 Marina Michalski attended the University
of California at Los
Angeles (UCLA), where she majored in applied and
abstract linguistic theory. During this time, Marina
studied language in Santander, Spain,
and fell in love with the exploration of diverse cultures. Upon returning to
the United States,
she determined to research intervention strategies for struggling readers and language
learners on behalf of the Center for American Politics and Public Policy in Washington,
D.C. Concurrently, Marina worked for NEA
Publishing as a contributing editor of the book Innovative Discipline
and as an editorial assistant for NEA
Today and the higher education journal, Thought
and Action.
After completing ELL, CLAD, and Multiple Subject
certification, Marina began
teaching the adolescent readers of underserved populations in Long
Beach, California. There, she
utilized her experiences and knowledge of applied linguistics to adapt
research-based reading strategies to English Language Learners. In 2004, Marina
completed a Master's Degree in Teaching, with an emphasis on Multiple Subject
Curriculum Development and Instruction. In addition to teaching grades five
through eight, Marina has served as an ELAC representative, department head,
and team leader. She has presented ELL and reading strategy professional
development workshops on the local and national levels, especially for It's Never Too Late Literacy Institutes and
Reading For Life. Most recently, Marina
co-authored curriculum for Dr. Janet Allen's Plugged Into Reading series with Recorded Books, LLC.
Presently, Marina teaches junior high in Anaheim, California,
instructing beginning, intermediate, and advanced
ELL students at all levels of literacy. Marina also teaches at the
University of California at Irvine (UCI), serving as an instructor in
the
reading and TESOL teacher certification programs. Marina is an active
member of the NCTE, DDN, TESOL, IRA, and
ASCD professional associations. When not in the classroom, she is an
enthusiastic reader of Latin American literature, enjoys traveling,
scuba
diving, snowboarding, and spending quality time with her extended
family of
adopted animals.
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