Gisela O'Brien
Affiliate Faculty | Loyola Marymount University
Los Angeles, CA, UNITED STATES
Department of Educational Leadership and Administration
Biography
Gisela O'Brien joined the staff at CEEL|LMU in 2003 to oversee the Journalism for English Learners Program implemented at several school districts both in Central and Southern California. She also supports the Center's efforts in research, curriculum and professional development focusing on the instruction of English Learners.
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 (3)
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 (3)
Second Language and Curriculum Development
Beginning Reading
Content Literacy
Industry Expertise (2)
Education/Learning
Research
Languages (2)
- Spanish
- English
Courses (1)
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.
Articles (2)
Oral language development
Educating English language learners: A synthesis of the research. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.2006
Getting the most out of school-based professional development
Reconceptualizing Literacy in the New Age of Pluralism and Multiculturalism2001
