Stephen Byrd

Associate Professor of Education

Mooney, Office 205D 2105 Campus Box Elon, NC 27244

Brief Biography

For ten years, I was an elementary and special education teacher in Virginia. Then from 2002-2005, I worked on a PhD in special education from the University of Virginia. Since 2005, I have been teaching at Elon in the School of Eduction - both undergraduate and graduate students.

I also serve as the program coordinator for special education. That requires finding cooperating teachers for our students; reviewing program curricula; and recruiting new students. I enjoy undergraduate research and have had the privilege to mentor a number of different students including two Lumen Prize winners. If you are interested in learning more about special education, disability, and families; do not hestitate to contact me. I also have done research in the area of international special education. Presently, I am interested in the role of journaling and reflection for preservice teachers. In addition, I have been giving a great deal of energy to the theme of compassion fatigue and burnout for those who work in the caring professions. I would be glad to talk to you.

News & Notes

Education

I completed my PhD in special education from the University of Virginia in August of 2005.

Courses Taught

§ GST 110 – Global Studies

§ EDU 211 – School and Society

§ EDU 346 – Classroom Management

§ EDU 435 – Assessment Methods and Interpretation in Special Education

§ EDU 445 – Teaching and Learning Strategies for Students with

Exceptional Learning Needs

§ EDU 480 – Special Education/Elementary Education Student Teaching

Seminar

§ EDU 481 – Supervised Observation and Student Teaching

§ HNR 498 – Honors Thesis

§ LMN 498 – Lumen Research

Leadership Positions

Program Coordinator for Special Education

Teaching Fellows Advisory Committee

Elon Core Curriculum Committee

Research

International Special Education

Families with kids with special needs

Compassions fatigue and burnout

Current Projects

I continue to work on projects related to families and the children with special needs; particularly educational and spiritual components. I am beginning to pursue the area of compassion fatigue and burnout in preservice teacher, teachers, and higher ed professionals.

Service Activities

Alamance County 4-H

ABSS Special Education PTA

Personal Information

Elon has been a wonderful place for me to pursue my love for special education. I have the privilege of working with outstanding colleagues and talented students. They, like me, have a passion for helping children and adolescents with disabilities.

I also teach graduate students, teachers who are coming back to Elon for more education. They are primed to grow, and that growth is often rapid, so that they move from being novice teachers to being teacher-leaders.

My understanding of special education took on new dimensions when I traveled to India. I visited schools, conducted staff trainings, and consulted with parents. These experiences have enhanced my teaching and have created an interest in international special education.

Families with children with disabilities face many challenges that do not go away. Elon provides the atmosphere for me to study issues related to family and disability, teach undergraduate and graduate students, mentor undergraduate research students, and support my colleagues in their professional endeavors.