Research Faculty Team
Project Opportunity brings together experts in
ESL, mathematics and science education, language acquisition, civics, and multiculturalism to create
the Research Faculty Team. The team will review and select scientifically based research to develop the ESL teacher training program and improve the intersections of ESL, science and mathematics education, and the unique language and social issues that affect Limited English Proficiency Students (LEPs).
The Research Faculty Team will generate new research on LEPs in Maine; design and deliver courses, in content areas and ESL, that are aligned with State standards; and collaborate with the State Education Agency to require that all certification candidates complete a new 3-credit ESL course.
The Research Faculty Team will assure that coursework, workshops, research, mentoring, and induction activities are closely aligned with the Maine Learning Results (MLR), scientifically-based research in ESL, and content instruction.
The Research Faculty Team includes:
The Project Director, Gisela Hoecherl-Alden, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of Modern Languages and a Cooperating Professor in the College of Education. Her research focuses on second language acquisition and curriculum development. She has worked extensively with the training of ESL and other language teachers and is one of the few faculty in Maine qualified to teach the state certification course on language and ESL teaching methods. In addition to her Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, she holds an M.Ed. in Intercultural Communication from the University of Alaska-Fairbanks.
The Co-Director, Laura Lindenfeld, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Communication and the Margaret Chase Smith Policy Center. In addition to her Ph.D. in Cultural Studies ( University of California, Davis), she holds an M.A. in German and Linguistics from the University of Bonn, Germany. Much of her current research focuses on civic engagement of underrepresented minority and ESL populations in Maine. She has coordinated in-service ESL teacher training efforts throughout Maine for the past seven years.
The Project Coordinator, Shelly Chasse-Johndro, holds a M.Ed. from the University of Maine. She is a certified mathematics teacher and holds an ESL endorsement. As well, she has worked on a Title III Professional Development Program for three years and has taught several ESL courses. In addition to her experience coordinating a large teacher training program, she has demonstrated expertise in distance education technology and has assisted UMaine faculty members to teach courses and workshops online and onsite.
Faculty Research Team Member, François Amar, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of Chemistry. He is a member of the University of Maine's Center for Science and Mathematics Education Research and of the Advisory Board for the Center for Teaching Excellence. He was a charter member of the University Teaching Council. He divides his research time between simulation of nanomaterials using molecular dynamics and Monte Carlo methods and research in chemical education.
Faculty Research Team Member, John Bear Mitchell, holds a M.Ed. in Educational Leadership from the University of Maine. He is currently the Associate Director of the Wabanaki Center. His research focuses on educational models within tribal clan systems, multiculturalism, and the relationship of ESL to native language proficiency.
Faculty Research Team Member, Tod Shockey, holds a Ph.D. in Mathematics Education from the University of Virginia. He is an Associate Professor of Mathematics Education in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics. His research focus is ethnomathematics with a particular emphasis on improving mathematics education for Native American students. Tod publishes on the relationship of mathematics, culture, and language.
