Dr. Debra Ambrosetti, Assistant Professor
California State University, Fullerton
P.O. Box 6868
Department of Secondary Education, CP-610
Fullerton, CA 92834-6868
Office: CP-610 (714) 278-3170

Email: dambrosetti@fullerton.edu

• The effects of sociologically based issues (e.g. race, class, gender) on student learning.
• Middle school curriculum and organization.
• Diversity and multicultural education the public school.
• Teaching and learning in the middle school.
• Sociolinguistics: The power and control that language exercises in the classroom.
• Implementation of authentic assessment methodology at the K-12 Levels.
• Emerging adolescent issues at the elementary and middle school levels.
• Effective configuration of elementary and middle school environments based on theoretical and philosophical considerations.

• Outstanding Teacher / Scholar Award. California State University, Fullerton, 2005
• Outstanding University Service Recognition Award, California State University, Fullerton, 2003
• Holmes Group Scholar, SUNY-Buffalo, 1997-98; 1996-97; 1995-96.
• Schomberg Fellow (Under-represented Graduate Student Program) from State of New York, 1996-97; 1995-96; 1994-95; 1993-94.
• Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges, 1996-97.
• Excellence in Student Teaching Award, SUNY College at Fredonia Fall 1989.

• CLMS, California League of Middle Schools, Advisory Board
• AERA, American Educational Research Association
• ASCD, Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development
• National Middle School Association • RIMLE (Rhode Island Middle Level Educators)
• Phi Delta Kappa -- Education Honor Society

PUBLICATIONS:

• DeCastro-Ambrosetti, D. & Cho, G. (accepted 2005). Synergism in Learning: a Critical Reflection of Authentic Assessment.” The High School Journal
• DeCastro-Ambrosetti, D. & Cho, G. (accepted 2005). “Do Parents Value Education? Teachers’ Perceptions of Minority Parents.” Multicultural Education
• Bonsangue, M., Costa, V., and Ambrosetti, D. (2005). Module 2: Exploring Changes in Area and Volume in Middle School Mathematics. In V. Costa, M. Bonsangue, and H. Shultz (Eds.) (2nd ed.). Professional Development Resources Online for Mathematics [Online Course]. Available from http://www.fullerton.edu/pdrom/
• Cho, G & DeCastro-Ambrosetti, D. (accepted 2005). “Is Ignorance Bliss? Pre-service Teachers’ Attitudes Toward Multicultural Education.” The High School Journal
• DeCastro-Ambrosetti, D. (2003) “Sociolinguistic Foundations to African-Centered Pedagogy: A Literature Review.” The High School Journal 86 (4), 31-48.
• Cho, G. & Debra DeCastro-Ambrosetti (2003, October). “Why Don’t They Learn English?” Separating Fact from Fallacy in the U.S. Language Debate [Review of the book]. Journal of Latinos and Education . 2 (4).
• DeCastro-Ambrosetti, D. & Cho, G. (2002, Winter). Technology-- Panacea or Obstacle in the Education of Diverse Student Populations? Multicultural Education Journal. 10 (2), 25-30
• Cho, G. and DeCastro-Ambrosetti, D. (2002, February). “Walking a Mile in Their Shoes:Transforming Teachers' Beliefs about English Language Learners.” Exchanges: The Online Journal for Teaching and Learning in the California State Universities.
• DeCastro-Ambrosetti, Debra. (1996). Genderlect’ Markers Within Middle Level Teachers’ Speech. Transescense, 24 (2), 52-60.
• DeCastro-Ambrosetti, Debra. (1994). Advisory: The Evaluation of a Pilot Program. Dissemination Services on the Middle Grades, 26 (3).

CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS:

• DeCastro-Ambrosetti, D. (2005). Sustaining Bad Boy Behavior: Gender-Based Socialization in the Middle School Classroom. (Presented at the Hawaii International Conference on Education)
• DeCastro-Ambrosetti, D. & Cho, G. (2005). The Blame Game?: Secondary Teachers’ Attitudes toward Teaching in Culturally-Diverse Settings. (Presented at AERA).
• Cho, G. & DeCastro-Ambrosetti, D. (2004). “Meaningful Learning: A Multidimensional Approach.” Presentation at the Poster Session Showcasing CSUF Faculty Research and Creative Activity, California State University, Fullerton.
• DeCastro-Ambrosetti, D. & Cho, G. (2003). Are Urban School Students Being Empowered by the Use of Technology? Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association (AERA), Chicago, IL.
• DeCastro-Ambrosetti, D. (2002). “Strategies to Facilitate Learning in the Diverse, Multicultural Classroom.” Presentation at the Leaders Bridging Cultures Conference, California State University, Fullerton.
• DeCastro-Ambrosetti, D. (2002). “Good Girls and Bad Boys: Crossing the Linguistic Divide.” Presentation at the Poster Session Showcasing CSUF Faculty Research and Creative Activity, California State University, Fullerton.
• Cho, G. & DeCastro-Ambrosetti, D. (April, 2002). Preparing Prospective Teachers to Work Effectively with Culturally Diverse Student Populations in Urban Settings. Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association (AERA), New Orleans, LA.
• DeCastro-Ambrosetti, D. (Spring, 1994). “Genderlect Markers in Middle School Students Discourse.” SUNY-Buffalo Graduate Symposium
• DeCastro-Ambrosetti, D. (Fall, 1994). "Genderlect Markers Within Middle Level Teachers' Speech” SUNY-Buffalo Graduate Symposium.
• DeCastro-Ambrosetti, D. (Summer, 1993). “Authentic Assessment Measures” Cornell University, Middle Level Education Summer Conference.

Selected Invited Addresses:

• Rhode Island College, Department of Elementary Education. Addressed the faculty concerning the new requirements of the Middle School Endorsement Program
• Henry Barnard School, Presentation to faculty, staff and parents on the topic of the "Characteristics Of Middle Level Education."
• OASIS Staff at Rhode Island College, Requirements of the New Middle School Endorsement Program
• Rhode Island College, various secondary education classes on the requirements of the new Middle School Endorsement Program.

Consulting:

• 2002-Present Member of the Bias Review Committee for the development of the California Subject Examinations for Teachers Test
• Los Angeles County of Education
• 2002-Present Los Angeles County of Education –Professional Expert
• New York State Department of Education School Quality Review Team.
• Pine Valley School District, New York. Hired to train faculty in implementation of
• Authentic Assessment Measures.
• Future Business Leaders of America. Program to foster development of leadership roles in Adolescents.
• Co-Author of Prototype for Middle School Quality Reviews in New York State. 1994.
• Author of Assessment-based curriculum model for the department of Education, New York State.
• Coordinator-- piloted an advisory program for the Jamestown City School District.

PROFESSIONAL ASSIGNMENTS and ACTIVITIES:

State

• CSET Bias Review Committee Member

University

• University Academic Standards Committee
• President’s Committee to Support Retention and Tenure of Women and Minority Faculty
• Secondary Cooperative Teacher Education Program – Member
• Teaching Performance Assessment Training of SECTEP Faculty
• Researchers and Critical Educators (RACE)-Chair of the Public Relations committee
• California State University, Fullerton, University-Wide Graduate Committee

College

• College of Education Council of Representatives
• California State University, Fullerton, HDCS Assessment Committee

Department

• Professional Development Districts Director
• Foundations of Secondary School Instruction and Fieldwork -- Course chair
• NCATE and CCTC Accreditation Team, Member for the Department of
• Secondary Education Secondary Education Assistant Faculty Marshall
• Pre-Orientation Planning and Organization Committee for Secondary Cooperative Teacher Education Progam
• Program (SECTEP)
• Student Professional Behavior Committee
• Teacher Performance Expectations-- Development Coordinator

• Secondary Cooperative Teacher Education Community Advisory Committee – Member
• American Education Research Association Conference Proposal Reviewer
• National Depression Screening and Suicide Prevention Day Conference Planning and Organization Committee

Community Service

• Learning For Life Orange County Character Education Program
• California League of Middle Schools—Advisory Board
• National Depression Screening and Suicide Prevention Day Conference Planning and Organization Committee