Rina Bousalis

Bio

Rina Bousalis is an Associate Professor of Social Science Education in the College of Education at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, FL. Dr. Bousalis was previously a High School Social Studies Teacher in Tampa, FL, an Elementary School Teacher in Tampa, FL, and an Adjunct Instructor at the University of South Florida, Tampa, FL where she earned a doctoral degree in Curriculum & Instruction with specialization in Social Science Education, a master’s degree in Curriculum & Instruction with specialization in Education, and a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education. She has co-authored a book, written articles for peer-reviewed journals such as Social Education, The Social Studies, Social Studies Research and Practice, Art Education, and Multicultural Learning and Teaching, and presented at international, national, and state conferences.

Research Interests

Research interests include immigration, multiculturalism, human rights, United States history, and global and civics education.

Credentials

• (2014). Ph.D. University of South Florida, Tampa, Fla., Curriculum & Instructions: Social Science Education
• (2006). M.A. University of South Florida, St. Petersburg, Fla., Curriculum & Instruction: Education
• (2003). B.A. University of South Florida, St. Petersburg, Fla., Elementary Education, K-6
• (1982). A.A. Academy of Art and Design, Chicago, Ill., Art & Design
• (1979). A.A. St. Petersburg College, Clearwater, Fla., Business Merchandising

Publications

Refereed Journal Articles

• Lapp, S. I., & Bousalis, R. (2023). Preservice Elementary Teachers’ Perceptions of the Learning and Teaching of Civil Rights. Athens Journal of Education, online, February 2023, 10. 1-17. https://www.athensjournals.gr/education/2022-4906-AJE-Lapp-05.pdf
• Rhone, A., Bousalis, R., & Lapp, S. I. (2022), Impact of community historical sites on educators. In Context, 5(2), 1-31.
• Bousalis, R. (2021). The counterculture generation: Idolized, appropriated, and misunderstood. The Councilor: A Journal of the Social Studies, 82(2/3), 1-26. https://thekeep.eiu.edu/the_councilor/vol82/iss2/3
• Bousalis, R. (2021) Correlating the perceptions of pre-service elementary teachers and social studies in the elementary curriculum. Journal of Education, 202(4), 385-396. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022057421998324
• Bousalis, R., Ariza, E. N., & Lapp, S. I. (2021). Language, culture, and instruction in the classroom: An exploratory study of educators of refugee students. The International Journal of Diversity in Education 21(2), 59-78. https://doi.org/10.18848/2327-0020/CGP/v21i02/59-78
• Furner, J. M., & Bousalis, R. (2020). A lesson plan to address immigration: The importance of connecting mathematics and the social sciences in the classroom. Trends and Issues, Winter/Spring. 1-15.
• Bousalis, R., Powers, J. R., & Musgrove, A. (2020). Media and historical literacy: Reinterpreting the context of history. The Journal of Literacy and Technology. 21(4), 38-57.
• Bousalis, R., & Furner, J. M. (2020). Linking middle school mathematics and social studies through immigration issues. Middle School Journal, 51(1), 19-28. https://doi.org/10.1080/00940771.2019.1689777
• Brown, S. L., & Bousalis, R. (2017). Empowering young minds through communication, creative expression, and human rights in refugee art. “Creative Activity as a Human Right” special issue in Art Education, the Journal of the National Art Education Association (NAEA), 70(4), 48-50. https://doi.org/10.1080/00043125.2017.1317562
• Bousalis, R. (2016). Establishing sociological imagination before blame in historical events. The Clearing House: A Journal of Educational Strategies, Issues, and Ideas, 90(1), 8-11. https://doi.org/10.1080/00098655.2016.1233040
• Bousalis, R. (2016). Portrayals of immigrants in trade books (1880-1930 & 1980-present). Social Studies Research and Practice, 11(2), 17-32.
• Bousalis, R. (2016). The Name Day: A birthday’s rival. Multicultural Learning and Teaching, 12(2), 17-19. https://doi.org/10.1515/mlt-2015-0015
• Keefer, N., & Bousalis, R. (2015). How do you get your water?: Structural violence pedagogy and women's access to water. The Social Studies, 106(6), 256-263. https://doi.org/10.1080/00377996.2015.1072793
• Bousalis, R. (2013). Is ignorance really bliss?: The political de-motivation among elementary to high school students. Trends and Issues, Summer, 52-53.
• Bousalis, R. (2012). Iranian women: Between education and repression. Social Education, 76(5), 255-257.
• Bousalis, R. (2010). Elementary Multicultural and Global Education: A Celebration of Countries and Culture, or just Celebration? Ohio Social Studies Review Journal, 46(1), 7-10.

Books

• Brown, S. L., & Bousalis, R. (2018). Curriculum integration in contemporary teaching practice: Emerging research and opportunities. Hershey, PA: Global International. Six chapters. 193 pages. https://www.igi-global.com/book/curriculum-integration-contemporary-teaching-practice/182426

Book Chapters

• Schoorman, D., & Bousalis, R. (2018). Keyword: Immigration. Chapter 32. Page numbers: 325-334. In Mark Helmsing, Annie McMahon Whitlock, & Daniel G. Krutka (Eds.). Keywords in the Social Studies: Concepts and Conversations. Peter Lang.
• Bousalis, R. (2018). Teaching social studies to English learners: Reciprocity between teachers and English language learners in the social studies classroom. Chapter 12. Page numbers:148-162. In Eileen Ariza (Ed.) (2018) book Not for ESOL Teachers. Kendall Hunt.

Newsletters

• Ariza, E., Bousalis, R., Lapp, S., & Zelde, R. (2018). Perceptions of language, culture, and instruction in the classroom: An exploratory study of early to secondary educators of migrant learners/refugee students in Malta and other European countries. TESOL’s (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) Refugee Concerns Interest Section (RCIS) Newsletter. 1-4.

Conference Presentations

International

• Bousalis, R. (2023). The Florida Sponge War: Culture, Competition, and Conflict. Session presenter at the Athens Institute for Education and Research (ATINER) 16th Annual International Conference on Mediterranean Studies in Athens, Greece.
• Bousalis, R. (2021). The Oral History Project: Discovering the Community’s Living History. Session presenter (virtual) at the Association of Ubiquitous and Collaborative Educators international (AUCEi) Annual Conference.
• Bousalis, R. (2021). The Oral History Project: Discovering the Community’s Knowledge, Experience, and Perspective of Events and Issues. Session presenter (virtual) at the Athens Institute for Education and Research (ATINER) 23rd Annual International Conference on Education and Research in Athens, Greece.
• Bousalis, R. (2020). Immigrant Students: Assets to the Social Studies Curriculum. Session presenter (virtual) at the Twentieth International Conference on Diversity in Organizations, Communities & Nations at the University of Milan, Italy.
• Bousalis, R. (2019). Pre-service Elementary Teachers’ Perceptions of and Attitudes Towards Social Studies. Session presenter at the 26th International Conference on Learning at Queen’s University in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
• Ariza, E., Lapp, S., Bousalis, R., & Zelden, R. (2018). Not Just for ESOL Teachers: Refresh or Renew TESOL Fundamentals. Session presenter at the TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) 2018 International Convention & English Language Expo “PreK-12 Day” in Chicago, IL.
• Ariza, E., Bousalis, R., & Lapp, S. (2018). Identity, Language, and Issues of Teachers of Refugees in Malta. Poster session presenter at the TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) 2018 International Convention & English Language Expo in Chicago, IL.
• Brown, S. & Bousalis, R. (2017). Human Rights: Teaching Refugee Students Through Art. Session presenter at the Kappa Delta Pi (KDP) International Convocation Conference in Pittsburgh, PA.
• Ariza, E., Lapp, S., Bousalis, R., & Zelden, R. (2017). A Survey of Language, Culture, and Classroom Instruction for Teachers of Refugees/Migrants in Malta, Mainland Europe, and Other Countries Who Teach in the Mainstream Classroom. Presentation at the Association of Ubiquitous and Collaborative Educators international (AUCEi) conference in Dublin, Ireland.
• Bousalis, R. (2017). Gender in a Century of Immigrant Stories. Session presenter at the 5th International Conference on Social Science and Management (ICSSAM) in Kyoto, Japan.
• Bousalis, R. (2017). Historical Imagination: Solving History’s Mysteries. Session presenter at The International Society for the Social Studies (ISSS) in Orlando, FL.
• Bousalis, R. (2016). From Peasant to Terrorist: A Problematic Paradigm Shift in Children’s Non-Textbook Literature. Session presenter at the Athens Institute for Education and Research (ATINER) 18th Annual International Conference in Athens, Greece.

National

• Bousalis, R. (2022). The Counterculture Paradox: Commodities of Activism or Activism for Democracy? Session presenter at The Academy for Educational Studies’ Critical Questions in Education (CQiE) Symposium/Conference in Charleston, SC.
• Bousalis, R. (2021). Living Textbooks: Immigrants as Valuable Sources of Knowledge. Session presenter (virtual) at the National Social Studies Association (NSSA) Conference.
• Bousalis, R. (2019). Pre-service Elementary Teachers’ Perceptions of and Attitudes Towards Social Studies. Session presenter at the Critical Questions in Education Symposium (CQiE) in Chicago, IL.
• Bousalis, R., Powell, J., Musgrove, A., & Musgrove, J. (2019). Media and Historical Literacy: Changing the Contexts of History. Session presenter at the Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education (SITE) in Las Vegas, NV.
• Bousalis, R., & Brown, S. (2017). Integrating STEM into the Social Studies Curriculum. Session presenter at the National Social Science Association (NSSA) Conference in Las Vegas, NV.
• Brown, S., & Bousalis, R. (2017). Immigration Stories Through Technology. Session presenter at the National Social Science Association (NSSA) Conference in Las Vegas, NV.
• Bousalis, R. (2017). The Revival of Southern U.S. Folk Music Through the Use of Technology in the Social Studies Classroom. Round-table session presenter at the Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education (SITE) in Austin, TX.
• Bousalis, R. (2015). The Portrayal of Immigrants in American Youth Fiction (1880-present). Session Presenter at the 95th National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) Annual Conference in New Orleans, LA.

Regional (State & Local)

• Bousalis, R. (2018). Integrating and Promoting Technology and Mathematics in the Study of Immigration: Working STEM into Social Studies. Session presenter for the STEMPowered Faculty Symposium at the University of Florida (UF) in Gainesville, FL.
• Bousalis, R., Ariza, E., & Lapp, S. (2017). Teaching Immigrant and Refugee Students with Limited or Interrupted Formal Education (SLIFE) Through the Use of Technology. Session presenter for the Florida Association of Teacher Educators (FATE) Annual Conference in Boca Raton, FL.
• Ariza, E., Lapp, S., Bousalis, R., & Zelden, R. (2017). Issues of Mainstream Teachers of Refugees in Malta, the U.S. and other European Countries. Roundtable Session Presenter for the 39th Sunshine State Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (SSTESOL) Annual Conference in West Palm Beach, FL.

Grants

• Bousalis, R. (2022). Awarded a research/creative activity grant of $2,000 from the Peace, Justice, and Human Rights (PJHR) program for the project titled: The Impact of the U.S. Social and Political Climate on Immigrant Preservice Teachers’ Emotions When Learning Civics.
• Bousalis, R. (2021). Awarded a research/creative activity grant of $1500 from the Peace, Justice, and Human Rights (PJHR) Research Committee for the project titled: Creating Good Citizens: Building the Foundation of Effective Citizenship.
• Bousalis, R. (2018). Awarded a $1000 Faculty Curriculum Grant from the Office of Undergraduate Research and Inquiry’s (OURI) Distinction through Discovery program for the project titled: Rebuilding Elementary Civics Education as a Creative and Constructive Process.
• Bousalis, R. (2017). Awarded a $750.00 Faculty Grant from Peace, Justice, and Human Rights (PJHR) Initiative to present Gender in a Century of Immigrant Stories at the 5th International Conference on Social Science and Management (ICSSAM) in Kyoto, Japan.

Courses Taught

• SSE 4150: K-9 Social Studies
• SSE 4312-003, Social Studies Content for K-6 Teachers
• SSE 4361: Social Studies: Middle and Secondary School Methods
• SSE 6151: Social Studies: Elementary and Middle School

Service

• Advisor to graduate students participating in the Master of Secondary Education plus Certification in Social Science degree program.
• Co-advisor to FAU’s chapter of Florida Future Educators of America (FFEA) .
• Representative of the Core Curriculum Committee (CCC).
• Representative of the Writing Across the Curriculum (WAC) program.
• Member of the Secondary Teacher Education Coordinating Committee (STECC).
• Member of the Peace, Justice, and Human Rights (PJHR) committee.
• Member of the Secondary Teacher Education Coordinating Committee (STECC).