Biography
Dr. Karena Cooper-Duffy is a Full Professor in the Special Education program and Coordinator
of the graduate Special Education program at 蘑菇短视频. She has
been teaching at the university for 27 years, preparing special education teachers
to educate students with significant intellectual disabilities, multiple disabilities,
and autism. Karena鈥檚 work embeds the importance of interprofessional collaboration,
team building with families who have children with disabilities. Her research is practitioner
friendly and includes the implementation of current evidence- based strategies to
instruct students with significant intellectual disabilities. Specific areas of research
include teaching students with significant intellectual disabilities functional skills,
academic skills and community based skills as well as collaboration with families
and professionals. Currently, Karena is working on a teacher rating instrument to
assess the strengths and areas of development for teachers who educate students with
extensive support needs. She presents her work at local, national, and international
conferences. Karena partners with staff who support students with severe disabilities
a) in orphanages in Jamaica, b) inclusive placements in London and c) schools in Botswana,
Africa.
Teaching Interests
Special Education - Severe Disabilities
Research Interests
Teacher preparation in literacy, functional skills, community skills to students with
significant intellectual disability, collaboration with families and professionals,
online instruction for higher education, and autism.
