ALLISON WARD PARSONS
Assistant Professor
Literacy Program Coordinator: ELMS Division
George Mason University
College of Education and Human Development
4400 University Dr., MS 4B3
Fairfax, VA 22030
703-993-5257
EDUCATION
•2009 Ph.D. in Reading Education, The University of Virginia
Committee: Marcia Invernizzi, Michael McKenna,Laura Smolkin, Andrew Mashburn
Dissertation:A formative study investigating interactive information book reading and activities to develop kindergartners’ science vocabulary.
•2006 M.Ed. Elementary Education, The University of North Carolina at Greensboro
•1994 A.B. Elementary Education and Psychology, The University of North Carolina at
Chapel Hill
REFERREED PUBLICATIONS
Parsons, A. W.,Parsons, S. A., & Dodman, S. L. (in press). Lessons learned from a longitudinal literacy professional development initiative. Making Literacy Connections.
Parsons, S. A., Malloy, J. A., Parsons, A. W., & Burrowbridge, S. C. (in press). Students’ affective engagement in literacy tasks: Observations of and interviews with sixth-grade students. In S. Szabo, T. Morrison, M. Boggs, & L. Martin (Eds.), 34th Yearbook of the Association of Literacy Educators and Researchers.
Parsons, S. A. & Ward, A. E. (2011). The case for authentic tasks in content literacy. The Reading Teacher, 64, 462-465.(invited)
Parsons, A.W. (2010-2011). Interactive reading is a SNAP!. Reading in Virginia, 33.
Zucker, T. A., Ward, A. E., & Justice, L. M. (2009). Print referencing during read-alouds: A technique for increasing emergent readers’ print knowledge. The Reading Teacher, 63, 62-72.
BOOK CHAPTERS
Gray, E.S. & Parsons, A.W. (in press). Is it dyslexia? Abby struggles to read. In N. Nilsson & S. Grady (Eds.). Considerations for Struggling Readers and Writers: Linking Research to Practice. Charlotte, NC: Information Age Publishing.
REFERREED INTERNATIONAL AND NATIONAL PRESENTATIONS
Dodman, S. L., Parsons, S. A.,Parsons, A. W. (2013, February). Partnering for improvement: The Collaborative Advancement of Reading Education Project. Paper to be presented at the annual meeting of the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education, Orlando, FL.
Parsons, A.W. (2012, November). Exploring semantic connections to deepen science vocabulary: A formative study in kindergarten. Paper to be presented at the annual meeting of the Literacy Research Association, San Diego, CA.
Parsons, S. A., Parsons, A. W., Richey, L. N., Dodman, S. L., Scales, D., & Ramnath, R. (2012, December).Year 2 of a longitudinal, collaborative literacy professional development project.Paper to be presented at the annual meeting of the Literacy Research Association, San Diego, CA.
Malloy, J. A., Parsons, S. A.,Parsons, A. W., & Burrowbridge, S. C. (2012, December). Methods for evaluating literacy engagement as a dynamic construct in an integrated social studies/ELA classroom. Paper to be presented at the annual meeting of the Literacy Research Association, San Diego, CA.
Parsons, S. A.,Parsons, A. W., Richey, L. N., & Dodman, S. L. (2012, November). What components of literacy professional development are most helpful for teachers and specialists? Insights from a longitudinal school-university partnership. Paper to be presented at the annual meeting of the Association for Literacy Educators and Researchers, Grand Rapids, MI.
Marinak, B., Gambrell, L., Reutzel, R., Fawson, P., Malloy, J., Parsons, S. A.,Parsons, A. W. (2012, November). Motivation transforms literacy beliefs and practices. Paper to be presented at the annual meeting of the Association for Literacy Educators and Researchers, Grand Rapids, MI.
Parsons, S. A., Parsons A. W., Richey, L.N., Simmons, S. X., & Scales, W.D. (2012, April). The beginning of a collaborative, longitudinal professional development project. Roundtable presented at the annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association, Vancouver, B.C.
Parsons, S. A., Ward A. E.,Simmons, S. X., & Richey, L. (2011, December). Year 1 of a collaborative, longitudinal professional development project. Roundtable presented at the annual meeting of the Literacy Research Association, Jacksonville, FL.
Parsons, S. A., Malloy, J. A., Ward, A.E., & Burrowbridge, S. C. (2011, December). A formative study of student engagement in integrated literacy and social studies tasks. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Literacy Research Association, Jacksonville, FL.
Parsons, S. A., Parsons, A. W., Malloy, J. A., & Burrowbridge, S. C. (2011, November). Adaptive teaching in integrated literacy and social studies lessons. Paper presented in a symposium at the annual meeting of the Association of Literacy Educators and Researchers, Richmond, VA.
Parsons, A.W. (2011, November). Deepening Kindergarteners’ Science Vocabulary. Roundtable presented at the annual meeting of the Association of Literacy Educators and Researchers, Richmond, VA.
Marinak, B.A., Gambrell, L.B., Fawson, P., Reutzel, D. R., Malloy, J.A., Parsons, S. A., Ward, A. E., Burrowbridge, S. C.,Applegate, M., Applegate, T. (2011, November). Research on Motivation to Read: Classroom Implications.Symposium presented at the annual meeting of the Association of Literacy Educators and Researchers, Richmond, VA.
Malloy, J. A., Parsons, S.A., Ward, A.E., & Burrowbridge, S. C. (2011, May). Poster presented at the 4th Annual Meeting of the Society for the Study of Motivation (SSM), Washington, DC.
Ward, A. E. (2011, April). Deepening Kindergarteners’ Science Vocabulary. Poster session presented at the annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association, New Orleans, LA.
Parsons, S. A., Cohen, S., & Ward, A. E. (2010, December). Students’ engagement in literacy tasks. Symposium presented at the annual meeting of the National Reading Conference/Literacy Research Association, Fort Worth, TX.
Conradi, K. E. & Ward, A. E. (2010, April). Graphic novels: Zooming into the classroom. Paper presented at the annual convention of the International Reading Association, Chicago, IL.
Ebert, A. A. & Ward, A. E. (2009, May). What does reading disability look like? Examination of the reading behaviors of two students attending a university reading clinic and strategies for helping reading disabled students. Paper presented at the annual convention of the International Reading Association, Minneapolis, MN.
INVITED AND LOCAL PRESENTATIONS
Parsons, A. W.(Discussant). (2012, November). What motivates children to read? Paper session to be presented at the annual meeting of the Literacy Research Association, San Diego, CA. (invited).
Parsons, A. W. (2012, May). Shared reading: Techniques to build children’s literacy skills. Presentation for Lake Anne Elementary with Fairfax County Public Library, Reston, VA. (invited).
Parsons, A. W., (2012, May). Shared reading: Techniques to build children’s literacy skills. Presentation for Lynbrook Elementary with Fairfax County Public Library, Springfield, VA. (invited).
Parsons, S. A., Parsons, A. W., Richey, L., & Dodman, S. (2012, February). Collaborative advancement of reading education (CARE): A school-university partnership in an urban charter school. Poster presented at the College of Education and Human Development Research Symposium, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA.
Ward, A. E. (2011, February). Deepening Kindergarteners’ Science Vocabulary. Poster session presented at the annual College of Education and Human Development Research Symposium, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA.
Malloy, J. A., Parsons, S. A., Parsons, A. W., & Burrowbridge, S. C. (2011, February). Teaching and engaging: Using a formative experiment to find the balance in a sixth-grade classroom. Poster presented at the College of Education and Human Development Research Symposium, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA.
Ward, A. E. & Ebert, A. A. (2009, February). Using their own words to develop reading fluency: Motivating readers through Language Experience Approach stories. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Virginia State Reading Association, Arlington, VA.
Ward, A. E. (2007, November). Scaffolding emergent literacy through storybooks. Presentation at the annual conference of the Virginia Association of Independent Schools, Richmond, VA.
Kutzer, A. & Ward, A. E. (2000, August). Hickory dickory dock: Literacy around the clock. Presentation at Staff Development for Educators “I Teach K!” National Kindergarten Teacher Conference, Ontario, CA.
Kutzer, A. & Ward, A. E. (1999, February). Hickory dickory dock: Literacy around the clock. Presentation at the annual meeting of the Indiana Association for the Education of Young Children, West Lafayette, IN.
FUNDING
Parsons, S. A.,Parsons, A. W., & Dodman, S. (2012). Collaborative advancement of reading education (CARE): Leveraging school capacity to advance student literacy. Spencer Foundation. $35,390.04
Parsons, S. A.,Parsons, A. W., & Dodman, S. (2011).Collaborative advancement of reading education (CARE): A school-university partnership in an urban charter school. Spencer Foundation. $40,000 – unfunded.
Parsons, A.W. & Parsons, S.A. (2011). Building early science vocabulary in an urban, high-needs school. Proposal submitted to the International Reading Association: Elva Knight Research Grant program, $8000.00 – unfunded.
Ward, A. E. (2010). A formative study investigating interactive reading and activities to develop young children's science vocabulary. Proposal funded by the Winthrop University Research Council Grant Competition: Faculty Research, $3,150.00.
Helf, S., Ward, A. E., & Ming, K. (2010). Literacy education enhancement initiative.Proposal funded by the Winthrop University Research Council Grant Competition: Curriculum Enhancement, $2,531.00.
TEACHING & SUPERVISION
Assistant Professor, George Mason University
Graduate Courses
•Foundations of Literacy: Birth to Later Childhood: EDRD 830, Fall 2012
•Advanced Literacy Foundations and Instruction, Birth to Middle Childhood: EDRD 630
Fall, 2012, Summer 2012, Summer 2011
•School-Based Inquiry in Literacy: EDRD 635, Spring 2012
•Literacy Assessments and Interventions for Groups: EDRD 632, Spring 2011, Spring 2012
•Advanced Literacy Foundations and Instruction: Adolescence through Adulthood: EDRD 631
Fall 2011
•School-Based Leadership in Literacy: EDRD 634, Fall 2010, Fall 2011
•Research and Assessment in Elementary Education: EDCI 559, Summer 2011
•Differentiation and Assessment: EDCI 545, Summer 2011
•Literacy Teaching and Learning in Diverse Elementary Classrooms: EDCI 555, Fall 2010
Hybrid Graduate and Undergraduate Courses
•Literacy and Curriculum Integration for Specialist Teachers, Focus on Art, Music, and Dance:
EDRD 300/501, Spring2011, Fall 2011, Spring 2012
•Literacy and Curriculum Integration for Specialist Teachers, Focus on Art, Music, and Physical
Education: EDRD 300/501, Fall 2010
Undergraduate Courses
•Working Effectively as a Literacy Facilitator in School and Community Settings: EDRD 301,
Spring 2011
Overall Teaching Evaluation: 4.66 on a scale of 1-5.
Assistant Professor, Winthrop University
Graduate Courses
•Organization and Supervision of Reading Programs: READ 681, Spring 2010
• Issues in Teaching Literature for Children and Young Adults: READ 611, Fall 2009
• Literacy Assessment and Instruction for Early Childhood Educators: READ 600, Fall 2009
•Introduction to Children’s Literature for Early Childhood Educators: READ 510, Summer 2010
Undergraduate Courses
• Diagnostic and Prescriptive Teaching of Reading: READ 571, Spring 2010
•Introduction to Children’s Literature: READ 510, Summer 2010, Spring 2010, & Fall 2009
Graduate Assistantships, University of Virginia
Graduate Courses and Supervision
• Teaching Assistant, Introduction to Reading Education: EDIS 522, Fall 2008
• Teaching Assistant, Master’s Practicum in Reading Diagnosis and Remediation: EDIS 773 & EDIS 774, Summer 2008
• Graduate Clinician, McGuffey Reading CenterDiagnostic Clinic, 2007-2008
• Teaching Assistant, Introduction to Reading Education: EDIS 522, Fall 2007
• Teaching Assistant, Reading Diagnosis and Remediation: EDIS 573, Fall 2007
• Graduate Clinician, McGuffey Reading Center Tutoring Clinic, 2006-2007
Undergraduate Courses and Supervision
•Instructor, Introduction to Reading Education: EDIS 522, Spring 2008
•Teaching Assistant,Elementary Field Experience in Literacy: EDIS 388, Spring 2009
•University Supervisor, Fall 2008
SERVICE
National & State Service
Journal of School Connections, Member, Editorial Review Board, 2010, 2011, 2012
Georgia Striving Readers Subgrant Competition 2012, Reviewer, Winter 2012
Literacy Research Association, Yearbook proposal peer reviewer, Spring 2011, Spring 2012
Literacy Research Association, Conference proposal peer reviewer: Areas 1 and 5, Spring 2012, Spring 2011
Association of Literacy Educators and Researchers, Conference proposal peer reviewer, Spring 2012, Spring 2011
National Reading Conference, Conference proposal peer reviewer: Areas 3, 5, and 13, Spring 2010
LiteracySC, Panelist selected to serve on South Carolina Department of Education’s initiative to align educational practices across the state with national and state standards, Spring 2010
South Carolina Early Reading Proficiency Project Forum, Participating faculty member, December 2009
National Reading Conference, Conference proposal peer reviewer, Spring 2009
U.S. Department of Education, Early Reading First, Grant pre-application review panel moderator, Spring 2009
U.S. Department of Education, Early Reading First, Grant full application reviewer, Summer 2008
U.S. Department of Education, Early Reading First, Grant pre-application review panel moderator, Spring 2008
University Service
Dissertation Committee Member, George Mason University: Rebecca Caufman. Committee formed Winter 2012.
Dissertation Committee Member, George Mason University: Maria Cruz. Student and teacher perceptions of a mobile-based biology vocabulary study tool for English language learners. Defended January 20, 2012.
Literacy Program search committee, member, CEHD, 2012.
Advisor, George Mason University M.Ed. Literacy: Prince William Cohort of Summer 2012;Arlington Cohort of Summer 2011
Performance Assessment Committee, George Mason University, 2011-2012
Interview Ph.D. applicants, CEHD, Spring 2012
Clinical Practices Revision Committee, CEHD, 2011
Revision of Literacy Program Performance-Based Assessments and Rubrics: EDRD 630, EDRD 632. Assisted with final revisions in EDRD 631, EDRD 633, EDRD 634, EDRD 635, and EDRD 637, Summer 2011.
NetSCOPE Curriculum Mapping Retreat, Winthrop University & Professional Development School Leaders: Participated in curriculum mapping to align university coursework and field experiences with Title II and USDOE Teacher Quality Partnership grant requirements, February, 2010
Literacy M.Ed. Redesign Committee, Winthrop University:Participated in complete redesign of M.Ed. in Literacy program to align with IRA (2004) standards for reaccreditation purposes, Fall, 2009
South Carolina Teaching Fellows, Winthrop University Advisory Board:appointed 2009
Advisor, Winthrop University: Advised 11 freshman Elementary and Early Childhood Education majors, 2009-2010
Curry Education Council: Member-at-Large, University of Virginia, 2008-2009
SEEDS 4 Change: Student advocacy group for diversity at the Curry School of Education, University of Virginia, 2008-2009
McGuffey Reading Clinic Tutor: University of Virginia, 2007-2008
Community Service
Howard Road Academy, Literacy professional development leader, Anacostia, Washington, D.C. 2010-2011, 2011-2012
Howard Road Academy, Reading committee member, Anacostia, Washington, D.C. 2010-2011, 2011-2012
Early Childhood Comprehensive System, Literacy support team member, Rock Hill Public Schools, Rock Hill, SC 2010
Book Buddies Tutor, Charlottesville Public Schools, Charlottesville, VA 2006-2007
Kids in the Kitchen, Project Assistant Chairperson, Junior League of Charlottesville, VA, 2007- 2009
Early Childhood Resource Room,Project Assistant Chairperson, Junior League of Greensboro/Hemphill Branch Library, Greensboro, NC, 2003-2004
Mobile Book Corner, Project Chairperson, Junior League of Greensboro/Greensboro Public Library, Greensboro, NC, 2002.
Family Learning Night, Project Chairperson, Junior League of Greensboro/Glenwood Branch Library, Greensboro, NC, 2000-2002
RESEARCH TRAINING
Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS)—Pre-K training, August 2008, University of Virginia
Introduction to Randomized Control Trial Research in Education, June 2008; Institute of Education Science- Sponsored Training, University of Virginia
Graduate Research Assistant, Preschool Language and Literacy Lab, University of Virginia, Summer 2007
Analysis of Data Using the NICHD Database, Institute of Education Science- Sponsored Training, University of Virginia, October 2006
ADDITIONAL PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Editor, The Education Center, Inc. Greensboro, NC 1998- 2006
•Served as Managing Editor for numerous Literacy and Early Childhood book publications
•Served as contributing editor for The Mailbox Magazine® Preschool & Kindergarten editions
•Served as Managing Editor of Teacher’s Helper Magazine® Kindergarten edition 1999-2000
Kindergarten Teacher, Club Boulevard Humanities Magnet School, Durham, NC 1994-1998
•Grade level chair, 1997-98
Substitute Teacher, Orange County Schools, NC Spring, 1994
NC Certification, Elementary Education (Grades K-6)
HONORS & AWARDS
• Ullin T. Leavell Scholarship, Curry Foundation, University of Virginia, 2008-09
•Barbara LeBreque-Corbin Scholarship, Curry Foundation, University of Virginia, 2007-08
• George C. Graham Scholarship, Curry Foundation, University of Virginia, 2006-07
•North Carolina Teaching Fellow, 1990-94
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
American Educational Research Association
Association of Literacy Educators & Researchers
International Reading Association
Literacy Research Association
National Association for the Education of Young Children
Virginia State Reading Association
ASSESSMENTS
Experience administering and interpreting the following normative assessments
•Comprehensive Test of Phonological Processing
•Expressive Vocabulary Test- II
•Gray Oral Reading Test-IV
•Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test-IV
•Phonological Awareness Literacy Screening
•Phonological Awareness Test
•Test of Oral Language Development
•Test of Word Reading Efficiency
•Woodcock-Johnson Reading Battery
•Woodcock-Johnson Tests of Achievement-III, language and reading subtests
•Test of Word Reading Efficiency
Experience administering and interpreting the following informal assessments
• Concept of Word assessment
• Developmental Spelling Analysis
•McGuffey Qualitative Spelling Inventory
•Narrative writing samples
•Qualitative Reading Inventory-V
•Phonological awareness assessments
• Running records
•Words Their Way spelling inventories