Margaret C. Gillis, Ph.D.
Curriculum Vitae
Department of Specialized Education Services
University of North Carolina, Greensboro
PO Box 26170
434 School of Education Building
Greensboro, NC 27402
336-355-8066 *
EDUCATION
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Ph.D. in Education: Early Childhood, Special Education, and Literacy; 2011
Dissertation: Birth-Kindergarten Licensure Graduates’ Perceptions of Their Current Practices and Pre-Service Preparation Relative to Individualization Strategies for Young Children, Advisors Harriet Able and Sharon Palsha
Harvard University Graduate School of Education
Ed.M. Risk and Prevention: Childhood; 2005
Appalachian State University
B.S. Child Development: Birth-Kindergarten; Psychology minor; 2002
magna cum laude
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Assistant Professor University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Department of Specialized Education Services, 2014- Present
Co-Director of Birth-Kindergarten Programs (Undergraduate and Graduate), 2014-Present
Clinical Assistant Professor University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Department of Specialized Education Services, 2012- Present
Co-Director of Undergraduate Birth-Kindergarten Programs, 2013-2014
Visiting Assistant Professor University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Department of Human Development and Family Studies, 2011-2012
Instructor University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, School of Education, 2006-2011
Teaching Assistant University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, School of Education, 2006
RESEARCH
School of Education
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Influence of Parent Co-Instructors on Pre-Service Teacher Training, Co-Primary Investigator with Jean Kang; 2014-present
Early Learning Observation and Rating Scale (ELORS): Facilitating Communication Between Physicians and Families About Children’s Learning Needs, Co-Primary Investigator with Dr. Tracey West at Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; 2013- present
Early Childhood Individualizing Study, Primary Investigator; 2012- present
Early Learning Observation and Rating Scale (ELORS) Validation Project; Co-Primary Investigator with Dr. Tracey West at Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; 2011- present
School of Education
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Birth-Kindergarten Licensure Graduates Study, Primary Investigator; 2010-2012
Project ABC123, Research Assistant; Dr. Melissa Miller, Dr. Kate Gallagher, and Dr. Sharon Palsha, Co-Primary Investigators; June 2008-January 2010
Harvard Graduate School of Education and Communities in Schools Durham
Project READS (Reading Enhances Achievement During the Summer), Research Assistant; Dr. James Kim, Primary Investigator; Kirsten Aleman, Project Director; May 2011-present
Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Early Learning Observation and Rating Scale (ELORS) Project, Research Assistant; Dr. Mary Ruth Coleman, Primary Investigator; June 2008- Present
Recognition and Response Project, Research Assistant; Dr. Virginia Buysse and Dr. Mary Ruth Coleman, Co-Primary Investigators; August 2005- June 2008
Harvard Graduate School of Education
Developmental Pathways Project, Research Assistant; Dr. Catherine Ayoub, Primary Investigator; September 2004- June 2005
GRANTS
Gillis, M. (Co-Principal Investigator) & Hestenes, L. (2014-2019). Online Masters Degree Emphasis in Early Childhood Leadership and Program Administration. Contract with the North Carolina Division of Child Development and Early Education. Contract number: 31295. Total Amount Funded: $99,436.26.
Gillis, M. (Project Director, Co-Principal Investigator), Kang, J., La Paro, K., & Scott-Little, C. (Co-Principal Investigators). (2015-2019). Preparing Post-Baccalaureate Early Interventionists/Early Childhood Special Educators for Working with ALL Children. Five-year personnel preparation project for the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Services. Grant award number: H325K140109. Total Amount Funded: $1,246,964. 2014-2019.
Gillis, M. (Project Director, Co-Principal Investigator), Kang, J., La Paro, K., & Scott-Little, C. (Co-Principal Investigators). (2013). Preparing Post-Baccalaureate Early Interventionists/Early Childhood Special Educators for Working with ALL Children: Focus on a Tiered Intervention Framework. Five-year personnel preparation project submitted to the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Services. Total Amount Requested: $1,249,683. Status: Not funded.
Gillis, M. (Principal Investigator). (2013). Examining Early Childhood Educators’ Individualizing Practices and Experiences with Response to Intervention: A Survey of the Field. One-year project submitted to the UNCG Office of Research and Economic Development. Total Amount Requested: $3,814. Status: Not funded.
PUBLICATIONS
Gillis, M. (in preparation). Collaborating to meet all children’s needs: Birth-kindergarten licensure graduates’ perceptions of their collaboration with professionals and families.
Gillis, M. (in prepration). Early childhood educators’ preparation and practice for individualizing within tiered intervention framework
Gillis. M. (2011). Promoting success: Early indicators of learning disabilities in pre-school children. Perspectives on Language and Literacy, 37(3), 29-31.
Coleman, M.R., Gillis, M., & West. T. (2011). The Early learning observation and rating scale (ELORS): Honoring parental and teacher concerns. Perspectives on Language and Literacy, 37(3), 35-37.
Gillis, M., West, T., & Coleman, M.R. (2010). Early learning observation & rating scale (ELORS): Teacher’s Guide. New York: National Center for Learning Disabilities.
Gillis, M., West, T., & Coleman, M.R. (2010). Early learning observation & rating scale (ELORS): Development Manual. New York: National Center for Learning Disabilities.
Coleman, M.R., West, T., & Gillis, M. (2010). Early learning observation & rating scale (ELORS): Parent-individual child form. New York: National Center for Learning Disabilities.
Coleman, M.R., West, T., & Gillis, M. (2010). Early learning observation & rating scale (ELORS): Teacher-individual child form. New York: National Center for Learning Disabilities.
Coleman, M.R., West, T., & Gillis, M. (2010). Early learning observation & rating scale (ELORS): Whole-class form. New York: National Center for Learning Disabilities.
PROFESSIONAL PRESENTATIONS
Gillis, M. & Kang, J. (2015, Dec.). Including parents as co-instructors and the impact on pre-service practitioners’ understanding of family-centered practice. Poster presentation accepted for the Zero to Three National Training Institute. Seattle, WA.
Kang, J. & Gillis, M. (2015, Oct.). Influence of parent co-instructors on pre-service teacher training. Presentation at the Division for Early Childhood of the Council for Exceptional Children Annual Conference. Atlanta, GA.
Gillis, M., Busio, D., Grace, S. (2014, Oct.). Individualizing in early childhood: Practitioners’ strategies and needs for professional development. Presentation at the Division for Early Childhood of the Council for Exceptional Children Annual Conference. St. Louis, MO.
Gillis, M. (2013, Oct.). Examining pre-service preparation to individualize for young children within an RTI framework. Presentation at the Division for Early Childhood of the Council for Exceptional Children Annual Conference. San Francisco, CA.
Busio, D., & Gillis, M. (2013, February). The ABC’s of RTI: Parent involvement, professional development, and planning for RTI. Presentation at the North Carolina Council for Exceptional Children Conference, Pinehurst, NC.
Gillis, M. (2013, Jan.). Unlocking the Mysteries of 2-year-olds. Presentation at the A.S.K. Conference, Chapel Hill, NC.
Gillis, M. (2012, Nov.). Leading by example to prepare 21st century special educators. Presentation at the Teacher Education Division of the Council for Exceptional Children Conference, Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Lower, J., Gillis, M., & Smith, S. (2011, June). Taking the “scary” out of online teaching: Translating traditional curricula through an online framework. Presentation accepted for the National Association for the Education of Young Children National Institute for Early Childhood Professional Development. Indianapolis, IN.
Gillis, M. (2011, April) Early childhood teacher licensure graduates’ perceptions of their practice and preparation to meet children’s needs. Poster accepted for the Council for Exceptional Children Convention and Expo. Denver, CO.
Gillis, M. (2011, Nov.). Early childhood teacher licensure graduates’ perceptions of their practice and preparation to meet children’s needs. Presentation at the Teacher Education Division of the Council for Exceptional Children Conference. Austin, TX.
Gillis, M. (2011, May). Early childhood teacher licensure graduates’ perceptions of their practice and preparation to meet children’s needs. Presentation at the International Society on Early Intervention Conference. New York, NY.
Gillis, M. (2010, February). Unlocking the Mysteries of 2-year-olds. Presentation at the Durham-Orange Preschool Association Professional Development Conference, Chapel Hill, NC.
Gillis, M., & Coleman, M.R. (2009, October). Development of the Early Learning Observation & Rating Scale (ELORS). Poster presentation. RTI Early Childhood Summit, Albuquerque, NM.
Gillis, M., & West, T. (2009, April). Observing children to recognize learning needs within the preschool classroom. Council for Exceptional Children Annual Convention, Seattle, WA.
Buysse, V., Neitzel, J., & Gillis, M. (2007, July). RTI Goes to Pre-K: An Early Intervening System Called Recognition and Response. Chapel Hill: The University of North Carolina, FPG. Presentation at the National Inclusion Institute, Chapel Hill, NC.
Buysse, V., & Gillis, M. (2007, April). RTI Goes to Pre-K: An Early Intervening System Called Recognition and Response. Chapel Hill: The University of North Carolina, FPG. Pre-Conference Workshop conducted at the Together We Will Annual Conference, Cromwell, CT.
Buysse, V., West, T., & Gillis, M. (2007, April). RTI Goes to Pre-K: An Early Intervening System Called Recognition and Response. Chapel Hill: The University of North Carolina, FPG. Pre-Conference Workshop conducted at the Council for Exceptional Children Annual Convention, Louisville, KY.
Gillis, M. (2001). A ‘Reggio’ Experience from a Student Teacher’s Perspective. NC-aeyc Annual Study Conference. Greensboro, NC.
Teaching Experience
University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Special Education (Ph.D.)
SES 711: Family Engagement in Early Childhood Special Education
SES 764: College Teaching Practicum
University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Birth-Kindergarten: Interdisciplinary Studies in Education and Development Program (M.Ed.), Birth-Kindergarten: Initial Licensure Program (graduate certificate)
SES 601: Introduction to Inclusive Birth-Kindergarten Services
SES 604: Internship in Inclusive Early Childhood,
HDF/SES 606: Preschool/Kindergarten Learning in Inclusive Settings
HDF/SES 607: Infant-Toddler Learning in Inclusive Settings
SES 649c: Practicum in Special Education
SES 688: Special Topics: Issues and Trends in Early Intervention/Early Childhood Special Education
University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Early Care and Education and Birth-Kindergarten Licensure Programs (B.S.)
HDF 250: Introduction to Birth-Kindergarten Education and Programs
HDF/SES 315: Assessment and Planning for Inclusive B-K Programs
HDF/SES 436: Kindergarten: Development, Learning, and Curriculum
HDF 460: Supervised Student Teaching
HDF 409: Family Diversity
SES 460: Home-School Partnerships for Students with Exceptional Needs
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Early Intervention and Family Support Program (M.Ed.X.)
EDUC 668: Preschool/Kindergarten Curriculum and Learning Environments Graduate Internship
EDUC 668: Infant-Toddler Curriculum and Learning Environments Graduate Internship
EDUC 167: Infant-Toddler Curriculum and Learning Environments
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Child Development and Family Studies Program (A.B.Ed.)
EDUC 403: Working with Socio-culturally Diverse Families
EDUC 404: Infant- Toddler Assessment and Intervention
EDUC 405: Infant- Toddler Internship Seminar
EDUC 402: Models of Early Childhood Services
INSTITUTIONAL SERVICE
University
Chancellor’s Advisory Committee on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusive Excellence, 2015-present
Human Development and Family Studies Birth-Kindergarten Tenure Track Faculty Search Committee, 2015-2016
Specialized Education Services Professions in Deafness Tenure-Track Faculty Search Committee, 2015-16
CARE: Child Advocacy, Research, and Education student organization planning team, 2012-2013
School
Faculty Access and Equity Committee, 2013-present; Chair 2015-2016
Council of Program Coordinators, 2012- present
Department
Coordinator of Birth-Kindergarten Programs, 2013-present
SES Doctoral Committee, 2012-present
Birth-Kindergarten Interdisciplinary Graduate Committee, 2012-present
EC LEADS Grant Committee, 2012-present
Department of Specialized Education Services (SES) Advisory Committee, 2012-2013
Birth-Kindergarten Interdisciplinary Undergraduate Committee, 2011-present
Early Childhood Advisory Group to the Dean, School of Education, UNC-Chapel Hill, 2008-2010
Program
Co-Director of Graduate Birth-Kindergarten Programs, 2014-present
Co-Director of Undergraduate Birth-Kindergarten Programs, 2013- present
Birth-Kindergarten Supervision and Cooperating Teacher task force, 2011-2014
Birth-Kindergarten Technology task force, 2011-2012
Birth-Kindergarten Technical Standards task force, 2011-2012
PROFESSIONAL SERVICE
Professional Review Activities
U.S. Department of Education and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Preschool Development Grants grant reviewer, 2014
U.S. Department of Education Office of Special Education Programs grant reviewer, 2014
Division for Early Childhood of the Council for Exceptional Children conference proposal reviewer, 2014, 2015
U.S. Department of Education and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Race to the Top- Early Learning Challenge grant reviewer, 2013
National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Consulting Editor Panel, 2013-present
National Head Start Association Dialogues review board, 2013-present
Young Exceptional Children, review board, 2012-present
Teacher Education Division of the Council for Exceptional Children conference proposal reviewer, 2012, 2013, 2014
Office of Head Start grant reviewer, 2012
Early Childhood Research Quarterly Guest Reviewer, 2007
Journal of Early Intervention, Assistant to Associate Editor Virginia Buysse, 2007
State Service
Secretary, Birth-Kindergarten Higher Education Consortium (BKHEC), 2013-present
Member, BKHEC, 2012-present
Service to the Community
Member, Appalachian State University Birth-Kindergarten Program Advisory Board, 2013-present
Volunteer, National Early Childhood Inclusion Institute, May 2013
Connection Station Facilitator, North Carolina Infant Mental Health Association workshop on Improving Youth Child Mental Health in North Carolina, March 2013
Facilitator, Refreshing Our Practice in the New Year, workshop for Holy Trinity Preschool, January 2013
Volunteer, North Carolina Association for the Education of Young Children conference, September 2011
Member, North Carolina Association for the Education of Young Children (NC-aeyc) Conference Advisory Committee, 2005-2008
Chairperson, Bank of America Child Care Center Week of the Young Child Committee, 2003 & 2004
Member, NC-aeyc Annual Study Conference Planning Committee, 2000- 2001
President, Highland Association for the Education of Young Children (HAEYC), 2000-2001
STUDENT COMMITTEES
Doctoral
Khulod Alamer, 2014-present (Co-Chair)
Dionne Busio, 2012-present (Member)
Honors Thesis
Nicole Bieber, 2011 (Member)
HONORS and AWARDS
UNCG Faculty Excellence in Research and Creative Activity Honoree 2015
UNCG Health and Human Sciences Outstanding Teacher Awards Nominee 2012
Evidence-Based Practice in Early Intervention Leadership Grant Recipient/Participant 2006-2011
Early Intervention Leadership Grant Recipient/Participant 2005-2006
Bright Horizons Make a Difference Award 2003
Magna cum laude Appalachian State University 2002
Karen L. McNamara Memorial Scholarship 2001
Alpha Chi, Gamma Beta Phi, and Phi Eta Sigma- National Honor Societies 1999-2002
North Carolina Association for the Education of Young Children Scholarship 1999
Appalachian State University Dean’s List and Chancellor’s List 1998-2002
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
Member, National Association for the Education of Young Children 1996- Present
Member, North Carolina Association for the Education of Young Children (NC-aeyc) 1996- Present
Member, Council for Exceptional Children 2000- Present
Member, Division for Early Childhood 2000- Present
Member, International Society on Early Intervention 2010- Present
Member, Teacher Education Division 2011-2014
TEACHING LICENSURE
Birth to Kindergarten, North Carolina
FIELD EXPERIENCE
Bright Horizons Family Solutions
Bank of America Child Care Center Charlotte, NC
Teacher, May 2002- August 2004
Developmental Evaluation Center Boone, NC
Intern, April- May 2002
Mt. Pleasant Elementary School Wilkesboro, NC
Student Teacher, January- March 2002
Watauga County Head Start Boone, NC
Intern, August- December 2001
Holy Trinity Preschool Fayetteville, NC
Assistant Teacher/ Substitute Teacher, Summers and Holidays 1995-2001
Lucy Brock Child Development Center Boone, NC
Intern, January- May 2001
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
President, Incriminators Scooter Club, January 2011- present
Member, Incriminators Scooter Club, November 2009- present
Member, Preservation Durham, 2009- present
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