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Mari Riojas-Cortez, Ph.D. The University of Texas at San Antonio

Department of Interdisciplinary Learning and Teaching Early Childhood Education

One UTSA Circle San Antonio, TX 78249 Phone: (210) 458-4414

Email: mari.cortez@utsa.edu OBJECTIVES: To teach, research, and do service with early childhood professionals advancing the education of young Latino children in a global community. ACADEMIC TRAINING Doctor of Philosophy The University of Texas at Austin December 1998 Curriculum and Instruction Specialization: Multilingual Studies and Early Childhood Education

Research Interests: Latino Family Engagement, Developmentally Appropriate Environments for Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Children, Children’s Play in School Settings

Master of Arts The University of Texas at San Antonio December 1991 Major: Education Concentration: Educational Leadership Bachelor of Arts St. Mary’s University San Antonio, Texas December, 1987 Major: Multinational Organizational Studies Concentration: Spanish PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE Chair The University of Texas at San Antonio Department of Interdisciplinary Learning and Teaching April 2012 to Present Professor The University of Texas at San Antonio Department of Interdisciplinary Learning and Teaching Early Childhood Education EC-6 Certification Program Co-Coordinator BAAS (Bachelor of Arts in Applied Science—Infancy and Childhood Studies program 2010-2013) September 2010-Present

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Associate Professor The University of Texas at San Antonio Department of Interdisciplinary Learning and Teaching Graduate Advisor of Record (GAR)

Coordinator Bachelor of Applied Arts and Science in Infancy and Childhood Studies (BAAS)

September 2004 to 2010 Assistant Professor The University of Texas at San Antonio Department of Interdisciplinary Learning and Teaching College of Education and Human Development September 1998 to 2004 Teaching Associate The University of Texas at San Antonio Bilingual-Bicultural Studies Early Childhood Education January 1997-July 1998 Graduate/Research The University of Texas at Austin Assistant Curriculum & Instruction Center for Mexican American Studies Summer 1996 Fall 1996 Supervisor The University of Texas at Austin Student Teacher Supervisor 1994-1996 Bilingual Teacher Stonewall Child Development Center Harlandale I.S.D., San Antonio, Texas 1988-1994 PUBLICATIONS Book Berger, E. H., & Riojas-Cortez, M. (2012). Parents as partners in education: Families and schools working together. Upper Saddle River, N. J.: Pearson Book Chapter Riojas-Cortez, M., & Alanis, I. (2011). El aprendizaje por medio del juego: Teaching in

bilingual early childhood settings. In, Flores, B. B., Sheets, R. H., Clark, E. R. Educar para transformar: Teacher preparation for bilingual student populations. Routledge Publishers.

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Refereed M. E. Huerta, & Riojas-Cortez, M. (2014). Playful dialogues of a bilingual child in every

day conversation. International Multilingual Research Journal, 8, 231-249. Riojas-Cortez, M., Flores, B. B., Alanís, I. (2013) Early Childhood Teachers Reconstruct

Beliefs and Practices through Reflexive Action. The Journal of Early Childhood Teacher Education, 34, 36-45. Riojas-Cortez, M. (2011). Culture, play and family: Three elements assisting in the

development of a child on the autism spectrum. Young Children, 66(5), 94-99. (award winning journal of the National Association for the Education of Young Children).

Huerta, M. E., & Riojas-Cortez, M. (2011). Santo Remedio: Latino parents and students foster literacy through a culturally relevant folk medicine event. Multicultural Education, 18(2).

Flores, B. B., Keehn, S., Martinez, M., & Riojas-Cortez, M. (2011). Impact of a program wide

diversity initiative on teacher candidate’s cultural efficacy. Critical Issues in Teacher Education, 18(1), 15-29.

Flores, B. B., Casebeer, C. M. & Riojas-Cortez, M. (2011). Validation of the Early

Childhood Ecology Scale-Revised: A reflective tool for teacher candidates. Journal of Early Childhood Teacher Education.

Riojas-Cortez, M., & Flores, B. B. (2010). Música, versos y juegos: Familias Latinas

desarrollando el lenguaje oral con sus niños. Novedades Educativas: Publicación de Nivel General y Educación, 22(230), 46-49. (Journal published in Buenos Aires, Argentina).

Flores, B. B., & Riojas-Cortez, M. (2010). Measuring early childhood teacher candidates’

conceptualizations of a culturally responsive classroom ecology. Journal of Classroom Interaction, 44(2), 4-13.

Smith, H. L., & Riojas-Cortez, M. (2010). Cartitas de cariño: Little notes to say you care.

Language Arts, 88(2), 125-133. Riojas-Cortez, M. & Flores, B. B. (2009). Supporting Preschoolers’ Social Development in

School through Funds of Knowledge. Journal of Early Childhood Research, 7(2), 185-199.

Riojas-Cortez, M. & Flores, B. B. (2009) Sin olvidar a los padres: Families as collaborators within the school and university partnership. Journal of Latinos in Education, 8(3), 231-

239.

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Riojas-Cortez, M. (2008). Trying to fit in a different world. Acculturation of Latino families with young children in the United States. International Journal of Early Childhood Education, 40(1). Riojas-Cortez, M., Huerta, M. E., Flores, B. B., Riojas Clark, E., Perez, B. (2008). Linking

cultural and literacy practices to promote young children’s scientific knowledge. Early Child Development and Care, 178(5), 527-536.

Reybold, E., Flores, B. B., Riojas-Cortez, M. (2007). Dueling epistemologies: implementing a critical model of faculty development in teacher education. The Professional Educator. Riojas-Cortez, M. (2005). Many pathways to literacy: Young children learning with siblings, grandparents, peers and communities (invited book review). Anthropology & Education Quarterly, 36(4). Riojas-Cortez, M., Flores, B. B. (2004). Los padres y los maestros: Perspectives of play among bilingual stakeholders in public schools. Advances in Early Education and Day Care volume 13. Riojas-Cortez, M., Flores B. B., Clark, E. R. (2003) Los niños aprenden en casa: Valuing and

connecting home cultural knowledge with the school’s early childhood education program. Young Children, 58(6), 78-83.

Riojas-Cortez, M., Flores, B. B., Smith, H., Clark, E. (2003) Cuéntame un Cuento: Bridging family oral traditions with school literacy. Language Arts (Acceptance Rate 6-

10%) Clark, E., Flores, B. B., Riojas-Cortez, M., Smith, H. (2002). You can’t have a rainbow without a Tormenta: An IHE, a community, and a dual language school. Bilingual Research Journal. (Acceptance Rate 30-40%) Riojas-Cortez, M. (2001). It’s all about talking: One teacher’s outlook on oral language development in a bilingual prekindergarten classroom. Dimensions of Early Childhood, 29(1), pp. 11-15. Riojas-Cortez, M. (2001). Preschoolers’ funds of knowledge displayed through

sociodramatic play episodes in a bilingual classroom. Early Childhood Education Journal, 29(1), pp.35-40. (Acceptance Rate 8%)

Riojas-Cortez, M. (2001). Teachable moments during circle time take bilingual kindergartners through the zone of proximal development. The Journal of the Texas

Association for Bilingual Education, 6(1), pp. 39-47. Riojas-Cortez, M. (2000). Evaluating Mexican American children’s social

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language interactions during sociodramatic play. Early Child Development and Care, 160, 85-86.

Riojas-Cortez, M. (2000). Mexican American preschoolers create stories during

sociodramatic play in a dual language program. Bilingual Research Journal, 24(3), pp. 295-308. (Acceptance Rate 30-40%)

Riojas-Cortez, M. (1999). Cultural behaviors of Mexican American preschoolers in a bilingual classroom. Diversity Studies http:www.2cyberwhelm.org/diversity/ Non-refereed Riojas-Cortez, M. (2001). ¿Dónde jugarán los niños? Taking a serious look at play opportunities for young Mexican American children in public schools. NABE News, 25(2), pp.25-27. Riojas-Cortez, M. (2000). Boats, flowers and lights! A magical tour of the Fiesta Parades. Appleseeds, 2(7), 8-11. (A Cobblestone Publication). Riojas, M. (1993). I teach bilingual children PRE-K TODAY Scholastic 7:4 p. 48 Work Submitted Riojas-Cortez, M. Choosing the right app for preschoolers: Challenges and solutions (submitted to Young Children December 2013) Work in Progress Riojas-Cortez, M., Flores, B. B. Preservice teachers beliefs, attitudes, and perspectives about

culturally and linguistically diverse families (in progress, will be submitted to Early Childhood Education Journal Data Analysis stage 50% complete)

Riojas-Cortez, M. Teaching and learning math, science, and social studies literacies through play: Preservice teachers implement the Project Approach (in progress, will be

submitted to Early Childhood Research & Practice writing the manuscript 50% complete) Riojas-Cortez, M., Montemayor, A., Leveridge, T. La Clase Mágica Preescolar: Developmentally Appropriate use of iPads through Play. (Review of the literature complete, data analysis stage) Riojas-Cortez, M., Flores, B. B. (first authorship has not been decided) Using a sociocultural approach for creating alliances between families and teachers in early childhood settings (working on book prospectus)

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Martinez, M., Riojas-Cortez, M., Ganz, J. Children’s literature and families facing autism (tentative title, data analysis stage) SERVICE Department Chair Department of Interdisciplinary Learning and Teaching Spring 2012- Present Assistant Department Chair Department of Interdisciplinary Learning and Teaching Assist department chair in a variety of duties as needed. Spring 2012 SACS Coordinator Department of Interdisciplinary Learning and Teaching

Ensure that SACS assessment data for the department is effectively organized for quality purposes. 2011-2012

Coordinator Bachelor of Applied Science in Infancy and Childhood

Studies 2007-Present Coordinator EC-6 Certification Program Call and lead meetings, represent area in a variety of

committees, works on schedule and catalog revisions. 2011-2013 Graduate Advisor of Record Department of Interdisciplinary Learning and Teaching Advise and coordinate 6 areas of concentration in the

Master of Arts in Education 2005-2010 Faculty Development Coordinator The Academy for Teacher Excellence (ATE) College of Education and Human Development 2004-2008 Chair Graduate Program Committee College of Education and Human Development Member Executive Graduate Program Committee College of Education and Human Development 2005-2008 Member University Graduate Council

2005-2008 Member Department Advisory Committee

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2007-2008 Member ILT Doctoral Admissions Committee 2011-2012 Chair ILT Doctoral Ad Hoc Policy and Handbook Committee Member Ad Hoc Committee Doctoral Handbook Department of Interdisciplinary Learning and Teaching Chair Ad Hoc Committee Early Childhood Block Department of Interdisciplinary Learning and Teaching Member Ad Hoc Professional Development Schools Committee Department of Interdisciplinary Learning and Teaching Chair Faculty Search Committee (Special Education) Department of Interdisciplinary Learning and Teaching 2010-2011 Member Faculty Search Committee Bilingual Bicultural Studies 2010-2011 Affirmative Action Advocate Chair Faculty Search Committee (ECE/Elementary Education Department of Interdisciplinary Learning and Teaching 2007-2008 Member Faculty Search Committee (Health and Kinesiology) Department of Health and Kinesiology 2007-2008 Chair Faculty Search Committee (ECE/Elementary Education Department of Interdisciplinary Learning and Teaching 2006-2007 Member Faculty Search Committee (Educational Leadership and

Policy Studies) Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies 2006-2007 2009-2010 Affirmative Action Advocate

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Member Faculty Search Committee (ECE/Elementary Education) Department of Interdisciplinary Teaching and Learning Member Faculty Search Committee (Bicultural Bilingual Studies Division of Bicultural Bilingual Studies Member Advisory Appeal Committee College of Education and Human Development Member Department Curriculum Committee Department of Interdisciplinary Learning and Teaching Member College Curriculum Committee (undergraduate &

graduate) College of Education and Human Development Member Committee on Committees The University of Texas at San Antonio Secretary College Council College of Education and Human Development The University of Texas at San Antonio 2003-2004 Member College Council College of Education and Human Development The University of Texas at San Antonio 2010-2011 Program Area Facilitator Early Childhood and Elementary Education

Department of Interdisciplinary Studies/Curriculum & Instruction

College of Education and Human Development The University of Texas at San Antonio Member Department Advisory Council

Department of Interdisciplinary Studies/Curriculum & Instruction College of Education and Human Development The University of Texas at San Antonio 2003-2004

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Member Search Committee Department of Interdisciplinary Studies/Curriculum & Instruction

College of Education and Human Development The University of Texas at San Antonio 2003-2004 Member Advisory Committee College of Education and Human Development The University of Texas at San Antonio 2002-2004 Member Ad Hoc E-Portfolio Committee

Department of Interdisciplinary Studies/Curriculum & Instruction

College of Education and Human Development The University of Texas at San Antonio 2003 Member Fitness to Teach Level II Review Committee College of Education and Human Development The University of Texas at San Antonio 2003 Member Scholarship Committee (TASPA) College of Education and Human Development The University of Texas at San Antonio 2003 Member Diversity Committee

Department of Interdisciplinary Studies/Curriculum & Instruction

College of Education and Human Development The University of Texas at San Antonio 2002 Chair Teacher Appreciation Committee The University of Texas at San Antonio College of Education and Human Development

Department of Interdisciplinary Studies and Curriculum & Instruction

2003

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Member Faculty Search Committee The University of Texas at San Antonio College of Education and Human Development Department of Health and Kinesiology 2003-2004 Member Faculty Research Grant Committee The University of Texas at San Antonio College of Education and Human Development 2002 Member Advisory Council The University of Texas at San Antonio

College of Education and Human Development 2001-2004 Member Faculty Search Committee The University of Texas at San Antonio College of Education and Human Development

Elementary/Early Childhood Education: Math & Science 2001-2002 Member Faculty Search Committee The University of Texas at San Antonio College of Education and Human Development Special Education 2001-2002 Member Faculty Search Committee The University of Texas at San Antonio College of Education and Human Development Counseling 2000-2001 Member University Standing Committee on Teacher Education The University of Texas at San Antonio 1999-2003 Member Graduate Studies Committee The University of Texas at San Antonio Division of Education 1999 to present

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Member Division Travel Committee The University of Texas at San Antonio Division of Education 1999-2001 Member Faculty Search Committee The University of Texas at San Antonio Divisions of Education and Bilingual-Bicultural Studies 1999-2000 Member Curriculum Committee The University of Texas at San Antonio Division of Education 1998-1999 1999-2001 Member Teacher Appreciation Committee Division of Education The University of Texas at San Antonio Spring 1999 Spring 2002 Member Faculty Search Committee The University of Texas at San Antonio Division of Education 1998-1999 DISSERTATION & THESIS COMMITTEE PARTICIPATION Member The University of Texas at San Antonio Doctoral Qualifying Exams Committee Doctoral Dissertation Committee Teressa Skeete 2006 Member The University of Texas at Austin Doctoral Qualifying Exams Committee Doctoral Dissertation Committee John A. Sutterby 2002 Chair The University of Texas at San Antonio Master Thesis Committee Jennifer Fieten 2007

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Chair The University of Texas at San Antonio Honor’s Thesis Committee Sofia Villalobos 2007 PROFESSIONAL SERVICE Editor Dimensions of Early Childhood Journal 2013-Present NCATE Panel Member NAEYC Reviewer 2006-2009 Consulting Editor National Association for the Education of Young Children Young Children 2003-2006 Coordinator Texas Association for Bilingual Education Early Childhood Institute Annual Conference San Antonio, TX 2012 Member City of San Antonio Head Start Division Advisory Board 2011-Present Member San Antonio Independent School District Early Childhood Advisory Board 2011-Present Member San Antonio College Early Childhood Advisory Board 2012 Reviewer Contemporary Issues in Early Childhood Journal Reviewer Dimensions of Early Childhood Education 2006-2013 Reviewer Early Childhood Education Journal Reviewer Bilingual Research Journal Reviewer Child Development 2009-2013

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Member Playing for Keeps Advisory Council (National Non-Profit

Organization) 2002-2004 Proposal Reviewer American Education Research Association National Conference 2011 Proposal Reviewer The National Association for Bilingual Education (NABE)

Conference Committee 2001-2004 Proposal Reviewer The National Association for the Education of Young Children

(NAEYC) Annual Conference 2009-Present Proposal Reviewer The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Professional Development Institute 2012-Present Co-Chair Association for Childhood Education International Registration Committee 1999 Reviewer Family Services Association Annual Evaluation January 2013 COURSES TAUGHT Undergraduate ECE 3143 Child Growth and Development ECE 3313 Play, Creativity & Learning in EC- 6th ECE 3603 Language Development in EC-6th ECE 3103 Young Children’s Literature ECE 4113 Language Development and Reading in Early Childhood ECE 3113 Developmental Play in Early Childhood ECE 3123 Programs in Early Childhood ECE 4103 Guidance of Young Children in Groups ECE 4123 Family and Community Resources in Early Childhood ECE 4303 Approaches to Teaching PK-2nd Grade BBL 4063 Bilingual Approaches to Content-Based Instruction C&I 4303 Approaches to Teaching Social Studies, Fine Arts and Language Arts EC-4th

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Graduate ECE 5513 Language and Discourse Development in Preschool and Primary Children ECE 5503 Curriculum for Preschool and Primary Children ECE 6303 Advanced Methods in Early Childhood/Elementary Ed Topic: Play and Play Environments ECE 6523 Social Policy for Families and Children ECE 6213 Current Issues in Early Childhood and Elementary Education ECE 6183 Seminar in Early Childhood Education In Cross-Cultural Perspectives ECE 6163 Biological Basis of Child Development ECE 6653 Action Research in Childhood Settings ECE 5443 Guidance of Socialemotional Development of Children ECE 6123 Administration of Early Childhood Programs C&I 6973 Special Problems: National Board Certification Preparation BBL 5033 Bilingual Content Instruction CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS AND ATTENDANCE Presenter Are you interested in becoming an author? Southern Early Childhood Association (SECA) Annual Conference Williamsburg, VA January 2014 Co-Presenter The Magic Preschool Class/La Clase Mágica Preescolar National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Annual Conference Washington, DC November 2013 Co Presenter La Clase Mágica Preescolar American Association for Teaching and Curriculum Annual Conference San Antonio, TX October 2012 Co Presenter Foundations for Early Biliteracy: Playful Language Southern Early Childhood Association Annual Conference San Antonio, TX 2012 Co-Presenter Reflexive Teaching: Case Study of 5 Early Childhood Teachers Southern Early Childhood Association Annual Conference San Antonio, TX 2012

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Co-Presenter Playful dialogues of a bilingual child in every day AERA 2011 (unable to attend, co-presenter Mary Esther Huerta, Ph.D. presented) Presenter UTSA Early Childhood Institute 2011, 2012 (Also organized the institute) Presenter Desarrollando una Alianza entre los Padres, la Escuela, y la Universidad National Association for Bilingual Education (NABE) Austin 2009 Presenter Supporting Preschooler’s Social Development in School through Funds of

Knowledge National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Dallas, TX 2009 Participant Reggio Emilia Vision and Practice 92nd St and Y and Instituto Italiano di Cultura November 2007 (Organized session to be broadcast at UTSA for ECE students) Presenter Play and Applied Behavior Analysis:

Two Approaches Facilitating Learning for a Preschooler on the Autism Spectrum National Association for the Education of Young Children Annual Conference November 2007

Presenter Reconstructing Early Childhood Beliefs and Practices: Bridging Theory

and Professional Development Texas Association for Bilingual Educators Annual Conference October 2007 Presenter Family Values Build School Success ACEI Annual International Conference May 2007 Presenter Beliefs, Attitudes and Perspectives: Teacher Candidates Developing Knowledge about Culturally, and Linguistically Diverse Families SERA Annual Conference February 2007

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Presenter Using Cultural Tools to Develop Scientific Literacy of Young Mexican American Preschoolers.

SERA Annual Conference February 2006 Presenter Las Ciencias con Sabor Casero: Linking Cultural and Literacy Practices

to Promote Young Children’s Scientific Knowledge National Association for Bilingual Educators (NABE) Annual Conference February 2005 Presenter Bilingualism: Celebrating Diversity! Texas A & M International University

Family Institute for Early Literacy Development May 2004 Presenter Bilingual, Biliterate, Bicultural Conference Texas A & M International University Un Instituto Familiar: Working with Parents of Preschoolers March 2003 Presenter National Association for Bilingual Education (NABE)

Language Functions of Mexican American Children Identified through Sociodramatic Play in a Dual Language Classroom January 2003

Presenter National Association for Bilingual Education (NABE) Research and Evaluation SIG

A Theoretical Framework for Establishing a Culturally Appropriate Classroom Ecology within the Early Childhood Bilingual Classroom

January 2003 Presenter National Association for Bilingual Education (NABE)

De la Casa a la Escuela: Connecting Families with the School’s Early Childhood Program January 2003

Presenter The First Annual Mexico-Texas Border Literacy Conference Texas Association for the Improvement of Reading and Writing Projects of Texas From Meriendas to Cuentos: Fostering Early Literacy through Intergenerational Activities January 2003

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Presenter Southwest Educational Research Association Early Childhood Teachers’ Notions of Classroom Practices: Creating an Equitable Classroom Ecology for Language Minority Students February 2003

Presenter Laredo Independent School District Home/School Training Program

Talking and Listening: Fostering Language Development at Home August 2002

Presenter San Antonio Independent School District Early Childhood Monthly Seminar The Anti-Bias Classroom April 2002 Presenter National Association for Bilingual Education (NABE)

You Can’t Have a Rainbow without a Tormenta: An IHE, a Community, and a Dual Language School March 2002

Presenter Intercultural Development Research Association La Semana del Niño (The Week of the Young Child) National Early Childhood Educators Institute Creating a Culturally Responsive Classroom Climate April 2001 Presenter San Antonio Area Association for Bilingual Education Annual Conference Había Una Vez…. El Arte de Contar Cuentos a los Pequeñitos (Once Upon a Time…The Art of Telling Stories to Young Children) March 2001 Presenter Presentation at the PROJECT ALIANZA Research Meeting

A Psychological Schema of Normalistas’ in a Bilingual Education Teacher-training Program Mexico, D. F. July 2001

Presenter The Institute of Texan Cultures Docent Training Language Discourse in Early Childhood February 2001

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Presenter South San Antonio Independent School District Training for PK Teachers Developmentally Appropriate Teaching in Public Preschool

Classrooms January - May 2001 Presenter National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)

Sociodramatic Play in a Two-Way Bilingual Preschool Classroom: Mexican American Children in Action November 2000

Participant UNAM (Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México)

Felipe Garrido, Speaker Videoconference Reading Skills in Spanish

UTSA Downtown Campus November 2000 Presenter San Antonio Independent School District Bilingual Symposium ESL Strategies and Activities for Preschoolers May 2000 Presenter/Panelist San Antonio Independent School District Vision 2005 Educational Focus Group Learning to Learning–Pre-K Plus Language Development in Preschool May 2000 Presenter Intercultural Development Research Association

La Semana del Niño (The Week of the Young Child) National Early Childhood Educators Institute

¿Dónde Jugarán los Niños? The Child’s Right to Play in School April 2000 Participant TEKS for Leaders The Texas Education Agency Austin, TX August 1999 Participant National Board for Professional Teaching Standards Facilitators Institute San Francisco, CA Summer 1999

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Participant National Board for Professional Teaching Standards and NCATE Training Washington, D.C. Spring 1999 Consultant Southwest Development Research Association Technical Assistance on ESL Strategies for Young Learners Spring 1999 Presenter San Antonio Independent School District Bilingual Symposium Fall 1998 PROGRAM EVALUATION External Reviewer Texas A & M Corpus Christi Master of Science in Early Childhood SACS evaluation November 2012 CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT Writer High Reach Learning 2007 Consultant Dora Leapster 2007 Writer Intercultural Development Research Association Even Start Literacy Curriculum Fall 1998 Writer Intercultural Development Research Association Pre-K Curriculum Writer and Translator National Publishing Company (Scholastic) July 1993 - January 1994 HONORS Member Leadership UTSA 2013-2014 Member KAPPA DELTA PI International Honor Society in Education The University of Texas at Austin 1995

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Teacher of the Year St. Mary’s University/Luby’s Cafeteria, Inc. Prize Top Ten Finalist Stonewall Child Development Center San Antonio, Texas 1993-1994 Teacher of the Year Trinity Prize for Excellence in Teaching (Campus Level) Stonewall Child Development Center San Antonio, Texas 1992-1993 GRANTS AND FELLOWSHIPS Funded HEB Foundation La Clase Mágica Preescolar $10,000 2010 South Texas Hispanic Fund La Clase Mágica Preescolar $5,000 2010 Academy for Teacher Excellence ATE Faculty Research Grant 2005

Faculty Research Grant 2004 Faculty Research Award The University of Texas at San Antonio 2001-2002 Faculty Research Award The University of Texas at San Antonio 1999-2000 New Faculty Research Grant The University of Texas at San Antonio 1998-1999

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Title VII Doctoral Fellowship The University of Texas at Austin 1994-1996 PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) American Education Research Association (AERA) National Association for Bilingual Educators (NABE) COMMUNITY SERVICE 2012 BAM! Radio Interview with Rae Pica: Dealing with Parents: Special Treatment

http://blogs.dctc.edu/dawnbraa/rae-picas-bam-internet-radio/ 2007 A Place of Our Own/Los Niños en Su Casa KLRN Early On Guest speaker on Telling Traditional Stories or Cuentos to Young Children 2007 Univision Guest speaker about Latino families facing autism 2006 One for Autism Academy Early Childhood Teachers Training 2005 AVANCE Early Learning Academy Training

2001 Volunteer at San José Mission Neighborhood Association Housing Fair 2001-Present Family Institute for Early Literacy Storm Elementary SAISD 2001 Guest Consultant, “How to Create Developmentally Appropriate Environments in

Preschool,” Storm Elementary, SAISD 2001 Guest Speaker for Career Day, John B. Connally Middle School, Northside ISD,

8th grade English class. 2001 Guest Speaker, UTSA America Reads “Behavior Management” 2000 Volunteer, Health Fair for the Palo Alto Community Coalition (PACC) for

JOVEN Center

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2000 Volunteer, 6th Annual Basura Bash San Antonio River Cleanup Mission County Park

2000 Volunteer, TxBESS Beginning Teacher Support Meeting—Region XX 2000 Volunteer, read to 2nd graders at Hoelscher Elementary SAISD 2000 Speaker, Career Day Hoelscher Elementary SAISD 2000-2001 Member, Campus Improvement Team Kriewald Road-Edison Elementary

Southwest ISD. 2000-Present Member, SAISD Early Childhood Task Force 1998-2001 Mentor, Business Careers High School