Dr. Leticia Romero Grimaldo currently serves as co-principal investigator of the English Learner Institute for Teaching and Excellence (Project ELITE2), funded by the Office of Special Education Programs in the U.S. Department of Education. The goal of the project is to develop, implement, and evaluate tiered intervention models for students who are English language learners. Previously, Grimaldo served as the project manager for the Texas Institute for the Acquisition of Language for Learning, which assisted schools throughout the state with their programs of instruction for English language learners through technical assistance and professional development. She has extensive experience developing and providing professional development in the areas of promoting school leadership, meeting the needs of English language learners, and facilitating change in schools. She is also an adjunct professor for Texas State University–San Marcos, where she teaches master's-level courses within the Education and Community Leadership Program.
Dr. Shannon Giroir currently serves as a co-investigator within the English Learner Institute for Teaching and Excellence (Project ELITE2), funded by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs. Through this collaborative research initiative with elementary educators, she coordinates the design, development, and dissemination of K-5 educator tools, deliverables, and trainings in the areas of literacy, multitiered instruction for ELs, and second language acquisition. As part this research-to-practice project, Giroir also leads the development of web content for K-5 educators and school leaders, translating project findings for multiple audiences. Giroir has previously served as a master trainer for the Texas Literacy Achievement Academies and the Reading to Learn Academies, and has developed online course content a digital resource bank to support Texas school districts in implementing the state-wide Texas Literacy Initiative.
Principal Investigator
Dr. Greg Roberts is the associate director of The Meadows Center for Preventing Educational Risk. For more information, read Roberts' full bio on the MCPER website.
Additional Investigator
Dr. Sharon Vaughn is the executive director of The Meadows Center for Preventing Educational Risk, director of the Reading Institute, and a director of the Dropout Prevention Institute. For more information, read Vaughn's full bio on the MCPER website.