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  • Current Academic Appointment

    University of Alabama at Birmingham (2003-present)

    School of Education and Human Sciences (SOE), Department of Curriculum and Instruction

    Sabbatical: Spring 2021

    Professor (tenured) of English Language Learner (ELL) Education (2018-present)

    Teaching Responsibilities (course load): 6 graduate courses per academic year

    Program Director

    Single-Subject K-12 certification (Spanish, French, Music, and Visual Arts)

    MAEd (traditional and alternative), and undergraduate degree

    ESL Teacher Education

    MAEd certification (traditional and alternative) & non-certification (TESOL); EdS cert/non-cert

    Pedagogical Studies Concentration: PhD

    Educational Studies in Diverse Populations

    Associate Professor (tenured) of English Language Learner (ELL) Education (2011-18)

    Teaching Responsibilities: Initial course load of 6 graduate courses per academic year

    Program Director: Secondary Education 6-12 and Single-Subject K-12 (2012-18)

    EdS, MAEd (traditional and alternative), and undergraduate degrees

    Program Director: ESL Teacher Education (2012-18)

    EdS, certification MAEd (traditional and alternative), and non-certification MA-TESOL

    Program Coordinator (inaugural): Pedagogical Studies Concentration (2016-18)

    PhD program Educational Studies in Diverse Populations

    Program Coordinator: Teacher Leader EdS (from 2012 until teach-out in 2017-18)

    Assistant Professor of English Language Learner (ELL) Education (2005-11)

    Teaching Responsibilities: Initial course load of 6 graduate courses per academic year

    Program Coordinator: ESL Teacher Education (certification and master's degree)

    Director of Project EQUAL, USDE National Professional Development Grant (2003-05)

    Promoted ELL partnership with Shelby County Schools and provided EL professional development

    Delivered seminars to SOE faculty for infusing syllabi with ELL best practices

  • Former Positions

    American School of Asunción, Paraguay (1988-2002)

    Curriculum & Staff Development Coordinator (1998-2002)

    Participated on steering committee for SACS re-accreditation

    Introduced, promoted, and coordinated the Advanced Placement (AP) Program

    Represented school at events in Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, Uruguay and the U.S.

    Teacher (1988-93)

    AP Spanish Language/Literature

    Host Country Culture (grades 2-12)

    Spanish as Second Language (grades 2-12)

    English (grade 8)

    Mathematics (grade 6)

    Assistant to Superintendent (1993-98)

    Centro Anglo-Paraguayo, Asunción, Paraguay (1985-88)

    Instructor and Assistant Director

    Taught beginning, intermediate, and advanced classes of English as a Foreign Language

    Conceptualized, implemented, and supervised the summer program and intensive courses

    Served as oral examiner for examinations from the University of Cambridge

    Peace Corps Volunteer; Paraguay (1976-79)

    Technical Coordinator (1979). Developed training modules for Peace Corps volunteers; San Lorenzo.

    Extension Agent/Teacher (1977-78). Organized/implemented 4-C Clubs and taught English; Itapúa.

    Linguist (1976). Studied Spanish/Guarani bilingualism in rural 1st grade classrooms; Guairá.

  • Other Professional Experiences

    University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa (2006-12)

    Adjunct Instructor. College of Education's Overseas Master's Program

    University of Alabama at Birmingham (2003-05)

    Adjunct Instructor. School of Education and Human Sciences and the Graduate School

    Catholic University of Asunción, Paraguay (1998-2001)

    Adjunct Instructor. Master's Program in Applied Linguistics

    University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa (1996 & 1999)

    Graduate Research Assistant for Dr. Liza Wilson

    Graduate Teaching Assistant, Foreign Language Methods, for Dr. Jill Shearin

    University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa (1994-2002)

    Site Coordinator for Office of International Programs. Asunción, Paraguay

    California State University, Northridge (1990)

    Adjunct Instructor. Overseas Program, Paraguay

    National University of Asunción, Paraguay (1980-2002)

    Adjunct Instructor. School of Philosophy, Department of English

    University of California, Berkeley (1974-75)

    ESL Instructor. English Language Institute

    Graduate Teaching Assistant. German Department



Spezzini2020 square

Spezzini Named a Fulbright Scholar
UAB News

September, 14, 2020
Dr. Susan Spezzini, Professor and Program Director of English as a Second Language in the School of Education and Human Sciences, has received a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program award. Through the award, she will live in Paraguay from February to July 2021 for her project, "Enhancing the Efficacy of English Language Educators in Paraguay." During her time abroad, she will teach and conduct research at the National University of Asunción and the Paraguayan American Cultural Center as part of a project to enhance the efficacy of English language educators in the country.