Melissa Navarro

Melissa A. Navarro Martell, Ph.D.

Pronouns: (ella/she/her(s))

Assistant Professor

Dual Language and English Learner Education

San Diego

Location
LH-219
Mail Code
1152
Links
CV
Website

Bio

Melissa A. Navarro Martell, Ph.D. is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Dual Language and English Learner Education at San Diego State University, a Hispanic Serving Institution in the land of the Kumeyaay.

Her research and teaching center the need to prepare critically conscious multilingual educators on the sociopolitical, ideological, cultural, and linguistic aspects of teacher preparation in general, and K-8 equitableSTEM and dual-language education specifically; pushing the need to decolonize science education and approach mathematics from an anti-racist perspective.

Doctora Navarro Martell is currently a Faculty Fellow in the American
Association of Hispanics in Higher Education (AAHHE), served as a Whisenton Scholar through the Kettering Foundation, and most recently completed her participation as a scholar for the Quantitative Research Methods for STEM Education Program, an NSF-funded project aimed at building capacity in STEM Education research. Additionally, she has been a member of the Research & Equity Scholarship Institute (RESISTE) team at SDSU since 2016.

Her experiences as an immigrant 6th grade student from Tijuana, México, inspired her path as an educator who understands bilingual/multilingual learners. Dra. Navarro Martell is a former 4th and 8th grade social-justice math and science Spanish/English dual-language teacher.

Areas of Specialization

  • Dual language
  • Critically conscious bilingual teacher preparation
  • Decolonizing STEM Education
  • Multilingual Learners

Certifications

Valid California Multiple Subject Teaching Credential with Spanish bilingual authorization

Courses

  • DLE 910: Teaching Mathematics to Bilingual Students
  • DLE 912: Teaching Science to Bilingual Students

Education

  • Ph.D. Education, San Diego State University and Claremont Graduate School
  • Master of Education, University of California, Los Angeles
  • B.A. Spanish Literacy, University of California, San Diego

Languages

  • Spanish
  • English
  • Translanguaging

Publications

  • Navarro Martell, M.A., & Zahner, W. (accepted) Research on the Equitable use of Language(s) and Discourses in Dual Language and Multilingual Mathematics and Science Classrooms. In J. Freire, C. Alfaro and E. DeJong (Eds.). The Handbook on Dual Language and Bilingual Education.
  • Navarro Martell, M.A. (in press). Learning and teaching en dos idiomas: Critical autoethnography, translenguaje, y rechazando English Learner. Centering Translanguaging in Critical Teacher Education: Cultivando Nuevos Conocimientos de Translenguaje en la Educación de Futuros Docentes. Association of Mexican American Educators (AMAE) Journal.
  • Hernandez, S.J., Alfaro, C., & Navarro Martell, M.A.  (accepted with revisions). Bilingual Teacher Educators as Language Policy Agents: A Critical Language Policy Perspective of the Castañeda v. Pickard Case and the Bilingual Teacher Shortage. Language Policy.
  • Navarro Martell, M. A., *Yanga-Peña, J., & Barrett, G. (in press). Growing Globally Conscious Citizens: Documenting Two Dual Language Maestras’ Pedagogical Approaches to Teaching Science. In M. Y. Medina & M. Machado-Casas (Eds.), Critical Understandings of Latinx in Global Education. Leiden, The Netherlands: Brill.
  • Navarro Martell, M.A.  (2021) Ciencias bilingües: How Dual Language Teachers Cultivate Equity in Dual Language Classrooms. International Journal of Bilingual Education and Bilingualism. https://doi.org/10.1080/13670050.2020.1870925
  • Zahner, W., Alfaro, C., Hernández, S., Navarro Martell, M.A., Ochoa, E., & Perez, L. (2021). Teachers’ voices on instructional materials and multilingual learners. English Learner Success Forum.
  • Herrera, F., Kovats Sánchez, G., Navarro Martell, M.A., & Zeldón, M. J. (2018). Latinx students in STEM college pathways: A closer look at the role of Hispanic serving institutions. In T. T. Yuen, E. Bonner, & M. G. Arreguín-Anderson (Eds.), (Under)represented [email protected] in STEM: Increasing participation throughout education and the workplace (p. 3-18). New York, NY: Peter Lang.
  • Luschei, T., Santibañez, L., Soto-Pena, M., Navarro Martell, M.A.  (2016). Evaluation of one District’s Spanish Dual Language Immersion Program. Claremont Graduate University.

Research

Refereed Presentations- Professional Conferences

International and National Presentations
  • Navarro Martell, M.A.   (2021, April). Critical Science: Decolonizing Science Education with Dual Language Learners and Teachers. Pre-recorded presentation at the annual meeting of the National Association of Bilingual Educators. Houston, TX.
  • Navarro Martell, M.A. (2021, April). Bilingual science: How K-8 dual language teachers cultivate language and content equity in their classrooms. American Educational Research Association. Second Language Research SIG. (virtual conference)
  • Navarro Martell, M.A., *Yanga-Peña, J., & Barrett, G. (2021, April). Growing Globally Conscious Citizen in a 4th/7th grade Dual-Language Science Classroom: Documenting Teacher Pedagogies. American Educational Research Association. Bilingual Education Research SIG. (virtual conference)
  • Navarro Martell, M.A. (2020, July). Equitable Spaces for Bilingual Learners in Spanish/English Dual-Language Science Classrooms. Presented at the annual meeting of The American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese, San Juan, Puerto Rico. (Conference canceled-COVID)
  • Cho, W., Navarro Martell, M.A., *Barton, R., & Blevins, D. (2020, June). Decolonizing Therapy Speak through Translanguaging. American Family Therapy Academy annual meeting, Alexandria, Virginia. (Conference canceled-COVID)
  • Navarro Martell, M.A. & *Martinez, C. (2020, February). Creating Equitable Spaces for Bilingual Learners in Dual-Language Science Classrooms. Presented at the annual meeting of the National Association of Bilingual Educators, Las Vegas, Nevada.
  • Navarro Martell, M.A. (2020, January). Decolonizing science education: Lifting language and culture. Presented at the annual Creating Balance Conference, Honolulu, Hawaii.
  • Navarro Martell, M.A. (2019, November). Decolonizing Science Education for Bilingual Learners. Presented at La Cosecha, Albuquerque, New Mexico.
  • Fernandez, Y., Curammeng, E., McGovern, E., *Lugo, J.C., & Navarro Martell, M.A. (2019, August).  The Role of Justice and Equity in Education: New Knowledges, Pedagogies, and Pathways in an Everchanging World. Accepted at the annual meeting of the World Education Research Association, Tokyo, Japan.
  • Stacy, J., Fernandez, Y., *Rueda, X., Navarro Martell, M.A., McGovern, E., & Sarmiento, L. (2019, August). El Pregonero: un proceso transformador para la preparación de maestros bilingües. Presented at IV Congreso Internacional “Formación en Educación y Docencia Intercultural en América Latina” at the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, México.
  • Navarro Martell, M.A. (2019, April). Equitable Spaces for Bilingual Learners in Dual-Language Science Classrooms. Presented at the annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association, Toronto, Canada.
  • Navarro Martell, M.A. (2018, November). Ciencias: Demostración y discusión de una lección de ciencias por medio de circuitos de nivel primaria/secundaria. Presented at La Cosecha, Santa Fe, NM.
  • Navarro Martell, M.A. (2017, November). Ciencias: Demostración y discusión de una lección de ciencias por medio de circuitos de nivel primaria/secundaria. Presented at La Cosecha, Albuquerque, NM.
  • Herrera Villareal, F., Navarro Martell, M.A., Kovats Sánchez, G., & Villarreal, A. (2017, April). Advancing underrepresented students’ STEM career pathways within diverse institutional contexts. Presented at the annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association, San Antonio, TX.
  • Herrera Villarreal, F., Navarro Martell, M.A., Kovats Sánchez, G., Villarreal, A., & Zeldon, M. J. (2017, March). Advancing Latinx college students in STEM college pathways within HSIs. Presented at the American Association of Hispanics in Higher Education Conference, Irvine, CA.
  • Navarro Martell, M.A. (2016, November). Ciencias: Demostración y discusión de una lección de ciencias por medio de circuitos de nivel primaria/secundaria. Presented at La Cosecha, Santa Fe, NM.
  • Navarro Martell, M.A., Luschei, T., Santibañez, L., & Soto-Peña, M. (2016, October). Dual language teachers’ narrative: A checklist for success. Presented at the Center for Advanced Research on Language Acquisition Conference, Minneapolis, MN.
  • Herrera Villareal, F., Kovats Sánchez, G., Navarro Martell, M.A., Villareal, A., & Zeldon, M. J. (2016, October). Diverse STEM pathways: A closer look at Latino students and the role of HSIs. Presented at the Society for the Advancement of Chicano/Latinos and Native Americans in Science Conference, Long Beach, CA.
State and Local Presentations
  • Navarro Martell, M.A.  & *Martínez, C.  (2021, March). Equitable Science: Supporting Critically Conscious Dual Language Science teachers. Presented at the annual meeting of the California Association of Bilingual Educators. (virtual conference)
  • Navarro Martell, M.A. (2021, January). Pedagogía crítica durante ciencias en las escuelas de doble inmersión. Presented twice virtually at the annual San Diego Dual Language Conference. Hosted by the San Diego County Office of Education and San Diego State University. San Diego, California.
  • Navarro Martell, M.A. & *Martínez, C. (2020, April). Ciencias: ¡Es solo ciencia espacial!. California Association of Bilingual Education Conference, San Francisco, CA. (Conference canceled-COVID)
  • Navarro Martell, M.A. (2019, March). Circuitos: Demonstración y discusión de una unidad de circuitos eléctricos. Presented at the California Association of Bilingual Education Conference, Long Beach, CA.
  • Navarro Martell, M.A. (2019, March). Creating access to the Next Generation Science Standards for Bilingual Learners. Presented at the California Association of Bilingual Education Conference, Long Beach, CA.
  • Navarro Martell, M.A.  (2019, January). Critical science in the dual language classroom-Critical science con estudiantes bilingües. Presented at the Dual Language and English Learner Conference at San Diego State University, San Diego, CA.
  • Navarro Martell, M.A. (2017, June). Next Generation Science Standards demonstration and discussion from K-8th grade. Presented at the Association of Two-Way & Dual Language Education, Palm Springs, CA. 
  • Navarro Martell, M.A. (2017, June). Circuitos: Demonstración y discusión de una lección de ciencias. Presented at the Association of Two-Way & Dual Language Education, Palm Springs, CA.
  • Navarro Martell, M.A. (2017, March). Kindergarten students: Predictors of teachers’ perceptions on student science knowledge and skills in classrooms with English learners. Presented at the San Diego State University Student Research Symposium, San Diego, CA.
  • Navarro Martell, M.A. (2017, March). Circuitos: Demonstración y discusión de una lección de ciencias. Presented at the California Association of Bilingual Education Conference, Anaheim, CA.
  • Navarro Martell, M.A. (2017, January). Circuitos: Demonstración y discusión de una lección de ciencias. Presented at the Dual Language English Learner Institute, San Diego, CA.
  • Navarro Martell, M.A. (2016, November). Introduction to the Next Generation Science Standards. Presented at the South Regional California Association for Bilingual Educators Conference, Chula Vista, CA.
  • Navarro Martell, M.A. (2016, November). Demostración y discusión de una lección de ciencias por medio de circuitos. Presented at the South Regional California Association for Bilingual Educators Conference, Chula Vista, CA.
  • Navarro Martell, M.A. (2016, March). Circuitos: Demostración y discusión de una lección de ciencias. Presented at the Dual Language English Learner Institute, San Diego, CA.
  • Navarro Martell, M.A. (2015, November). Introduction of the Next Generation Science Standards. Presented at the South Regional California Association for Bilingual Educators Conference, San Diego, CA.
  • Alfaro, C., & Navarro Martell, M.A. (2015, October). Teacher preparation collaborative: Making rigorous standard accessible to emergent bilinguals. Presented at the California Council of Teacher Educators Conference, San Diego, CA.
Professional Development
  • Navarro Martell, M.A. (2021, June). Critically Conscious Dual Language Science Teachers: Un Marco Conceptual. Invited presenter for the El Pregonero Summer Institute at California State University, Dominguez Hills. Carson, CA.
  • Navarro Martell, M.A. (2021, January). Pedagogía crítica durante ciencias en las escuelas de doble inmersión. SDSU & SDCOE DLE conference. Presented twice in Spanish
  • Navarro Martell, M.A. (2020, December). Critical Science: Decolonizing Science Education with Bilingual Students and Teachers. This was an invited presentation as a new member of the Center for Research of Math and Science (CRMSE) at San Diego State University. 
  • Navarro Martell, M.A. (2020, October). Teaching and Learning Critical Science with Multilingual Students. Presentation as part of the San Diego Math Project. San Diego State University, San Diego, CA. 
  • Navarro Martell, M.A. (2019, September). STEM Curriculum Design and Implementation. Presented to Chinese teachers and administrators through the International Training Programs, College of Extended & International Education at the California State University, Dominguez Hills.
  • Navarro Martell, M.A.  (2018, December). Diversity in STEM Education. Presented to Chinese teachers and administrators through the International Training Programs, College of Extended & International Education at the California State University, Dominguez Hills.
  • Navarro Martell, M.A.  (2018, December). Teaching Materials and Equipment Used in STEM Education. Presented to Chinese teachers and administrators through the International Training Programs, College of Extended & International Education at the California State University, Dominguez Hills.
  • Navarro Martell, M.A.  (2018, November). Critical Science con estudiantes bilingües. Presented at the conference “With different eyes: A conference for teachers of diverse English learners across the disciplines” at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).
  • Navarro Martell, M.A. (2018, October). Science, technology and society: Curriculum design and implementation. Presented for the Hangzhou Shangcheng District Education Bureau Training Program through International Training Programs, College of Extended & International Education at the California State University, Dominguez Hills.
  • Navarro Martell, M.A. (2018, September). Educación de ciencias crítica en español: ¿Existe? ¿Cómo se mira? Presented at the 1st Bilingual Conference Acquisition, Appreciation, and Teaching and Learning in Spanish at California State University, Dominguez Hills.
  • Navarro Martell, M.A. (2017, November). Kindergarten students: Predictors of teachers’ perceptions on student science knowledge and skills in classrooms with English learners. Presented for the Raza Resource Centro Brown Bag Series at the University of California, San Diego, CA.
  • Maldonado, S. I.  & Navarro Martell, M.A. (2017, April). Cultivating English-language learners’ competence in mathematics and science. Presented for The Center for Research in Mathematics and Science Education Colloquium Series at San Diego State University, San Diego, CA.
Invited Lectures
  • Navarro Martell, M.A. (2021, October). Knowledge, Skills and Dispositions for Bilingual Teachers. Presented to Project DEBER scholars.
  • Navarro Martell, M.A. (2021, October). Education Panelist. Served as panelist in the virtual The California Forum for Diversity in Graduate Education. The forum is attended by undergraduate and Master’s level students from historically represented backgrounds in California.
  • Navarro Martell, M.A. (2021, September).  New Faculty Panel. Served as panelist in Dr. Melissa Soto’s Doctoral class in the Math and Science Education Program to discuss career options after obtaining a doctoral degree.
  • Navarro Martell, M.A. (2021, March). STEMducating while Latina/Mexicana. Lecture in Dr. Josephine Pham’s Future STEM Teachers of Color Fellowship Meeting. California State University, Fullerton. Fullerton, CA.
  • Navarro Martell, M.A. (2020, June). Describing the work of Critically Conscious Dual Language Science Teachers. Lecture in Dr. Pablo Ramirez’s Master’s in Dual Language course Foundations of Critical (Bi)Literacy in Dual Language and Immersion Education. California State University, Dominguez Hills. Carson, CA.
  • Navarro Martell, M.A. (2020, June). Serving as a Critically Conscious Bilingual Educator in Southern California. Lecture in Dr. Lucrecia Santibañez’s graduate bilingual course Cultural Emphasis: Latinas/os and Chicanas/os in California. University of California, Los Angeles. Los Angeles, CA.
  • Navarro Martell, M.A.  (2019, March). Bring your lunch and eat with Professor Navarro. Presented to students in the College of Education at a Future Educator’s Club brown bag speaker series. California State University, Dominguez Hills. Carson, CA.
  • Navarro Martell, M.A.  (2019, September). Chancellor’s Doctoral Incentive Program Panel. Presented to Sally Casanova Pre-Doctoral scholars at their orientation in the Chancellor’s Office. Long Beach, CA.
  • Navarro Martell, M.A.  (2018, December). Developing critical conscious STEM educators in California. Lecture in Dr. Saul Maldonado’s graduate course Teaching mathematics to bilingual students. San Diego State University. San Diego, CA.
  • Navarro Martell, M.A.  (2018, December). CGU School of Educational Studies Alumni Research Panel. Panelist in Dr. Lucrecia Santibañez’s Ph.D. course Proseminar for Doctoral Studies.  Claremont Graduate University. Claremont, CA.
  • Navarro Martell, M.A. (2018, July). Preparing Critically Conscious Dual Language Educators. Lecture in Gabriela Kovats Sanchez’s course United States History from a Chicano Perspective. San Diego City College. San Diego, CA.
  • Navarro Martell, M.A. (2017, February). Kindergarten students: Predictors of teachers’ perceptions on student science knowledge and skills in classrooms with English learners. Presented for the Chicano Latino Student Affairs Brown Bag Series at Claremont Graduate University, Claremont, CA.
  • Navarro Martell, M.A. (2016, April). Pursuing careers in education. Presented at the Phi Lambda Rho National Conference at the University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA.
  • Navarro Martell, M.A. (2011-2017, August). Alumni student panel. Panelist for the Office of Academic Support and Instructional Services at the University of California, San Diego, San Diego, CA.