What has been your best experience at UK? (Or, what do you like the most about UK?)
My favorite part of UK is the students and faculty I get to collaborate with. I get to be a part of preparing the next generation of special education teachers and I get to watch experienced teachers grow in their practice. The faculty have an immense dedication to working collaboratively to ensure students leave our programs with the most up-to-date knowledge and skills. One of the most rewarding parts of this job is visiting a teacher’s classroom and seeing them implement strategies they have been taught… and those strategies making a difference in the life of a child.
What is your favorite course to teach? Why?
EDS 633 – Single Subject Research Methodology – This is the research methodology course that is used by the majority of our students to become better researchers in our field. Whether they are learning to be better consumers of research or designing a project to implement, it is fun to watch students learn what it means to be applied researchers.
Describe your research.
My current lines of research are dedicated to helping individuals with disabilities become more independent and helping teachers implement practical strategies in their classrooms. For students with disabilities, it is important that we find a means to facilitating independence so the reliance on adults in their lives can be faded or at least minimized. I am currently researching readily available technologies (e.g., iPhones) to reduce the need for adult assistance when following schedules or completing tasks. For teachers, it is important that we find strategies that are effective and sustainable. When we find strategies that are both, teachers will be more likely to use them.