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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
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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.
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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
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.