Special Education: Severe Disabilities

Linda teaches in the special education programs in the Graduate School of Education. Her work has focused on supporting persons with complex needs, considered to have severe disabilities in inclusive environments. Before entering higher education, she supported persons with severe disabilities and their families in school, work, employment, and home settings. Linda also has an extensive history of advocacy activities, supporting IEP teams, as well as advocating for systemic and policy changes. Previous to coming to Lesley, Linda was a faculty member in higher education for over 15 years.

Education

BS, Pennsylvania State University
M.Ed., University of Pittsburgh
PhD, University of Pittsburgh

Elizabeth Stringer Keefe is a teacher educator and researcher in the Graduate School of Education, where she serves as faculty coordinator of graduate autism programs. Her work and research at the university focuses on special education teacher preparation, autism, assistive technology, and teacher education policy, most recently the Massachusetts autism teacher endorsement.

She is a researcher with Project TEER, an international multidisciplinary research team of eight teacher education scholars and practitioners who research education reform policy and accountability mechanisms in teacher education. Annually, she is guest curator for 3artists, an art exhibit featuring the work of professional autistic artists. 

Elizabeth has over 20 years of experience in public and private education settings, as a teacher, consultant, and critical friend to various non-profits. Elizabeth is president of Massachusetts Council for Exceptional Children and a member of the Autism Center Advisory Board for Massachusetts Advocates for Children.

Education

BA, University of Massachusetts, Amherst
M.Ed., Lesley University
PhD, Boston College

Barbara teaches in the special education programs at Lesley. She has had experience teaching, supervising, designing programs and teaching educators in both general and special education. She is interested in brain research and implications for education, effective learning strategies for students with disabilities, executive function, differentiated instruction practices, development of inspiring mentoring skills, and the collaborative educational process.

Education: B.Ed., State University of New York, Buffalo; M.Ed., Lesley College; PhD, Boston College

Gail teaches in the special education programs in the Graduate School of Education. She joined the Lesley community after many years in the public education sector. She has taught at various grade levels as well as held several administrative positions, including special education administration and school based administration. She has also worked at private facilities such as McLean Hospital and the Protestant Guild for the Blind.

Throughout her career, Gail has been an adjunct instructor in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. She has taught courses in special education, administration, reading, assessment, and curriculum. She serves on the International Council of Exceptional Children, CEC Elections Standing Committee.

Education: BS, Fitchburg State University; M.Ed., University of Massachusetts, Boston; M.Ed., Boston University; EdD, University of Massachusetts, Lowell (Educational Leadership)

Abby Hanscom is an adjunct instructor in the Moderate and Severe Special Education programs in the Graduate School of Education. Her favorite course to teach is Collaboration with Professionals, Families, and Communities, especially when it is the capstone course in a student's program at Lesley. Her full time job as the Director of Student Services in the Westwood Public Schools and twenty years in the field of special education inform how she teaches the Collaboration course. Her goal is to help students prepare to enter their future professional roles as special educators with the knowledge, skills and confidence to be active and effective team members.

Education

B.A., University of Massachusetts, Amherst (Elementary Education)
M.Ed., Boston University (Special Education)
M.S.W., Boston University (Clinical Social Work)
CAGS in Educational Administration, University of Massachusetts, Boston

Beverley Cush Evans teaches in the special education programs in the Graduate School of Education. She has worked with students with Autism Spectrum Disorder for over 30 years, and has been a consultant for the Pennsylvania State Department of Education for Inclusive Education. She has served in higher education for 18 years, first at Duquesne University and most recently at Lesley University. Prior to her entrance into higher education she worked in both segregated and inclusive settings as a special education teacher for 14 years.

Education

BA, Marquette University
MS in Education, Duquesne University
PhD, University of Pittsburgh