CONSULTING | Meg gebhard

Plenary/Keynote Addresses

Gebhard, M. (2018). Using SFL metalanguage in teaching multilingual students to read, write, and critically analyze disciplinary discourses. Plenary address at the annual meeting of the Australian Systemic Functional Linguistics Association. University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia.

Gebhard, M. (2016). Reconceptualizing teachers’ work and student learning in the context of globalization: An SFL perspective. Plenary address at the annual meeting of the International Systemic Functional Congress. Bundung, Indonesia.

Gebhard, M. (2012). ELLs’ academic literacy development and the Common Core: Implications for designing powerful curriculum and instruction in the context of high-stakes school reforms. Keynote address for Springfield Public School’s ESL teachers and administrators, Springfield, MA.

Gebhard, M., Britton, L., Chen, I., & Graham, H. (2011). Scaffolding academic literacies across disciplines: An SFL perspective. Keynote address at the annual NNETESOL Conference, Saint Michael’s College, Colchester, VT.

Gebhard, M. (2009). Supporting academic literacy using genre-based pedagogy. Keynote address at annual meeting of Rhode Island Teachers of English Language Learners, Providence, RI.

Invited Professional Development Workshops

Gebhard, M. (2019). From presentation to publication. Webinar for Graduate Steering Committee, American Association of Applied Linguistics.

Gebhard, M. (2018). Researching changes in teachers’ practices and students’ writing samples. Workshop for pre- and in-service teachers at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, CO.

Gebhard, M. (2017). Teaching disciplinary literacy practices to ELLs in the context of CCSS: More than vocabulary. Workshop for pre- and in-service teachers at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, CO.

Gebhard, M. (2013). Scaffolding L2 academic literacies: An SFL perspective. Workshop for students and faculty at Southern Connecticut State University, New Haven, CT.

Gebhard, M. (2012). Supporting ELLs’ academic literacies across content areas: Implications for teacher educators. Workshop for teacher educators at Salem State College, Salem, MA.

Gebhard, M., Britton, L., Chen, I., Graham, H., & Sussbauer, E. (2011). ELLs, understanding by design, and the Common Core. Workshop for elementary and secondary teachers and district administrators in Massachusetts sponsored by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, Marlborough, MA.

Gebhard, M. (2011). ELLs’ academic language development across content areas: Implications for ESL teachers. Workshop for ESL teachers and district administrators in Massachusetts, sponsored by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, Marlborough, MA.

National Projects and Activities

National Academy of Education and Committee on Teacher Education (2004-2005). Use of course materials in publications to illustrate exemplary practices in teacher education as they relate to English language learners.

Teacher Knowledge Project (2002-2003). Invited member of a research collaborative formed to develop innovative qualitative and quantitative research methodologies related to exploring the connection between investments in teacher professional development and student learning opportunities. Participants included Pam Grossman (Stanford University), Karen Johnson (Pennsylvania State University), and Donald Freeman (School for International Training).

State Activities

Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (January, 2019-February, 2019). Member of the DESE Steering Committee for the Scaffolding the Standards Project.

Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (2013-2016). Member of an advisory board to David Valade, Office of English Language Acquisition & Academic Achievement, regarding implementation of RETELL initiation in Western Massachusetts.

Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education ELL Advisory Board (2010-2012). Invited to serve on an advisory committee to Dr. Esta Montano, Director, Office of English Language Acquisition & Academic Achievement.

Massachusetts Department of Education Curriculum Frameworks Committee (2007-2008). Invited to serve on a panel to review the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks for grades K-12. Met with educators across the state to draft and submit recommendations to the Massachusetts State Board of Education.

Local School Districts

ACCELA Alliance (Access to Critical Content and English Language Acquisition), Co-Director (2003-2016). This alliance supports the professional development of teachers and administrators working with English language learners in the area of content-based academic literacy.

Director of ACCELA technology instruction and website development (2003-2008)

Supporting ACCELA teachers and doctoral students in using digital video and other multimedia tools to analyze classroom teaching and learning practices related to academic literacy development
Creating web tools to support instructional leaders in designing curriculum and instruction for ELLs (comprehensive revision of the ACCELA website in progress)

University of Massachusetts

Member, Educator Licensing Advisory Council (2000-2003; 2005-2018)

Contributed to the authoring of the Conceptual Framework for the Preparation of Educators in response to the National Council for Accreditation for Teacher Educators (NCATE) in 2007
Prepared folios for teacher education/licensure in response to state and NCATE reviews (2001, 2007, 2012)
Directed the implementation of a performance-based assessment system to monitor licensure candidates’ progress toward meeting national standards in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESOL)
Acquired funding for a study group with cooperating teachers (2000-2001)

Chair, Ad Hoc Committee charged with developing the Center for Research and Engagement in School/University Partnerships (2005-2006)

Convened and set the agenda for developing a more robust, sustained partnership between UMass and Springfield Public Schools focusing on student learning, teachers’ professional development, and local school reform
Supported grant writing efforts

Advisor, University Child Care (2002)

Contributor to report to the Chancellor regarding the fiscal advantages of university-supported childcare
Contributor to memorandum to members of the Massachusetts Senate and House of Representatives regarding the material benefits of funding high quality childcare for students and faculty at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst

Member, Library Research Committee (2000-2002)

Member, Ad Hoc Committee to develop a profile for the position of Dean of the College of Education (2002)

College of Education, University of Massachusetts

Co-director, Secondary English Teacher Education (2015 – present)

Coordinator, Teacher Education and School Improvement Concentration (Fall 2013, Fall 2015, 2018-2019)

Member, Secondary Teacher Education Program (2013 – present)

Member, Diversity committee

Member, Fellowship committee

Member, search committee for Director of Secondary Teacher Education (2017-2018)

Member, Teacher Education and School Improvement Concentration (2012-present)

Chair, College Personnel Committee, (2016-2018)

Member, Holyoke School Partnership (2016- present)

Coordinator, Language, Literacy, and Culture Concentration (2008-2012)

Member, Language, Literacy, and Culture Concentration (2000-2012)

Member, Teacher Education and Curriculum Studies Department (2000-present)

Member, Bilingual, ESL, and Multicultural Education Master’s Degree Program (2000-2012)

Co-Chair, RETELL (Rethinking the Teaching of English Language Learners) Task Force Committee (2012-2013)

Chair, Secondary English Search Committee (Fall, 2012)

Coordinator, Language, Literacy, and Culture Search Committee (2006-2007)

Co-Chair, co-author, proposed Center of Teaching, Learning, and School Change (2002-2004)