As a k12 teacher I taught students with severe disabilities who
had physical, medical, behavioral, cognitive, communicative and
other educational needs. I taught at the middle school and elementary
level. I have certification in New York for Early Childhood, Primary
General Education, and Special Education both elementary and secondary
levels.
I have a strong interest in the resources necessary for the inclusion
of students with severe disabilities. I have five refereed articles
in competitive journals. I completed a book chapter regarding the
assessment of inclusive practices on student outcomes, a national
qualitative research project regarding the preparation of teachers
to teach students with severe disabilities in inclusive settings,
and presented at several national, state, and regional conferences
pertaining to inclusion and students with severe disabilities. In
relation to inclusion and students with severe disabilities, my
research interests have become more specifically focused. My current
line of research investigates the access of students with disabilities
to literacy instruction and other academic content. This research
area has resulted in a student faculty collaboration grant, a faculty
development research grant, and three manuscripts currently under
review. Related to literacy and students with severe disabilities,
I have a collaborative book project under contract with Merrill
Prentice Hall and recently completed a book on Family Supports for
Education.
