serene koh

Curriculum vitae: full pdf version

EDUCATION

Ph.D, Education, University of Michigan (2010)                                                            
Concentration in Educational Foundations and Policy
Dissertation title: National Identity and Young Children: A Comparative Study of 4th and 5th graders in Singapore and the United States

Masters of Arts, Education, University of Michigan (2005)
Concentration in Educational Foundations/Policy and Research Methodology

Post-graduate Diploma in Education, National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University (2000)
Specialization in the Teaching of Upper Secondary English Literature and History

Bachelors of Arts (Hons.), English Literature, National University of Singapore (1999)
Majors in English Literature and European Studies.

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

Senior Assistant Director, Ministry of Information and Communications, Singapore (2012- present)

Research Specialist, University of Michigan (2011- 2012)
University Center for the Development of Language and Literacy

Research Associate, University of Michigan (2006-2010)
School of Education, Ready to Learn Research Program
Principal Investigator: Susan B. Neuman

Writer, Columbia University (2006- 2007)
National Center for Children in Poverty, Child Care and Early Education Research Connections

Research Associate, University of Michigan (2004- 2007)
School of Education, Project Great Start Professional Development Initiative
Principal Investigator: Susan B. Neuman

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

Lecturer, University of Michigan (Jan 2011- Apr 2011)
EDUC 695: Research and Educational Practice
Independent instructor

Lecturer, Eastern Michigan University (Jan 2011- Apr 2011)
EDPS 667:  Principles of Educational Research
Independent instructor

Graduate Student Teaching Assistant, University of Michigan (Summer 2008, Summer 2009)     
Institute for Social Research (ISR): Multilevel Analysis of Survey Data (Hierarchical Linear Modeling)
Faculty Instructor: Valerie Lee

Graduate Student Teaching Assistant, University of Michigan (Fall 2006)
ED 898: Doctoral Professional Development Seminar
Faculty Instructor: Roger Goddard

Graduate Student Instructor, University of Michigan (Fall 2005)
ED 392: Education in a Multicultural Society (Download syllabus and course schedule)
Independent instructor

Graduate Student Teaching Assistant, University of Michigan (Winter 2005)
ED 392: Education in a Multicultural Society (Download syllabus)
Faculty Instructor: Gary D. Fenstermacher

Teaching Associate, Child Development Center, University of Michigan (Fall 2003- Summer 2004)
Preschool

Lecturer/Tutor, Catholic Junior College, Singapore (2000 - 2003)
General Paper and English Literature

AWARDS

Rackham Graduate Student Research Grant (Candidate), Horace R. Rackham School of Graduate Studies, University of Michigan (2008)

David L. Angus International Research Travel Award, School of Education, University of Michigan (2008)

Rackham Graduate Student Research Grant (Pre-candidate), Horace R. Rackham School of Graduate Studies, University of Michigan (2007)

School of Education Masters Fellowship, School of Education, University of Michigan (2003)

PUBLICATIONS

Peer-reviewed
Koh, S. (2011). Children and the National Identity Narrative. Childhood. (under review)

Neuman, S.B., Koh, S., and Dwyer, J. (2008). Child/ Home Early Language and Literacy Observation (CHELLO). Early Childhood Research Quarterly. 23 (2), 159-172.

Koh, S. & Neuman, S.B. (2009). Professional Development in Home-based Care: A Practice-based Approach. Early Education and Development, 20(3), 537 – 562.

Research Instrument
Neuman, S.B., Dwyer J., and Koh, S. (2007). Child/ Home Early Language and Literacy Observation (CHELLO). Boston, MA: Brookes Publishing.

CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS

American Education Research Association (AERA) Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA (2009):
Symposium Title: Strategies for Narrowing the Vocabulary Gap Before Kindergarten.
Presentation Title: Theoretical Support for Teaching Vocabulary in Taxonomic Categories and its Effects.

American Education Research Association (AERA) Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA (2009):
Symposium Title: Practice-Based Professional Development in Early Language and Literacy.
Presentation Title: The Efficacy of Practice-Based Professional Development for Family Childcare Providers

National Reading Conference (NRC) Annual Meeting, Orlando, FL (2008):
Presentation Title: The World of Words: A Theoretical Rationale

National Reading Conference (NRC) Annual Meeting, Orlando, FL (2008):
Presentation Title: Project Great Start Professional Development Initiative: A Practice-based Approach to Professional Development

American Education Research Association (AERA) Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL (2007)
Symposium Title: Improving Teacher Knowledge, Teacher Practice, and Child Outcomes in Early Childhood Settings
Presentation Title: Closing the Gap: Center-based preschool vs. Home-based preschool

National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Annual Meeting, Atlanta, GA (2006):
Presentation Title: Child/ Home Early Language and Literacy Observation (CHELLO): An Observation Protocol.

American Education Research Association (AERA) Annual Meeting, San Francisco, CA (2006):
Presentation Title: Re-thinking "a highly qualified teacher": A multilevel analysis of teacher quality in the context of institutional social disadvantage

INVITED TALKS

Washtenaw Association for the Education of Young Children, Ann Arbor, MI (2008):
Talk Title: Nurturing Knowledge: Essential Early Literacy Principles

Garden City School District, Garden City, MI (2008):
Talk Title: Early Literacy: Linking Literacy Development with Content Knowledge

S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Singapore (2008):
Talk Title: School and Development of National Identity in Young Children: An Interdisciplinary Comparative Study