Michele Regalla

Michele Regalla is an Associate Professor of ESOL and World Languages Education at the University of Central Florida's College of Community Innovation and Education, School of Teacher Education. She specializes in bilingual education, inclusive language programs, and teacher preparation for culturally and linguistically diverse students. Dr. Regalla holds a Ph.D. from the University of Pittsburgh and has extensive K-12 teaching experience in French and elementary education in Pennsylvania, as well as international teaching experience in Costa Rica and Spain.

Her research focuses on inclusive foreign language education for students with special needs, service-learning abroad programs, and partnerships connecting academic institutions with community organizations. Notably, she directed a Fulbright-funded study on bilingual education in Spain and coordinates a Costa Rica-based study abroad program where UCF students teach English in bilingual schools. Locally, she leads a language program at United Cerebral Palsy Bailes Community Academy, researching early childhood language education for children with special needs.

Dr. Regalla’s publications emphasize equitable access to language education, dynamic assessment techniques in inclusive classrooms, and the impact of global service-learning on teacher candidates. Her work challenges policies that exclude students with disabilities from language programs and advocates for evidence-based inclusive pedagogy.