Dr. Nilsa Thorsos

Dr. Nilsa J. Thorsos is a Professor of education at National University and serves as the academic program director for the Masters of Education: Mild to Moderate in the Special Education Department. She has been an active mentor for doctoral candidates and served in doctoral committees as a subject matter expert (SME) specializing in education and methodology approaches. She has authored several articles, books, book chapters and editorials and has served as editor or a reviewer for peer reviewed books and journals. Dr. Thorsos• scholarship includes paper presentations in international and national venues on topics related to education. Her research interests include linguistics, literacy, language acquisition, bilingualism, special education, education, and mentoring in higher education.

Memberships

• California Association on Teacher Education
• Council for Exceptional Children
• American Educational Research Association
• National Association for Bilingual Education
• Association for Supervision of Curriculum and Development
• American Montessori Society
• International Dyslexia Association
• Delta Kappa Gamma – Delta Phi
• Learning Disabilities Association of America
• International Reading Association

Publications

• Thorsos, N. J.. (2018). Bilingualism in Puerto Rico: Social cultural, linguistic, and political perspectives. International Bilingualism/Bilingual Education: Po,
• Johannessen, B. G., Thorsos, N. J., & Dickinson, G. (2018). Politics and policies affecting practices in bilingual teacher preparation programs in USA: A tale of two programs. International Bilingualism/Bilingual Education: Po.
• Johannessen, G. B., Thorsos, N. J., & Dickinson, G. (2016). Current conditions of bilingual teacher preparation programs in public universities in USA. Education and Society, 34(2,1): 27-48.
• Johannessen, G., & Thorsos, N.. (2012). Constructivist teaching model for digital learners. The International Journal of Case Research & Appli, Fall(13): .
• Thorsos, N. J.. (2011). The ABCs of spiritual principles for "growing" a healthy learning environment. 57(1): 27-29.
• Thorsos, N. J.. (2010). A Spiritual Tool Box of Compassion: Christian Special Education Teachers in Secular Settings. Foundations: Christian Perspectives on Disability.
• Thorsos, N. J.. (2008). Review of the book Catch a Falling Reader by Herbert, C. [Catch a Falling Reader]. (Magazine/Journal).
• Williams, H.E., Warren, S., Pacino, A., Foy, T., Bond, T., Hedlund, B., Yee-Sakamoto, I., Thorsos, N. (2007). Practice what you preach: The state of diversity in the School of Education. Diversity Monograph.
• Thorsos, N. (n.d.). Motivating 21st Century Learners. Teachers of Vision Magazine, 60(1): 31-33.
• Thorsos, N. J.. (n.d.). Christian special education teachers responding to the call to serve: The perception of disability with a Christian worldview lens. International Christian Community for Teacher Educ, 7:1(Winter): .

Presentations

• Thorsos, N. (2018-04-01). (Paper). Paper presented at the Global Conference on Education and Research, Las Vegas, Nevada.
• Thorsos, N. (2017-11-01). Engaging readers through Exploration of inclusive literature. Paper presented at the Association of Literacy Educators and Researchers conference, St Petersburg, Florida.
• Thorsos, N. (2017-07-01). Acceptance through inclusive children's literature. Paper presented at the International Literacy Association Conference, Orlando, Florida.
• Thorsos, N. (2017-06-01). Inclusive literature: Challenges and Enjoyment. Paper presented at the International Association of Special Education, Perth, Australia.
• Thorsos, N. (2017-02-01). Effective mentoring & supervision practices for special education teacher candidates. Paper presented at the California Association of Resource Specialist Plus (CARS+), Sacramento, CA.
• Thorsos, N. (2015-08-12). The Importance of Policy and Community: The Role of Statewide Professional Associations. Conference presented at the Paper presented at the California Council on Teacher Education, San Jose, CA.
• Thorsos, N. (2015-04-08). Synergy, care, and constructive Chaos: Conceptualizing the dynamics of an international global co-mentoring network. Conference presented at the Paper presented at the American Educators Research Association, Chicago, Ill.
• Thorsos, N. (2015-04-07). Lived experiences of women in academia: Shaping and reshaping mentoring and scholarship. Conference presented at the Paper presentation at the American Education Research Association, Chicago, Ill.
• Thorsos, N. (2015-03-06). Achieving global competency: Bilingual competency and the tale of two programs. Conference presented at the Paper presented at the National Associations Bilingual Education, Las Vegas, NV.
• Thorsos, N. (2015-02-12). Teaching Digital Learners with Free and Low-Cost Apps. Conference presented at the Paper presented at the California Association of Resource Specialist Plus, Sacramento, CA..
• Thorsos, N. (2015-02-11). California Master Teachers Legacy: Effective Mentoring & Supervision Practices for Special Education teacher Candidates. Conference presented at the Paper presented at the California Association of Resource Specialist Plus (CARS+) conference, Sacramento, CA.
• Thorsos, N. (2014-04-07). Dynamics of Tensions and a Sense of Belonging in an Informal Peer Mentoring Community of Women Faculty. Conference presented at the American Educational Research Association, ., Philadelphia, PA.
• Thorsos, N. (2014-01-06). Perspectives on Bilingual Education Teacher Preparation Programs in the United States. Conference presented at the Sixteenth Creative Teaching Conference ( ACT 16),, Paris , France.
• Thorsos, N. (2013-04-08). Transnational Peer Mentoring Sustenance (or Sustaining) for Women Faculty. Conference presented at the Paper presented at American Educational Research Association,, San Francisco, CA.
• Thorsos, N. (2013-02-05). Mentoring and preparing Master Special Education teachers: clinical experience suppor. Conference presented at the Paper presented at California Association of Resource Specialist, Oakland, CA.
• Thorsos, N. (2012-10-08). Meaningful connections from theory to practice: IHE's and SELPA's collaboration. Conference presented at the Paper
  presentation at the Closing the Gap conference, Minessota, MN.
• Thorsos, N. (2012-05-08). Responding to the call to serve: Christian special educators as servant leaders. Conference presented at the Paper presented at the International Christian Community for Teacher Educators, Azusa, CA.
• Thorsos, N. (2012-05-07). Mentorship in higher education: servant leaders ensuring successors in the 21st centur. Conference presented at the Paper presented at the International Christian Community for Teacher Educators, Azusa, CA.
• Thorsos, N. (2012-04-03). Knowing the "Other" Latino Student is Not Enough: Teaching the US-Born English Language Learner in CAlifornia. Paper presented at the Paper presentation at the American Educators Research Association, New Orleans, LA.
• Thorsos, N. (2011-12-07). Preparing teachers to meet the needs of service teachers in a globalized society. Conference presented at the Paper presentation ACT14 Creative
  Teaching Conference., Seville, Spain.
• Thorsos, N. (2011-11-15). Special education services in faith- based elementary schools. Conference presented at the Paper presentation at the Association of Christian
  Schools International, Anahein, CA.
• Thorsos, N. (2011-10-12). Preparing faculty to meet the needs of pre-service teachers in a globalized societ. Conference presented at the Paper presented at the California Council on Teacher Education conference, San DIego, CA.
• Thorsos, N. (2011-04-02). Breaking the Code: Strategies to Survive in Academia. Conference presented at the American Educators Research Association (AERA), New Orleans, LA.
• Thorsos, N. (2011-03-15). Special education in the new millennium: Responding to the calling to teach. Conference presented at the Paper presented at the Common Day of Learning, Azusa Pacific University,, Azusa, CA.
• Thorsos, N. (2011-01-06). Utilizing a case study approach in tier 3 of RtI: Ensuring effective intervention for diverse underperforming students. Conference presented at the Paper presented at the Hawaii International Conference on Education, Honolulu, HI.
• Thorsos, N. (2011-01-05). Developing Science Vocabulary Through the Integration of Latin and Greek Etymology: An Application of the Calla Model to a Secondary Science Curriculum for ELL Students. Conference presented at the Paper presented at the Hawaii International Conference on Education, Honolulu, HI.
• Thorsos, N. (2010-07-08). Response to interventions: Utilizing effective family literacy practices for culturally diverse Young language learners. Conference presented at the Paper presented at the 23rd World Congress on Reading,, Auckland, New Zealand..
• Thorsos, N. (2010-05-06). Calling to teach: impact of faith integration in teacher training and Master's programs. Conference presented at the Paper presented at the International Community of Christian Teachers Educators conference, Longfelow, TX..
• Thorsos, N. (2010-05-06). Faith and learning for children with Asperger Syndrome: What does recent research say. Conference presented at the Paper presented at the 9th Biennial International Community of Christian Teacher Educators Conference, School of Education,, Longview, TX.
• Thorsos, N. (2010-04-08). Using response to intervention in emotional/behavioral disorder eligibility determination with at-risk adolescents. Conference presented at the Paper presented at the Council for Exceptional Children Annual Conference, Nashvile, TN.
• Thorsos, N. (2010-04-07). Using Response to Intervention in Emotional/Behavioral disorder eligibility determination with at Risk. Conference presented at the Paper presented at the Council Exceptional Children, Nashville, TN.
• Thorsos, N. (2009-10-06). Digital immigrant & Digital natives: Overcoming the 'digital divide' of professors and teacher candidates. Conference presented at the Paper presentation at the California Council on Teacher Education, San Diego, CA.
• Thorsos, N. (2009-01-08). Stress and anxiety in the classroom: the role of educators in the effective response to intervention of learners of internalizing problem. Conference presented at the Workshop presented at the Hawaii International Conference on Education, Honolulu, H.
• Thorsos, N. (2009-01-07). Effective Use of Web 2.0 in the Classroom from a Practitionary's viewpoint: Going Beyond Podcasting and implementing VMSCasting, Screencasting, and Instant Messaging. Conference presented at the . Paper presented at the 7th Annual Hawaii International Conference on Education, Honolulu, HI.
• Thorsos, N. (2009-01-06). Integrating Response to Intervention with Neuropsychology: A Brain-Based Model for Identification and Intervention with Students. Conference presented at the Workshop presented at the Hawaii International Conference on Education,, Honolulu, HI.
• Thorsos, N. (2008-12-09). The impact of Puerto Rico's political status on the implementation of special education services. Conference presented at the Paper presented at the World Association for Cooperative Education, 7th Annual International Symposium on Work Integrated Learning in Conjunction with the Compostela, Madrid, Spain.
• Thorsos, N. (2008-08-06). Where does technology live in your life? Shifting practices in the ivory tower for full integration of technology-enhanced instruction. Conference presented at the Poster presented at World Association for Cooperative Education 7th Annual International Symposium on Work Integrated Learning in Conjunction with the Compostela, Madrid, Spain.
• Thorsos, N. (2008-07-09). Assistive Technology in Special Education Credential Program. Conference presented at the Paper presented at the Education & Information Systems, Technologies & Applications, Orlando, Florida.
• Thorsos, N. (2008-01-03). The structure for inequality of services for social education students in Puerto Rico: Examining How the current implementation of IDEA 04 in the education system in Puerto Rico. Conference presented at the Paper presentation at the Hawaii International Conference on Education, Honolulu, HI.
• Thorsos, N. (2008-01-03). Facilitating perspective teachers' multicultural awareness: the 'gibberish experience'. Conference presented at the Paper Presentation at the Hawaii International Conference on Education, Honolulu, HI.
• Thorsos, N. (2007-01-03). Preservice Teachers: How Service-learning Impacts their Perceptions of Special Education and Worldview. Conference presented at the Paper Presentation at the Hawaii International Conference on Education, Honolulu, HI.
• Thorsos, N. (2006-06-19). Educational Internship in California: Structures, Challenges and Effectiveness,. Conference presented at the Paper presentation at the World Association for Cooperative Education Asia Pacific Conference, Shanghai, China.
• Thorsos, N. (2006-01-04). Impact of the partnership between school districts and universities: The role of an advisory board. Conference presented at the Paper presentation at Hawaii International Conference on Education, Honolulu, HI.
• Thorsos, N. (2005-04-05). Pedagogy of the Heart: A Self Study of Doctoral Students. Paper presented at the Paper presented at the American Educational Research Association,, Montreal, Canada.
• Thorsos, N. (2005-03-02). Seeing with new eyes-The roles of academic study, faith, and practical application in teacher education. Paper presented at the Paper presented at the Coalition of Christian Teacher Educators Conference, Virginia Beach, VA..
• Thorsos, N. (2005-01-04). Strategies for Discussing the Impact of Race, Class and Culture in the schools and the workplace. Paper presented at the Paper presented at the Hawaii International Conference on Education,, Honolulu, HI.
• Thorsos, N. (2005-01-04). Investigating the Role of Principals in the Implementation of IDEA'S 2000 Mandate for Inclusionary Practices in Two Southern California School Districts. Paper presented at the Paper presented at the Hawaii International Conference on Education (HICE), Honolulu, HI.
• Thorsos, N. (2001-04-09). New Mexico dropouts' study: Update on students with disabilities. Conference presented at the presentation at the American Educational Research Association, New Orleans, LA.