RESEARCH AREAS

  • Critical systemic functional linguistics in K-12 schools
  • The disciplinary literacy development of multilingual learners
  • Teachers’ work and school reform policies
  • Curriculum design
  • Critical discourse analysis

TEACHING & RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

Professor, 2015-present

University of Massachusetts, Amherst

Co-director Secondary English Education

Advise undergraduates, master’s, and doctoral students

Graduate courses taught

  • Introduction to Systemic Functional Linguistics
  • Disciplinary Literacy Development in K-12 Schools
  • Adolescent Literature
  • Research in Teacher Education
  • Critical Discourse Analysis

Associate Professor, 2006-2015

University of Massachusetts, Amherst

Advise master’s and doctoral students

Graduate courses taught:

  • Systemic Functional Linguistics
  • Genre Theory
  • First and Second Language Literacy Development
  • Critical Discourse Analysis
  • Ethnography
  • Teacher Professional Development
  • Content Based Language Instruction for Secondary Students

Assistant Professor, 2000-2006

University of Massachusetts, Amherst

Advise master’s and doctoral students

Graduate courses taught:

  • Sociocultural Theories of Language and Language Development
  • Critical Discourse Analysis
  • Second Language Acquisition Research
  • First and Second Language Literacy Development
  • Ethnography
  • Multimedia Qualitative Research
  • Principles of Second Language Learning and Teaching
  • Foundations of Multicultural Education

Visiting Professor, Spring, 2013

Mount Holyoke College

  • Teaching English Language Learners

Visiting Lecturer, 1998-1999

Holy Names College

  • Principles of Second Language Learning and Teaching

Researcher, 1995-1999

University of California at Berkeley

SB 1274 School Restructuring Study under the direction of Judith Warren Little

  • Designing qualitative research
  • Site visit planning, data collection, analysis, and reporting
  • Supervising and mentoring undergraduate research interns

Student Teacher Supervisor, 1997-1998

University of California at Berkeley

CLAD Program (Cross-Cultural Language and Academic Development)

  • Lecturing
  • Instructing students in unit and lesson planning
  • Conducting classroom observations
  • Communicating with cooperating teachers 

Researcher, 1994-1995

University of California at Berkeley

Workplace Literacy: A Study of Skill Requirements and Development in Traditional and Restructured Workplaces under the direction of Dr. Glynda Hull

  • Ethnographic data collection and analysis

Teacher/Administrator of ESL Education, 1989-1993

Atlantic Middle School, Quincy, Massachusetts

  • Developing content-based Language Arts and Social Studies curricula
  • Testing, placing, and scheduling ESL students
  • Coordinating bilingual and ESL teachers
  • Implementing a community outreach program
  • Assistant coach, North Quincy High School Cross Country, Indoor, and Spring Track

Director of ESL Education, Summer 1991

American School, Kopaonik, Yugoslavia

  • Staff and curriculum development
  • Testing, placing, and scheduling ESL students
  • Course scheduling

ESL Composition Instructor, Spring, 1989

Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York

  • Developing a content-based, process approach to ESL composition instruction

AWARDS

2018-2019    Nominated for College of Education Outstanding Teaching Award

2016-2017    College of Education, University of Massachusetts, Distinguished Graduate Mentor Award

2011-2012    American Educational Research Association’s (AERA) Division K Award for Innovations in Research on Diversity in Teacher Education

2011-2012    College of Education Outstanding Teaching Award

2004-2005    Recognition by the National Academy of Education and the Committee on Teacher Education

2003-2004    Modern Language Journal, Article selected as most provocative of the year

Invited Presentations

Gebhard, M. (2018). SFL research and teacher education: Critically responding to the Standardization and Accountability Movement as engaged scholars. Invited paper presentation to the annual meeting of the North American Systemic Functional Linguistics Association, Athens, GA.

Gebhard, M. (2018). Re-conceptualizing teachers’ work: Halliday’s theory of language, learning, and social change in action. An invited paper by the TESOL Research Council, TESOL Conference, Chicago, IL.

Gebhard, M. & Graham, H. (2018). Grammar and bats: Environmental studies, critical SFL metalanguage, and middle schoolers. Invited colloquium with Maria Brisk, Ruth French, Ruth Harman, and Mary Schleppegrell at the annual meeting of the International Systemic Functional Congress, Boston, MA.

Gebhard, M., Graham, H., & Marsh, B. (2018). Teacher professional development, semiotic mediation, & functional metalanguage. Invited colloquium with Sally Humphrey, Jing Hao, Susan Feez, Lucy Macnaught, and Trish Weeks at the annual meeting of the International Systemic Functional Congress, Boston, MA.

Gebhard, M. (2018). Disciplinary literacies and the Common Core State Standards. Invited colloquium with Zhi Hui Fang, Brittany Adams, Cuiying Li, Shan Zhu, Jungyoung Park, Suzanne Chapman, and Valerie Gresser at the annual meeting of the International Systemic Functional Congress, Boston, MA.

Gebhard, M., & Accurso, K. (2018). SFL and teacher research: Future directions. Presentation at the annual meeting of the International Systemic Functional Congress, Boston, MA.

Gebhard, M., & Accurso, K. (2018). Teachers’ work and students’ literacies in “contact zones”: A multimodal social semiotic perspective. Colloquium with Maria Brisk, Ruth Harman, Mary Schleppegrell, and Jonathan Rosa, American Association of Applied Linguistics, Portland, OR.

Gebhard, M. (2017). SFL research and teacher education: Critically responding to the Standardization and Accountability Movement as engaged scholars. A presentation at the Graduate School of Education, University of Georgia, Athens, GA.

Gebhard, M. (2017). What is SFL? A presentation at the Graduate School of Education, University of California at Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA.

Gebhard, M. (2015). Functional metalanguage, academic literacy development, and confronting neoliberal school reforms in the United States. Papers in honor of Dr. Claire Kramsch, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, CA.

Gebhard, M. (2014). Students’ use of SFL metalanguage in literacy events. A presentation at the Graduate School of Education, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, CA.

Byrnes, H., Gebhard, M., Lantolf, J., & Wells, G. (2013). Revisiting the complementary contributions of Halliday and Vygotsky to a “language-based theory of learning.” American Association of Applied Linguistics, Dallas, TX.

Gebhard, M., & Willett, J. (2012). Academic language and the RETELL initiative: A case for systemic functional linguistics. A presentation to the Commissioner of Education of Massachusetts, Malden, MA.

Gebhard, M., & Gunawan, W. (2011). Conceptions of grammar and L2 Writing. Paper presented at the annual TESOL Conference, New Orleans, LA.

Gebhard, M., & Graham, H. (2011). Teachers’ changing conceptions of grammar: Implications for supporting academic language development. Paper presented at the annual TESOL Conference, New Orleans, LA.

Gebhard, M., & Shin, D. (2010). Systemic functional linguistics, computer-mediated communication, and L2 emergent literacies. Paper presented at the annual Symposium on Second Language Writing, Murcia, Spain.

Gebhard, M. (2010). Supporting academic literacy using SFL-based pedagogy. Paper presented at Salem State College, Salem, MA.

Gebhard, M. (2009). “Context” in L2 writing pedagogy and research: Emergent and dynamic. An invited Academic Session of the Second Language Writing Interest Section on L2 Writing Across Contexts convened by Christine Tardy, TESOL Conference, Denver, CO.

Gebhard, M. (2007). Critical literacy, systemic functional linguistics, and teachers’ professional development. Presentation at Boston College, Boston, MA.

Gebhard, M. (2007). Supporting critical academic literacy with ELLs and their teachers. Presentation at Hampshire College, Amherst, MA.

Gebhard, M. (2006). The use of systemic functional linguistics in teachers’ professional development. Presentation at School of Education, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI.

Willett, J., Gebhard, M., Austin, T., & Paugh, P. (2006). ACCELA: Collaboration in urban schools. Presentation in honor of Sonia Nieto, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA.

Gebhard, M. (2006). Supporting the academic literacies of ELLs in the context of school reform. Presentation to the Educator Licensing Advisory Council, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA.

Willett, J., Paugh, P., Gebhard, M., & Austin, T. (2006). A critical literacy and inquiry approach to preparing teachers to teach English language learners in shifting contexts and uncertain times. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association, San Francisco, CA.

Gebhard, M., Habana Hafner, A., & Wright, M. (2006). Making room for students’ linguistic and cultural practices in the context of NCLB. Paper presented at annual meeting of Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages, Tampa, FL.

Gebhard, M. (2005). Supporting the academic literacy practices of ELLs: Implications for designing English language arts instruction. Presentation to the Learning, Research, and Development Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA.

Willett, J., Gebhard, M., & Austin, T. (2004). Critical language teacher education in the context of high-stakes school reforms. Critical Discourse Analysis Conference, Bloomington, IN.

Gebhard, M. (2003). School reform, hybrid texts, and second language literacies. Paper presented at annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association, Chicago, IL.

Gebhard, M. (2003). Critical literacy, teacher education, and institutional change. Paper presented at annual meeting of Teachers of Speakers of Other Languages, Baltimore, MD.

Gebhard, M. (2002). Doing critical literacy in hard times. Paper presented at annual meeting of the National Council for Teachers of English, Atlanta, GA.

Gebhard, M. (2002). Analyzing text and context in teacher education. Paper presented at annual meeting of Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages, Salt Lake City, UT.

Gebhard, M. (2001). Fast capitalism and second language acquisition. Paper presented at annual meeting of the American Association for Applied Linguistics, St. Louis, MO.

Gebhard, M., Sweeney, T., & Miller-Antill, J. (2001). Multimedia case studies in bilingual/ESL teacher education. Multimedia presentation at the MEET Technology Symposium, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA.

Gebhard, M. (2001). Fast capitalism and school restructuring. Paper presented at the Fortnightly Lecture Series, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA.

Gebhard, M. (2001). Language, culture, and preschool curriculum: Working with multilingual families. Presented to University Child Care, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA.

Gebhard, M. (1999). The professional development of second language educators in a context of reform. Paper presented at annual meeting of Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages, New York, NY.

Gebhard, M. (1999). Video data analysis in SLA research: Integrating text and context. Paper presented at the Center for the Integration of Teaching and Learning, Berkeley, CA.

Gebhard, M. (1999). Classroom and institutional discourses in SLA. Discourse Analysis Seminar, Graduate School of Education, University of California, Berkeley, CA.

Gebhard, M. (1997). Knowledge and power in second language teacher education. Discussant at annual meeting of Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages, Chicago, IL.

Gebhard, M. (1993). ESL students in mainstream classes. In-service workshop presented at Quincy High School, Quincy, MA.

Gebhard, M. (1993). Examining ESL materials: A movement away from textbooks toward tradebooks. In-service workshop presented at Quincy High School, Quincy, MA.

Gebhard, M. (1991). The canon in the context of a multicultural middle school. Paper presented at annual meeting of the New York State English Council Conference, Albany, NY.