Research Spotlight: Dr. Michelle Abrego
Q & A with Dr. Michelle Abrego, Assistant Professor in the Department of Organization and School Leadership
What are your research interests and research achievements?
My research focuses on how schools can strengthen the engagement of ELs and immigrant families. I am also interested in how Educator Preparation Programs can strengthen the development of future educators to collaborate effectively with all families, especially those from underserved and marginalized communities. As the United States’ school population becomes increasingly diverse, the need is greater than ever for educators to partner with families to support student learning and for Colleges of Education to ensure future educators have the cultural competence and skills to authentically engage families in this important work. In September 2021, the book Engaging Families of ELs and Immigrants: Ideas, Resources and Activities was released by Routledge. The book was co-authored with two colleagues (Drs. Renee Rubin - UTB and John Sutterby - UTSA).
How does your work align with UTRGV’s and CEP’s strategic plans?
Part of the CEP’s mission includes ‘develop highly qualified, multi-culturally responsive educational professionals who serve as change agents and promote social justice and embrace learning.’ My research aligns with this goal as it adds to the research regarding the need to strengthen of the preparation of future teachers and leaders to be culturally responsive to all families, particularly those families who have been marginalized and underserved by schools. It also supports UTRGV’s vision to produce research with an impact in the RGV and beyond as the research can be utilized by all educators as they collaborate with diverse families on their child(ren)’s education.
What are your current projects?
I serve as Principal Investigator on a project titled, “Building the Cultural Competence and Skills of Aspiring School Leaders to Engage Diverse Families.” This project is a team project which was awarded a graduate research assistant by UTRGV’s College of Education and P-16 Integration for year. My interest in the preparation of educational leaders has also extended to my current work as lead editor on the 5th edition of a textbook for school leaders, the Administration and Supervision of Special Instructional Programs, to be published by Kendall Hunt in Spring 2022. Dr. Jesus Abrego and Dr Anita Pankake (retired UTPA professor) serve as co-editors on this work. Teacher leadership is another area of research interest and I am working on a project with several colleagues to investigate teacher leadership.