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- Rachelle Curcio, Ph.D.
Faculty and Staff
Rachelle Curcio, Ph.D.
Title: | Clinical Assistant Professor, Elementary Education Director, UofSC Professional Development Schools Network |
Department: | Instruction and Teacher Education College of Education |
Email: | curciora@mailbox.sc.edu |

Education
Ph.D. in Curriculum, Teaching, and Teacher Education, University of Florida, 2017
M.Ed. in Elementary Education, Specialization in Reading, University of Florida, 1996
B.A. in Elementary Education, University of Florida, 1995
Biography
Rachelle Curcio is a Clinical Assistant Professor for elementary education. Her teaching focuses on developing literacy methods, establishing equitable classroom environments, and cultivating an inquiry stance. Rachelle received her Ph.D. in Curriculum, Teaching, and Teacher Education from the University of Florida where her areas of research focused on clinically-centered teacher preparation with an emphasis on coaching and supervision. Prior to earning her doctorate and joining the faculty at UofSC, Rachelle served as an elementary classroom teacher, primary literacy specialist, district resource teacher for school improvement and accountability, and an elementary assistant principal in Tampa, Florida.
Rachelle is also the Director of the UofSC Professional Development Schools (PDS) Network. In this role, she collaborates with various stakeholders to create synergistic spaces aimed at enhancing teacher preparation, teacher professional learning, research endeavors, and PK-12 learning across the UofSC PDS Network, the state of South Carolina, and beyond.
Research/Areas of Expertise
Rachelle’s research interests and areas of expertise are grounded in an equity and inquiry stance and focus on preparing teacher candidates for diverse 21st century classrooms. Her research and expertise address intersections between clinically-centered teacher preparation, professional development school contexts, and teacher leadership. Rachelle is the PI of a Spencer Foundation Conference Grant focused on the Research Renewal Within and Across Southeastern Professional Development School Partnerships and the Co-PI of a Teacher Quality Partnership grant that established a teacher residency model in partnership with rural South Carolina school districts.