Faculty
The Special Education faculty are committed to providing the highest quality education to the candidates in our program. We model best practices by providing a strong, student-centered curriculum with an emphasis on ongoing formative feedback to help candidates grow.
Department Chair
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Dr. Simpson's Bio
Lisa A. Simpson, Ed.D., teaches courses in the Education Specialist credential and Master’s degree programs. Her research interests are focused on the use of peer-mediated interventions to improve academic and social outcomes for students with autism spectrum disorders in inclusive settings. She is also examining preparation practices of preservice teachers through cross-credential collaborations, co-teaching, and residency models to ensure candidates are fully prepared to meet the needs of diverse learners in PK-12 classrooms.
Education
Ed.D., Learning and Instruction (Concentration in Special Education), University of
San Francisco
M.Ed., Special Education / Emotional Disturbances, Texas Tech University
B.S., Elementary Education / Special Education, Texas Tech University
Faculty Directory
Andrea Golloher, PhD
Associate Professor
Dr. Golloher's research explores methods of supporting inclusive education, including the impact of teacher preparation and professional development on attitudes toward and beliefs about disability and inclusion. As Director of the Early Childhood Institute (ECI), she engages in interdisciplinary research about, provides professional development to, and advocates for early childhood and the early childhood workforce.
Education
Ph.D., Joint Doctoral Program in Special Education, University of California, Berkeley,
and San Francisco State University
M.Ed., Early Childhood Special Education (Credential), Vanderbilt University
B.A., Psychology, Washington University in St. Louis
Peg Hughes, PhD
Professor
Dr. Peg Hughes is Chair of the Department of Special Education and Program Coordinator of the Early Childhood Special Education and K-12 Education Specialist Credential Programs. Dr. Hughes has extensive clinical teaching and diagnostic practice with children and students of all disabilities ages birth through twenty-one years. Her research endeavors over the years included examination of the impact of disability on families from a cross-cultural perspective, and the impact of Down syndrome and visual impairment on development in the early years. More recently, she is involved in developing interdisciplinary programs across departments regarding co-teaching and partnerships with school districts to provide Education Specialist Training.
Education
Ph.D., Special Education, Cognate Developmental Psychology, UCLA
M.S., Education with emphasis in Learning Disabilities and Behavior Disorders, University
of Buffalo
B.S., Special Education / Elementary Education Preschool, University of Buffalo
Sudha Krishnan, EdD
Assistant Professor
Sudha’s research is focused on how literacy practices using pedagogies based on socio-cultural theory like multiliteracies provide challenging and empowering education for students with disabilities. She is interested in interrogating the deficit thinking surrounding students with disabilities and promoting anti-deficit pedagogies in the classroom. She is examining the use of constructivism in special education and teacher perceptions of ability in students with extensive support needs. Sudha is keen to forward the equity and justice orientation of the College of Education and a meaningful start has been her involvement with the disability studies strand in the Institute of Emancipatory Education.
Education
Ed.D., Special Education, University of San Francisco
Saili Kulkarni, PhD
Associate Professor
Dr. Saili S. Kulkarni's research highlights the intersections of disability and race in teacher education. She uses DisCrit (Disability Studies Critical Race Theory) to understand how teachers, particularly special education teachers of color, enact resistance in schools. Dr. Kulkarni also examines restorative and humanizing practices for young children of color with disabilities.
Education
Ph.D., Special Education, University of Wisconsin-Madison
M.S., Special Education, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Moderate-Severe, Special Education Credential, San Francisco State University
B.A., Psychology, Boston University
