Nancy Lemberger

Nancy Lemberger is an Associate Professor of Bilingual Education and Bilingual Education Coordinator at Long Island University's Brooklyn Campus, specializing in bilingual teacher development and English-language learner instruction. Her doctoral work at Teachers College, Columbia University, established her expertise in curriculum and teaching within bilingual contexts.

Dr. Lemberger earned her B.A. from California State College, Sonoma; M.A. from California State College, Hayward; and M.Ed./Ed.D. from Teachers College, Columbia University. Her research centers on bilingual education through multiple lenses: documenting teacher narratives in her seminal book Bilingual Education: Teachers’ Narratives, analyzing certification impacts on classroom practice, developing electronic portfolio assessments for English learners, and pioneering technology integration in TESOL instruction. She demonstrates particular commitment to urban educational challenges in New York City settings.

Her publication trends reveal an evolving focus from foundational teacher narratives (1990s) toward technology-enhanced pedagogy (2000s onward), with consistent emphasis on practical applications for mainstream teachers and collaborative models across general/special education. Key themes include certification validity, cross-linguistic science instruction, and comparative analysis of online versus face-to-face teaching methodologies.

Dr. Lemberger's recognition includes:

• Outstanding Dissertation Award (1992) from the National Association of Bilingual Education
• David Newton Excellence in Teaching Award (2011)

She secured federal grant funding to train secondary teachers in English-learner support and co-developed LIU's online bilingual extension program with Dr. Helaine Marshall, encompassing course creation, instruction, and evaluation. Her professional leadership extends through active participation in teacher research initiatives and program coordination.

Collaborative work defines her approach, notably through the 'Project Unity' initiative fostering cross-departmental teamwork and her ongoing partnership with LIU's Westchester campus on digital education solutions. Her professional network spans national organizations advocating for bilingual education and English-learner equity.