Education

Ph.D., Education, Florida State University
M.S., Education, Florida State University
B.A., Special Education, Florida State University 

Biography

Dr. Ellis is an assistant professor of early childhood education. She has experience in curriculum and instruction, reading, special education and teacher education. Dr. Ellis’ research interests include integrating science and reading instruction, reading and science student achievement, effective models of establishing and maintaining P-12 school and community partnerships, transition and adult education of students with disabilities, effective pre-service field and clinical models for teacher education, and multidisciplinary education research.

Honors & Awards 
Present American Association of Colleges of Teacher Education Clinical Partnership
Commission, 2016 
Partners in Excellence Award, Dougherty County Schools, Albany, GA, 2014-2015 
American Association of Colleges of Teacher Education Holmes Scholar-Florida State University, 2004-2013 
Dean’s Student Advisory Committee, FSU College of Education, 2004-2002 
Florida Center for Reading Research Fellow-Florida State University, 2002-2004 
Florida State University Dean’s List, 1996-2005 
Who’s Who Among College Students, Florida State University, 1999-2000 
Alpha Delta Kappa Teachers’ Sorority House, Florida State University, 1996-2001 

Courses Taught

SPED 3231: Contemporary Perspectives of Exceptional Students
SPED 3307: Nature and Characteristics of Students with Intellectual Disabilities
SPED 3312: Curriculum, Methods, and Materials
ECEC 4420: Preschool Education
ECEC 4423: Corrective Reading
ECEC 4500: Remedial Reading: A Practicum
ECEC 5500: Early Childhood Development
SPED 5501: Exceptional Children
SPED 5510: Characteristics & Instructional Strategies for Teaching the Mildly Disabled
ECEC 5512: Cultural Diversity in Early Childhood Education
SPED 5516: Nature & Characteristics of Gifted Students
SPED 5529: Instructional Methods in Gifted Education
SPED 5536: Curriculum for Gifted Education
SPED 5545: Educational Assessment of Exceptional Children
ECEC 5555: Creative Experiences for Young Children
SPED 5570: Practicum in Interrelated Special Education
SPED 5590: Teaching of Reading and Math to Exceptional Learners
Early Childhood Block IV Intern Supervision
RED 4310: How Children Learn How to Read
MAE 4326: How Children Learn Math
RED 4510: Teaching Reading in Elementary Schools
ELD 5140: Advanced Student Learning Disabilities (Co-taught with Dr. Patricia Mathes)
SLS 1510: College Success

Research Interests

Integrating Science and Reading Instruction
Reading and Science Student Achievement
Effective Models of Establishing and Maintaining P-12 School & Community Partnerships
Transition & Adult Education of Students with Disabilities
Effective Pre-service Field & Clinical Models for Teacher Education
Multidisciplinary Education Research

Publications

1. Ellis, V., Jenkins, P., Pogue, T., & Stephenson, L. (In Review) In the Field: Moving Teacher Candidates from Theory to Practice. Collaborations: Journal of Community-Based Research and Practice.

2. Ellis, V. (2014). An exploration of the impact of reform-based science instruction on second graders' academic achievement. ProQuest.