College of Graduate Studies forgrad@plymouth.edu
Tel: (800) FOR-GRAD or
(603) 535-2636
Fax: (603) 535-2572
Plymouth State University
MSC 11
17 High Street
Plymouth, NH 03264-1595
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