Fostering Success for Neurodiverse Students in Professional Programs through Universal and Strengths-Based Supports

Event Description

Center for Teaching & Learning Presentation
Fostering Success for Neurodiverse Students in Professional Programs through Universal and Strengths-Based Supports

Tuesday, November 22
11:30 a.m.-12:50 p.m.
https://uthealth.webex.com/uthealth/j.php?MTID=ma1e93767df0c7933b05ee03169508ac9

Presentation Description

This presentation will outline a strengths-based approach to fostering success for neurodiverse learners in professional programs. Variation in brain functioning within the human population is normal and needs to be treated as such. We will explore this variation, focusing specifically on learners with autism, attention deficit disorder, and dyslexia. Presenters will share how they have drawn on best practices in PK-12 and higher education research, including specific instructional, assessment, and collaboration strategies used to promote inclusive and rigorous learning. Participants will begin to develop their own plan for enhancing equity in their classes by exploring connections to theory, reflecting on practice, and considering next steps for curriculum design and instruction.

Presenters’ Bios

Claudine Bedell is an Associate Professor in the Education Department at Saint Michael's College. She is Co-Coordinator of the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program and is Co-Director of the Educator Preparation Inquiry Collaborative, a statewide non-profit organization. Prior to her work in higher education, she was a middle school science and language arts teacher. Claudine’s research interests include personalized learning, teacher preparation, and classroom-based and large scale assessment.

Amy Knight is an Instructor in the Education Department at Saint Michael's College. She is the Coordinator of the M.Ed. Special Education Concentration program. She also works with public schools to evaluate and design programs for students with complex emotional and learning needs.  Prior to her work in higher education, she was a middle school special educator for several years. Amy's areas of academic interest include work with students with dyslexia, structured literacy instruction, and special education law and ethical practices.

Amy Saks Pavese is the Director of Graduate Education and Co-Coordinator of the Master of Arts in Teaching program at Saint Michael’s College in Vermont. She teaches educational foundations and the student teaching seminar, and supervises student teachers. Before becoming a teacher educator, Amy taught middle school math and science in Texas and New Jersey. Her research interests include teacher identity formation and preparing teacher candidates to support all learners in our culturally diverse classrooms and schools.

Becky Wigglesworth is an Instructor in the Education Department at Saint Michael’s College, where she teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in literacy.  She also coordinates the literacy M.Ed. program, teaches the inquiry-based capstone class in the Master of Arts in Teaching program, and supervises student teachers.  Prior to teaching at Saint Michael’s, Becky taught middle and high school English and language arts. Her research interests include multiple and multi-modal literacies and the relationship between equity and literacy.

About Saint Michael’s College

Saint Michael's College is a private Roman Catholic college in Colchester, Vermont. Saint Michael's was founded in 1904 by the Society of Saint Edmund.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion, the learner will be able to:

1. Know the strengths that neurodiverse students bring to the classroom.
2. Understand how to foster relationships with neurodiverse students that promote a strengths-based approach.
3. Identify curricular, instructional, and assessment strategies that include universal and strengths-based supports for neurodiverse students.

This presentation help demonstrate compliance with CODA Standards for faculty development in:

• Dental Education Programs – Standard 3-2
• Dental Hygiene Education Programs – Standard 3-8

Event Site Link

https://uthealth.webex.com/uthealth/j.php?MTID=ma1e93767df0c7933b05ee03169508ac9