1. RICHELLE L ACOSTA
richelleacosta@yahoo.com
PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
Dedicated instructor with a strong work ethic and a commitment to excellence in teaching. Exceptional
presentation, interpersonal andcommunication skills who promotes open classroom discussions. Works hard
to adapt methods anduse various teaching styles.
SKILLS
Expertise in curriculum development Interpersonal skills
Tailoring curriculum plans Outstanding social skills
Positive learning environment Positive reinforcement
Creative questioning Effective time management
Critical thinking Creative learning strategies
Personable and approachable PowerPoint
Organized and detailed Enthusiastic
Creative instruction style Extensive knowledge of Reading/Literacy
Course planning Best practices in on-line instruction
WORK HISTORY
Instructor
Southeastern Louisiana University - Hammond, LA 01/2007 -Current
Implemented reading and writing workshops to increase student awareness of literacy andsupport.
Fostered meaningful relationships between students and community principals and teachers through
class field-required experiences and service projects.
Developed and taught lessons on relevant children's books, poems, and novels to promote the use of
genre variety.
Consistently received positive instructor scores from students on end-of-the-semester evaluations.
Taught introductory and upper level courses in Reading.
Fostered students' commitment to lifelong learning by connecting course materials to broader themes
and current events.
Served on Faculty Senate college committee, Middle School, Methods Committee, and Literacy
Committees for the Department and acted as chair of the Conceptual Framework Spa Committee.
Developed and delivered engaging lectures to undergraduate and graduate students.
Wrote course materials such as syllabi, assignments, lectures, andhandouts.
Planned, evaluated and revised course content and course materials each semester.
Supervised and evaluated students' field work during methods courses and student teaching semesters.
Guided students in using technology to enhance lesson planning and coursework.
Monitored students' academic progress through advising and referred students who were struggling to
the teacher development center.
Developed courses in line with the curriculum requirements of the Teaching and Learning Department.
Specific courses taught: EDUC 328 (Curriculum and Instruction in Grades 4-8); EDUC 304 (Reading in
the Elementary Schools); EDUC 308 (Reading in the Middle Schools); EDUC 322 (Diagnostic and
Prescriptive Reading); EDUC 472 (Content Area Literacy); EPSY 301 (Educational Psychology); LSED
401 (Books and Related Materials for Children); EDUC 472 (Reading in the Content Areas); EDUC

2. 657/658 (Reading in the Elementary/Secondary School); EDUC 618 (Counseling for the Gifted); LSED
401 & 501 (Books and Related Materials for Children & Graduate Level); EPSY 315 (Classroom
Management); EDUC 323 (Reading Methods for Early Childhood Education); EDUC 307 (Instructional
Planning andAssessment)
Specific job responsibilities: Completed the Quality Matters training course; University Supervisor of
Student Teachers; Co-Chair and Chair for Conceptual Framework SPACommittee; Advisor for
undergraduate students; Chairperson for Southeastern Reading Council; Member of methods committee
program; Served on committee for MAT action research presentations; Helped with writing of NAEYC
SPA report for Early Childhood Education committee; Served on Literacy Advisory Committee;
Facilitator of dyslexia simulation; Served on Student Teaching Advisory Council; Served on NCATE
committee; Served on Early Childhood Education committee; Served on University-Wide Faculty
Senate Committee
Teacher
St. Tammany Parish School Board - Covington,LA 08/2001 - 05/2004
Taught 2nd - 6th gifted lab
Taught 7th and 8th gifted English/Language Arts
Taught 7th gradeAmerican History
School Newspaper Coordinator
Teacher
Jefferson Parish School Board - Jefferson, LA 08/2000 - 05/2001
Taught 4th grade
Teacher
Terrebonne Parish School Board - Houma, LA 08/1997 - 05/2000
Math Facilitator for grades 1-6
Taught 4th grade
Supervisor of Student Teachers
Teacher
St. Mary Parish School Board - Morgan City, LA 08/1994 - 05/1997
Taught 4th grade
Grade Level Chairperson
Social Studies Fair Coordinator
4-h Chairperson
Teacher
St. Martin Parish School Board - St Martinville, LA 08/1991 - 05/1994
Taught 3rdgrade
Whole-Language coordinator for grades K-8
EDUCATION
Ph.D.: Curriculum andInstruction
Louisiana State University - Baton Rouge, LA December, 2012
Emphasis in Reading
Master of Arts:
Nicholls State University - Thibodaux, LA May, 1996
Emphasis in Reading Education
Bachelor of Arts:
Nicholls State University - Thibodaux, LA December, 1991
Emphasis in Elementary Education grades 1-8

3. Reading Specialist certified:
AFFILIATIONS
ILA - International Literacy Association
LRA - Louisiana Reading Association
NRC - Northshore Reading Council
SRC - Southeast Reading Council
NCTE - National Council of Teachers of English
PRTE - Professors of Reading Teacher Educators
PRESENTATIONS
Acosta, R. (2013). Up Close With Close Reading. Louisiana Reading Association Annual Conference:
Monroe, LA.
Acosta, R. (2013). Comparing the Basal Approach and Balanced Literacy. Mid-South Educational Research
Association: Pensacola, FL.
Acosta, R. (2013). An Exploration of Reading Methods in First-Grade: Comparing the Basal Approach and
Balanced Literacy. Louisiana Education Research Association Annual Conference: Lafayette, LA.
Acosta, R., Stanley, S., & Sorbet, S. (2012). Engaging in Informational Text: Making Use of Reading
Strategies with Content Reading. Louisiana Reading Association Annual Conference; New Orleans, LA.
Acosta, R. (2012). Best Literacy Practices. Invited speaker at the Southeastern Louisiana University Summit
on the Conditions of Children, Families, Schools, and Society in Southeast Louisiana; Hammond, LA.
Acosta, R. & Stanley, S. (2011). Connecting to Comprehension. Louisiana Reading Association Annual
Conference; Lafayette, LA.
Acosta, R. (2011). You Can Teach Them All: Differentiation Strategies for Ensuring Success in All Students.
Presented as professional development workshop to SLU students; Hammond, LA.
Acosta, R. & Stanley, S. (2010). Building Literacy Skills With Informational Text. Louisiana Reading
Association Annual Conference; Marksville, LA.
Acosta, R. (2010). You Can Teach Them All: Differentiation Strategies for Ensuring Success in All Students.
Presented as professional development workshop to SLU students; Hammond, LA.
Acosta, R. (2010). Transitional Readers. Presented as professional development workshop to SLU students;
Hammond, LA.
Acosta, R. (2010). Literacy Work Stations: Making Centers Work. Northshore Reading Council; LaCombe,
LA.
Acosta, R. (2010). Literacy Work Stations: Making Centers Work. Presented as professional development
workshop to SLU students; Hammond, LA.
Acosta, R. & Warren, D. (2009). You Can Teach Them All: Differentiation Strategies for Ensuring Success in
All Students. Southeast International Reading Association Annual Conference; New Orleans, LA.
PROFESSIONAL SERVICE
Children's literature reviewer for the Southern Early Childhood Association
Journal reviewer for Dimensions, publication of Southern Early Childhood Association
Journal reviewer for Action in Teacher Education publication
Vice-President of the Louisiana Reading Association