Melissa A. Sreckovic
2122 Kedvale Avenue, Raleigh, NC 27617 msreck@email.unc.edu (586) 419-2820
EDUCATION
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Ph.D. candidate in Education
Concentration: Early Childhood, Special Education, and Literacy
Prospective completion: May 2015
Michigan State University
Masters in Education, August 2009
Concentrations: Special Education and Literacy
Michigan State University
Bachelor of Arts, May 2006
Elementary Education, Minors: mathematics and English
LICENSURE
North Carolina Professional Teaching License
K-6 all subjects, 7-9 mathematics and English
Michigan Elementary Provisional Certificate
K-5 all subjects, 6-8 mathematics and English
Michigan Literacy Progress Profile (MLPP)
K-3
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
UNC, Chapel Hill
Teaching Assistant, SPHS 802: Problems in Speech and Hearing, An Interdisciplinary Introduction to
Autism Seminar, Spring 2012

Designed course syllabus with co-teaching assistants based on discipline specific national
guidelines and state standards

Connected course content to emphasize the important relationship between occupational
therapists, speech language pathologists, and educators

Created a climate of mutual trust and expectations between peers and instructors to provide an
optimal cooperative learning experience

Provided autonomy in class assignments to provide students with opportunities to be self directed
learners

Provided formative and summative assessments to gauge student understanding and motivation
and adjust teaching strategies and content as necessary
Wake County Public Schools
Penny Road Elementary Third Grade Teacher, August 2007-August 2011

Conceptualized, designed, and taught inquiry based lessons for mathematics, science, social
studies, and literacy based on county curriculum guidelines and state standards
1









Developed a successful learning environment among a group of students with diverse needs,
including students with autism spectrum disorders, learning disabilities, English as a second
language learners, and academically gifted students
Motivated and actively engaged all students in the learning process by employing multiple
learning strategies, using kinesthetic, visual, and auditory approaches; balancing individual,
classroom, and community needs
Differentiated instruction and adapted academic material to meet the individual needs of all
students; constructed enrichment projects that integrated the entire classroom community by
working in a collaborative effort which demonstrated every students’ strengths
Assessed student learning continuously by providing a variety of techniques; adjusted material and
instruction appropriately in response to students’ interests, strengths, and weaknesses
Integrated 21st century skills in the classroom to enhance the learning environment and maximize
student learning
Contributed to a team of teachers in professional learning communities, reflecting on formative
and summative assessment data, best practices, and effective intervention strategies
Developed an Autism Support Team to provide useful and functional interventions to teachers
Created an after school homework help room program to help at risk youth with their mathematics
skills
Served as the third grade team leader for the 2010-2011 school year
Instructional Designer
American Research Institute, Morrisville, North Carolina, June 2008-August 2008

Designed online training courses for companies

Created a relationship of mutual respect and expectations with project managers to ensure course
product was accurate

Worked collaboratively with a team of instructional designers and graphic designers

Designed educational screen pages with easy navigation
Chippewa Valley School District
Ojibwa Elementary Second Grade Summer School Teacher, June 2007-August 2007

Implemented a range of literacy and mathematics instruction to students who were not meeting
grade level standards

Monitored student progress through a variety of formal and informal assessments and data
collection
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
School of Education
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Social skills Project for Children with High Functioning Autism in Middle and High School: Parent and
Educator Focus Groups
Research Assistant; September 2011-present
School of Education
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Reconnect and Recharge
Research Assistant; October 2011-present
2
PROFESSIONAL PRESENTATIONS
Sreckovic, M.A. (2012, February). Peer mediated interventions: An effective way to create a more
inclusive classroom. Poster presented at North Carolina Council for Exceptional Children,
Winston Salem, North Carolina.
Sreckovic, M.A. (2012, February). Peer mediated interventions for secondary students with autism
spectrum disorders. Paper presented at Southeastern Association of Educational Studies Agency in
the Accountability Era: Stories of Resistance and Success, Columbia, South Carolina.
PUBLICATIONS
SERVICE
Course Development
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, November, 2011

Assisted in developing an introduction to special education course syllabus that would benefit K12 pre-service, general and special educators
Autism Support Team Coordinator
Penny Road Elementary, August 2010-present

Developed and coordinated an autism support team to assist teachers, students, and families
working with children with autism spectrum disorders
After School Support Group Coordinator
Penny Road Elementary, August 2010-June 2011

Developed and coordinated an after school program for at risk youth, assisting them with
homework and life skills
Staff Development
Penny Road Elementary, October 2010

Provided staff training on how to differentiate instruction and accommodate for students with
autism spectrum disorders in general education classrooms
HONORS and AWARDS
Translational Research Training for Interdisciplinary Doctoral Students, Fellowship from the U.S. Office
of Education Grant, Participant, 2011-2015
Penny Road Elementary Teacher of the Year, 2011
Michigan Association of Teacher Educators Student Teacher/Intern of the Year, 2007
MEMBERSHIPS
Council for Exceptional Children, 2011-present
3
International Society of Autism Research, 2012-present
UNC Graduate Student Association, 2011-present
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Autism Spectrum Disorders in Three Islamic Countries featuring Dr. Samuel Odom and Dr. Ann Cox,
Chapel Hill, NC, 2011.
Autism Asperger’s Super Conference: "The Way I See It" featuring Dr. Temple Grandin "The Complete
Guide to Asperger's Syndrome" featuring Dr. Tony Attwood "No More Meltdowns" featuring Dr.
Jed Baker and "The Out-of-Sync Child" featuring Carol Kranowitz, Charlotte, NC, 2010.
Keeping Students Engaged In Reading Activities, Raleigh, NC, 2010.
K-5 Moving From Assessment to Reading Instruction, Raleigh, NC, 2010.
Positive Behavior Support Training, Cary, NC, 2008.
Empowering Writers Workshop, Cary, NC, 2008.
Training in Technology, Raleigh, NC, 2008.
Elementary Science Notebooks, Garner, NC, 2008.
K-6: Healthy Active Children Training, Cary, NC, 2008.
Classroom Management Conference, Raleigh, NC, 2007.
Guided Reading: A Mind Journey of Strategies, Macomb, MI, 2006.
Six Trait Writing, the WRITE WAY featuring Susan Miller Fryrear, Mt. Clemens, MI, 2006.
8 Step Process featuring Pat Cunningham, Mt. Clemens, MI, 2006.
Michigan State University Special Education Conference Learning to Teach Students with Disabilities,
East Lansing, MI, 2006.
SMEA Presenting Music in the Classroom Seminar, East Lansing, MI, 2005.
SMEA Brain Gym Seminar, East Lansing, MI, 2004.
4