Top Education Authors

Co-Director
Technical Assistance Alliance for Parent Centers

Ms. Barrett holds a BS in Speech and Hearing Sciences from Bradley University, Peoria, IL. She attended California State University for graduate studies in speech therapy and is an advocate for persons with disabilities. In 1997, Ms. Barrett became co-director of the Technical Assistance Alliance for Parent Centers Project, which provides technical assistance to all parent training and information centers and community parent resource centers. Presently Ms. Barrett serves on numerous policy making and advisory boards including the Howard University Research and Training Center Advisory, the Beacons Project Advisory, and Frasier Community Services.

Principal Deputy Director
Centers for Disease Control – Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry

Ileana Arias, PhD, serves as Principal Deputy Director for CDC and ATSDR. In this role, she serves as the principal advisor to the director on all scientific and programmatic activities of CDC/ATSDR. Dr. Arias is responsible for advising the director in the executive responsibilities of shaping policies and plans for CDC/ATSDR, including overseeing the organizational improvement activities.Previously, she served as acting director of the Center and was the chief of the Etiology and Surveillance Branch in NCIPC’s Division of Violence Prevention.

University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

President and CEO
Search Institute

Peter L. Benson, PhD, earned a master and doctorate in experimental social psychology, with a concentration in child development, from the University of Denver. He also received his Master’s from Yale in Scientific Study of Religion. He is currently the president and CEO of Minneapolis-based Search Institute, which is one of the world’s leading authorities on positive human development. He weaves together rigorous scholarship with a passionate commitment to understanding and influencing society to be more attentive to children and adolescents. Dr. Benson is the author of more than 100 articles and chapters in scientific journals and edited books. He has published in Developmental Psychology, The Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, The Journal of Adolescence, and The Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, The Journal of Community Psychology, The Journal of Social Issues, The Journal of Primary Prevention, and Applied Developmental Science. Due to his work, Dr. Benson had received the prestigious William James Award, and was selected as the Distinguished Youth Development Scholar by Tufts University.

Professor and Program Leader of Special Education
Virginia Tech

Dr. Bonnie S. Billingsley teaches in both the teacher preparation and doctoral programs at Virginia Tech. She has authored numerous articles on teacher retention, commitment, and the support of new teachers. Her research findings have been cited in refereed journals as well as national newsletters read by policy-makers. Her recent book, Cultivating and Keeping Committed Special Educators, synthesizes the research on special education teacher retention and provides a leader’s framework for cultivating teacher quality and retention in special education.

Research Assistant Professor of Special Education
Peabody College, Vanderbilt University

Zina Amelia Yzquierdo, PhD, received her doctorate from the University of New Mexico. She is currently a Research Assistant Professor of Special Education and Member of the John F. Kennedy Center for Research on Human Development. She is a module developer for the IRIS Center for Faculty Enhancement, funded by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Programs. Dr. Yzquierdo’s recent publications include “The Relationship Between Cultural Diversity and the Special Education Workforce”, “Language Appropriate Assessments for Determining Eligibility of English Language Learners for Special Education Services”, and “Diversifying the Workforce: A research synthesis”.

Syracuse City School District
Co-Chair, Central New York School Violence Prevention Network

Jim Wright is currently a Special Education administrator in a suburban school district in Central New York. He is presently a program developer and staff trainer for the School-Based Intervention Team (SBIT) Project for the Syracuse City School District. He also serves as the Co-Chair of the Central New York School Violence Prevention Network, an affiliation of school- and community-based professionals who meet monthly to share strategies for ensuring that schools remain safe places to learn.

Associate Professor of Special Education
Vanderbilt University

Joseph Wehby, Ph.D, received his doctorate from Vanderbilt University. His research area of interest includes children and youth with behavior disorders, observational assessment, functional assessment of aggressive behavior and risk factors in the development of problem behavior. Dr. Wehby’s recent publications include, “Journal of Behavioral Education”, Remedial and Special Education”, and “Journal of Emotional and Behavioral Disorders”. He has received The Everett W. Hill Teaching Award in Special Education, Peabody College at Vanderbilt University and the Vanderbilt Opportunity Development Office, Affirmation Action Award.

Educational Consultant
New Mexico Public Education Department

Ginger Blalock is an educational consultant in the area of career development and transition for youth with special needs, currently serving as facilitator for the NMPED-funded Transition Outcomes Project and Statewide Transition Coordinating Council, advisory board member for Lifework Learning Division of N.M. Technet, and educational consultant for the NM Dept. of Workforce Solutions’ WIRED (Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development) Project. She is a retired professor of the Special Education Program at the University of New Mexico. Her areas of research and development have primarily focused on preparing youth with special needs for adult life activities.

Director for the Center of Urban Education
University of Alabama at Birmingham

Deborah L. Voltz completed her doctorate at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and the University of Louisville. She is currently the director of the Center for Urban Education at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She has extensive experience in planning and implementing professional development for teachers in urban schools. She recently implemented Project Smile: The Standards Movement and the Inclusion of Learners with Exceptionalities in Birmingham City Schools. Dr. Voltz’s research interests include urban teacher preparation and the inclusion of students with disabilities in diverse, standards-based classrooms.

Professor, College of Behavioral and Community Sciences
University of South Florida

Randy Borum, PhD, earned his doctorate from Florida Institute of Technology. He is currently a Professor in the College of Behavioral and Community Sciences at the University of South Florida, where he holds a joint appointment in the College of Public Health. His recent publications include “Understanding Terrorist Psychology” and “Psychology of Terrorism”.

Professor of Education
Augustana College

Steve Van Bockern is a professor of education at Augustana College in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He also serves as president of Reclaiming Youth International, a nonprofit organization that advocates for at-risk youth and conducts training and seminars internationally on creating environments that reclaim troubled and troubling youth.

President and CEO, WORKS International, Inc.
Ph.D. Mechanical Engineering, University of Cincinnati

As President and CEO of WORKS International, Steve Temming is actively involved in developing practical, school-based training and regulatory compliance solutions for educational institutions. With more than 30 years of experience working for or in public school districts (including an administrator for Cincinnati Public Schools), Dr. Temming has experienced first-hand the challenges of the public school environment, including staff training, regulatory compliance, and staff/student safety. Prior to Cincinnati Public Schools, Dr. Temming was president of a professional consulting firm and on the faculty of the University of Cincinnati.

Assistant Professor, Nursing
Regis University

Pamella Stoeckel, PhD, earned her doctorate in Education at Colorado State University. She is currently an Assistant Professor of Nursing at Regis University. Her clinical expertise is in Obstetrical and Pediatric Nursing and she also holds a Family Nurse Practitioner certificate. Recent publications include “Reflective Leadership of Selected Community College Presidents”, “Rural Distance Learning Project HRSA Grant”, and “School Nurse Role in Care of the Disabled Child”.

Commercial Carpet Maintenance Chairman, Arnold, MD

Professor, Special Education, School of Educational Studies, Claremont Graduate University
Director, IRIS-West

Deborah Deutsch Smith is the principal investigator of a national evaluation effort, Special Education Faculty Needs Assessment (SEFNA) and the co-principal investigator of the IRIS Center for Training Enhancements. For 12 years, Dr. Smith directed the highly successful Alliance Project, a national technical assistance effort funded by OSEP to help faculty working at special education and related services personnel preparation programs housed at minority colleges and universities. Dr. Smith has authored over eleven major textbooks, and has written over 31 chapters and book supplements, 50 refereed articles, and many instructional materials for children. Since 1984, Deborah has served on the Board of Trustees for Pitzer College, Claremont Colleges, and was recognized as a Life Trustee in 2003.

Psychologist

Larry Brendtro, PhD, received his doctorate from the University of Michigan from the combined program in Education and Psychology with additional studies in Social Work. Brendtro is currently the Dean of Starr Commonwealth Institute for Training and senior editor of Reclaiming Children and Youth. His recent publications include “The Developmental Audit: Strength Based Assessments with Kids in Conflict”, “Deep Brain Learning: Pathways to Potential with Challenging Youth”, and “The Resilience Revolution: Discovering Strengths in Challenging Kids”.

Health and Science Reporter

Tiffany Sharples O’Callaghan is a political and health issues reporter for the Time and Time.com. She is based in Seattle. Her work has appeared on CNN.com, in Budget Travel, Chicago Parent, the Chicago Defender, Chicago Tribune’s ReyEye and other publications.

Professor, Educational Leadership
Virginia Commonwealth University

Charol Shakeshaft, professor of foundations, leadership and policy studies, was contracted by the U.S. Department of Education to report on educator sexual misconduct. Her findings were released in June 2004 and received worldwide media coverage. The literature search and secondary analysis of national data by Dr. Shakeshaft examined the incidence and prevalence of abuse, patterns of misconduct, and prevention strategies, among other items. Required under the No Child Left Behind Act, the report is the first to analyze the field of research on educator sexual misconduct.

Applied Developmental Researcher
Search Institute

Art Sesma, PhD, received his doctorate in Child Psychology from the Institute of Child Development at the University of Minnesota. He is currently a researcher and instructor specializing in the areas of conceptualization and measurement of developmental assets, social development in middle school and adolescence, risk and resilience models for children at risk, and developmental theory. Recent publications include “Internalization, Autonomy, and Relationships: Development during Adolescence”, “Studies of Children Homeless in Minnesota: A Report for the Community”, and “Educational Risks for Children Experiencing Homelessness”.

Senior Fellow
Search Institute

Peter Scales, PhD, received his doctorate and masters in child development and family relations from Syracuse University. Dr. Scales is currently a developmental psychologist, author, speaker and researcher and is widely recognized as one of the nation’s foremost authorities on children, youth and families. His expertise lies in the areas of adolescent development, family life, effective schools and healthy communities. He serves on the editorial board for Middle School Journal and Child Welfare and has published more than 200 articles in scientific and practitioner journals, such as the Journal of Early Adolescence, Applied Developmental Science, Youth Policy, Journal of Health Education, American School Board Journal, and the Journal of School Health. Dr. Scales has received numerous rewards including the Hedley S. Dimock Award, Educational Press Association of America Award for Excellence in Educational Journalism, Arctic Alliance for People Public Service Award, and U.S. Administration for Children, Youth and Families Commissioner Award.

Associate Professor or Special Education
University of Northern Colorado

Robin Brewer, EdD, received her doctorate in Special Education from the University of Northern Colorado. Dr. Brewer is currently an Associate Professor of Special Education in the School of Special Education at the University of Northern Colorado. Her research interests and specializations include teacher quality and new teacher’s dispositions; effective school-based practices for working with students with autism; and inclusive education practices for students with significant support needs. Some recent publications include “The Dispositions Improvement Process: Know When to Hold ‘em and When to Fold ‘em”, “Quick Strategies for Working with Students with Autism”, and “The Role and Legal Responsibilities of the School Nurse When Working with Students with Disabilities”.

Product Maintenance Specialist
Shaw Industries, Inc. Dalton, GA

Associate Dean for Research; Professor
John Hopkins University

Michael S. Rosenberg completed his doctoral work at Penn State University, and was recently a Fulbright Fellow at Saint Patrick’s College in Dublin, Ireland. He is currently an Associate Dean for Research, in the School of Education and a Professor in the Department of Special Education in the School of Education at Johns Hopkins University. Dr. Rosenberg has designed and implemented a comprehensive behavior management model (PAR) for educational settings. He is the co-editor of Teacher Education and Special Education, the journal of the Teacher Education Division of the Council for Exceptional Children. He is also the co-author of five textbooks: Inclusion: Effective Practices for All Students, Special Education for Today’s Teachers, Educating Students with Behavior Disorders, Student Teacher to Master Teacher, and The Special Education Sourcebook. Dr. Rosenberg was a recipient of the 2007 TED/Merrill Teacher of Excellence Award.

Vice President
Search Institute

Eugene Roehlkepartain has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and Religion from Baylor University. He is currently in the Education, Curriculum, and Instruction doctoral program at the University of Minnesota with a specialization in Family, Youth, and Community. He is currently Search Institute’s vice president. Roehlkepartain is responsible for the overall strategic leadership for the nonprofit organization. Roehlkepartain has written or edited more than 25 books and 200 popular and academic articles for various newspapers, magazines, and journals on youth development, families and parenting, community building, spiritual development, and related issues. Some of his major publications include Spiritual Development: New Directions for Youth Development, Beyond needs assessments: Identifying a community’s resources and hopes, and Is There Common Ground? An Exploratory Study of the Interest and Needs of Community-Based and Faith-Based Youth Workers.

Division of Epidemiology, Services and Prevention Research
National Institute on Drug Abuse

Dr. Robertson is Chief of the Prevention Research Branch in the Division of Epidemiology, Services and Prevention Research at NIDA. Her priorities for the Branch have been to create a developmental focus from early childhood to adulthood, to expand intervention contexts (e.g., the family and the media), and to develop basic prevention and prevention services research.

Associate Professor, College of Education
Austin Peay State University

Heraldo Richards, PhD, earned his doctorate in learning disabilities from Northwestern University, Evanston. He is currently an associate professor of diversity education and coordinator of APSU’s Minority Teacher Education Program. Richards has made numerous scholarly presentations and obtained key research grants. He is a member of the National Association of Multicultural Education, American Educational Research Association, Council for Exceptional Children, Learning Disabilities Association and International Reading Association.

Chief Research Psychologist and Research Director
National Threat Assessment Center

Marisa Reddy, PhD, earned a Master’s degree and Doctorate’s Degree in Social Psychology from Princeton University. She is currently the chief research psychologist and research coordinator for the U.S. Secret Service National Threat Assessment Center. She directs all Secret Service research on targeted violence and threat assessment and has served as co-director of the Secret Service Safe School Initiative, an operational analysis of school shootings in the U.S. conducted in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Education. Dr. Reddy is author of several publications, and serves on the editorial board of the Journal of Threat Assessment.

Office of Science Policy and Communications
National Institute on Drug Abuse

Dr. Rao is Health Scientist Administrator in the Science Policy Branch, Office of Science Policy and Communications at NIDA. Dr. Rao received her doctoral degree in clinical psychology with an emphasis on children, adolescents, and families at the University of Oregon. Her interests include prevention research, developmental psychopathology, and juvenile justice issues.

Director of the Centers for Men and Young Men at McLean Hospital
Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychology at Harvard Medical School
Professor, College of Behavioral and Community Sciences

Dr. William Pollack is the director of the Centers for Men and Young Men at McLean Hospital and an assistant clinical professor of psychology in the Department of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. For more than 25 years, Dr. Pollack has been involved in the study and creation of psychologically "safe climates" especially in the prevention of school violence. He has served on two US Presidential initiatives: The National Campaign Against Youth Violence and Helping America’s Youth; as consultant to the United States Secret Service, including its collaborative Safe Schools Initiative with the U.S. Department of Education; and the co-author of their Federal Guide on Threat Assessment in Schools and the creation and maintenance of Safe School Climates.

Associate Commissioner of the National Center for Education Statistics

Valena W. Plisko is the Associate Commissioner for the NCES (National Center for Education Statistics). Specialties are in Early Childhood, International and Crosscutting Studies.

Medical Epidemiologist
Division of Unintentional Injury Prevention, NCIPC

Leonard J. Paulozzi, MD, is a medical epidemiologist in the Division of Unintentional Injury Prevention of the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (NCIPC). His area of concentration is drug overdoses, especially those due to prescription drugs. Dr. Paulozzi has authored and coauthored more than 80 publications. He has been an author of papers that have won the Langmuir Prize and have been nominated three times for Shepard Awards.

Program Specialist
Center for Persons with Disabilities

Ed O’Leary, PhD, received his Doctorate from the University of Illinois in Vocational Technical Education/Special Needs (1991) and his Master’s degree in Special Education from Drake University. His most recent experiences include working as a Program Assistance Consultant for Mountain Plains Regional Resource Center for the past ten years; teaching graduate and undergraduate courses in special education and vocational rehabilitation; and delivering presentations, trainings, and workshops in a number of States across the nation. He has received distinguishing awards from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration on Developmental Disabilities, and Heartland Area Education Agency for leadership and exemplary professional practice and service delivery to students, parents, and professionals.

Associate Professor, Secondary Education
Western Washington University

Victor Nolet, PhD, is currently an Associate Professor in the Secondary Education Department at Western Washington University. His current research addresses the integration of sustainability education in the preservice preparation of teachers. His previous work focused on assessment policy in the preparation of teachers and outcome indicators in high-stakes standards-based assessment. Recent publications include “Collecting and Using Assessment Data for Ensuring Access to the General Education Curriculum” in Assessment for Effective Intervention (2006) and, with M. J. McLaughlin, Accessing the General Education Curriculum: Including Students With Disabilities in Standards-Based Reform (2nd ed.) published by Corwin Press (2005).

Program Faculty, Charter College of Education, Department of Orientation and Mobility
California State University

Brenda Naimy is a graduate of the CSLA O&M Specialist Training Program, where she earned her Master’s degree. She returned to California State Univeristy to assist in preparing specialists to teach independent travel to persons with visual impairments. Ms. Naimy’s direct teaching interests have included working with adults who are newly visually impaired, as well as with older adults dealing with age-related visual impairments. Past research publications of Ms. Naimy’s include “Creative Possibilities for Medicare Reimbursement in Providing O&M, RT, and LVT Services” and “Bridging the Gap in Providing Services to Students with Learning Disabilities”.

Associate Professor, School of Special Education
University of Northern Colorado

Tracy Mueller, PhD, received her doctorate in Special Education, Disabilities and Risk Studies, from the University of California. She is currently an Associate Professor in the School of Special Education at the University of Northern Colorado. Her research interests and specializations include Family-School Partnerships, Conflict Prevention and Alternative Dispute Resolution, Special Education Law, Positive Behavior Support, Students with Emotional and Behavioral Disorders, Students with Autism, and Teacher Quality. Recent publications include “An Examination of Special Education Due Process Hearings”, and “Implementing Professional Development for Teaching Students with Autism: Perspectives Straight from the Educators.” Dr. Mueller has received the College of Education and Behavorial Sciences Outstanding Teaching Award, Colorado Region Best Buddies Faculty Advisor of the Year School/Program Excellence in Scholarship, and Mortar Board Favorite Professor.

Associate Assistant Deputy Secretary
US Dept. of Education – Office of Safe and Drug Free Schools

William Modzeleski earned a Masters of Public Administration from C.W. Post College. He is currently the Associate Assistant Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Safe and Drug Free Schools. In this role, Mr. Modzeleski is involved in the design and development of drug and alcohol prevention programs, violence prevention programs, and activities especially as they affect the school and in school health-related issues. He has authored an article on Creating Safe Schools (Education and Urban Society, Vol. 28 No. 4, August 1996, Sage Publications, Inc.), and co-authored an article on School Associated Violent Deaths in the United Sates, 1992 to 1994 (Journal of the American Medical Association, June 12, 1996 Volume 275).

Associate Professor
Department Chair, Teacher Education
University of New Mexico

Rosalita Mitchell, PhD, earned a doctorate in Multicultural Teacher and Childhood Education from the University of New Mexico. Dr. Rosalita Mitchell served as an English and Latin high school teacher in Texas and New Mexico for 21 years. She was named a Chester C. Travelstead Distinguished Fellow in Teacher Education in 2008.

Assistant Professor, Department of Counseling and Educational Development
University of North Carolina-Greensboro

Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Education, Dept. of Special Education
University of Maryland

Margaret McLaughlin, PhD, received her doctorate at the University of Virginia. She is currently a Professor in the Department of Special Education and Associate Director of the Institute for the Study of Exceptional Children and Youth. Dr. McLaughlin’s research focuses on special education policy. Dr. McLaughlin’s research includes investigation of the impact of education reform in students with disabilities and special education programs. Dr. McLaughlin is also involved in conducting several policy research efforts both in the U.S. as well as internationally.

Chair Administrator,
American Self Harm Information Clearing House (ASHIC)
Deborah Martinson is an American psychologist with an interest in self-harming practices. She is the Chair Administrator of the American Self Harm Information Clearing House (ASHIC).

Author
Limiting escalation / de-escalation. Conflict Transformation. (2004)

Michelle Maiese is a graduate student of Philosophy at the University of Colorado, Boulder and is a part of the research staff at the Conflict Research Consortium.

Epidemiologist
Division of Violence Prevention, NCIPC

Rebecca T. Leeb, PhD, is an epidemiologist in the Division of Violence Prevention at the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (NCIPC). Her area of focus is research related to child maltreatment.

Dr. Leeb has been with the Division of Violence Prevention since she began her career at CDC in 2002. She is the author of the CDC publication, Child Maltreatment Surveillance Uniform Definitions for Public Health and Recommended Data Elements, and has presented and authored various papers on risk and protective factors for child maltreatment.

Associate Professor of Special Education
Peabody College, Vanderbilt University

Kathleen Lynne Lane, PhD, received her master’s degree and doctorate in education from the University of California, Riverside. She is currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Special Education at Peabody College, where she is also an Investigator in the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center for Research on Human Development and the Learning Sciences Institute. Dr. Lane’s research interests focus on school-based interventions with students at risk for emotional and behavioral disorders. She serves on several editorial boards, including Exceptional Children, the Journal of Special Education, and the Journal of Emotional and Behavioral Disorders. She has coauthored three books and published over 80 journal articles and book chapters.

Nutrition Therapist
Nutrition Therapy Assosicates

Karin Kratina, PhD, earned her doctorate in Cognitive Anthropology from the University of Florida. She is currently a consultant, speaker and nutrition therapist at Nutrition Therapy Associates in Gainesville, FL. She has specialized in the treatment of those with eating problems since 1983. Dr. Kratina has written two books and numerous book chapters, and lectured internationally on the topic of healing eating, weight and body image issues.

Consulting Director
HRnovations, Inc.

Nancy Komola is responsible for assisting clients with employee relations issues, organizational and development needs assessments, training programs, compensation, leadership development, and communication. She also oversees all of HRnovations’ other human resources consultants. Nancy has over eighteen years of experience as an HR practitioner, business partner, and trainer. Prior to joining HRnovations in 2004, Nancy spent seventeen years in the industrial manufacturing industry, most recently as western regional HR manager for Borden Chemical, Inc. Nancy attended City University while working toward a BS in Business Administration and has earned the Senior Professional in Human Resources certification (SPHR).

President
HRnovations, Inc.

Mike Komola is responsible for strategic focus, vision and direction, and enabling the HRNovations team to achieve sustainable and profitable long-term growth. Prior to becoming a principal in October 2007, Mike was HRnovations’ director of PEO operations since June 2006. His prior work experience includes 16 years in the human resources profession as a practitioner. Prior to joining HRnovations, he was director of human resources at the Seattle Times Company and Borden Chemical, Inc. He has also held human resources management positions at Dow Chemical Company and Dupont Dow Elastomers, LLC. Mike has Master’s degrees from Michigan State University and Villanova University, and the Senior Professional in Human Resources certification (SPHR).

County Coroner
Lake County, IL

Dr. Richard Keller is a top health blogger for the medical community. He is the Coroner for Lake County, IL with 17 years ER Medicine 9 years HIV Primary Care Founder & Medical Director, HealthReach (free medical clinic, Waukegan, IL) and Medical Director, Green Dragonfly.

Trainer
Search Institute

Angela Jerabek is an author, presenter, and the Building Assets Reducing Risks Program Coordinator for the St. Louis Park Schools in St. Louis Park, MN. She also served as a consultant at the Minnesota Institute of Health in Moundsview, MN. Angela was named a Champion of Health by Blue Cross, Blue Shield and received a Commendation by the St. Louis Park Police Department.

Training Developer and Research Specialist
PublicSchoolWorks, Cincinnati, Ohio

Matt Jacobs has over 15 years of experience working in public schools and developing school staff training in the areas of school safety, regulatory compliance, and student health, wellness and behavior management. As an author of numerous courses, Mr. Jacobs has received accolades from schools around the country for the relevance and effectiveness of his training courses. Matt received his MA in Educational Leadership from Miami University and MA in Reading from Bowling Green State University.

Senior Research Analyst
American Institutes for Research

Stephanie Jackson, PhD, received her Doctorate in Educational Administration at the University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida. She is currently a Senior Research Analyst for the American Institutes for Research. She directs policy, research, and evaluation studies for Federal, state, and other private policymakers. Dr. Jackson recent publications include “Charter Schools: Issues and Challenges”, “A Practical Guide to Assessments for Evaluating Student Performance”, and “Safeguarding Our Children: An Action Guide”. Stephanie also has received numerous awards for her work, including the Superintendent’s Annual Mark Mann Award for Excellence and Harmony, U.S. Department of Education Blue Ribbon School of Excellence, State Of Florida Summer Traineeship for Special Education, and Bureau of Education for the Handicapped.

Post Secondary Educational Specialist
Towson University

Lori Jackman, Ed.D received her doctorate in Education at The John Hopkins University. Prior to this she received a Masters in Special Education at The John Hopkins University, and a Masters in School Psychology at Towson University. She is currently an Assistant Professor in Special Education at Towson University.

Research Associate
Erikson Institute

Dr. Carol Horton is a research associate at Erikson Institute, where her work focuses on policy analysis and program evaluation. Prior to coming to Erikson in 1999, she worked as a research and writing consultant for foundations and nonprofit organizations, including Chapin Hall Center for Children, Ford Foundation, W. K. Kellogg Foundation, and Ms. Foundation for Women. Horton earned her doctorate in political science from the University of Chicago and has taught at Macalester College, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, University of Illinois at Chicago, and University of Chicago.

Assistant Professor – School of Nursing
University of Northern Colorado

Karen Hessler, PhD, has worked at the UNC School of Nursing for five years teaching physical assessment obstetric and neonatal nursing in the undergraduate and second degree programs and theory, research and clinical practice courses for the Family Nurse Practitioner program at the graduate level. Her research interests are technology in nursing education and pediatric overweight prevention in rural areas, as well as rural prevention practices of Nurse Practitioners. Her recent publications include Recruitment and Retention of Novice Faculty and Student Evaluations: Advice for Novice Faculty.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health

OSHA Subject Matter Expert
Vivid Learning Systems

Over 15 years as a manager and director of Health, Safety and Environmental programs. Experience includes time spent translating and implementing OSHA regulations, conducting hazard analysis, performing safety inspections, and writing manuals, policies, and procedures. Professional certifications include: Board Certified Safety Professional (CSP); Professional member: American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) and Professional member: International Society of Mine Safety Professionals (ISMSP).

Professor, Associate Director for Youth Development
Cornell University, College of Human Ecology

Stephen F. Hamilton, EdD, received his doctorate in Education, Learning Environments from Harvard University. He is currently a Professor of Human Development, Associate Director of the Family Life Development Center, and Associate Provost for Outreach at Cornell. Recent publications include “The Transition to Adulthood: Challenges of Poverty and Structural Lag”, “Bridging Positive Youth Development and Mental Health Services for Youth with Serious Behavior Problems”, and “A Precarious Passage: Aging out of the Child-only Caseload”.

Educational Consultant
New Mexico Public Education Department

Jose Griego, PhD, received a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Multi-Cultural Teacher and Childhood Education from the University of New Mexico. Dr. Griego is currently the President of Northern New Mexico Community College. He has had a long and varied career in higher education in New Mexico. Dr. Griego was Dean of Instruction at Northern New Mexico Community College from January 1993 until his appointment as President in February, 2005. Prior to coming to Northern as Dean of Instruction he was Director of the NNMCC Taos Off-Campus Center. He has served as Co-curator for the Festival of American Folklife coordinating activities between the Smithsonian Institution and New Mexico Museum of International Folkart.

Bureau of Justice Statistics

Lawrence Greenfield works for the Bureau of Justice Statistics a division of the US department of Justice that collects, analyzes, publishes and disseminates information on crime, criminal offenders, victims of crime and the operation of the justice system at all levels of government.

Associate Director
Oak Ridge Associated Universities

Timothy Forde, PhD, earned his doctorate in Education and Human Development from Vanderbilt University. He is currently the Associate Director at Oak Ridge Associated Universities. His research interests include chronic disease health disparities between African Americans and European Americans.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of Violence Prevention

Director, National Violence Prevention and Study Center

Robert Fein, PhD, earned his doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Harvard University. He is currently a psychologist for the Government. Dr. Fein is the author of Threat Assessment: An Approach to Prevent Targeted Violence (1995, with Bryan Vossekuil); and Protective Intelligence and Threat Assessment Investigations: A Guide for State and Local Law Enforcement Officials (1998).

Professor of Psychology and Education
University of Michigan

Jacquelynne Eccles, PhD, is currently a University Professor of Psychology and Education at the University of California. Researching and teaching interests include family and school influences on development; development in high-risk settings; development of self-esteem, activity preferences, and task choice; adolescent development; identity formation; transition into adulthood; biosocial influences and development; gender role development; and role of ethnicity in development and socialization.

Professor, Charter College of Education, Division of Special Education and Counseling
California State University

Dr. Diane Fazzi is a Certified Orientation & Mobility Specialist (COMS) and coordinates the Orientation & Mobility (O&M) Specialist Training Program in Visual Impairment & Blindness in the Division of Special Education. Dr. Fazzi serves as Project Director on federally funded personnel preparation grants in the areas of O&M and teacher preparation in visual impairment.

Webmaster
National Center for Homeless Education

Christina Dukes has worked at the National Center for Homeless Education (NCHE) at the SERVE Center since 2003, using her knowledge of highly-mobile lifestyles to help schools and homeless families learn about the educational rights of children and youth experiencing homelessness. Christina received a BA in Spanish from Tulane University and an MA in Latin American Studies from Vanderbilt University. Christina began working at the SERVE Center in October 2000 for the Anchor School Project, a migrant technology project funded through the Office of Migrant Education. She taught technology to migrant families to help the children excel in school and help the parents acquire skills that would increase their employability and knowledge of English. She then worked for Project Kaleidoscope, a 21st Century Community Learning Center grant serving families in southwest Florida. Kaleidoscope provided extended-day learning activities throughout the county, including after-school and family literacy programs.

Professor / Associate Dean for Research
Director, Ruth H. Young Center for Families & Children

Dr. Diane DePanfilis is Professor and Associate Dean for Research at the University of Maryland School of Social Work. She is also Director of the Ruth H. Young Center for Families and Children, an organized research center designed to promote the safety, permanency and stability, and well-being of children, families, and communities through education and training, research and evaluation, and best practice service programs. Dr. DePanfilis is particularly interested in ways to bridge the gap between research, policy, and practice.

Division of Epidemiology, Services and Prevention Research
National Institute on Drug Abuse

Susan L. David is Deputy Chief of the Prevention Research Branch in the Division of Epidemiology, Services and Prevention Research at NIDA. She assists in managing the expansion and future directions for prevention research. Ms. David also directs NIDA’s efforts to evaluate the impact of the White House National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign and has developed a portfolio of research grants on persuasive communications and drug use. In 1997, she co-authored the publication Preventing Drug Use Among Children and Adolescents: A Research-Based Guide.

President
Environ Health Associates, Inc.

Roy E. Costa, R.S, M.S., President of Environ Health Associates, is a Registered Sanitarian. Mr. Costa has over 25 years of experience in the field of disease prevention and public health education and is an adjunct professor at the Walt Disney World Center for Hospitality and Culinary Arts, in Orlando, FL.

Professor of Special Education, Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences
Vanderbilt University

As a teacher, researcher, and advocate, Dr. Anne Corn has made outstanding contributions to the preparation of personnel in visual impairment, to the understanding of the experience of persons with low vision, and to the advancement of excellence services for children and adults with visual impairments. Her work in the area of low vision has been groundbreaking and it has rigorously questioned traditional.

Associate Professor of Special Education
Peabody College, Vanderbilt

Professor Donald Compton teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in instructional principles and procedures in reading for students with disabilities. His research area is modeling individual differences in the reading development of children.

Director, Marketing
Benetech

Betsy Burgess earned a Master’s degree in Education with a specialization in Learning Disabilities. She is currently Senior Director of Marketing communications at Benetech. She has over 15 years of experience in various marketing and public relations capacities for software startups, most recently serving as Senior Director of Marketing Communications. A former teacher herself, she has developed and taught computer and Internet training seminars, and delivered those seminars to educators around the country.

Assistant Professor
Elmhurst College

Ayanna Brown, PhD, completed her doctorate at Vanderbilt University in Interdisciplinary Studies in Language, Literacy, and Sociology where her research focuses on discussions of race, contemporary African American Studies, and Discourse Analysis. Her research has been presented nationally and internationally including in Australia and Canada. She has served the education profession as a member of the National Commission on Reading, the National Council of Teachers of English, the American Education Research Association, and the International Federation of Teachers of English. Dr. Brown has been a guest lecturer, curriculum consultant, and program coordinator for both public and private institutions.

District School Nurse
Loveland City Schools

Judy Leamy graduated from Bradley University with a BSN and received certification for school nurses from Wright State University. She is a certified Red Cross Instructor. Judy worked for Christ Hospital in Cincinnati for 17 years in various roles – staff nurse, assistant head nurse, head nurse and hospital nursing supervisor. Judy has been employed with Loveland City Schools for the last 16 years developing many programs and initiatives as the District School Nurse. She is the chair for the Safety and Family Engagement committees as well as co-chair for the School Health Advisory Committees.She has been directly involved with development of the health and safety training required by the district, including CPR and first aid training, food allergy program development and overall health services program development.

Director
Native American Ministries
Professor of First Nations Theology and Ministry
Vancouver School of Theology

Martin Brokenleg, PhD, earned his doctorate in Psychology and is a graduate of the Episcopal Divinity School. He is currently the Director of Native Ministries and Professor of First Nations Theology and Ministry at the Vancouver School of Tehology in Vancouver. He aslo serves as a Vice President of Reclaiming Youth International, providing training for individuals who work with youth at risk.

Southwestern City Schools
Safety Project Director

As a Project Director for South-Western City Schools, Gary has worked with district and building safety teams to refine and implement safety plans, provided in-service safety training, and secured and managed federal and state grants for the district to enhance safety and security. Gary Sigrist is also a police officer for Plain City, and serves as an adjunct professor in the Public Safety Management Program at Franklin University in Columbus, Ohio. Gary has received numerous awards and citations in his work with safety projects and has highly specialized training in emergency management.

President, CEO
Midway Training Services and Midway Transportation, Inc.

Bob Brick was formerly the Public Policy Director at PACER Center (Parent Advocacy Coalition for Educational Rights) helping parents of children and youth with disabilities to help other parents and families facing similar challenges. He previously served as Executive Director for The ARC of Minnesota, a non-profit organization committed to protect the human rights of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.