Christopher A. Mattatall
3 Ventura Place, St. John’s, NL, A1A 5P9
Phone: 709-864-7617 Fax: 709-864-2345
E-Mail:
Website: faculty.mun.ca/cmattatall
Education
Ph.D. Doctor of Philosophy: Cognitive Studies
Queen’s University, Kingston, ON
2007-2011
M.Ed.Masters of Education
University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, NB
1999 - 2002
B.Ed. Bachelor’s of Education (Distinction)
University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, NB
1992 - 1994
B.A.Bachelor of Arts
Kingswood University, Sussex, NB
1983 - 1987
Education Awards
- Queen’s Graduate Scholarship: 2007-2008, 2008-2009, 2009-2010
- Walter F. Light Graduate Fellowshiip: 2007-2008, 2008-2009
- Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council Scholarship: 2009-2011
- Ontario Government Scholarship: 2009-2010
- R. J. Wilson Thesis/Dissertation Development Award: 2010
- Awarded National Excellence in Education Award: Learning Disabilities Association
of Canada: 2001
- Received provincial Special Recognition Award: New Brunswick Department of
Public Safety for outstanding contributions to students in the New Brunswick Youth
Centre: 2001
- Norman S. Fraser Prize in Education: May 1994
- Porter Memorial Scholarship: 1992-1994
- H.E. Carson Scholarship: 1983-1987
Research & Professional Interests
- Responsiveness to Intervention (RTI) and related concepts of progress monitoring, data-based decision making, and Curriculum-Based Measurement (CBM) for the purpose of making instructional decisions
- Collaboration among teachers, particularly as it relates to the use of student level data in the areas of early intervention and Special Education, and school culture
- Teacher education and the professional development of classroom teachers, particularly as it relates to on-site delivery through collaborative sessions
Current Work Experience
- Assistant Professor of Education (Special Education)July 2011-present
Responsibilities
- Teach/facilitate learning in undergraduate and graduate programs
- Supervise teacher candidates in school placements
- Supervise graduate students
- Conduct original research, disseminate findings in a variety of ways
- Secure funding for research purposes
- Serve on university committees
- Serve on public committees and boards
- Consultation to school boards and various agencies
Courses Taught
- Spring 2014
ED 4242 (1): The Identification and Remediation of Learning Difficulties
ED 4242 (2): The Identification and Remediation of Learning Difficulties
- Winter 2014
ED 3650: Special Education Practicum
ED 4240: An Introduction to the Exceptional Learner (pilot: 120 students)
- Fall 2013
ED 3620 (1): Nature & Characteristics of Emotional/Behavioural Disorders
ED 3620 (2): Nature & Characteristics of Emotional/Behavioural Disorders
ED 4240: An Introduction to the Exceptional Learner
- Spring 2013
ED 6600: Motivation and Learning
ED 3040: Assessment and Development of Children’s Language Abilities
- Winter 2013
ED 3650: Special Education Practicum
ED 3040: Assessment and Development of Children’s Language Abilities
- Fall 2012
ED 3620 (1): Nature & Characteristics of Emotional/Behavioural Disorders
ED 3620 (2): Nature & Characteristics of Emotional/Behavioural Disorders
- Spring 2012
ED 6600: Motivation and Learning
- Winter 2012
ED 3650: Special Education Practicum
ED 4242: The Identification and Remediation of Learning Difficulties
- Fall 2011
ED 3620 (1): Nature & Characteristics of Emotional/Behavioural Disorders
ED 3620 (2): Nature & Characteristics of Emotional/Behavioural Disorders
Research & Scholarly Work
- School Collaboration Study 2012-2014
The Effect of Data Informed Collaboration in Newfoundland and Labrador’s New Inclusive School Model (principal investigator)
Eastern Region of the Newfoundland and Labrador English School District
This study examines the effects of collaboration between Grade 1 teachers and Instructional Resource Teachers on Grade 1 student reading achievement by comparing treatment and control schools
(This study concludes June 2014)
- Peer-Assisted Learning Strategies Study 2013-2015
The Effect of PALS Reading Program on Kindergarten and Grade One Reading Scores(principal investigator)
Western Region of the Newfoundland and Labrador English School District
This study examines the effect of the supplemental reading program known as PALS on the kindergarten and Grade 1 reading achievement scores compared to control and historic achievement data
(This study concludes June 2015)
- Eastern School District Inclusion Analysis 2012-2013
A Review and Analysis of Eastern School District’s Inclusive Education Environmental
Scan of Its Stakeholders (principal investigator)
Eastern School District, St. John’s, NL
- Course Redevelopment 2012-2014
Redevelopment of ED 3620: Nature & Characteristics of Emotional/Behavioural Disorders
(2012-2013)
Redevelopment of ED 3650: Special Education Practicum with Dr. Gabrielle Young
(2013-2014)
- Reviewer 2011-Present
ED 6X90: Research Seminar Course Second Reader for the following papers:
-April 2014: Effects of Feedback on Student Learning by Terri-Anne English for Dr. Trudi Johnson
-April 2013: Inclusion and Literacy Achievement of Students with Learning Disabilities by Andrea Dawe for Dr. Walter Okshevsky
-November 2012: The Effects of Class Size on Student Achievement by Nadine O’Rielly for Dr. Ken Stevens
Conference reviewer for CSSE 2013 conference submissions (January, 2013)
Book Review for Pearson Education Canada of Teaching Students with Special Needs in Inclusive Settings (4th Canadian edition) by Smith-Polloway, Patton, Dowdy, & Mcintyre (Fall, 2012)
- Master’s Thesis Supervision 2013-2014
Master’s of Education Thesis Supervision for Jasleen Kaur: to be completed during the
2014-2015 academic year
- Ph.D. Committee Work 2013-2014
Nathalie Pender (Committee: Dr. Kirk Anderson, Dr. Joe Dicks, Dr. Chris Mattatall)
Lisa Weber (Committee: Dr. Scott Johnson, Dr. Edith Furey, Dr. Chris Mattatall)
Publications/Presentations
Refereed Contributions
Doyle, A., Zhang, J., & Mattatall, C. A. (2014). Spelling instruction in the primary grades: Teacher’s beliefs, practices, and concerns. (Under review). Literacy Research & Instruction.
Mattatall, C. A. (2011). Using CBM to help Canadian elementary teachers write effective IEPs. Exceptionality Education International, 21 (1), 61-71. Retrieved from
Invited Contributions
Mattatall, C. A., & Power, K. (2014). The Impact of Teacher Collaboration on Achievement for Students With Learning Disabilities: A Review of the Research. Invited contribution of scholars across Canada for LD@School Research, Resources and Review Committee of the Learning Disabilities Association of Ontario and the Ontario Ministry of Education.
Mattatall, C. A., & Power, K. (2014). Using Peer-Mediated Approaches in the Classroom to Benefit Students With Learning Disabilities A Review of the Research. Invited contribution of scholars across Canada for LD@School Research, Resources and Review Committee of the Learning Disabilities Association of Ontario and the Ontario Ministry of Education.
Mattatall, C. A. (February 2014). What Works When Nothing Seems to Work: Scientifically-Validated Interventions for Struggling or Non-Readers. Invited presentation to school principals of the Western school region of the NL English School District. Corner Brook, NL.
Newfoundland Department of Education (2013). Working Together to Support Student Achievement: Primary Reading and Writing. Committee member/contributor. St. John’s, NL.
Powell, A., Wheeler-Scott, C., Fewer-Jackson, D., Fewer-Bennet, J., Lundrigran, E.,and Mattatall, C. A. (2012; in press). Instructional Resource Teacher Standards. Newfoundland & Labrador Department of Education. St. John’s, NL: Author.
Mattatall, C. A. (2011). Technology, and the promotion of progress in education.
Antistasis 2, 30-32.
Mattatall, C.A., Wade-Woolley, L., & Powell, J. (2010, March). Peer Assisted Learning
Strategies: Thunder Bay. Video produced by the Ontario Education Research Panel of the Ontario Ministry of Education: Toronto, ON.
Mattatall, Chris (2005). The powerful affects of blacklight theatre for young offenders.In W. Morrison, C. Doucet & M. Leblanc (Eds.), New Brunswick Perspectives on Crime Prevention: Promising Practices for Children, Youth & Families (pp. 61-77). Kentville, NS: Gaspereau Press.
RefereedConference Presentations
Mattatall, C. A. (2014, August). Awakening the sleeping giant: The potential and promise of data-informed collaboborative planning to address the learning needs of students with LD. Paper to be presented at the Educators’ Institute of the Learning Disabilities Association of Ontario, Toronto, ON
Mattatall, C. A. (2014, July). Being a better teacher by working with teachers: The potential and promise of collaborative cultures in schools. Paper to be presented at The 21st International Conference on Learning, New York, NY
Mattatall, C. A. (2013, August). Out of the the dark: A story of renewal, hope and youth voice from inside Prison. Paper presented at the At The Edge: Creating Direction for Peace and Justice conference, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, NL
Doyle, A., Zhang, J., & Mattatall, C.A. (2013, April). Current Issues in Spelling
Instruction: Teachers' Beliefs, Practices, and Concerns. Poster presented at
the American Education Research Association annual conference, San
Francisco, CA
Mattatall, C.A., Powell, J., & Wade-Woolley, L. (2010, June). Table Talk: How in-school
teams use data to inform teaching decisions for students at-risk for reading failure.
Paper presented at The Association of Educational Researchers of Ontario annual
conference. Toronto, ON
Mattatall, C.A. & Wade-Woolley, L. (2010, May). Teacher Collaboration:How Grade 1
teachers in one Canadian school board participated in collaborative data-based
decision making teams to raise reading scores. Paper presented at the Canadian
Society for the Study of Education national annual conference. Concordia
University, Montreal, PQ.
Mattatall, C.A., Wade-Woolley, L., & Powell, J. (2010, April). A new role for special
education teachers: Class-wide early intervention and prevention. Workshop
presented at the Council of Exceptional Children annual international convention:
Nashville, TN
Mattatall, C. A., Wade-Woolley, L., & Powell, J. (2010, February). Using progress
monitoring data to make instructional decisions. Workshop presented at the Ontario
Education Research Symposium: Toronto, ON
Pyle, A., Steacy, L., & Mattatall, C.A. (2009, June). Kids helping kids: The impact of
PALS on the reading levels of at-risk grade one students. Poster presented at the
Society of Scientific Study of Reading annual convention, Boston, MA
Mattatall, C.A. & Wade-Woolley, L. (2009, May). Peer assisted learning strategies: The
potential and promise of peer-mediated learning for struggling readers in elementary
school classes. Paper presented at the Canadian Society for the Study of Education
national annual conference. Carleton University, Ottawa, ON
Klinger, D., Areepattamannil, S., & Mattatall, C.A. (2009, May). Towards an
understanding of gender differences in literacy achievement. Paper presented at the
Canadian Society for the Study of Education national annual conference. Carleton
University, Ottawa, ON
Wade-Woolley, L. & Mattatall, C. A. (2008, July). Morpho-prosodic sensitivity and
reading in elementary school children. Paper presented at the Society for the
Scientific Study of Reading annual international conference: Asheville, NC
Mattatall, C. A. (2008, June). Gauging the readiness of Canadian school districts to
implement responsiveness to intervention. Paper presented at the Canadian
Society for the Study of Education national annual conference. University of British
Columbia, Vancouver, BC
Mattatall, C. A. (2008, May). An evaluability assessment of the new teacher induction
program. Poster session presented at the annual Kelly Conference. Queen’s
University, Kingston, ON
Mattatall, C.A. (2001, April). The powerful effects of blacklight theatre for students with
learning disabilities. Paper presented at Learning Disabilities national annual
conference. Halifax, NS
Book Chapter
Mattatall, C.A. (2005). The powerful affects of blacklight theatre for young offenders.
In W. Morrison, C. Doucet & M. Leblanc (Eds.), New Brunswick Perspectives on
Crime Prevention: Promising Practices for Children, Youth & Families (pp. 61-77).
Kentville, N.S : GaspereauPress.
Other Conference Presentations
Mattatall, C.A. (2013, January). Lessons on leadership I learned from being in prison.
Paper presented at the Memorial Student Leadership Conference: Leadership in
Action. St. John’s, NL
Mattatall, C.A. (2012, November). Overcoming the Sisyphus Effect: Improving Student
Achievement and Teacher Development While Enjoying It. An address to the
Principals of the Thunder Bay Catholic District School Board. Thunder Bay, ON
Mattatall, C.A. (2012, November). Influencing From the Middle: Improving Student
Achievement and Teacher Development While Enjoying It. An address to the
special education teachers and PALS teachers of the Thunder Bay Catholic District
School Board during their professional development day. Thunder Bay, ON
Mattatall, C. A. (2012, May). How the LD Brain Learns. Invited presentation given at the
Newfoundland and Labrador Learning Disabilities Association conference. St.
John’s, NL
Mattatall, C. A. (2012, April). Peer Assisted Learning Strategies and Grade One
Reading Performance. Keynote address at biannual Web-Based Teaching Tool
conference with the Learning Disabilities Association of Ontario. Toronto, ON
Mattatall, C. A., Wade-Woolley, L., & Powell, J. (2010, February). Using progress
monitoring data to make instructional decisions. Workshop presented at the Ontario
Education Research Symposium. Toronto, ON
Mattatall, C. A. (2008). Gauging the readiness of Canadian school districts to implement
responsiveness to intervention. Poster presented at the Mobilizing Knowledge to
Increase Student Achievement (MISA) Symposium. Ottawa, ON
Mattatall, C. A. (2008). Gauging the Readiness of Canadian School Districts to
Implement Responsiveness to Intervention. Poster presented at GSES Annual
Conference; Towards a Global Community: Theoretical and Practical Perspectives
on Education. Queen’s University, Kingston, ON., April, 2008
Mattatall, C.A. (2007, November). Gauging the Readiness of Canadian School Districts to
Implement Responsiveness to Intervention (RTI). Poster session presented for
requirement of graduate course EDUC 824 at Queen’s University, Kingston, ON
Mattatall, C.A. (2003). Reintegration by education. Paper presented at Justice Canada
National conference. Mississauga, ON
Mattatall, C.A. (2001). What works with 16 & 17 year old young offenders. Workshop
presented at Department of Public Safety Workshop. Saint John, NB
Mattatall, C.A. (2000). The powerful effects of blacklight theatre for students with
learning disabilities. Paper presented at the Safer Schools, Safer Communities
Conference. Fredericton, NB
Committee Work
- Primary/Elementary Review Implementation Committee Oct. 2013-present
Faculty of Education, Memorial University of Newfoundland
- Term Appointment Search Committee (Chair) Feb. 2013-present Faculty of Education, Memorial University of Newfoundland
- Provincial Student Support Services Advisory Committee Feb. 2013-present
Newfoundland and Labrador Department of Education
- Committee of Undergraduate Studies Sept. 2012-present
Faculty of Education, Memorial University of Newfoundland
- Special Education Selection Committee March 2013-present
Faculty of Education, Memorial University of Newfoundland
- At the Edge Conference Youth Committee Feb. 2013-Aug. 2013 Faculty of Education, Memorial University of Newfoundland
- Provincial Winter Working Group: Primary/Elementary Jan. 2013-Dec. 2013
Newfoundland and Labrador Department of Education
- Curriculum Teaching & Learning Studies Committee Sept.2011-Jan. 2014 Faculty of Education, Memorial University of Newfoundland
- Research & Development Grant Committee Sept. 2012-April 2014
Faculty of Education, Memorial University of Newfoundland
- IRT Standards Document Committee Jan.2012-Feb.2013 Newfoundland and Labrador Department of Education
- SSHRC Doctoral Selection Committee December 2012
Memorial University of Newfoundland
- Comprehensive PhD Exam Committee (Kayote Arowolo) Fall 2011
Faculty of Education, Memorial Univerity of Newfoundland
Professional Memberships
- Memorial University of Newfoundland Faculty Association Since 2011
- Learning Disabilities Association of Newfoundland and Labrador Since 2011
- Canadian Society for the Study of Education Since 2007
- Canadian Association for Educational Psychology Since 2007
- Canadian Educational Researcher’s Association Since 2008
- Canadian Association for Teacher Education Since 2008
- Association of Education Researchers of Ontario 2010
- Society of Graduate and Professional Students 2007-2011
- Society of the Scientific Study of Reading 2008-2010
- Council of Exceptional Children 2003-2007, 2010
- Division of Learning Disabilities of CEC 2004-2007, 2010
- Learning Disabilities Association of N.B. 2000-2007
Volunteer Work
Invited Camp Speaker: Newfoundland Spring Forth Youth May 15-18, 2014
Camp, Camp Starrigan, NL
Personal leadership mentor through Arrow Jan. 2013-April 2014 program for John Campbell
Memorial University International Christmas Fall 2012
planning committee and support staff: Meetings during the fall
months with the IC Christmas weekend retreat December 14-17, 2012
Memorial University International Christmas Fall 2011
planning committee and support staff: Meetings during the fall
months with the IC Christmas weekend retreat December 17-21, 2011
Previous Work Experience (Abbreviated)
- Teaching Assistant: 2007-2011
Dr. Lesly Wade-Woolley
Queen’s University, Kingston, ON
- Instructor Teacher Education 2008-2011Queen’s University, Kingston, ON
- Teaching Fellow 2008-2009
Queen’s University, Kingston, ON
- Research Assistant: Gender Study 2007-2008
Dr. Don Klinger,
Queen’s University, Kingston, ON
- Research Assistant: Morphological Awareness Study 2007-2009
Dr. Lesly Wade-Woolley,
Queen’s University, Kingston, ON
- Education Supervisor 2003-2007
Student Services
School District 2
Moncton, N.B.
- Adjunct Professor: M.Ed. Program 2005-2007
University of New Brunswick
Centre for Continuing Education and Learning
Fredericton, N.B.
- Academic Instructor / Principal 1998-2003
New Brunswick Youth Centre
Miramichi, N.B.
- Academic Instructor 1997-1998
New Brunswick Training School
Fredericton, N.B.
- Instructor, G.E.D. Program (evenings) 1994-1998
New Brunswick Community College
Fredericton, N.B.
- Supply Teacher, School Districts 17 & 18 1994-1998
New Brunswick Department of Education
Current references available upon request