Dr. Michelle Avila Vanderburg began her career as an English and Social Studies teacher in California. She received her Masters in Teaching at Chapman University and her PhD in Language & Literacy from the University of South Carolina. She has worked with K-12 teachers and higher education institutions across the state of South Carolina to develop effective literacy methods. At the University of South Carolina Aiken, Dr. Vanderburg was an Assistant Professor and the Program Coordinator for the Elementary Education program. She developed and taught literacy methods, literacy assessment, and interdisciplinary literacy courses. She is also the editor of the South Carolina Association for Middle Level Education Journal. Her research background includes looking at inquiry methods, literacy coaching, and teaching effective literacy practices to pre-service teachers and K-12 students.

At CQUniversity, Dr. Vanderburg has been a mentor for Education Rising Star students and has guided pre-service teachers to learn about how to conduct research and to complete action research projects during their practicum placements.  The Rising Star students have presented at national conferences, such as Australian Literacy Educator's Association and Australasian Council of Undergraduate Research, and have been published in teacher instruction journals, such as Practical Literacy: The Early and Primary Years.  Dr. Vanderburg also works with Bundaberg regional schools to provide professional development to local teachers on writing instruction.  In addition, Dr. Vanderburg has worked with colleagues to do research on using Makerspaces in STEM education. Dr. Vanderburg is the Campus Coordinator for Education on the CQU Bundaberg campus and the Head of Course - Masters in Teaching (Primary).