Melissa Sherfinski, PhD
Associate Professor
Recent Media
On Universal Pre-kindergarten in West Virginia
- CSMonitor - Pre-K for all: What does it take to get every child an education?
- WV Public Broadcasting - States Pre-K Program Ranks Among Top in The Country
On Place-based Education
Professional Highlights
- Chair, American Educational Research Association (AERA) Early Education and Child Development Special Interest Group
- Board Member, Journal of Early Childhood Teacher Education and Journal of Research in Childhood Education
- Licensed teacher in West Virginia and Wisconsin, areas: Elementary Education, Early Childhood-PK-K Special Needs, Intellectual Disabilities, Autism
- Six years public school experience (K-5)
- Former preschool teacher and childcare provider
Degrees
- Ph.D., Curriculum and Instruction, University of Wisconsin-Madison
- M.S.-Ed., Special Education, University of Wisconsin-Madison
- B.S.-Ed., Elementary Education and Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Awards
- Outstanding Teaching Nominee, CAHS, 2014-2018, 2020-2021, 2023
- Outstanding Researcher Nominee, CAHS, 2019, 2021, 2023
- Spencer Foundation Fellowship Semi-finalist, 2015
- Country Roads Scholar, 2013
Areas of Expertise
- Preschool
- Kindergarten
- Early Childhood Education
- Elementary Education
- Qualitative Research
Research Interests
- Universal pre-kindergarten
- Kindergarten
- Writing
- Teacher education
- Assessment
- Place-based education
Committees and Memberships
- Co-chair, School of Education Faculty Evaluation Committee, 2016-2018 and 2021-2023
- Member, WVU Provost Promotion and Tenure Advisory Committee, 2019-2021
- Faculty Judge, Office of Undergraduate Affairs, Undergraduate Research Fair, 2021
- Member, WVU Bucklew Scholarship Committee, 2016-2017 and 2017-2018
- Chair, CAHS Research, Service, and Professional Development Committee, 2012-2013
- Coordinator, CAHS Student Research Forum, 2013
Biographical Sketch
Dr. Melissa Sherfinski is an experienced educator and WVU professor of 12 years, who teaches a variety of undergraduate courses to prepare elementary teachers. She also advises and chairs committees in the Ed Theory & Practice doctoral program.