Madison Kellenberger, joins W&M faculty

This fall, the School of Education welcomes new faculty members. Today, we introduce Assistant Professor of Literacy Education Madison Kellenberger who is joining our Curriculum & Instruction faculty.

Tell us a little about your background and what brought you to W&M.

I recently completed my Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction with a specialization in special education at Florida State University, where I was an Office of Special Education (OSEP) Interdisciplinary Training Fellow with the Florida Center for Reading Research. Prior to my doctoral studies, I taught general and special education in Title I public schools in Florida. The School of Education’s commitment to connecting research innovation with local schools and communities drew me to William & Mary. I’m excited to be here and to contribute to the School of Education’s collective impact priorities through my teaching, research, service and collaboration with faculty across campus.

What’s your area of research and what question are you most passionate about answering right now?

My research seeks to integrate developmental science and instructional design to better understand underlying mechanisms and use this understanding to design more powerful instruction and interventions for students with the highest needs in reading. Currently, I am examining how different types of spelling instruction can accelerate students’ reading development.

What else are you hoping to get involved with on campus or in the community?

My long-term vision centers on impact through collaboration—sustaining partnerships with teachers, schools, districts and state policymakers to ensure that students who need it most benefit from instructional advancements. I am excited to establish new research-practice partnerships with local schools and districts in Virginia. I’m also looking forward to mentoring undergraduate students who want to get involved in research and am interested in connecting with the William & Mary Scholars Undergraduate Research Experience (WMSURE) Program.