Faculty & Staff Directory
Martelli, Dawn (Ed.D.)
Program Coordinator/Professor
Department of Teacher Education and Learning Sciences (TELS)
Cynthia Dawn Martelli is an associate professor of Reading in the Department of Curriculum, Instruction and Culture at Florida Gulf Coast University. She is the program coordinator for C&I M.Ed. and for the Teacher Immersion Program (TIP). Dr. Martelli taught more than 14 years of English Language Arts in both elementary and middle school classrooms. Her research focuses around crucial issues surrounding the position of children’s and young adult literature in teacher preparation programs. Dr. Martelli founded the annual FGCU COE Literacy Festival that connects over children’s and young adult authors with over 2,000 students from Title I schools. Each student receives a free book from one of the participating authors.
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Education
Toggle Education- Ed.D., Curriculum and Instruction (Concentration: Reading), Baylor University
- M.A., Education in Curriculum and Instruction, Baylor University
- BSEd, Education and Reading, Baylor University
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Specialties
Toggle Specialties- Literacy
- Children's Literature
- Struggling Readers
- Teacher Immersion Program
- C&I M.Ed. Program
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Research and Teaching Interests
Toggle Research and Teaching Interests- Crucial issues surrounding the position of children’s and young adult literature in teacher preparation programs.
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Courses Offered
Toggle Courses Offered- EDG 7065 The Historical Perspective and Impact of Critical Literacies
- EDG 5944 TIP Practicum
- RED 6544 Comprehension, Cognition, and Content Area Reading
- RED 6656 Struggling Readers
- LAE 4416 Children's Literature
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Publications
Toggle Publications- Martelli, C.D., Johnston, V., & Sidisky, J. (2021). Empowering students to tell their stories: Authors mentor students on writing college entrance essays. Journal of Literacy Innovation, 6(2).
- Koklu, O., Cooper, S., Martelli, C.D., & Just, M. (Under Review). Identifying the Areas in Mathematics, Science, and Reading in which the US high school students underperform in PISA test. Florida Journal of Educational Research, issue, page numbers.
- Martelli, C.D. (2021). A university literacy festival: The impact of connecting children’s authors with students, teachers, and librarians from Title I schools. Athens Journal of Education, 8, 1-13.
- Martelli, C.D. (2021). The impact of a university literacy festival on Title I school partners. Journal of Language and Education Policy, 2(1), 1-9.
- Martelli, C.D. & Johnston, V. (2020). A university literacy festival: Connecting children’s authors and students from Title I schools. Proceedings of the Center for Scholastic Inquiry: Researching Professional Practice, 59-73.
- Martelli, C.D., Johnston, V., Israel, C., Flake, S., Winston, S., & Bloor, E. (2019). A university literacy festival: Connecting authors and students from Title I schools. Multicultural Education, 26(2), 40-42.
- Martelli, C. D. & Johnston, V. (2018). A university literacy festival and its impact on teacher candidates, authors, and teachers and students from Title I schools. Journal of Literacy Innovation, 3(2), 47-57.
- Johnston, V. & Martelli, C. D. (2018). Reaching out to students from Title I schools. The Reading Teacher, 72(4), 514-518. https://doi.org/10.1002/trtr.1763
- Lang, W. S., Wilkerson, J., Parfitt, C., Greene, J., Dratt, D., Martelli, C. D., LaPaglia, K., Johnston, V., Gilbert, S., Zhang, J. & Fields, L. (2018). Believes about Teaching (BATS2)-Construction and validation of an instrument based on InTASC critical dispositions, International Journal of Learning, Teaching and Educational Research, 17(8), 56-77.
- Martelli, C. D. & Johnston, V. (2017). Flipped learning in higher education: Teacher candidates’ perceptions and achievement. The Florida Reading Journal, 52(2), 34-42.
- Martelli, C. D. & Ryan, J. (2017). Building and connecting literacy in a theater classroom. Journal of Literacy Innovation, 2(2), 4-10.
- Fialko, S. & Martelli, C. D. (2017). Implementing a reader’s workshop in a first-grade classroom. Journal of Literacy Innovation. 2(1), 59-89.
- Johnston, V., & Martelli, C. D. (2017). Flipped learning in higher education: Student perceptions and achievement in teacher education. Teacher Education and Practice, 30(4).
- Martelli, C. D. (2016). Choice readings in higher education: Encouraging recreational and professional reading to effect reading habits and attitudes of preservice teachers. Journal of Literacy Innovation, 1(1), 4-18.
- Martelli, C. D. (2016). Reading and writing workshop: Implementing Nancie Atwell’s model in an eighth-grade classroom. The Florida Reading Journal, 51(2), 43-48.
- Johnston, V., Dibella, K., & Martelli, C. D. (2016). Disciplinary literacy and the value of making connections. International Literacy Association’s Daily Literacy. Retrieved from https://www.literacyworldwide.org/blog/literacy-daily/2016/10/13/disciplinary-literacy-and-the-value-of-making-connections
- Martelli, C. D. & Watson, P. (2016). Project based learning: Investigating resilience as the connection between history, community, and self. 2014. Voices in the Middle, 23(3), 10-16.
- Johnston, V., Martelli, C. D. & McDowell, K. (2015). Flipped classrooms: Using technology in teacher education literacy methods classes. In Proceedings of Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference 2015 (pp. 3282-3286). Chesapeake, VA: Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE).
- Browning, L. & Beckmann (Martelli), C. D. (1992). The adult basic education teacher’s toolkit. Austin: The Adult Education Professional Development and Curriculum (AEDPC) Consortium.
- Books, Monographs, and Book Chapters
- Martelli, C.D. (2020). Flexible Design for Optimal Learning. In E. Wilkins & A. Quinzio-Zafran (Eds.), The new teacher’s guide to overcoming common challenges: Curated advice from award-winning teachers. New York, NY: Informa UK Limited.
- Martelli, C. D. & Johnston, V. (2016). Critical literacy in inquiry learning: Perspective sharing through multiple literacies, continuous inquiry, and reflection. In M. Fabrizi (Ed.), Fantasy literature: Challenging genres (193-206). Rotterdam, The Netherlands: Sense Publishers B.V.
- Martelli, C. D. (2005). Like Me. Philadelphia, PA: Our Child Press.
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Conference Presentations
Toggle Conference Presentations- Martelli, C.D. (2020, May). The impact of a university literacy festival on Title I school partners. Paper presented at the International Athens Institute for Education Research Conference (ATINER), Athens, Greece.
- Martelli, C.D., & Johnston, V. (2021, February). Young adult authors mentor students from Title I schools in writing college admission essays. Paper presented at the Eastern Educational Research Association (EERA), Orlando, FL.
- Koklu, O., Cooper, S., Martelli, C.D., & Atha, M. (2021, February). Identifying the domains in mathematics, science and reading in which the US students perform lower in PISA. Paper presented at the Eastern Educational Research Association (EERA), Orlando, FL.
- Martelli, C. D. & Johnston, V. (2020, April). A university literacy festival: Connecting children’s authors with students from Title I schools. Paper presented at the International CSI: Center for Scholastic Inquiry, Charleston, SC.
- Martelli, C.D. & Johnston, V. (2019, December). Empowering students to tell their stories: Young adult authors mentor high school students from Title I schools on writing college entrance essays. Paper presented at American Reading Forum (ARF), Sanibel, FL
- Martelli, C. D. & Johnston, V. (2019, October). Connecting students and authors from Title I schools. Poster presented at the International Literacy Association (ILA), New Orleans, LA.
- Johnston, V., Martelli, C.D., & Corrigan, M. (2019, October). Opportunities for children in low socioeconomic communities to become exposed to multicultural books and authors. Paper presented at the International Literacy Association (ILA), New Orleans, LA.
- Martelli, C.D. (2018, December). Textbook readings in higher education: Utilizing Beers' and Probst' BHH framework to engage preservice teachers in critical thinking to reflect, make connections, and challenge their thinking. Paper presented at American Reading Forum (ARF), Sanibel, FL.
- Johnston, V. & Martelli, C.D. (2018, December). Opportunities for children in low socio-economic communities to become exposed to books from authors of quality (or authentic) multicultural children’s literature. Paper presented at American Reading Forum (ARF), Sanibel, FL.
- Fulwider, J., Martelli, C. D., Bass, S. & Johnston, V. (2018, October). Strengthening the teacher workforce in Southwest Florida through rural P-12 districts and IHE collaboration. Paper presented at Teacher Education Council of State Colleges and Universities (TECSCU), Charleston, SC.
- Martelli, C.D., Johnston, V., LaPaglia, K., & Sidisky, J. (2018, March). A literacy festival and its impact on Title I school partners. Paper presented at National Association for Professional Development Schools (NAPDS), Jacksonville, FL.
- Wilkerson, J., Martelli, C. D., Johnston, V., Zhang, S., Wang, C., Gilbert, S., Parfitt, C., Kratt, D., LaPaglia, C., & Greene, J. (2018, February). Panel Session Title: Faculty, students, and administrators working together to solve the CAEP psychometric and evaluation challenge through a novel rubric approach. Paper presented at Eastern Educational Education Association (EERA), Clearwater, FL.
- Wilkerson, J., Greene, J., Kratt, D., Parfitt, C., Wang, C., Johnston, V., LaPaglia, K., Zhang, J., Gilbert, S., & Martelli, C. D. (2018, February). Solving the rubric conundrum: High ratings and accountability for almost all graduates vs. actionable data and continuous improvement for CAEP (and Others). Paper presented at Eastern Educational Education Association (EERA), Clearwater, FL.
- Lang, S. W., Gilbert, S., Moore, L., Wang, C., Kratt, D., K., Parfitt, Wilkerson, J., Martelli, C. D., Zhang, J., Fields, L., LaPaglia, C., Greene, J., & Johnston, V. (2018, February) Panel Session Title: Measuring teacher dispositions systematically using multiple measures. Eastern Educational Education Association (EERA), Clearwater, FL.
- Lang, S. W., Fields, L., Kratt, D., Johnston, V., Moore, L., Gilbert, S., LaPaglia, K., Martelli, C. D., Zhang, J., Greene, J., Parfitt, C., & Wilkerson, J. (2018, February). Beliefs About Teaching (BATS2) - Construction and validation of an instrument based on InTASC critical disposition. Paper presented at Eastern Educational Education Association (EERA), Clearwater, FL.
- Martelli, C. D. & Johnston, V. (2017, September). A literacy festival and its support of disciplinary literacy. Paper presented at Second Annual Lucas Symposium Creative Strategies for Teaching Critical Thinking, Fort Myers, FL.
- Martelli, C. D. & Johnston, V. (2017, February). A literacy festival and its support of disciplinary literacy. Paper presented at 3rd Annual Community-Engaged Scholarship Symposium, Fort Myers, FL.
- Martelli, C. D. & Johnston, V. (2017, July). How a university literacy festival supports disciplinary literacy in Title I Schools. Poster presented at International Literacy Association (ILA), Jacksonville, FL.
- Martelli, C. D., Johnston, V., Giambo, D., & Crayton, L. (2017, December). A university’s literacy festival and its impact on Title I students and teacher candidates. Paper presented at American Reading Forum Conference (ARF), Sanibel Island, FL.
- Martelli, C. D. & Johnston, V. (2016, December). A literacy festival and its support of disciplinary literacy. Paper presented at American Reading Forum Conference (ARF), Sanibel Island, FL.
- Johnston, V. & Martelli, C. D. (2016, September). Flipped learning in teaching education. Poster presented at Lucas Symposium: Showcasing Creative Strategies for Teaching and Learning, Fort Myers, FL.
- Martelli, C. D. (2015, December). Choice readings in higher education: Encouraging recreational and professional reading to effect reading habits and attitudes of preservice teachers. Paper presented at American Reading Forum Conference (ARF), Sanibel Island, FL.
- Johnston, V., Martelli, C.D. & McDowell, K. (2015, March). Flipped classrooms: Using technology in teacher education literacy methods classes. Paper presented at SITE: Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference (SITE), Las Vegas, NV.
- Martelli, C. D. (2015, October). Project based learning in an eighth grade classroom. Paper presented at Florida Reading Conference, Orlando, FL.
- Martelli, C. D., Johnston, V., McDowell, K. (2015, January). Content area reading strategies in an age of common core. Paper presented at Secondary Reading Council of Florida (SRCFL), Jacksonville, FL.
- Martelli, C. D. & Watson, P. (2014, December). Project based learning: Investigating resilience as the connection between history, community, and self. Paper presented at American Reading Forum Conference (ARF), Sanibel Island, FL.
- Martelli, C. D. (2012, March). Integrating reading and writing workshop into the curriculum. Paper presented at TWU: 46th Annual Rose F. Spicola Forum in Reading, Denton, TX.
- Martelli, C. D. (2011, March). Reading workshop in the classroom. Paper presented at TWU: 45th Annual Rose F. Spicola Forum in Reading, Denton, TX.
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Grants & Awards
Toggle Grants & Awards- Florida Gulf Coast University Annual Support for TIP Hendry and Glades scholarships. Funded $114,717, May 2019.
- Sponsor Award from Mr. Pat Cacho for the Fourth Annual FGCU COE Literacy Festival. Funded: $25,000, May 2019.
- Florida Gulf Coast University Award from Provost for the Fourth Annual FGCU COE Literacy Festival. Funded: $25,000, February 2019.
- Supporting Effective Educator Development (SEED) Grant, Department of Education, Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) number 84.423A for 2,461,000. Not funded, October 2018.
- Florida Gulf Coast University Award from Provost for the Third Annual FGCU COE Literacy Festival. Funded: $25,000, March 2018.
- IBBY-ASAHI Reading Promotion Award for $10,000. Not funded, February 2017.
- Sponsor Award from Mr. Pat Cacho for the Second Annual FGCU COE Literacy Festival, Funded: $45,000, May 2017.
- Florida Gulf Coast University Award from Provost for the Second Annual FGCU COE Literacy Festival. Funded: $20,000, April 2017.
- Lucas Center Grants, FGCU, $500, 2016—2019
- Florida Gulf Coast University Award from Provost for the First Annual FGCU COE Literacy Festival. Funded: $15,000, August 2016.
