September 2, 2021
We spoke to some of our students, faculty, and staff to learn how the pandemic impacted them, what they learned from it, and what they are looking forward to this semester. Following are their stories.
Department of Rehabilitation Psychology and Special Education
Summer 2021 Learning Connections alumni magazine available online
July 6, 2021
The latest edition of Learning Connections, a magazine for alumni and friends of the UW–Madison School of Education, is now posted online. The Summer 2021 issue centers on the challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic and the many lessons learned. In addition, we spotlight a range of important and innovative work being done across the School.
UW–Madison’s Mueller, Zepp argue for making disability justice a priority in schools
June 23, 2021
We Need Diverse Books (WNDB) utilized the expertise of UW–Madison’s Carolyn Mueller and Lauren Zepp for an article on the organization’s blog that is titled, “How to Make Disability Justice a Classroom Priority.” Mueller is an assistant professor in the School of Education's Department of Rehabilitation Psychology and Special Education (RPSE), and Zepp is a RPSE doctoral student.
Article by UW–Madison’s Bal, others examines design of culturally responsive ‘Learning Lab’
June 14, 2021
UW–Madison’s Aydin Bal, a professor in the School of Education's Department of Rehabilitation Psychology and Special Education, is first author of an article published in the journal Cognition and Instruction that is titled, “Inclusive Future Making: Building a Culturally Responsive Behavioral Support. Joining Bal as co-authors of the paper are UW–Madison alumni Kemal Afacan and Halil Ibrahim Cakir, and Tremayne Clardy, the new superintendent of the Verona Area School District.
Garza-Noriega receives award for perseverance, community contributions
June 8, 2021
A School of Education student, Jesus Garza-Noriega, is being recognized with an Outstanding Undergraduate Returning Adult Student Award from UW–Madison for his exceptional efforts and exemplary service. Garza-Noriega, 27, will graduate in December with a bachelor’s degree in rehabilitation psychology and special education.
UW–Madison alumnae awarded Spencer Foundation grant
May 22, 2021
UW–Madison alumnae Saili Kulkarni and Sunyoung Kim were awarded a Racial Equity Special Research Grant from the Spencer Foundation for their project, titled "Playing Together: Using Learning Labs to Reduce Exclusionary Disciplinary Practices for Young Children of Color with Disabilities." Both Kulkarni and Kim earned their PhDs from the School of Education's Department of Rehabilitation Psychology and Special Education in 2015.
Seven students from School of Education receive Leadership Certificates
May 17, 2021
Seven UW–Madison students pursuing degrees within the School of Education received a Leadership Certificate from the Center for Leadership and Involvement during the 2020-21 academic year.
UW–Madison’s Lou Brown, who revolutionized field of special education, dies
May 14, 2021
Lou Brown, a longtime UW–Madison faculty member and one of the most influential scholars and advocates for students with severe disabilities, died on May 1, 2021. Brown, who is widely considered to have revolutionized the field, spent 34 years with the School of Education’s Department of Rehabilitation Psychology and Special Education until his retirement in 2003. It was in the 1970s that Brown called for the end of segregated services for individuals with disabilities — a view that was considered extreme both at the time and throughout much of his career. Today, however, due to his unyielding and life-long leadership such services are widely accepted as best practices.
Class of 2021 graduates are prepared to lead and inspire
May 4, 2021
We reached out to a few of our graduating students from bachelor's to PhDs to learn more about their favorite memories, advice for incoming students, and even where the best spot on campus to eat is.
Several School of Education student-athletes named to Academic All-Big Ten team
April 27, 2021
Excelling both on the field of play and in the classroom, several students pursuing degrees within the School of Education were among the 68 UW–Madison student-athletes competing in winter sports who were named to the 2020-21 Academic All-Big Ten all-conference team.