Summary
Monika Bharti is a Ph.D. Candidate in education with an emphasis on literacy studies at the University of Nevada, Reno. She completed a Masters in elementary education and teaching and a Masters in chemistry. She was named an Outstanding Masters Student by UNR's College of Education and Human Development and recently got nominated for the Outstanding Doctoral Student Award. She works as a teaching assistant in the Literacy Studies Program. Her research interests mainly focus on STEM Education in the Elementary Classroom, Creating Virtual Literacy Spaces for English Learners, and Writing Development of Multilingual Learners (MLLs). She has been involved in teaching and promoting STEM within UNR's (Child and Family Research Center and collaborated with schools like Lemelson STEM Academy, Mariposa STEM Academy, and the I-School of North Lake Tahoe. She also serves as a Global Director of STEM Education for the International Teachers Association (ITA).She has been a part of the Northern Nevada Girls Math and Technology Camp, Amplify Life (a camp for people with special needs). She also serves as a Mentor for the First Lego League Robotics Championship, and for the Book Club for 3-8 graders. For the past 5 years, as the Chair of the GSA Student Advocacy Committee, she has been actively involved in the graduate student community at UNR and has successfully advocated, both professionally and personally, and led many successful events. She also serves on the COEHD Student Advisory Council.For Monika being on the GSA council and representing College of Education and Human Development is a way of coming together across lines of difference to confront and solve problems, build community, and expand opportunity