Dr. Melissa Siller

Dr. Melissa Siller

Assistant Professor Office Location: GB Suite 142, Room 144 Phone: 210-832-3215
Dr. Melissa Siller earned her Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Learning and Teaching at the University of Texas at San Antonio, with a concentration in Early Childhood and Elementary Education. Her passion for education and participatory community problem solving began with three transformative years as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Ecuador. Prior to joining UIW, Dr. Siller spent the last 20 years as a field supervisor, teacher educator, researcher, instructional coach, undergraduate and graduate instructor, and elementary and secondary teacher in the San Antonio and surrounding areas. Her professional interests and experience include designing, coordinating, and supporting programs and field experiences for teacher candidates to bridge theory with their developing practice.

Ph.D., Interdisciplinary Learning and Teaching
Concentration: Early childhood and Elementary Education
The University of Texas at San Antonio
San Antonio, Texas

M.A., Education
Concentration: Early Childhood Education and Spanish
The University of Texas at San Antonio
San Antonio, Texas

B.A.,Psychology
Concentration: Psychology and Spanish
The University of Texas at Austin
Austin, Texas

Texas Teaching Certifications:
  • Elementary EC – 6
  • Spanish 1-8

Adjunct Faculty, Trinity University, 2013-2024

Teacher, Geneva School of Boerne, 2013-2024

Adjunct Faculty, The University of Texas at San Antonio, 2009-2013

Assessment Consultant, Educational Testing Services, 2002-2013

Teacher, Boerne ISD, 1999-2005

Peace Corps Volunteer, Ecuador, 1996-1998

  • Learning Theories
  • Mathematics in Elementary School
  • Clinical Practice EC-6
  • Reading Differences
  • Field Seminar in Elementary Literacy
  • Curriculum Inquiry and Practice

Recent Publications:

Siller, M. & Alanis, I. (2022). Two Mathematical Heads are Better than One: The Benefit of Peer Based Learning in Multilingual Preschool. YC: Young Children, 77(3), 6-14.

Norman, P., with Sherwood, S., Delgado, R. & Siller, M. (2019). Taking the mentoring of new teacher educators seriously: Lessons from a clinically-intensive teacher preparation program. In D. Yendol-Hoppey, D. Hoppey & N. Fichtman Dana (Eds.), Preparing the next generation of teacher educators for clinically-intensive teacher preparation. 25-48. Charlotte, NC: Information Age Publishing. 

Recent Presentations:

Siller, M. & Gombert, J. (June, 2020). The importance of a systematic approach to early literacy and reading achievement. Society for Classical Learning (SCL). Dallas, TX.

Norman P., Siller M., & Lucas, A. (February, 2019). Structuring field-based methods courses to benefit elementary students, teachers, and teacher candidates. National Association for Professional Development Schools (NAPDS). Atlanta, GA.

Service to the Community:

Family Mentor, Hill Country Daily Bread

Catechist of the Good Shepherd faith formation, St. Peter’s Catholic Church