Security Language Initiative (NSLI) research study -- contacting foreign language supervisors in all 50 states to verify information on their PK-12 language programs -- preparing documents and presentations for the Director of Education and the Executive Director Faculty Term Instructor, Spanish Fall 2006 to Spring 2007 Modern and Classical Languages, George Mason University *Responsibilities include:* -- developing technology-based instructional materials for Spanish 101 and 102 courses -- teaching and assessing students enrolled in Spanish 101 and 102 -- preparing exams and quizzes -- administering and grading oral and written exams -- developing new rubric for evaluating student writing Graduate Teaching Assistant Fall 2004 to Spring 2005 Modern and Classical Languages, George Mason University *Responsibilities included:* -- preparing instructional materials for Spanish 101 and 102 courses -- teaching and assessing students enrolled in Spanish 101 and 102 -- preparing and administering quizzes -- administering and assessing oral and written assignments -- administering and grading oral and written exams Long Term Substitute, Spanish December 2005 to January 2006 Broad Run High School, Ashburn, VA Responsibilities included: -- teaching and assessing students in Spanish I and II -- preparing instructional materials, quizzes and exams -- administering mid-year oral and written exams -- participating in parent/teacher conferences -- providing input for Individual Educational Plans Spanish Language Instructor Spring 2001 to Summer 2004 Fairfax County Adult and Community Education, Fairfax, VA Responsibilities included: -- developing and delivering Beginner Level Spanish I-IV courses geared toward the adult learner -- developing and delivering Beginner/Advanced courses in Cuban Culture and Film -- collaborating on the development of workbooks for Beginner Level Spanish I-IV courses -- initiating and maintaining relationships with local libraries for obtaining space to conduct courses Spanish Language Tutor Summer 1999 to Present Responsibilities include: -- identifying and reviewing individual Spanish language learning problems -- developing review materials that address common problem areas in learning Spanish -- preparing individual students for oral and written exams
Professional Development	Study Abroad, Bilbao Spain Summer 2006 Universidad de Deusto Student Teaching Internship, Spanish Fall 2005 Francis Hazel Reid Elementary School, Grades 2-5 Broad Run High School, Spanish Level I Stone Bridge High School, Spanish Levels I, II, III Loudoun County Public Schools, Ashburn, VA Study Abroad, Madrid Spain Summer 1998 Universidad Complutense
Conference Presentations & Professional Development Workshops	Haley, M. H. & Ferro, M. S. (2007). Ensuring the successful student internship. Presentation accepted for the 41st Annual American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL). San Antonio, TX. Haley, M. H., & Ferro, M. (2007). Processing the know: An MI theory activity. STARTALK Workshop. Northern Virginia Community College. Arlington, VA. Ferro, M. (2007). It's all about communication. Fairfax County Adult Education (ACE). Professional Development Workshop. Falls Church, VA. Abare, C. and Ferro, M. (2007). I'll take games and grammar for $100: Middle school activities and assessments. Presentation accepted for the 54th Annual Northeast Conference on the Teaching of Foreign Languages. New York. Ferro, M. (Fall 2006). Teacher action research: Multiple intelligence theory in the FL classroom. Presentation accepted for the Greater Washington Association for Teachers of Foreign Languages Conference. Alexandria, VA. Ferro, M. (Spring 2005). Teacher action research: Multiple intelligence theory in the FL classroom. Poster Presentation accepted for the 52nd Annual Northeast Conference on the Teaching of Foreign Languages. New York.
Publications	Invited Author: (2009). The Language Educator, August 2009. The American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages. Ferro, M.S., & Haley, M.H. (2007). From licensure coursework to the student-teaching internship: Building bridges in the era of ACTFL/NCATE standards. Submitted to Foreign Language Annals March, 2007. Haley, M. H., & Ferro, M. S. (2007). When levees break:"What do we do now?"--Pedagogical implications for teachers and learners. The Journal of Race and Policy 3 (1), pp. 122-131. Featured Reviewer: (2007-2008). Learning Languages. The National Network for Early Language Learning (NNELL). Co-editor: The Student Teaching/Internship Manual EDCI 790. Graduate School of Education, George Mason University. Fall 2006.
Affiliations	American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) American Educational Research Association (AERA) Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD) Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE) Greater Washington Association of Teachers of Foreign Languages (GWATFL) Modern Language Association (MLA) National Network for Early Language Learning (NNELL) Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education (SITE)
Awards	VISTA Higher Learning Award NECTFL Conference Spring 2005 Outstanding Instructor Award Fairfax County Adult and Community Education Fall 2003, Fall 2004 Excellence in Spanish Award Modern and Classical Languages George Mason University Spring 1999