Plymouth State University
Faculty
Faculty

Madonna Ciocca

Madonna Ciocca

Graduate Adjunct Faculty, Education

Contact phone number: (603) 753-8522
e-mail: m_ciocca@plymouth.edu


Profile

Donna Ciocca has been a teacher of multiple ages and levels. She has taught grades K-8, as well as undergraduate and graduate level courses. Having taught the full range of both elementary and middle school curricula gave her the opportunity to gain broad and comprehensive experience which she loves to share.


Degrees and Education

  • Completed Thirty Graduate Credits in the area of Science, including Physical, Chemical, and Earth Sciences, University of New Hampshire, 2001, and Plymouth State College, 2001
  • MS in Teaching, Department of English, University of New Hampshire, 1989. Specialization: Teaching of Writing
  • BS in Elementary Education, Cum Laude, University of Missouri,1981. Specialization: Teaching of Reading

Research Interests

  • Reluctant Readers
  • Children and adolescent literature
  • Gender based reading issues
  • Reading in content areas

Publications

  • Ciocca, D. Harley and Homer. Oak Manor Publishing: Nashua, NH, 2004
  • Ciocca, D. Tavern Tales. Oak Manor Publishing: Nashua, NH, 2005
  • Ciocca, D. Harley and Homer for Hire. Oak Manor Publishing: Nashua, NH, 2006

Associations, Boards and Committees

  • President-elect Granite State Reading Council/ International Reading Association, 2008
  • Member, Conference Committee, New England Reading Association, 2008-2010
  • Membership Committee, Capital Center of the Arts, 2008-present
  • Volunteer Coordinator Capital Region Food Program 2007-present
  • Trustee, Capital Region Food Program, 2007-present
  • Conference committee co-chair, Granite State Reading Council, International Reading Association, 2008
  • Coordinator, Family Literacy Outreach, Granite State Reading, International Reading Association. Collecting and distributing over 5,000 new children's books of quality to under served populations throughout New Hampshire, 1993-present

Academic Distinctions

  • Nominated for New Hampshire Teacher of the Year, 2008
  • Judge, DAR Annual Scholarship for the state of New Hampshire, 2008, 2009
  • Mark E. Manus Honor Society-Inducted December, 2006, for outstanding volunteer work and contribution of children's books for the Capital Region Food Program, Concord, NH
  • Judge, DAR Annual Scholarship for the state of New Hampshire, 2006
  • Distinguished Educator Award, Concord School District, 2002
  • Certificate of Achievement, Central New Hampshire Educational Collaborative, 2000
  • Judge, New Hampshire Literacy Awards, New Hampshire Writer's Project, 1998
  • Third Annual Elizabeth Yates Award for 1996, Concord Public Library for outstanding efforts in inspiring young people to read
  • Granite State Council, International Reading Association's Literacy Award for 1995 for promoting literacy among children and adults in New Hampshire
  • New England Reading Association's Special Recognition Award for 1994 for accomplishments in promoting reading and literacy
  • Cum Laude Graduate, Dean's List, Elected to Kappa Delta Pi, National Education Honor Society

Professional Experience

  • Consultant: NHREADS: Content Area Consultant in the areas of Science and Language Arts, 2007-present. Developing needs based staff development instruction in the areas of science and literacy. Participate in collaborative efforts to promote reading comprehension for students in NH schools. Provide easily accessed information to promote reading comprehension for educators, students and citizens
  • Adjunct Professor: Southern New Hampshire University, Manchester, New Hampshire, 2002 to present, teaching courses at both the Graduate and Undergraduate levels including: Composition, Argumentative Writing, History of Education, Introduction to Education, Children's Literature, Adolescent Literature, Integrated Unit by Design, Methods of Teaching English in Secondary Schools, and Survey of Reading for Middle and High School Teachers
  • Adjunct Professor: Notre Dame College, Manchester, New Hampshire, 1993 to 2002, teaching courses at both the Graduate and Undergraduate levels including: Children's Literature, Adolescent Literature, Teaching Writing, Developing Professional Presentations and Workshops, Speech and Communication, Language Arts, Survey of Reading for Middle and High School Teachers and Reading Methods
  • Science Teacher: Grade seven, Rundlett Middle School, Concord, NH. 2002-2007, designing and implementing science classes for a group of 120 students in accordance with State and District standards. Supervised student teachers in their placements, and served on numerous school and district-wide committees
  • Science and Math Teacher: Grade six, Rundlett Middle School, Concord, NH. 2000-2002. Designed and implemented science classes for a group of 75 students in accordance with State and District standards. Taught mathematics using Everyday Math, as well as, daily instruction in conjunction with science, social studies and language arts. Supervised student teachers in their placements, and served on numerous school and district-wide committees
  • Integrated Language Arts Teacher: Grades six, seven, Rundlett Middle School, Concord, NH, 1996- 2000. Full-time position integrating reading, writing, listening and viewing with a team, teaching English, Math, Social Studies, Science, Technology Education , Music, Art, and Life Science. Responsibilities include constant communication, needs assessment and flexibility. Consultant: Paperback Advisory Council, Scholastic Inc. Met with publishers for Scholastic books and advised on current trends and usage of paperback books in the classroom. Reviewed newly published adolescent literature. 1998-2001
  • Classroom Teacher: Grades five, six, Beaver Meadow School, Concord, NH, 1991 to 1996. Full-time position involving responsibility for a self-contained classroom environment, with duties of developing lesson plans and individualized objectives, maintaining discipline, and evaluating the progress of elementary school students, including disadvantaged and emotionally handicapped children. Supervised student teachers in their placements, and served on numerous school and district-wide committees
  • Classroom Teacher: Grades One, Two, Three and Four, Walker Elementary School, Concord, NH, 1986-1991. Supervised student teachers and served on District-wide committees. . Full-time position involving responsibility for a self-contained classroom environment, with duties of developing lesson plans and individualized objectives, maintaining discipline, and evaluating the progress of elementary school students, including disadvantaged and emotionally handicapped children
  • Classroom Teacher: Grade two, Blue Ridge Elementary School, Columbia, Missouri, 1981-1986. Full-time classroom teaching position in a self-contained classroom, with particular experience working with multicultural, socially disadvantaged, and ESL students. Was also involved in supervising student teachers, and served on citywide committees. Presented numerous workshops to teachers and parents
  • Special Education Teacher: Woodhaven Learning Center, Columbia, Missouri, 1981



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This page was last revised: 6/30/2009