Cynthia Dawn Martelli

Cynthia Dawn Martelli serves as an Associate Professor of Reading and Program Coordinator in the Department of Curriculum, Instruction and Culture at Florida Gulf Coast University's College of Education. She coordinates both the C&I M.Ed. program and the Teacher Immersion Program (TIP), demonstrating strong leadership in teacher preparation initiatives.

• Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction (Concentration: Reading), Baylor University
• M.A. in Education in Curriculum and Instruction, Baylor University
• BSEd in Education and Reading, Baylor University

With over 14 years of classroom teaching experience in elementary and middle school English Language Arts, Dr. Martelli's research centers on the critical role of children's and young adult literature in teacher preparation programs. Her work explores how literature can be effectively integrated into educational settings to enhance literacy development and student engagement.

Dr. Martelli's publication record reveals a consistent focus on literacy festivals, author-school partnerships, and educational outreach to Title I schools. Her research demonstrates how connecting children's authors with students creates meaningful literacy experiences while addressing educational equity. Additional research interests include flipped learning in teacher education, reader's workshop implementation, and disciplinary literacy approaches across grade levels.

Dr. Martelli founded and leads the annual FGCU COE Literacy Festival, which connects children's and young adult authors with over 2,000 students from Title I schools, providing each student with a free book from participating authors. This initiative represents a significant contribution to community engagement and literacy promotion in Southwest Florida.

As program coordinator for the C&I M.Ed. and Teacher Immersion Program, Dr. Martelli plays a vital role in shaping future educators. Her teaching portfolio includes courses such as The Historical Perspective and Impact of Critical Literacies, Comprehension and Content Area Reading, Struggling Readers, and Children's Literature, reflecting her comprehensive expertise in literacy education.