Dr. Melissa L. Jones-Bromenshenkel
Professor Office: 1227 - Buzzard HallPhone: 217-581-5315
Email: mljones2@eiu.edu
Education & Training
Type 75 General Administrative Certificate
Eastern Illinois University, January 2012
Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction
Teaching and Learning Specialization
Indiana State University, August 2006
M.S. in Education, Special Education
Emphases in Collaboration/Consultation and Program Administration and Supervision
Eastern Illinois University, December 1998
B.S. in Education, Special Education
Eastern Illinois University, May 1995
Conference Presentations
Community
Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) (2010-present)
Educational Surrogate ISBE (2021- present)
Volunteer Advocacy Program (VAP) Family Mentor and Coach (2017-present)
Certified LETRS Trainer
Project Director and Facilitator of C2C (College to Classroom) induction and mentoring group for new special educators (EIU SPE program completers) -- weekly meetings, social media group, development and maintenance of website, individual coaching, technical assistance and emotional support; collaborative effort between EIU, SIUE, and UIC (summer 2020-2024).
Certified Youth Mental Health First Aid Trainer (2016-2023)
CEC/NCATE/CAEP Program Reviewer (Spring 2008-2021)
ILTS Content Review Committee LBS II Credentials (2021-2023)
Project Director and Facilitator of PILLARS induction and coaching group for novice special educators from local rural districts. Served 20 teachers across 2 years from: Casey, Kansas, Chrisman, EIASE, Paris, Cumberland, ALAH, Martinsville, Villa Grove.
Sibshops Facilitator (2020-present)
Coordinator Eastern Illinois Area of Special Education (sp)Edcamp (Fall 2016)
Member of the LIFE Academy Steering Committee (2107-2019)
IL-AWARE Steering Committee (2018-19)
Illinois Council for Exceptional Children (ICEC) Fall Convention Co-Chair/Program Co-Chair (2006-2011)
Publications
Basham, J. D., Lowrey, A., Gardner, J.E., & Jones-Bromenshenkel, M.L. (2011). Computer-mediated collaboration: Using the web to contextualize representational issues in general and special education practice. In E. McCray, P. McHatton, & C. Beverly (Eds.), Knowledge, skills, and dispositions for culturally competent and interculturally sensitive leaders in education (pp. 202-223). Arlington,VA: TED Diversity Caucus.
Cook, R. Jones-Bromenshenkel, M., Huisinga, S., & Mullins, F. (2017). Online Professional Learning Networks (PLNs): A viable solution to the professional development dilemma. Journal of Special Education Technology, 32(2), 109-118.
Huisinga, S., Jones-Bromenshenkel, M., Cook, R. (2020, Spring). PILLARS of support for new special educators: Advice for leaders from lessons learned. Illinois Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development Journal, 66(1), 55-59.
Huisinga, S., Luttrell, L, Cook, R., & Jones-Bromenshenkel, M. (Winter 2018-19). Making books accessible for all readers: Students reflect on a service project. Illinois Reading Council Journal, 47 (1), 18-27.
Illinois State Board of Education (2023). The dyslexia guide: A handbook for parents, educators, and students. https://www.isbe.net/Documents/Dyslexia-Handbook.pdf. Work group chair and lead author.
Illinois State Board of Education (2023). The dyslexia toolkit: Resources for parents, educators, and students. https://sldsupports.org/dyslexia-guides. Work group chair and lead author.
Jones, M. L. (2009). A study of novice special educators’ views of evidence-based practices. Teacher Education and Special Education, 32 (2), 101-120.
Jones, M.L., Mullins, F., & Li, M. (2009). It takes two to tango: A rural school’s transition to co-taught service delivery. Proceedings of the American Council on Rural Special Education (ACRES).
Jones-Bromenshenkel, M. (2013). Effective evaluation for rural special educators: A contradiction in terms? Proceedings of the American Council on Rural Special Education (ACRES).
Funding & Grants
SLD Supports Grant, Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), in partnership with Eastern Illinois Area of Special Education (EIASE), $7.4 million funded Oct 22-June 25
Eastern Illinois University, Redden Course Improvement Grant, Using Distance Supervision to Grow the SPE Teaching Workforce, 2023-24.
Illinois Innovation Network, C2C: Supporting Special Educators in their Transition from College to the Classroom, Collaboration with SIU-E, UIUC Chicago, 30k funded, Summer 2021- Summer 2024
Hamand Innovative Program Award, Dept. of Special Education, EIU Graduate School, 2021
Eastern Illinois University, Redden Course Improvement Grant, Science of Reading and Dyslexia Information and Resources, Fall 2021
Eastern Illinois University, CEPS Development Grant, A Comparison of Delivery Modes for Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) Training with Pre-Service Teachers, Spring 2021
Eastern Illinois University, Redden Course Improvement Grant, Leveraging Technology to Better Prepare Pre-Service Special Educators, Fall 2020
Eastern Illinois University, CEPS Development Grant, The Outcomes of Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) Training on Pre-Service Teachers’ Knowledge, Skills, and Attitudes, Fall 2019
Illinois Association of Teachers Research Mini Grant, PILLARS for Beginning Special Educators: Providing Insight and Leadership in Learning to Analyze, Reflect, and Solve Problems, Fall 2019
Eastern Illinois University, Redden Course Improvement Grant, Bridging the Gap from Pre-service to In-Service, Fall 2019
Eastern Illinois University CEPS Development Grant, Spring 2019
Eastern Illinois University, Redden Course Improvement Grant, Coaching Candidates toward Success, 2018-19
Illinois Council for Exceptional Children, Ray Graham Mini-Grant, PILLARS Coaching Project, Fall 2018
Illinois Council for Exceptional Children, Ray Graham Mini-Grant, Youth Mental Health First Aid for Pre-service Teachers, Fall 2017
Eastern Illinois University, Development Grant for Faculty Research, Training for the Front Lines: Pre-service Teachers’ Self-Efficacy in Recognizing and Addressing Students’ Mental Health Needs, Fall 2017
Eastern Illinois University, Faculty Development Grant, Maintaining Access to Proven and Promising Practices for Students who Struggle, Spring 2017
Eastern Illinois University, Faculty Development Grant to attend the Council for Exceptional Children Annual Conference, Fall 2015
Eastern Illinois University, Redden Course Improvement Grant, Best Practice IEP: A “Must- See”, 2013-2014.
Eastern Illinois University College of Education and Professional Studies, CEPS Faculty Research Grant, Special Education and Standards Implementation: A Resource for Support and Success, Fall 2013.
Eastern Illinois University, Faculty Development Grant to purchase Council for Exceptional iPad Webinar series, Fall 2013.
Illinois Council for Children with Behavior Disorders Mini-Grant, iPAD=iLEARN and iMPROVE my Behavior, February 2013
Eastern Illinois University College of Education and Professional Studies, CEPS Faculty Research Grant. The Common Core Standards: Including More than Just “Core” Teachers in Implementation, Fall 2012
Eastern Illinois University, Faculty Development Grant to attend the Raising Student Achievement Conference, Fall 2012
Eastern Illinois University, Redden Course Improvement Grant, Preparing Candidates for Success: Incorporating Performance Assessment in Methods Fieldwork, 2012-2013
Illinois Association of Teacher Educators Mini-Grant, Lighting a “Fire”: Sparking an Interest in Reading through Tablet Technology, Fall 2012
Council on Faculty Research Grant, Are Special Educators Truly “Special”? Administrator Perceptions of the Teacher Evaluation Process, Summer 2012
Pioneers Division of Illinois Council for Exceptional Children Mini-Grant, ALL Learners Need Literature: Connecting with Characters through Manageable Text, 2011-2012
Illinois Council for Behavior Disorders Mini-Grant, Online Study Skills for Secondary Learners: A Collaboration between Pre-Service Teachers, Cooperating Professionals and P-12 Learners, 2011
Eastern Illinois University College of Education and Professional Studies, CEPS Development Grant, Effective Evaluation Process + Quality Feedback (Does it) = Improved Instruction and Increased Student Achievement, 2011
Eastern Illinois University College of Education and Professional Studies, CEPS Development Grant, Response to Intervention and Readiness to Implement (RtI²): Are Educators and Administrators Prepared? 2008
Eastern Illinois University College of Education and Professional Studies, CEPS Development Grant, Pre-Service Teacher Candidates and their Impact on P-12 Learners: Perspectives of Cooperating Schools and Professionals, 2008
Eastern Illinois University College of Education and Professional Studies, Telefund Research Grant, Increasing the Accessibility of Proven and Promising Practices for Students with Disabilities, 2006
Illinois Association of Teacher Educators (IATE) Grant Award, Pre-Service Teachers as Learners and Leaders: The Role of Teacher Education in Preparing Teacher Leaders, 2006
Eastern Illinois University College of Education and Professional Studies, Telefund Research Grant, Working Together to Improve Educational Outcomes for All Children, 2005
Frequently Taught Courses
SPE 4900
SPE 4901
SPE 5675
SPE 5770
SPE 5970
SPE 5133T
Research & Creative Interests
Evidence-Based Practice, Implementation of New Initiatives, Standards, Teacher Evaluation, Literacy Development
Professional Affiliations
Grant Partner SLD Supports Grant www.sldsupports.org
Illinois Teacher Education Division (ITED) Liaison to ICEC, 2006-2011; Secretary/Treasurer 2010-present
American Council on Rural Special Education (ACRES) Board Member (2021-2024)
Member of the Illinois Elevating Special Educators (IESE) Advisory Council (2021- present)
CEC/NCATE/CAEP Program Reviewer, Spring 2008-2022
Teacher Education Division of the Council for Exceptional Children, 2014 National Conference Planning Committee, Budget and Finance Co-Chair
Proposal Reviewer for Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) annual conference and Teacher
Education Division (TED) annual conference
Proposal Reviewer for the American Association of Colleges of Teacher Education (AACTE)
Member of: Council for Exceptional Children, Teacher Education Division of CEC, The Reading League, International Dyslexia Association, Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, Phi Delta Kappa, International Literacy Association, American Council on Rural Special Education, American Educational Research Association