Dr. Karen Pezzolla

Associate Professor

Email: pezzollak@felician.edu

Academic Accomplishments

  • D. Instructional and Curriculum Leadership from Northcentral University
  • Ed. Educational Leadership (2007) and Human Service Leadership (2000) from St. Elizabeth University
    • NJ Principal Certification
    • NJ Supervisor Certification
  • NJ Reading Specialist certification from William Paterson University
  • NJ certification as Teacher of the Handicapped from New Jersey City University
  • A. English from Caldwell University
    • Certification in Elementary Education (n-8)
  • Certificate in Effective Instruction from Association of College and University Educator (ACUE)

Biography

I was born to be a teacher; in fact, it has been the only profession I have ever had. My dreams of becoming an English teacher were dashed during my student teaching experience when I realized that I wanted to teach emergent readers how to read and became a first-grade teacher. Moving out of the classroom as a reading specialist, I worked with struggling readers for many years and that position morphed into a literacy coach position where I would teach teachers how to teach reading. It was in that position that I realized I loved working with the adult learner and pursued a fulltime position in higher education. My scholarly interests are grounded in effective culturally responsive pedagogical practice, student learning and teaching in higher education, and effective instructional delivery of online teaching. I am married to Steve and we have a beautiful blended family of 6 children and 5 grandchildren. My husband and I love to travel to our favorite two places, Disney World and Hilton Head, SC.

Courses Taught at Felician University

  • EDU200- Sophomore Field Experiences- Special Education
  • EDU205- Professional Assessment and Outcomes
  • ENG220- Children’s Literature
  • EDU290/657- Transition into Teaching
  • EDU303- School Curriculum: Reading Language Arts, K-6
  • EDU305- Young Child and Emergent Literacy,
  • EDU306- Teaching Reading in the Content Areas,
  • EDU308- Reading Diagnosis and Remediation of Reading Difficulties
  • EDU521- Foundations in Literacy/ELA, K-6
  • EDU532- Culturally Responsive Teaching & the 21st Century Learner
  • EDU625- Teaching Students with Special Needs in the Inclusive Classroom
  • EDU656- Literacy for Diverse Learners
  • EDU663- Educational Assessment

Publications and Proceedings

Pezzolla, K. (2017). Perceived challenges to integrating reading strategies in content areas: A single case study. (Doctoral Dissertation).

Allen, A., Allen, H., Anderson, M. and Pezzolla, K. (2014). Threaded scholarly discourse: The key to enhancing online learning. Paper published in conference proceedings. World Conference on Educational Multimedia, Hypermedia and Telecommunications. Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE), 2014(1). Tampere, Finland, 2171-2174.

National/International Conference Presentations:

  • Pezzolla, K., & Anderson, M. (2022). ITLC Lilly Online Conference, Student Self-Assessment to Motivate and Enhance Achievement and Self-Directed Learning: An Action Research Project, April 6, 13, 20, & 27. [Peer Reviewed]
  • Anderson, M., & Pezzolla, K. (2021). ASCD Virtual Conference, Through the Lens of Covid: Continuing to Build Classroom Culture Online for Effective, Equitable Instruction, June 23-25, 2021 [Peer Reviewed]
  • Pezzolla, K., & Anderson, M. (2021). ITLC Lilly Online Conference, Implementing Student Self-Assessment to Motivate and Enhance Achievement, May 5/12/19/26. [Peer Reviewed]
  • Pezzolla, K. (2020). ITLC Lilly Online Conference, Simulate Interest, Motivate Learning Through Multiple Means of Engagement, Online Conference Presentation, 11/30/2020-12/4/2020 [Peer Reviewed]
  • Pezzolla, K., & Michelle Anderson. (2020, May). Lilly Conference, Building a Community of Learners to Enhance Student Academic Success, Online Conference Presentation/Participation 5/226/20-5/30/28 [Peer Reviewed]
  • Pezzolla, K. (2019, May). Lilly Conference, Improving Student Writing as a Result of Using Peer Review, [Peer Reviewed], Bethesda, Maryland, 5/30/19-6/2/19 [Peer Reviewed]
  • Pezzolla, K. & Anderson, M. (2017). NCSS Annual Conference, Bridging Content Area Literacy to Disciplinary Literacy, San Francisco, CA. 11/17/17 [Accepted; unable to attend].
  • Pezzolla, K., & Brown-Grant, M. (2016). AAC&U’s Diversity, Learning, and Student Success conference: “Shifting Paradigms and Challenging Mindsets” conference, Transforming Tomorrow’s Teacher: The Impact of Diverse Clinical Experiences on Beliefs and Attitudes, Philadelphia, PA. [Peer Reviewed]
  • Pezzolla, K. (2016). LDA 53rd Annual International Conference, Co-Teaching: Shared Leadership for Successful Student Teaching, Baltimore, Maryland.
  • Pezzolla, K., and Cusimano, M. (2015). Florida Reading Association Conference, Shared Leadership: The Role of Administrator and Literacy Coach as a Link Between Effective Professional Development and Increased Student Achievement, Orlando, Florida.
  • Pezzolla, K., & Anderson, M. (2015). New York State Reading Association Conference, Challenges Content Area Teachers Face when Integrating Reading into Their Discipline, Saratoga, NY.
  • Allen, H., Allen, A., Anderson, M., & Pezzolla, K. (2014). EdMedia 2014: World Conference on Educational Media and Technology, Threaded Scholarly Discourse: The Key to Enhancing Online Learning, Tampere, Finland. 6/23-6/24/2014 [Peer Reviewed; accepted; unable to attend]
  • Allen, A., Pezzolla, K., & Anderson, M. (2013). NCTM, Common Core: Uncommon Practice, Baltimore, MA.
  • Pezzolla, K., and Cusimano, M. (2013). Shared Leadership: The Role of Administrator and Literacy Coach as a Link Between Effective Professional Development and Increased Student Achievement, International Reading Association- San Antonio, Texas. [Peer Reviewed]
  • Anderson, M., & Pezzolla, K. (2013). Student Achievement: Engagement, Motivation, and Differentiation, ASCD International Conference- Chicago, Il. [Peer Reviewed]

Positions Held

  • Associate Professor, Teacher Education- Felician University
  • Associate Dean, Instructor, Teacher Education- Felician University
  • Assistant Professor Early Childhood Education- Bloomfield College
  • Adjunct Professor- Caldwell University
  • Adjunct Professor- Kean University
  • Owner/Director- Pezzolla Educational Consulting
  • Literacy Coach/Reading Specialist-Mansfield Township
  • Reading Specialist/Classroom Teacher, Montville Township