Areas of Interest

• Developing effective decoding interventions for students in grades 2 through 6.
• Training teachers in the implementation of evidence-based practices in literacy.
• Examining the impact of program fidelity on academic outcomes for students of low socioeconomic status and with learning disabilities.
• Use of cognitive assessments in a Response to Intervention (RTI) special education identification framework.

Keyword Interest

• Elementary Literacy Instruction
• Decoding/Phonics
• Teacher Professional Development
• Evidence-Based Practice Sustainability
• Cognitive Assessments
• Response To Intervention (RTI)

Current Research Topic/Field-Based Project

Project:
Exploring whether a "top down" or "bottom up" approach to implementation of Peer-Assisted Learning Strategies (PALS) contributes to greater student achievement in Reading for students in Grades 3, 4, and 5.

Project:
Reviewing the use of cognitive assessments in identifying students for special education.

Project:
Examining the factors that contribute to teachers decisions to sustain Kindergarten PALS.

Former Experience

• Professional development provider, University of California, Los Angeles, Center X.
• Literacy specialist, Teach For America.
• Literacy remediation specialist, Los Angeles, CA.
• 3rd Grade teacher, Lynwood, CA.
• Literacy Coach, Los Angeles, CA.

Education

• M.A. (2004): Elementary Literacy and Language Arts, Loyola Marymount University
• B.A. (1999): History and Government, Georgetown University