Melissa joined the Seton Hill University faculty as Assistant Professor in Education during Fall 2019. Melissa is a 16 year veteran teacher who began teaching at Green Grove Elementary School. Over the years she has taught different grade levels in an elementary school setting. Melissa also served as an elementary/middle school gifted coordinator for 9 years. She is committed to student success inside the classroom and in life.

Education

• Ed.D., Curriculum and Instruction, Indiana University of Pennsylvania (Indiana, PA), 2016
• M.A.,Educational Leadership: Admin & Supervision Certification, 2014
• Education- Curriculum and Instruction, Gannon University (Monroeville, PA), 2005
• B.S., Elementary Education K-6, Indiana University of Pennsylvania (Indiana, PA), 2001

Publications

Levine, E., & Tamburrino, M. (2024). Culturally responsive literature. Journal of Organizational Psychology, 24(2), 10-26.

Tamburrino, M., & Levine, E. (2024). Mindfulness matters. Journal of Organizational Psychology, 24(1), 1-13.

Tamburrino, M., & Clark, D. (2023, February). The healing hand: Understanding our emotions and feelings. Skywalker Ranch in Nicasio, CA: Edutopia.

Casebeer, D., Tamburrino, M., & Pontoriero, K. (2022). Toward a post-pandemic pedagogy of hope and transformation. In J. Mann (Ed.), The Tropman Report 2021 – 2020 (pp. 35 - 41). The Forbes Funds.

Levine, E., & Tamburrino, M. (2013).  Preventing bullying among young children: Strategies for bullying prevention in preschool. Early Childhood Education Journal.

Awards

• Contributed to the Moonshot Grant that was received September 2024-Present
• Currently working on creating study abroad classes for the UISFL Grant May 2022-Present
• Received a Caritas Mini-Grant for the Pompeii Exhibit-Pittsburgh Carnegie Science Center April 2022
• Nominated for the Distinguished Educator 2^nd Annual Spotlight Awards April 2020
• Spectroscopy Society of Pittsburgh Elementary School Science Olympiad Grant March 2018
• Doctoral Fellowship Award, Indiana University of Pennsylvania August 2010
• Flat Stanley Project- Recognized by President Obama May 2009
• Nominee for Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers Award May 2003

Presentations

Harris, K., & Tamburrino, M. (2025, June). Cultivating self-efficacy and self-care at home and in the classroom. Program presented at SPAC. Seven Springs, PA.

Casebeer, D., Tamburrino, M., Derr, A. & McWilliams, K. (2025, February). Mapping Academic Lineage Examining Spheres of Influence in Local Education Agencies. Program presented at the Academy for Educational Studies-Critical Questions in Education Symposium. Program presented at Savannah, GA.

 Harris, K., & Tamburrino, M., & Stone, M. (2024, November). The heartbeat of an equity leader: Leading with compassion, celebrating inclusion with dignity and connecting with collaboration. Program presented at NAEYC. Anaheim, CA.

Harris, K., & Tamburrino, M., (2024, April). Let’s recharge and thrive fostering resilience, preventing burnout and nurturing compassionate teaching. Program presented at OAEYC. Sandusky, OH.

Casebeer, D., Tamburrino, & Ritchey, B. (2024, March). Mapping the teacher shortage: Navigating uncertainty in fractured landscapes. Program presented at the Academy for Educational Studies-Critical Questions in Education Symposium. New Orleans, LA.

Harris, K., & Tamburrino, M., Shelton, T., & Stone, M. (2023, November). It’s time to revitalize and recharge your passion for teaching: Let’s thrive and seize opportunities for self-care to restore balance, relationships, and new connections in teaching. Program presented at NAEYC. Nashville, TN.

Casebeer, D., Tamburrino, M., Storkel, K, Cosner, C., & Vertacnik, J. (2023, February). Strategies for cultivating environments of shared inquiry: A narrative exploration of experiential learning. Program presented at the Academy or Educational Studies-Critical Questions in Education Symposium. San Diego, CA.

Harris, K., & Tamburrino, M. (2023, February). Keeping your joy and finding gratitude: Spiritual strength for teachers. Program presented at SCECA Conference, Myrtle Beach, SC.

Tamburrino, M., & Clark. D. (2022, November). You are E.N.O.U.G.H. Program presented at Seton Hill University, Celebration of Scholarship, Greensburg, PA.

Casebeer, D., Tamburrino, M., & Storkel, K. (2022, October). Strategies for (re) engaging students with sustainable research: A narrative inquiry into problem-based learning. Program presented at the Academy for Educational studies- Critical Questions in Education Symposium, Denver, CO.

Tamburrino, M., & Clark, D. (2022, October). You are E.N.O.U.G.H. Program presented at the ALAS 19^th Annual National Education Summit, San Juan, PR.

Harris, K. & Tamburrino, M. (2022, April). Keeping your joy: Spiritual strength for the heart of the teacher. Program presented at OAEYC 2022 Annual Conference, Virtual.

Harris, K., Stone, M., & Tamburrino, M. (2021, November). When the world went sideways: Promoting developmentally appropriate practices for young children during the pandemic. Program presented NAEYC 2021 Annual Conference, Virtual.

Casebeer, D., Tamburrino, M, & Pontoriero, K. (2021, October). Teachers’ perceptions of student engagement during the coronavirus pandemic: Reflections on trauma, mindfulness, and social-emotional learning. Program presented at the Academy for Educational Studies- Critical Questions in Education Symposium, Cleveland, OH.

Harris, K., Stone, M., & Tamburrino, M.  (2021, October).  When the world went sideways: Learning discoveries during the pandemic. Program presented at the Early Childhood Education Summit- PACCA, Virtual.

Casebeer, D., Tamburrino, M., & Pontoriero, K. (2021, October). A grounded theory of trauma informed pedagogy- Poster Presentation. Program presented at Seton Hill University, Celebration of Scholarship, Greensburg, PA.

Tamburrino, M., & Sheinberg, E. "Mindfulness Matters". Pennsylvania Department of Education State Parent Advisory Council (Virtual), July 2021

Tamburrino, M., & Harris, J. "Strategies for CHANGE in the Classroom Community." Innovative School Summit, (Las Vegas, NV), July 2021

Casebeer, D., & Tamburrino, M. "The Decision Gap: A Phenomenographic Examination of Student Engagement During the Coronavirus Pandemic. Paper accepted for presentation at the annual meeting of the Conference for Academic Research in Education, Virtual, June 2021

Harris, K. & Tamburrino, M. “Transforming Early Childhood Education by Cultivating Mindfulness". Ohio Association for the Education of Young Children. (Mount Gilead, OH), Virtual, April 2021

Harris, K., Tamburrino, M., & Stone, M. "When the World Went Sideways: Engaging Young Children at the Child Development Center (CDC) with New Learning Discoveries During the Pandemic." Pandemic Talks (Seton Hill, PA), March 2021

Casebeer, D. and Tamburrino, M. "The Decision Gap: A Case Study of Student Engagement During the Coronavirus Pandemic". Pandemic Talks (Seton Hill, PA), November 2020

Tamburrino, M., & Levine, E. "You Matter: Social Justice Activities for the Elementary Classroom". Educators Survival Guide: Climate, Safety, & Trauma during COVID-19 Conference (Atlanta, GA), November 2020

Myers, J. and Tamburrino, M. "Interactive Read-Alouds". Pennsylvania Department of Education State Parent Advisory Council (Seven Springs, PA), July 2011

Tamburrino, M. "Social Studies Curriculum Workshop". Penn Hills School District (Pittsburgh, PA), February 2012

Tamburrino, M. "Socratic Seminar Workshop". Penn Hills School District (Pittsburgh, PA), February 2012

Tamburrino, M. "Social Studies: Scope and Sequence/ Benchmark Assessments". Penn Hills School District (Pittsburgh, PA), May 2012

Tamburrino, M., Ott, K, and Tedrick, M. "ELA Common Core Professional Development". Penn Hills School District (Pittsburgh, PA), May 2013

Tamburrino, M. and Ott, C. "Reading Activities for Parents". Pennsylvania Department of Education State Parent Advisory Council (Seven Springs, PA), July 2015

Tamburrino, M. and Sheinberg, E. "Bullying Basics". Pennsylvania Department of Education State Parent Advisory Council (Seven Springs, PA), July 2016

Tamburrino, M. and Loughner, C. "Exploring STEM at Home". Pennsylvania Department of Education State Parent Advisory Council (Seven Springs, PA), July 2019

Tamburrino, M.,Ott, K, and Lickenfelt, A. "Gifted Education Procedures and Resources". Penn Hills School District (Pittsburgh, PA), February, 2018

Certifications

• Pennsylvania Teaching Certificate- Elementary Education K-6 Pennsylvania Educational Leadership: Administration and Supervision Certificate
• Participated in the Assessment with Technology Discussion- Eden Hall Foundation,                              Secondary Mission School from Africa October 2024
• Participated in the Career Champion Professional Development Session- SHU August 2023                                        
• Participated in the ALICE training at SHU, August 2023
• Completed all the Cyber Security Trainings at SHU, October 2022- 2024
• Partnership with Mosaic SED 305/SED 325-will be holding a Passport Around the World festival and Book Tasting event, September 2022- Present
• Partnership with Hempfield School District SED 325- will be holding a Nuts about Reading festival, September 2022- Present

Achievements

• Conference Submission Reviewer for American Education Research Association (AERA): June 2020- Present

• Journal Reviewer for the Journal of Early Childhood Teacher Education: June 2020-Present