Susan Pierson, PhD

ESL Program Coordinator
Director of the EXITO grant US Department of Education (2021 to 2026)
Associate Professor, Education
Coordinator Graduate ESL Specialist Program

Susan Jacques Pierson, PhD, came to Cabrini as a full time faculty member in Fall 2010 after teaching in the Reading Specialist Program from 1992-2009.

Dr. Pierson served as a 4th and 5th grade teacher in the West Chester Area School District from 1975 through 2009. While in West Chester, Pierson taught technology education, migrant education, remedial reading and Adult ESL and Literacy classes.

She also served as a tutor for Volunteer English Program of Chester County and continues to work for this organization today as a tutor of adult English Language Learners and on the Board of Directors.

She is most proud of her work over the years with students of all ages from preschool through adult, especially recent immigrants to the United States. In addition to teaching ESL at Cabrini, she also teaches conversational English to adult learners online.

Dr. Pierson is deeply committed to the Mission of Cabrini University and has been privileged to be part of partnerships with Cabrini Ministries, Swaziland and Cabrini in Argentina. She traveled to both Swaziland, Argentina and Zambia where she taught ESL and was involved in staff development.

Dr. Pierson is grateful for opportunities to support the work of the Missionary Sisters in any way she can. She came to Cabrini because of the Mission and is happy to be a part of a school that inspires service beyond oneself, advocacy for marginalized people around the world, and a commitment to working for social justice. She is honored to be a Cabrini Lay Missionary.

Pierson earned Pennsylvania certification as a K-6 teacher, Reading Specialist PreK-12 and ESL Program Specialist PreK-12. She attained a BA in Psychology from Bryn Mawr College, a MS in Elementary Education and a PhD, in Literacy, from the University of Pennsylvania. Her dissertation entitled “The Secrets Within,” explored the efficacy of portfolio assessment. She earned her ESL certificate through Drexel University.

Areas of Expertise

Developing and implementing best practices for teaching culturally and linguistically diverse students of all ages

Publications

Below is a sampling of Dr. Pierson's publications. See her CV for a complete list.

Refereed Publications:

Sheety, A., McLaughlin, E., and Pierson, S.J. (2021), "Bridges to Zambia: Teaching Human Rights Through Immersion Experience", Sengupta, E. and Blessinger, P. (Ed.) International Perspectives in Social Justice Programs at the Institutional and Community Levels (Innovations in Higher Education Teaching and Learning, Vol. 37), Emerald Publishing Limited, Bingley, pp. 29-44.
Pierson, S., Halpern, C., Green, R., and Wagenbaur, R. (2015). Cabrini Bridges: Using Tablets in a Mentoring Program. One Voice International.
Pierson, S. (2015). Crossing the Bridge to Swaziland: A Transformative Field Experience. Journal of International Social Studies, 5(1), 174-184.
Pierson, S. (2015). Bridges to Swaziland: Using Task-Based Learning and Computer Mediated Instruction to Improve English Language Teaching and Learning. Journal of Teaching English with Technology, 15(2), 105-119.
Pierson, S. (Winter 2015). Education in Swaziland: Hebron’s Story. Childhood Explorer (published quarterly by The Association for Childhood Education International), 2(1), 8-11.
Pierson, S. (2014). The Power of Story: Using Personal Narrative, Computer Technology and Podcasting with Young Adult English Language Learners. Journal of Teaching English with Technology, 14(4), 3-16.

Presentations

Conference Presentations:

Pierson, S. and Chinemana, J. (October 28, 2021). Bridges to Zambia: An international partnership. Pennsylvania Association of Colleges and Teacher Educators, Harrisburg, PA.
Pierson, S., Foltz, A., Dougherty, E., and Lesher, K. (October 28, 2020). Navigating uncharted waters: Preparing teacher candidates during quarantine lessons, reflections and implications for future practice. Pennsylvania Association of Colleges and Teacher Educators, Harrisburg, PA.
Gonzalez-Contreras, M.; Bolufer-Laurentie, N; and Pierson (March 6, 2020) Aqua se aprende en communidad: Facilitating the academic success of Latino students in higher education. Presentation for the 22nd Annual Conference of the Pennsylvania Chapter of the National Association of Multicultural Education, Radnor, PA.
Ritter, M. and Pierson, S. (November 23, 2019) Bridges to Zambia:. Global connections through human rights education. The National Council of Social Studies, Austin, TX.
Pierson, S. (October 30, 2019) Revisiting Bridges to Zambia: Language, culture and llterature. Presentation for the Keystone State Reading Association, University Park, PA.

Awards and Recognition

Awarded a 2.5 million dollar grant from the US Department of Education, National Professional Development for collaborative work improving ESL teaching and learning with the Norristown Area School District over the next 5 years 2021 - 2026.
Awarded a $79,926 grant from the US Department of Education Fulbright: Hyes Group Projects Abroard Program in September 2020.
Awarded an $85,746 grant from the US Department of Education Fulbright: Hyes Group Projects Abroard Program in September 2018.
Received a Cabrini University faculty award for teaching excellence Spring 2019.
Cabrini College Undergraduate Summer Research Grant: Developing Best Practices and Tools for Assessment while Teaching Pronunciation to Adult English Language Learners, Summer 2015.
Awarded $1000 (with Mary Budzilowicz, Kathleen Johnson, and Amber Gentile) from The Southeastern Pennsylvania Consortium for Higher Education (SEPCHE) as part of the initiative Building Faculty Capacity for 21st Century Teaching, for faculty development in Universal Design for Learning, October, 2014.
Granted 15 Nexus 7 tablet computers through Map Your World. Deployed for work in Swaziland and also in Norristown, Pennsylvania, December, 2013.
Awarded 6 OLPC XO computers through One Laptop Per Child, December 2012.