The Henson Fund

Dr. Ellerbrock is an Associate Professor in the University of South Florida’s College of Education. She earned her doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Florida in 2007. Her Master’s degrees in Educational Psychology and Social Studies Education also were earned at the University of Florida. Dr. Ellerbrock’s Bachelor’s degrees in Social Science Education and Psychology were earned from Florida Southern College. Dr. Ellerbrock has been recognized for her exemplary teaching as the recipient of USF’s 2011 Outstanding Undergraduate Teacher of the Year award; for exemplary service as a recipient of the Paul S. George Award in Recognition of Leadership and Service for the Advancement of Middle School Level Education in the State of Florida; and, selected as the principal investigator and project manager of the Helios STEM Middle School Residency Program 2012-2020 (i.e., a multimillion-dollar grant-based collaborative effort between USF and Hillsborough County Public Schools that created a residency-based undergraduate program for middle grades preservice teachers). As of this current meeting, Dr. Ellerbrock is working with Drs. Kemker, Rolle, Jacobs, and Rink to build a student- and outcome-based budget that support the initiative.

Lindsay Persohn, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor in the Literacy Studies program in the College of Education at the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee. In addition to providing Literacy content support for the Henson Fund Initiatives, Dr. Persohn’s research is focused on stories. Specifically through arts-based qualitative research methodologies for large data sets, children’s literature, visual literacy through the art of children’s book illustration, and, in particular illustrations of Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, Lindsay seeks to understand how stories shape our lives. She also studies public scholarship and research utilization through podcasting. Lindsay is the host and producer of Classroom Caffeine, a podcast designed to connect educators and education researchers. The show launched in November 2020, has featured over 80 expert guests, and has been downloaded over 20,000 times in over 85 countries across six continents.

Before entering higher education, Lindsay taught in the elementary classroom, supported students and teachers as a school librarian, and served as the district-level coordinator of school library services in a large central-Florida public school district. Dr. Persohn teaches foundational literacy courses to undergraduate students, and is engaged in service opportunities in local, state, and national organizations.

Chelsea Rivera

Graduate Assistant

Chelsea Rivera is a second-year doctoral student in the Curriculum and Instruction Interdisciplinary Program at USF-Tampa. She received her M.A. in Secondary English Education from the University of Pennsylvania, and her B.A. in Education Studies (with a minor in Global and Urban Education) from New York University. Before pursuing a doctorate degree, she was a high-school English and Social Studies teacher in South Philadelphia for several years. After participating in the Booker Literacy Project as a USF mentor, Chelsea was recruited to work as a graduate assistant for Dr. Lindsay Persohn and Dr. Cheryl Ellerbrock, helping to manage “The Henson Fund Initiatives” taking place at Tuttle Elementary, Gocio Elementary, and Booker Middle School this upcoming year.

Her research interests are centered around the multifaceted dimensions of Native American urban adolescent identity, including the role of cultural heritage, societal pressures to assimilate, and self-perception that influence their relationship with mainstream education, both hindering and empowering their educational pursuits. Chelsea is also interested in developing a culturally responsive literacy curriculum for Native American urban youth in mainstream schools.
 

Frank Bubba Henson

A native of Hot Springs, Arkansas, Frank attended Ohio Wesleyan University, where he majored in English, and received his M.F.A. in Creative Writing in Poetry from Columbia University.

Frank taught English for 11 years at St. Luke’s School in New Canaan, CT., a private, secular college preparatory school. In addition to his courses, he taught Debate and Public Speaking, and was the middle school and upper school Debate Coach. During his tenure, Frank earned the Distinguished Faculty Award, 2017-2018; Edward R. Scovner Excellence in Teaching Award, 2019; Arthur Selkowitz Excellence in Teaching Award, 2011; Scholastic Art & Writing Awards 2013 Educator Recognition Award; and the 2018 Yearbook Dedication. Frank also studied at High Tech High in San Diego, completing the High Tech High Graduate School of Education Leadership Academy for Project Based Learning, 2016-2017.

Prior to teaching, Frank worked in media and marketing for 30 years, as V.P. of Sales and Marketing Communications for MTV Networks, Founder of Seismic Communications, LLC., and a creative consultant for NBC, ABC, SYFY Network, and ESPN.