BIOGRAPHY
Natasha is from Temple View, New Zealand, and was raised in a small LDS community that placed a strong emphasis on spiritual and secular learning. As a first-generation high school graduate, it was not easy to navigate an unfamiliar academic system, but Natasha was always surrounded by peers and teachers who mentored and supported her.
Attending BYU–Hawaii as an I-Work student was a significant blessing because she was able to continue to be nurtured both spiritually and secularly, and where she met her husband, one of her greatest blessings.
Natasha is grateful to be back on this campus as a faculty member in the EIL and TESOL departments. Teaching energizes Natasha, it keeps her humble as it constantly challenges her as she searches for better ways to help students develop a love for learning, in another language. She is excited and blessed to serve students who are so humble and teachable and have a sincere love for the gospel.
Natasha enjoys spending time with her husband, six children, son-in-law, and grandson. They like to travel and visit family and friends across the globe enjoying awesome food, cultures, and people.
EDUCATION
April, 2022, MA, BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY, PROVO, UTAH
Master of Arts, TESOL (4.0 GPA)
Teaching Emphasis
MA Project: Creating an Authentic Listening Level Achievement Test for Placement in an Intensive English Program
Committee Chair: Troy Cox
December, 2014 PhD, BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY, PROVO, UTAH
Educational Leadership and Foundations
Dissertation: Faculty-Student Interaction and the Educational Outcomes of Native American College Students: A Comparison of First-Generation and Continuing-Generation College Students. Dissertation Chair: Scott Ferrin
August, 2000 MPA, BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY, PROVO, UTAH
Master of Public Administration, Finance Emphasis
June, 1998 BS, BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY–HAWAII, LAIE, HAWAII
International Business Management
EXPERIENCE
BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY–HAWAII, LAIE, HAWAII (01/24-Present)
Assistant Professor, English Language Teaching, TESOL/EIL
Instructor of EIL 320, an integrated skills course (reading, writing, listening, and speaking), at an ACTFL advanced-mid proficiency level. This course is the last course students are required to take before completely matriculating into their major field of study. Collaborated with other faculty to revise specific course outcomes, curriculum, and high-stakes exams.
BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY, PROVO, UTAH (08/19-12/23)
English Language Center, Research Assistant and Instructor
Curriculum Development: Developed the scope and sequence for Foundation A (Novice Mid-High) and Foundation B (Novice High-Intermediate Low) textbook for use in ELC writing courses including recommended activities to effectively measure course learning outcomes.
Assessment: Project lead in the development of listening items for proficiency placement based on the ACTFL proficiency guidelines and ELC learning objectives. A focus on creating authentic listening passages using dialog and interactional conversations to develop ACTFL Intermediate, Advanced, and Superior test items. Learned new software programs including audio software (Audacity), Center for Language Studies ALS testing platform, Jmetrik data analysis, Jamovi statistical analysis software, and test item development in Learnosity.
Worked as part of a team to develop a Reading Level Achievement Test based on the ACTFL proficiency guidelines and the ELC learning objectives. This included the development of ACTFL Intermediate, Advanced, and Superior reading test items with analysis of results suggesting a highly reliable test, Cronbach alpha 0.92
Instructor: Taught advanced-level listening and speaking ESL courses, novice high community courses (listening, speaking, reading, writing, and grammar), and intermediate high writing courses. Utilized canvas to create and administer syllabi relating to course outcomes and learning objectives, created daily and weekly lesson plans and assignments to improve English proficiency and success in higher education.
Held regular office hours to meet with students provide helpful feedback to address academic concerns, and provide support with social and emotional health issues. While my teaching has focused on course outcomes, I have also addressed personal concerns with individual students including helping students file accident claims, preparing to meet with therapists, addressing concerns with roommates/workmates and other social issues that affect their educational wellbeing and are relevant language issues.
BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY, PROVO, UTAH (05/20-08/20)
Center for Language Studies, Research Assistant
Worked with Dr. Troy Cox to pilot and revise the Language Proficiency Diagnostic Assessment (LPDA) survey. The LPDA was designed to assist return missionaries (especially those with language interruptions due to covid-19) in self-assessing their oral and written language skills and place them into appropriate language courses at BYU. Results of the LPDA suggest it is closely aligned with students' actual oral and written language abilities. The LPDA has since been replaced by the Language Assessment Self-Evaluation Resource (LASER).
BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY, PROVO, UTAH (08/19-12/19)
English Language Center, English for Lunch Coordinator
Organized and ran a weekly English language activity for novice high through intermediate mid level English language learners. The purpose of these activities was to improve the practice and use of English communication in social/nonacademic environments and develop a sense of belonging and community amongst international students dealing with homesickness, culture shock and English language difficulties.
BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY, PROVO, UTAH (06/19-08/19)
English Language Center, Teacher Assistant University Preparation Writing Course
Worked with the instructor for University Preparation (advanced level) writing course to grade, mentor and teach a large class of advanced level students in the skill of writing. Helped students develop organizational and content skills to facilitate success in a US university setting.
UTAH VALLEY UNIVERSITY, OREM, UTAH (2/19-6/19)
Gear Up Utah - Advisor
Worked as part of a federal grant with low income, first generation college students to help them be successful in higher education. Helped students submit FAFSA applications, graduation plans and provided specific course assistance. Assisted students in raising awareness of campus resources to aid their academic success, as well as improving their communication skills in English, the second language for many of these students.
BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY, PROVO, UTAH (05/17-02/18)
Academic and Admissions Advisor
Worked with students in BYU’s Bachelor of General Studies program to advise them with admission and course planning through to graduation. Connected students who had left on academic warning, probation and suspension with the correct departments to petition for readmission. Helped students develop skills in time management, work/life balance, goal setting, attainment and motivation. Tasked with redesigning the capstone curriculum (ST DEV 490) and program improvement.
BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY, PROVO, UTAH (10/15-4/17, 6/19-12/19)
Learning Specialist and Tutor Supervisor, Student Athlete Life and Learning Center
Hired, trained, supervised and mentored 70+ tutors each semester to work in content specific areas with student-athletes. Worked with student-athletes with diagnosed learning disabilities and helped them receive the relevant accommodations to support success in their academic experience. Developed training modules to effectively improve tutor teaching of course content and improve the learning of student-athletes. Created and delivered curriculum with the teaching of Student Development 109 (Effective Study and Learning Skills). This course was taught with a focus on improving the communication, reading, listening, writing and learning strategies of incoming freshman and transfer students as part of the Summer Bridge program.
Technology
Worked on technology related issues including updating the SALLC website as well as working with OIT/SAAS to create a dashboard identifying student athletes with failing grades to provide relevant and timely intervention. This technology was later adapted by BYU’s Student Academic and Advisement Services as an initial prototype of a now university-wide early warning dashboard.
Professional Development
Provided monthly training to student tutors to increase their abilities to teach and mentor student-athletes and improve job performance using research-based evidence and through collaboration with other university departments.
UTAH VALLEY UNIVERSITY, OREM, UTAH (07/15-10/15)
Senior Research Analyst
Extracted data from IPEDS, EDEPS and internally to make recommendations and create reports for departments regarding graduate retention, demand and supply of new graduate degree offerings, and statistical dashboards involving data from members of the Western Athletic Conference (WAC).
BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY, PROVO, UTAH (12/13-05/14)
Graduate Research Assistant for Scott Ferrin, Educational Leadership and Foundations
Performed quantitative data analysis using CSEQ surveys to understand the Native American experience at BYU. Presentation of findings to the Dean of Students and Multicultural Student Services regarding recommendations for improved retention, program outcomes and appropriate measures of analysis.
NOVATEK, PROVO, UTAH (04/11-05/12)
Technical Editor, Intellectual Property Department
Edited non-provisional patent applications submitted by employees for final submission to the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Created processes for employees to follow in drafting patent applications.
BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY, PROVO, UTAH (08/05-12/06)
Graduate Research Assistant to Scott Ferrin, Educational Leadership and Foundations
Conducted research regarding language policy and development, resulting in a journal publication.
VOLUNTEER
BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY, PROVO, UTAH (01/22-12/23)
Research and Writing Center Group
An ongoing research collaboration with faculty from the Harold B. Lee Library Research and Writing Center, Linguistics department and the English Language Center. This research initiative is committed to improving the writing services provided to Non-Native English Speaking BYU students that utilize the Research and Writing Center tutoring sessions.
Among the many grant applications to finance our group's research efforts, we submitted an application for a large on-going project with the National Endowment for the Humanities ($150,000 grant) utilizing digital technology to document tutoring sessions with Non-Native English speaking students. The purpose of this project is to create a database similar in nature to COCA but that will code video and audio of tutoring sessions so tutors/students are able to access specific ESL needs and examples to improve their writing communication. Our grant application made it through two rounds of intense scrutiny and was cut during the final round, but received promising feedback and encouragement to resubmit for the next deadline.
BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY, PROVO, UTAH
Kaha Nui Executive Board Member (04/16-12/23)
Responsible for the planning and execution of the annual Kaha Nui Education Summit, which aims to improve the retention and graduation rates of Polynesian undergraduate students at BYU, through addressing access to resources, positive educational role models and mentoring opportunities.
UTAH HEAD START ASSOCIATION, SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH (01/15-01/16)
State Level, Parent Board Member
Member of the Data Committee tasked with collecting, analyzing and sharing multiple points of data to inform and influence program options that would produce optimum results for children, families and communities served by the programs in the Utah Head Start Association.
BYU EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP DOCTORAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE, PROVO, UTAH (01/15-1/16)
Alumni Committee Member
A member of the committee aimed at restructuring the EDLF Educational Doctorate to ensure currency and relevance in professional practice and as a member of the consortium of the Carnegie Project on the Educational Doctorate.
PUBLICATIONS /PRESENTATIONS
Gillette, N., Lung Ying Suet, M., & Watkins, K. (2022) How do the goals of Multilingual
Writers (MLWs) compare to their actual needs from one-off writing center tutoring sessions? Southern Utah University, Cedar City, UT. September, 2022. Conference Presentation.
Eckstein, G., Gillette, N., & Lung Ying Suet, M. (2022) Does reading aloud help L2 learners catch writing errors? Southern Utah University, Cedar City, UT. September, 2022. Conference Presentation.
Gillette, L. & Gillette, N. (2014) Navigating higher education and the principle of whakamaa.Kaha Nui Education Summit. Brigham Young University, Provo, UT. November, 2014. Conference Presentation.
Ferrin, S. E., & Gillette, N. (2005). Educators’ duty to meet the needs of language-minority
students, School Business Affairs, 71(9), 6-10.
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS / CERTIFICATIONS
Member, I-TESOL, Intermountain Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages
Member, Hawaii TESOL.
Member, TAA, Textbook and Academic Authors Association
ACTFL OPI Training Certification
CV Last Revised June 2024