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Meet Our Special Education Faculty

Read all the faculty profiles here or jump to the faculty member you're interested in learning more about:

Cathy Apfel

Adjunct Faculty, capfel@fitchburgstate.edu

Graduate Courses Taught

  • Advanced Strategies for Teaching School-Age Children with Emotional and Behavioral Problems

Education

  • M.Ed., Special Education/Behavior Disorders, Georgia State University
  • B.A., English/Biology, New York University

Gail Cahill, Ed.D.

Adjunct Faculty, gcahill@fitchburgstate.edu

Graduate Courses Taught

  • Assessment, Curriculum, Strategies in Reading Language Arts: Part I and Part II
  • Assessment Practices for Students with Special Needs
  • Assessment Strategies in the Content Areas
  • Creating a Positive Learning Environment
  • Differentiating Content Instruction in Inclusive Classroom
  • Foundations of Education for Special Educators
  • Reflective Teaching
  • Research Application Seminar
  • Understanding Disability and Diversity
  • Working with Individuals with Disabilities

Research Interests/Areas of Expertise

  • “Best” teaching practices
  • Differentiating instruction
  • Reading in the content areas
  • School leadership

Education

  • Ed.D., Educational Leadership, UMA-Lowell
  • M.Ed., School Psychology and Counseling, UMA-Boston
  • M.Ed., Reading and Language Development, Boston University
  • B.S., Elementary Education and Special Education, Fitchburg State University

Christopher Casavant, Ed.D.

Adjunct Faculty, ccasavan@fitchburgstate.edu

Graduate Courses Taught

  • Current Issues in Special Education
  • Dynamic Perspectives in Education

Research Interests/Areas of Expertise

  • Principal/Teacher evaluation
  • Education Administration
  • Special Education

Education

  • Ed.D., Educational Administration, Boston College
  • M.Ed., Special Education, Boston College
  • B.S., Special Education, Fitchburg State University

Publications

  • Casavant, Collins, Faginski-Stark, McCandless, Tencza: Perceptions of Principal Evaluation Process and Performance Criteria (Dissertation)

Stephen Celona

Adjunct Faculty, scelona@fitchburgstate.edu

Graduate Courses Taught

  • The High School Environment - Challenges in Educating Students with Disabilities

Education

  • M.A., Special Education, Assumption College
  • B.S., Elementary Education, Fitchburg State University

Linda Crumrine, M.S. Ed.

Adjunct Faculty, lcrumrin@fitchburgstate.edu

Graduate Courses Taught

  • Explicitly Teaching Comprehension Skills in the Classroom

Research Interests/Areas of Expertise

  • Learning disabilities
  • Private consultation
  • Student evaluation
  • Teacher training workshops

Education

  • M.S., Educational Leadership, University of Southern Maine
  • B.S., Special Education, Boston University

Publications

  • Publication of the PASS (Phonemic Awareness Skills Screening), PRO-ED Publishing Co. (February 2000)
  • Publication of the PLSS (Pre-Literacy Skills Screening), PRO-ED Publishing Co. (February 1999)

Hannah Dostal, Ph.D.

Visiting Assistant Professor, hdostal@fitchburgstate.edu

Graduate Courses Taught

  • Special Topics: Literacy and Deafness

Research Interests/Areas of Expertise

  • Developing students' first language through a second language writing intervention
  • Interactive writing in the middle grades
  • Pedagogical tools for purpose and audience during writing instruction
  • Examination of the spelling skills of middle school students who are deaf
  • Language transfer among deaf L2 writers

Education

  • Ph.D., Philosophy in Education, Literacy Studies, Deafness, University of Tennessee
  • M.S., Education, University of Tennessee
  • B.S., Education, Educational Interpreting & Human Services, University of Tennessee

Publications

  • Dostal, H., Gabriel, R. & Lester, J. (in press, 2012). Disabilities at work in school: A critical analysis of disability services and support for faculty at US colleges and universities. In K. Johnson and K Couture (Eds.), Disability Discrimination at Work. Williamstown: Piraeus Books.
  • Gabriel, R. & Dostal, H. (in press, 2013). Assessment for research among deaf and hard of hearing students. In C. Rhodes and K. Weiss (Eds.), Ethical issues in literacy research.
  • Lester, J., Dostal, H. 7 Gabriel, R. (in press, 2013). Policing neurodiversity in higher education: A discourse analysis of the talk surrounding accommodations for university students. Ethics & Neurodiversity. Newcastle: Cambridge Scholars Press.
  • Gabriel, R. & Dostal, H. (2012) "Reading and Deafness" (Book review) Reading & Writing: An interdisciplinary journal.
  • Wolbers, K., Dostal, H. & Bowers, L. (2012) I was born full deaf: An examination of written language outcomes across one year of Strategic and Interactive Writing Instruction (SIWI). Journal of Deaf Studies and Deaf Education. doi:10.1093/deafed/enro018
  • Wolbers, K., & Dostal, H. (2010). Interventions for the deaf and language delayed. In A. McGill-Franzen and R.L. Allington (Eds.), Handbook of reading disability research. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum, pp. 392-406.
  • Dean, R. K., Davis, J., Dostal, H., Graham, L.E., Hammond, L. & Hinchey, K. (2003). Training medically qualified interpreters: New approaches, new application, promising results. VIEWS, 20 (1), 10-12.

Brian Doyle

Adjunct Faculty, bdoyle4@fitchburgstate.edu

Graduate Courses Taught

  • Fundamentals of Applied Behavior Analysis

Education

  • Doctorate in Education, Management of Programs, Children and Youth Studies, Nova Southeastern University
  • Ed.S., Special Education, Behavioral Education, Simmons College
  • M.A., Health Care Administration, Framingham State College
  • B.A., Psychology and Social and Rehabilitative Services, Assumption College

Felicia Farron-Davis, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, ffarrondavis@fitchburgstate.edu

Graduate Courses Taught

  • Program Development in the Functional Domains
  • Consultation and Collaboration

Research Interests/Areas of Expertise

  • Inclusion of students with severe disabilities
  • Qualitative and quantitative research
  • Collaboration with families
  • Sheltered English instruction
  • Program development in the functional areas
  • Diversity

Education

  • Ph.D, University of California Berkeley
  • M.Ed, Education, San Francisco State University
  • B.A., San Francisco State University

Publications

  • Farron-Davis, F. (1998). Member Districts Provide a "Snapshot" of Diploma Granting Policies for
  • Students with Disabilities. Urban Special Education Research Briefs. Urban Special Education Leadership Collaborative, Newton, MA, 1 (1), 1-4.
  • Hunt, P., Farron-Davis, F., Wrenn, M., Hirose-Hatae, A., & Goetz, L. (1997).Contextual arrangements to promote interactive partnerships. Journal of The
  • Association for Persons with Severe Handicaps, 22 (3), 127-137.
  • Hunt, P., Alwell, M., Farron-Davis, F., & Goetz, L. (1996). Creating socially supportive environments for fully included students who experience multiple disabilities. Journal of The Association for Persons with Severe Disabilities. 21(3), 53-71.
  • Hunt, P., Farron-Davis, F., Beckstead, S., Curtis, D., & Goetz, L (1994). Evaluating the effects of placement of students with severe disabilities in regular education versus special classes. Journal of The Association for Persons with Severe Disabilities, 19(3), 200—214.
  • Hunt, P., & Farron-Davis, F. (1992). Engagement scale. San Francisco: California Research Institute, San Francisco State University.
  • Hunt, P., & Farron-Davis, F. (1992). A preliminary investigation of IEP quality and content associated with placement in general versus special education classes. Journal of The Association for Persons with Severe Disabilities, 17(4), 247—253.
  • Hunt, P., Haring, K., Farron-Davis, F., Staub, D., Rogers, J., Beckstead, S., Karasoff, P., Goetz, L., & Sailor, W. (1992). Factors associated with the integrated educational placement of students with severe disabilities. Journal of The Association for Persons with Severe Disabilities.
  • Haring, K., Farron-Davis, F., Karasoff, T., Zeph, L., Goetz, L., & Sailor, W. (1992). LRE and the placement of students with severe disabilities. Journal of The Association for Persons with Severe Handicaps.
  • Halvorsen, A., Doering, K., Farron-Davis, F., Usilton, R., & Sailor, W. (1989). The role of parents and family members in planning severely disabled students’ transition from school. In G. Singer & L.K. Irving (Eds.), Support for caregiving families. Baltimore: Paul H. Brookes.
  • Hunt, P., Alwell, M., Farron-Davis, F., Wrenn, M., & Goetz, L. (1996). Promoting interactive partnerships: Contextual arrangements in inclusive educational settings. San Francisco State University: Friendship and Learning Project, California Research Institute

Kathryn Garcia

Visiting Professor, kgarcia@fitchburgstate.edu

Graduate Courses Taught

  • Reflective Teaching
  • Topics: Advanced Assessment Strategies for Special Educators

Education

  • M.Ed., Special Education, Fitchburg State College
  • B.S., Special Education (K-9) and Elementary Education, Fitchburg State College

Gerald Gaw

Adjunct Faculty, ggaw@fitchburgstate.edu

Graduate Courses Taught

  • Assessment, Curriculum, Strategies for Math ( 5-12)
  • Inclusion of Students with Disabilities in Regular Education

Education

  • M.S., Applied Mathematics, Worcester State College
  • M.Ed., Leadership and Administration, Worcester State College
  • B.S., Education, Worcester State College

Kathleen Grossi

Adjunct Faculty, kgrossi@fitchburgstate.edu

Graduate Courses TaughtKathleen Grossi

  • Assessment of Basic Writing Skills and Writing Disabilities
  • Reading and Writing Methods for Secondary Students
  • Advanced Remediation of Basic Language and Reading Skills
  • Reading Specialist Practicum

Research Interests/Areas of Expertise

  • Classroom

Education

  • M.Ed., Special Education:Moderate Disabilities: Reading Specialist, Fitchburg State College
  • M.Ed., Elementary Education, 1-6, Lesley University
  • B.S., Psychology, Fitchburg State College

Melissa Brown Hopkins, M.Ed, C.A.G.S., NCSP

Adjunct Professor, mbrown10@fitchburgstate.edu

Graduate Courses Taught

  • Assessment/Strategies for Students with Disabilities

Education

  • C.A.G.S., School Psychology, University of Massachusetts Amherst
  • M.Ed., School Psychology, University of Massachusetts Amherst
  • B.A., Psychology, University of Connecticut

Anne M. Howard, Ph.D.

Professor, anhoward@fitchburgstate.edu

Current Positionsa howard

  • Chair of the Graduate Program in Severe Disabilities
  • Co-Chair of the Reading Specialist Program

Graduate Courses Taught

  • Behavior Analysis and Support for Students with Severe Disabilities
  • Services and Supports from Birth through Adulthood
  • Physical and Medical Aspects of Working with Students with Disabilities
  • Research Application Seminar
  • Guided Studies: Action Research
  • Current Issues in Special Education
  • Practicum Severe Disabilities

Research Interests/Areas of Expertise

  • Senior Research Associate, INSTITUTE FOR HEALTH POLICY, Heller School, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA. 1989-1992. Developed research and policy analysis projects, obtained funding, and conducted projects on health care for persons with developmental disabilities, and the structure and performance of Medicaid managed care programs.
  • Senior Research Associate, STARR CENTER FOR MENTAL RETARDATION, Heller School, Brandeis University, Waltham, MA, 1990 - 1992. Assisted in preparation of marketing materials for student recruitment, development of seminar series and reviewed papers submitted for publication.
  • Research Associate, SHRIVER CENTER for Mental Retardation, Waltham, MA, 1988-1990. Developed and conducted applied social science research projects pertaining to community-based services for persons with mental retardation and other developmental disabilities. Participated in training of professionals to work with children with developmental disabilities.

Education

  • Ph.D., Social Policy, Concentration in developmental disabilities, Brandeis University
  • M.Ed., Special Education, Severe Special Needs, Boston College
  • B.S., Physical Therapy, University of Connecticut

Publications

  • Francis, E., Joseph, R., Howard, A.M., (August 2003). Understanding and Implementing Inclusion: A practical guide for classroom teachers. Norwood, MA: Christopher-Gordon Publishers, Inc.
  • Allard, M.A., Howard, A.M., Vorderer, L., & Wells, A.I. (Eds.)(1999). Ahead of his time: Selected speeches of Gunnar Dybwad. Washington, D.C.: American Association on Mental Retardation.
  • Pulcini, J. & Howard, A.M. (1997). Framework for analyzing health care models serving adults with mental retardation and other developmental disabilities. Mental Retardation, 35(3), 209-217.
  • Stokes, S.H. & Howard, A.M. (Summer 1996). One Model for Supporting Inclusion: A Year-Long Institute for Teams of School Personnel and Parents. Journal of Staff Development, 18-26. Book Review-Health Care Financing for Severe Developmental Disabilities, by A. Biernbaum, D. Guyot, & H.J. Cohen in: Disabilities Studies Quarterly, Summer 1991, 11(3).
  • Howard, A.M. (1991). Financing health care for youth and adults with developmental disabilities. In E. Eklund (Ed.), Health Care for Youth and Adults with Developmental Disabilities: Policies and Partnerships, (pp. 63-73). Silver Spring, MD: American Association of University Affiliated Programs.
  • Howard, A.M., Rebeck, A.C. & Allard, M.A. (1990). Communicating for Health: A Residential Resource Manual and Training Videotape, and Communicating for Health: A Family Resource Manual. Waltham, MA: Shriver Center.
  • Howard, A.M. & Roxborough, J. (1989). Communication improves care. Exceptional Physician - Newsletter for physicians who treat people with developmental disabilities and special health care needs, 1(1), 5.
  • Howard, A.M. (1986). Physicians, occupational therapists, and physical therapists: Professional preparation and practice trends in serving individuals with developmental disabilities. Totline - Publication of the American Physical Therapy Association Section on Pediatrics, 12(3), 13-19.
  • Krauss, M.W., Seltzer, M.M., Howard, A.M., Litchfield, L., & Post, D. (1986). A national directory of programs serving elderly mentally retarded persons. Waltham, MA: Florence Heller Graduate School, Brandeis University.

Gayle Irwin

Instructor, girwin@fitchburgstate.edu

Graduate Courses Taught

  • Specialized Reading Approaches

Education

  • M.S., Education, Language and Literacy in Special Education, Simmons College
  • B.S., Elementary Education K-8, Mild to Moderate Special Needs, N-9, Fitchburg State College

Kimberly R. Jones, Ed.D.

Adjunct Faculty, kjones32@fitchburgstate.edu

“ I became a special educator because of volunteer work I did in high school. I became friends with the most amazing girl who was my age. Our friendship changed her high school experience. We went to pep rallies together, sat in the cafeteria together and even walked in our graduation together. What she didn’t know is that she changed my life not just my four years of high school. I knew that, because of her, I wanted to be part of a profession that was committed to treating all people with respect and dignity and to be part of a change towards making all students feel included in their community.”
- Kimberly Jones

Graduate Courses TaughtKimberly Jones

  • Consultation and Collaborative Strategies
  • Research Application Seminar

Research Interests/Areas of Expertise

  • Severe special needs
  • Assistive Technology

Education

  • M.Ed., Special Education - Severe, Fitchburg State University

Ruth M. Joseph, Ed. D.

Adjunct Associate Professor, rjoseph@fitchburgstate.edu

Current Position

Principal, Sandwich Public Schools

Graduate Courses Taught

  • Differentiating Instruction in the Inclusive Classroom

Research Interests/Areas of Expertise

  • Reading

Education

  • Ed.D., Reading/Language Arts, University of Massachusetts at Lowell

Erik Lerdal, M.A., B.C.B.A.

Visiting Professor, elerdal@fitchburgstate.edu

Graduate Courses Taught

  • Ethical Issues and Collaboration

Research Interests/Areas of Expertise

  • Verbal behavior
  • Organizational behavior management
  • Behavioral economics
  • Entrepreneurship

Education

  • M.A., Behavioral Analysis, Autism and Organizational Behavior Management, Western Michigan University
  • B.A., Economics and Business, Japanese Language (minor), Kalamazoo College

Darlene Patten Louchart

Visiting Professor, dlouchar@fitchburgstate.edu

Graduate Courses Taught

  • Family Involvement in Early Childhood Education

Education

  • M.Ed., Special Education, Fitchburg State College
  • B.S., Special Education and Elementary Education, Fitchburg State College

Melissa McCarthy

Adjunct Faculty, mmccar44@fitchburgstate.edu

Graduate Courses Taught

  • Foundations of Education
  • Foundations of Education: Theory and Practice

Education

  • M.Ed., Special Education (PK-8), Fitchburg State College
  • B.S., Moderate Disabilities Education (PK-8) and Elementary Education (1-6), Fitchburg State College
  • B.S., Psychology, Fitchburg State College

Melissa Mulvey

Adjunct Professor, mmulvey1@fitchburgstate.edu

“ My interest in special education began after a high school science teacher took the time out of our honors biology class to bring us to the special education class. We thought we were there to make cookies… we were there to build relationships. That day, the teacher said that he would “change lives with this visit” because at least one of the bio students would become an educator… it turns out he was talking to me. That day, I met some of students and began volunteering regularly in the class. Some students were not able to communicate well, and I wanted to know more. I ended up job-shadowing the speech-language pathologist. ”- Melissa Mulvey

Graduate Courses TaughtMelissa Mulvey

  • Augmentative and Alternative Communication

Research Interests/Areas of Expertise

  • Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) and Assistive Technology (AT) for education

Education

  • M.S., Worcester State College
  • B.S., University of Maine at Farmington

Nancy L. Murray, Ed.D.

Associate Professor, nmurray5@fitchburgstate.edu

“ Teaching children gives us the opportunity to touch their lives in a positive way that will impact them forever. Don't ever minimize the influence you can have on a child, for this opportunity is the most precious gift that teaching has to offer.”- Nancy Murray

Current PositionsNancy Murray with students in Italy

  • Chair of the Graduate Program in Moderate Disabilities
  • Co-Chair of the Reading Specialist Program

Graduate Courses Taught

  • Emotional, Behavioral, and Autism Spectrum Disorders
  • Curriculum and Strategies in Reading/Language Arts

Research Interests/Areas of Expertise

  • Autism spectrum disorders
  • Functions of behavior
  • Differentiating instruction for all students

Nancy is currently writing a book, "Break Down the Barriers”

Abstract:
The underlying philosophy that children want to learn and be positive participants in the classroom community spirals throughout this book while tools and strategies are shared to help them be successful in this journey.
The overriding purpose is to provide teachers with useful tools and strategies to assist students with disabilities in accessing the curriculum by providing supports that break down challenging barriers. These challenging barriers include not only students’ academic needs, but also their communicative and social needs in order to create a safe, caring, learning environment for all students.

Education

  • Ed.D., University of Massachusetts
  • M.Ed., Special Education, Fitchburg State University
  • B.S., Special Education and Elementary Education, Fitchburg State University

Meg O'Hearn-Curran, Ph.D.

Adjunct Faculty, mcurran@fitchburgstate.edu

Current Position

Principal, Johnny Appleseed School Leominster, MAMeg O'Hearn-Curran

Graduate Courses Taught

  • Psychology of Reading, Development and Reading Disabilities
  • Assessment Strategies for Students with Disabilities

Research Interests/Areas of Expertise

  • Assessment of Learning Outcomes
  • Preventing Reading Difficulties
  • Assessment Strategies for Students with Disabilities

Education

  • Ph.D., Counseling and School Psychology

Maryann Perry

Adjunct Faculty, mperry8@fitchburgstate.edu

Graduate Courses Taught

  • Topics: Literacy for All
  • Reading Specialist: Leadership Roles
  • Reading Specialist Practicum Seminar

Education

  • C.A.G.S., Supervisor/Administrator Elementary, Fitchburg State College
  • Initial Certification, Principal/Assistant Principal, Worcester State College
  • M.Ed., Young Children with Special Needs (3-7 years old), Fitchburg State College
  • B.S., Children with Moderate Special Needs (N-9)/Elementary (K-8), Fitchburg State College

Margaret Reed, Ed.D.

Associate Professor, mreed17@fitchburgstate.edu

Graduate Courses Taught

  • Special Education and the Law

Education

  • Ed.D, Educational Administration, Clark University
  • M.A., Psychology/Counseling, Framingham State College
  • B.S., Elementary Education, Marylhurst College

Loy Dona Riley, MS, CCC-SLP

Adjunct Faculty, lriley1@fitchburgstate.edu

“ Working with parents and relatives and outside agencies and community members is all part of the job that I find very rewarding. I would like to think my work has impacted others favorably. Parents and students come to us in need and to be part of the process that helps them is a huge deal. When the system works, there is nothing quite like it. ”- Loy Dona Riley

Loy Dona RileyGraduate Courses Taught

  • Language Development, Differences and Disabilities
  • Understanding the Structure of the English Language

Research Interests/Areas of Expertise

  • Specialize in assessing limited or non-English speaking students for language/learning disabilities
  • Managing special education programs in the public school setting
  • Working with Spanish-speaking families in the public schools
  • Second language acquisition issues
  • Assessing English language learners
  • Using ethnographical approaches in assessing English language learners
  • Cultural influences on learning.

Education

  • M.S., Speech/Language Pathology, University of Rhode Island
  • B.S., Speech Science, University of Rhode Island
  • ABD, NOVA University for Management of Programs for Youth and Family Services

Annmarie Sargent

Visiting Professor, sargenta@clinton.k12.ma.us or a21sargent@gmail.com

Current Position

Principal, Clinton Middle School Grades 4 - 8Annmarie Sargent

Graduate Courses Taught

  • Assessment, Curriculum, Strategies for Math (Pre-K to 8)

Research Interests/Areas of Expertise

  • How to improve Math MCAS scores
  • Finding ways to best reach students so they are successful in school

Education

  • M.S., Framingham State College
  • M.S., Fitchburg State College
  • B.S., Westfield State College

Robert Shapiro, Ph.D., BCBA-D

Adjunct Faculty, rshapir3@fitchburgstate.edu

Current Position

  • Graduate Chair of the Behavior Analyst Certificate Program

Graduate Courses TaughtRobert Shapiro

  • Positive Behavioral Support for Students with Disabilities

Certification

  • Board Certified Behavior Analyst-Doctorate

Education

  • Ph.D., Applied Behavior Analysis, Simmons College
  • Ed.D., Behavioral Education, Simmons College
  • M.S., Counseling/Psychology, Fitchburg State College
  • B.A., Psychology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst

Publications

  • Cameron, M.J., Shapiro, R.L., & Ainsleigh, S.A. (2005). Bicycle riding: Pedaling made possible through positive behavioral interventions. Journal of Positive Behavior Support, 7, 153-158.

Katherine Denham Smith, M.Ed., BCBA

Visiting Instructor, ksmith84@fitchburgstate.edu

Current Position

BCBA (Board Certified Behavior Analyst) with Lexington Public Schools

Graduate Courses Taught

  • Positive Behavioral Supports for Students with Disabilities
  • Positive Behavior Support for Students with Severe Disabilities
  • Integrating Behavior, Communications and Sensory Strategies to Meet the Needs of Those with Disabilities

Research Interests/Areas of Expertise

  • Applied behavior analysis in the public school setting
  • Adolescents with autism
  • Verbal behavior

Certification

  • Board Certified Behavior Analyst (via BACB)
  • Teacher of students with moderate disabilities, grades PreK-8 (DESE)
  • Teacher of students with severe disabilities (DESE)

Education

  • Graduate certificate in behavioral intervention in autism, University of Massachusetts at Lowell
  • M.Ed., Special Education (severe), Fitchburg State University
  • Initial licensure program, teacher of students with moderate disabilities, Regis College
  • B.A., Psychology, Emmanuel College

Annette Sullivan, Ed.D.

Assistant Professor, asulli15@fitchburgstate.edu

Graduate Courses Taught

  • Reading and Writing in the Content Areas
  • Content Area Reading and Writing: Fostering Literacy in Middle School & High School
  • Advanced Social Studies

Research Interests/Areas of Expertise

  • Student Writing

Education

  • Ed.D., Language Arts and Literacy, University of Massachusetts Lowell
  • M.A., Elementary Education, Fitchburg State College
  • B.S., Elementary Education, Salem State College
  • A.D., Applied Science in Nursing, Fulton-Montgomery Community College

Dina A. Traniello

Visiting Assistant Professor & Educational Consultant, dtraniell@fitchburgstate.edu

Graduate Courses TaughtDina

  • Positive Behavior Supports for Students with Disabilities
  • Managing Behavior in the Inclusive Classroom (DESE grant-funded)
  • Practicum Severe Disabilities
  • Creating and Sustaining Positive School-wide Learning Environments (Massachusetts Focus Academy)

Research Interests/Areas of Expertise

  • Including students with challenging behaviors into general education settings
  • Positive behavior supports
  • Training paraprofessionals

Publications

  • Brown, F., & Traniello, D.A. (2011). The Path to Aversive Interventions: Four Mothers’ Perceptions. Research and Practice for Persons with Severe Disabilities, 35(3), 128-136.
  • Traniello, D.A., & Engel, M. (2010). Advocacy to Stop the Use of Contingent Electric Shock: Where Do We Go From Here? Invited article for TASH Connections. Vol 36 (3).

Education

  • Ed. D. Special Education, School of Education, Boston University
  • M. P. H. School of Public Health, Boston University
  • B. A. in Individual Concentration (B.D.I.C.), University of Massachusetts, Amherst
  • Certificate of Completion Evidence-based practices for ASD: Training and article review. The National Professional Development Center on Autism Spectrum Disorders

Karen Waddill

Adjunct Faculty, kwaddill@fitchburgstate.edu

Graduate Courses TaughtKaren Waddill

  • Augmentative & Alternative Communication
  • Assistive Technology for Students with Moderate to Severe Disabilities

Research Interests/Areas of Expertise

  • Augmentative Communication
  • Computer Based Instruction in the Classroom
  • Customizing Instruction
  • Alternative Access
  • Physical Motor Disabilities

Education

  • M.A. Communicative Disorders and Sciences, State University of New York
  • B.S. Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, University of Wyoming

Antoinette Willis

Adjunct Faculty, awillis@fitchburgstate.edu

Graduate Courses Taught

  • Behavioral Analysis and Intervention in Applied Settings

Research Interests/Areas of Expertise

  • Behavior specialist

Education

  • Board Certified Behavior Analyst
  • M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis, Northeastern University
  • B.S. Psychology with specialization in Neuro-psychology, University of Massachusetts Amherst