Adriana L. Medina

Profile
Adriana Laza Medina is a professor and serves as the Chair for the Reading and Elementary Education Department in the Cato College of Education at The University of North Carolina at Charlotte. She received her Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education from Peabody College for Teachers at Vanderbilt University, in Nashville, Tennessee. She has her master’s degree in Reading Education from Florida International University and her doctorate in Reading from University of Miami.

Dr. Medina has over 30 years of teaching experience at the elementary, middle, and high school level, as well as at the college and university level. As a classroom teacher, Dr. Medina taught 7th and 8th grade English, Reading, and Language Arts.

As a teacher educator, she has taught undergraduate and graduate classes on Teacher Action Research, Teaching Reading to Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Learners, Assessment and Instruction in Reading, Mindfulness and Education, Identity through Art, Communication and Critical Thinking with a Focus on Global Citizenship, Multicultural and Global Education, and even a class on Comics, Manga, & Graphic Novels.

Dr. Medina takes students to study abroad and teaches abroad. She aims to broaden the global and local perspectives of her teacher education students so they can in turn broaden the perspectives of their K-12 students and prepare them to continue to address the challenges of our interdependent world.

As a researcher, Dr. Medina has experience in school-based educational research and in the evaluation of instructional programs. Her research interests include individuals who struggle with literacy, teacher education, global learning, and the impact of education abroad and virtual exchange experiences.

Dr. Medina has contributed to several textbooks and many articles with regards to her areas of interest. Recently, she served as co-editor of a special issue for Frontiers: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Study Abroad, and she is the co-author of the text Studying World Languages: An Interactive Guidebook.

Dr. Medina is an award-winning educator. She has received the Bank of America Teaching Excellence Award and the North Carolina Board of Governors’ Award for Excellence in Teaching as well as UNC Charlotte’s Faculty International Education Award.

Selected Publications

Holshouser, K. O., Holcomb, T. S., & Medina, A. L.  (2024). Teacher mobility from “starter school” to “forever school”: The impact on urban schools and students. Education and Urban Society. https://doi.org/10.1177/00131245241253573

Spenader, A. & Medina, A. L. (2023). Study Abroad in Teacher Education: Fostering Intercultural Citizenship. Multilingual Matters. Diverse Perspectives on Intercultural Citizenship in Language Learning (pp 120-151). Bristol: Multilingual Matters.

Hoff, J., & Medina, A. L. (2022). A study abroad development studio for building faculty capacity and establishing student learning outcomes: A case study. Frontiers: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Study Abroad, 34(4), 329-356. doi:10.36366/frontiers.v34i4.644

Gabriel, T. N., & Medina, A. L. (2022). Leadership Alignment: Teachers’ and Administrators’ Perspectives within Two Schools. The Undergraduate Research Journal, 2(1), 6-25. https://journals.charlotte.edu/urj/issue/view/127

Medina, A. L., & Kiefel, K. (2021). Global literature in tandem with study abroad: Cultivating intercultural competence for preservice teachers. Frontiers: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Study Abroad, 33(2), 61-78. doi: 10.36366/frontiers.v33i2.498

Hobgood, B., & Medina, A. L. (2021). Studying a World Language: An Interactive Guidebook. Kendall Hunt.

Pilonieta, P., Hathaway, J. I., Medina, A. L., & Casto, A. (2019). The impact of explicit comprehension strategy instruction on first and second graders at risk students. Journal of Education, 199(3), pp. 128-141. doi:10.1177/0022057419854346

Miller, E. R., Morgan, B., & Medina, A. L. (2017). Exploring language teacher identity work as ethical self-formation. Modern Language Journal, 101, pp. 91-105.

Pilonieta, P., Medina, A. L., & Hathaway, J. I. (2017). The impact of a study abroad experience on preservice teachers’ dispositions and plans for teaching English language learners. The Teacher Educator, 52:1, 22-38.

Medina, A. L., Hathaway, J. I., & Pilonieta, P. (2015). How preservice teachers’ study abroad experiences lead to changes in perceptions of English Language Learners. Frontiers: The International Journal of Study Abroad, 25, 73-90.

Medina, A. L., & Schumm, J. S. (2012). Kindling or dousing dispositions toward reading:  A content analysis of the reading journeys of inservice teachers. The Journal of Reading Education, 37(3), pp. 21-28.

Pilonieta, P., & Medina, A. L. (2009). Reciprocal teaching in the primary grades – We can do it too! The Reading Teacher, 62(2), pp. 120-129.

Pilonieta, P., & Medina, A. L. (2009). Meeting the needs of English language learners in the middle and secondary classroom. In K. D. Wood & W. E. Blanton (Eds), Literacy Instruction for Adolescents: Research-based Practice (pp. 125-143). NY: Guilford.

Bessell, A. G., Deese, W. B., Medina, A. L. (2007). Photolanguage: How a picture can inspire a thousand words. American Journal of Evaluation, 28(4), 558-569.

Medina, A. L. (2006). The Parallel Bar: Writing assessment and instruction. In J. Schumm (Ed.). Reading assessment and instruction for all learners: A comprehensive guide for classroom and resource settings. New York: Guilford.

Medina, A. L.  (2006). Where the beginning ends: Studying leads in literature in order to write attention-getting introductions. Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy, 50(3), p. 190-193.

Pilonieta, P. & Medina, A. L. (2006). Once upon a time: Comprehending narrative text. In J. Schumm (Ed.). Reading assessment and instruction for all learners: A comprehensive guide for classroom and resource settings. New York: Guilford.

Blanton, W. E., Shook, A., Hocutt, A., Medina, A., Schumm, J. (2006). Professional development of reading teachers: Biography and context. In K. R. Howey, L. M. Post, & N. L. Zimpher (Eds.). Recruiting, preparing, and retaining teachers for urban schools. Washington, D.C.: AACTE.

Ahwee, S., Chiappone, L., Cuevas, P., Galloway, F., Hart, J., Lones, J., Medina, A. L., Menendez, R., Pilonieta, P., Provenzo, E. F., Shook, A. C., Stephens, P. J., Syrquin, A., Tate, B. (2004). The Hidden and Null Curriculums: An experiment in collective educational biography. Educational Studies 35 (1), p. 25 – 43.

Selected Program Evaluation

Medina, A. L. (January 2018). A Program Evaluation of ADVANCE Leadership UNC Charlotte Program.

Polly, D., Medina, A. L., & Wang, C. (2017 & 2016). Program Evaluation Report of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Beacon Initiative.

Medina, A. L. (2017, 2016, & 2015). A program evaluation of Union County Public Schools’ Latino Outreach Services’ Living Room Meetings for Levine Cancer Institute’s Proyecto ROSA/Project PINK

Medina, A. L. (January, 2017). Office of Education Abroad Teacher Education Study Abroad 2016 Survey Results: A Response Analysis and Feedback Report.

Medina, A. L., & Scott, L. M. (February 2014), Implementing the Charlotte Teachers Institute Curriculum Unit: A Case Study.

Medina, A. L. (September 2013). Freedom School Partners Evaluation of Serving Level IV Scholars.

Scott, L. M., & Medina, A. L. (August 2013). CTI in the classroom: A report on curriculum unit usage for 2012 Fellows.

Scott, L. M., & Medina. A. L. (July 2013). CMS student perspectives on CTI and Non-CTI curriculum units.

Scott, L. M., & Medina, A.L. (June, 2013). Curriculum unit development as assessed by Seminar Leaders.

Scott, L. M., & Medina, A.L. (2013, 2012). Fellow Questionnaire Report.

Medina, A.L., & Scott, L. M. (March, 2013). CTI-inspired curriculum unit: assessment and recommendations report.

Scott, L. M., & Medina, A. L. (December, 2012). CTI Classroom Observation Report.

Scott, L. M., & Medina, A. L. (August 2012). CTI Summer Camp 2012 Survey Report.

Medina, A. L., & Scott, L. M. (July 2012). A Look Inside the Charlotte Teachers Institute Seminar: Seminar Observation Protocol and Descriptive Narrative Report.

Scott, L. M., & Medina, A. L. (July 2012). Charlotte Teachers Institute Fellows Interview Report.

Scott, L. M., & Medina, A. L. (July 2012). Charlotte Teachers Institute Curriculum Unit Analysis Report for the 2011-2012 Cohort.

Scott, L. M., & Medina, A. L. (May 2012). Charlotte Teachers Institute Curriculum Usage Report.

Medina, A. L., & Scott, L. M. (April 2012). Charlotte Teachers Institute Leaders and Repeaters Interview Report.

Scott, L. M., & Medina. A. L. (April, 2012). Charlotte Teachers Institute from the Seminar Leaders’ Perspective: An Evaluation Report.

Taylor, D.B., Medina, A. L., & Lara-Cinisomo, S. (August, 2011). Freedom School Partners Children’s Defense Fund Freedom Schools Program Evaluation Report.

Medina, A. L. (June, 2011). Crossroads Charlotte Year 3 Stakeholder Interviews Report.

Taylor, D. B., Medina, A. L., Lara-Cinisomo, S. (January, 2011). Bennettsville, South Carolina Children’s Defense Fund Freedom Schools Program Evaluation Report.

Taylor, D. B., Medina, A. L., Lara-Cinisomo, S. (December, 2010). Freedom School Partners Children’s Defense Fund Freedom Schools Program Evaluation Report.

Medina, A. L. (May, 2009) Crossroads Charlotte Stakeholders Interview Report.

Medina, A. L. (April, 2009) The YMCA of Greater Charlotte Starfish Academy 2008 Program Evaluation Report.

Medina, A. L., & Pilonieta, P. (2008, June) UNC Charlotte’s Alternative Pathways Teacher Education Program Evaluation of the Programmatic and Support Needs of Working Adults Who Are Preparing for Teaching Careers.

Selected Editorship

Associate Editor (2025-present) ) on the Editorial Board of Frontiers: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Study Abroad

Byker, E. J., & Medina, A. L. Eds. (In progress). Global Education Collaborations Advancing the Internationalization of Higher Education. NOVA Science Publishers, New York.

Medina, A. L., & Spenader, A. (Eds.). (2024). Intercultural Development in Teacher Education: Sustaining Momentum for Study Abroad and Virtual Exchange Innovation [Special issue]. Frontiers: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Study Abroad, 36(2).

Medina, A. L., Pilonieta, P., Putman, S. M., & Vintinner, J. (Eds). (2016-2019). Literacy Research and Instruction, 58(1-4); 57(1-4) 56(1-4). Philadelphia, PA: Taylor & Francis.