Department of Spanish and Portuguese

About Melissa Groenewold

My teaching load includes courses at the 100 and 200 levels.  My teaching philosophy is based on research insights that have consistently shown that the best way to acquire a foreign language is through repeated, meaningful exposure to the language as well as opportunities to interact with others.  I strive to arrange for class time, including in synchronous and asynchronous interactive online environments, to be dedicated to communicating in Spanish.  Thus, my class time is challenging, fun, and student-centered. I consider myself to be a “communication facilitator” who establishes and maintains an environment for active learning.  

Professional Development, Conference Presentations & Awards (2012-2022)

2022 Indianapolis Teaching Fellow Pre-Service Training Program Certificate, Cohort nominated as “Most likely to teach for life”

2021 CARLA Fall Professional Development Presentations and Workshops & Summer Institute

2021 NECTFL 4 Pre-Conference Workshops

2020 CARLA Summer Institute: Critical Approaches to Heritage Language Learning

2020 CARLA Summer Institute: Using the Web for Communicative Language Learning

University of Louisville Faculty Favorite Nominee 2021, Top 4 Nominee 2020, Nominee 2015-2016, 2010-2011

Groenewold, M., Gabbard, J.  (2020).  Enhancing IPA with Active Learning Activities and Tools, poster presented at ACTFL 2020 Virtual Conference, San Antonio, TX, 2020.

Roebuck, R., Groenewold, M.  (2020).  Dive in! Learning to swim as an analogy for active and significant learning, concurrent session led at UofL Celebration of Teaching, Louisville, KY 2020.

Groenewold, M., Gabbard, J.  (2020).  FB profile using active learning techniques and Tools to enhance best practices in the foreign language classroom, poster presented at UofL Celebration of Teaching, Louisville, KY 2020.

2019 ACTFL Workshop: Teaching for Social Justice in the World Language Classroom

Groenewold, M., Gabbard, J.  (2019).  FB profile using active learning techniques and Tools to enhance best practices in the foreign language classroom, poster presented at UofL Teaching Innovation Showcase, Louisville, KY, 2019.

Groenewold, M., Gabbard, J.  (2019).  FB profile using active learning techniques and Tools to enhance best practices in the foreign language classroom, poster presented at BAB Birthday Bash, Louisville, KY, 2019.

“<Reel> Guate: The Story of a University Film Festival and the Spanish Student’s (Un)critical Attachment to Simple Poor Guatemalans.”  University of Louisville.  The Louisville Conference on Literature and Culture Since 1900.  2012.

Faculty Diversity Champion Award, A& S International, Diversity, and Engagement Programs.  2013.

“<Reel> Guate: The Story of a University Film Festival and the Spanish Student’s (Un)critical Attachment to Simple Poor Guatemalans.”  Baton Rouge, Louisiana. NAAAS 15^th Anual Conference. 2013.

2015-2016 Faculty Favorite

“Flipping Out and Loving It!  Novice Curriculum Beyond the Basic and Boring.”  University of Kentucky.  KFLC: The Languages, Literatures, and Cultures Conference. 2016. Visit WIKI Space for materials and information:

“Collaborative Instruction for Full Learner (centered) Engagement.” (Panel Moderator)  University of Kentucky. KFLC: The Languages, Literatures, and Cultures Conference. 2016.

“Resistance as Collaborative Instruction for Full Learner-Centered Engagement.” (Session Presentation) ACTFL. 2017.

Publications

“Chicana Feminism: Self-Actualization through Border Conscience,” IAICS

http://web.uri.edu/iaics/files/11-Melissa-Groenewold.pdf