Gisela O'Brien
Affiliate Faculty
Biography
As an educator, she has worked as a bilingual teacher, staff developer and curriculum/materials designer and curriculum specialist in the areas of literacy, ELD and SDAIE. Dr. O'Brien has served as a project advisor and coordinator for several research grants as well as advisor/revieer at the state and national level including the Framework for English Language Development Standards.
She has co-authored and published several articles in educational journals and books on bilingual education and models for staff development.
Dr. O'Brien earned a B.S. in Biology at the University of California, Los Angeles and an M.S. degree in Educational Leadership from California State University, Los Angeles. She received her Ph.D. in Education with an emphasis on Language, Literacy and Learning from the University of Southern California
Education
University of Southern California
PhD
Education, Language, Literacy and Learning
2007
Dissertation Title: "The instructional features across three different approaches to oral English language development instruction"
California State University
MA
Educational Administration
University of California
BS
Biology
Areas of Expertise
Industry Expertise
Languages
- Spanish
- English
Courses
EDSS 5002: Theories of Second Language Acquisition
Course content includes theoretical perspectives in first and second language learning, language teaching methodologies, assessment, identification, and program placement for Limited English Proficient students with and without disabilities. Historical, political, legal, and social factors related to second language acquisition are addressed, including the history of bilingual education; federal, state, and local legislation; bilingual education models; and the role of parents and paraprofessionals in English language development.
