Phone: (845) 257-2850
Location: Old Main Building, Room 323
Web address: www.newpaltz.edu/schoolofed/special-education/

The Department of Literacy & Special Education offers graduate programs in both disciplines, all of which are fully described in the Graduate Catalog.

At the undergraduate level, a new minor in Disability Studies (including several new DST courses) will be available to students in fall 2026. This interdisciplinary program explores the social, political, and cultural influences that shape historical and contemporary conceptualizations of Disability as a social identity. Various frameworks for understanding Disability identity are examined in the context of intersectional advocacy of the past and present; literary, journalistic, and narrative media; and additional overlap between Disability Studies as an independent discipline with other existing academic subjects. The principles of Disability Studies and the emphasis on reframing perceptions of Disability identity have implications for the reevaluation of healthcare and education systems and local, state, and federal policies that shape social infrastructure, in addition to the development of more accessible and equitable spaces and systems. The Disability Studies minor is open to students majoring in all disciplines and welcomes diverse perspectives and backgrounds to create a rich intellectual landscape from which a new generation of Disability Rights advocates will emerge.

In addition, undergraduate Special Education (SPE) courses are available to teacher-education students as well as students with more general interest in the discipline. See Course Descriptions for a complete list.

Minor in Disability Studies

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Disability Studies

DST142. Introduction to Disability Studies. 3 Credits.

Disability Studies will be introduced through social, cultural, political and educational contexts. Disability will be explored as an identity that intersects with race, class, gender, ethnicity, and sexual orientation as they pertain to social justice.

Attributes:

  • GE4: DIVR
  • GE3: DIVR
  • GE5: DEISJ
  • Ethical Reflection
  • Liberal Arts

Restrictions:

  • Must have the following level: Undergraduate
May not be repeated for credit

DST242. Current Topics in Disability Studies. 3 Credits.

Contemporary dialogues about Disability Rights, accessibility, identity, politics, and belonging will be explored through a series of current scholarly, journalistic, and mixed media sources. This exploration of Disability will culminate in a student-proposed action project.

Attributes:

  • Liberal Arts

Restrictions:

  • Must have the following level: Undergraduate

Prerequisites:


* May be taken at the same time
May not be repeated for credit

DST342. Disability Memoir. 3 Credits.

Disability is explored through memoir in the context of cultural, social, personal, and political identities. Students analyze authors’ works, practice writing and editing their own narrative, and learn how life writing contributes to Disability Studies.

Attributes:

  • Liberal Arts

Restrictions:

  • Must have the following level: Undergraduate
  • Must not be enrolled in the following class: Freshman

Prerequisites:

May not be repeated for credit

DST442. Disability in Literature and Film. 3 Credits.

Disability representation is explored in historical and contemporary literary texts and placed in contrast to film adaptations of fictional narratives. Students engage in literary and film analyses informed by Disability models and examine utilization of Disability tropes.

Attributes:

  • Liberal Arts

Restrictions:

  • Must have the following level: Undergraduate
  • Must not be enrolled in the following class: Freshman

Prerequisites:

May not be repeated for credit

Special Education 

SPE106. Multiple Voices: Diversity in US Education. 3 Credits.

An introduction to the sociocultural factors that impact teaching and learning in the United States. Through critical reflection, readings, and discussions, the educational experiences of individuals from historically marginalized populations will be explored.

Attributes:

  • GE4: DIVR
  • GE3: DIVR
  • Ethical Reflection
  • Liberal Arts
May not be repeated for credit

SPE142. Introduction to Disability Studies. 3 Credits.

Disability Studies will be introduced through social, cultural, political and educational contexts. Disability will be explored as an identity that intersects with race, class, gender, ethnicity, and sexual orientation as they pertain to social justice.

Attributes:

  • GE4: DIVR
  • GE3: DIVR
  • GE5: DEISJ
  • Ethical Reflection
  • Liberal Arts

Restrictions:

  • Must have the following level: Undergraduate
May not be repeated for credit

SPE293. Special Ed Selected Topics. 3-12 Credits.

May be repeated for credit

SPE350. Creating Inclusive Elementary School Classrooms. 3 Credits.

This course examines the foundations and fundamentals of inclusive educational programs and the challenges of their implementation in elementary schools. It also provides strategies for creating inclusive classrooms that support learning for all students.

Attributes:

  • GE4: DIVR

Restrictions:

  • Must have the following level: Undergraduate
  • Must not be enrolled in the following class: Freshman
  • Must be enrolled in the following field(s) of study (major, minor or concentration):
    • Communication Disorders (588)
    • Early Childhood & Chld Ed B-6 (601)
    • Early Childhood Studies (602)
    • Visual Arts Education (189)
May not be repeated for credit

SPE373. Collaboration for School Professionals. 3 Credits.

Examines issues and best practices to support successful collaboration among families, teachers, related service providers, paraeducators, and other professionals to maximize student success.

Restrictions:

  • Must have the following level: Undergraduate
  • Must not be enrolled in the following class: Freshman
May not be repeated for credit

SPE385. Differentiating Instruction in the Secondary School. 3 Credits.

This course will assist teachers in designating classroom, instructional, and school environments to accommodate the full range of learners in the general secondary education setting. Strategies for teaching students who are gifted, disabled, and English language learners will be included.

Restrictions:

  • Must have the following level: Undergraduate
  • Must not be enrolled in the following class: Freshman
  • Must be enrolled in the following field(s) of study (major, minor or concentration):
    • Adolescence Ed: Biology (440)
    • Adolescence Ed: Chemistry (441)
    • Adolescence Ed: Earth Science (442)
    • Adolescence Ed: English (443)
    • Adolescence Ed: French (444)
    • Adolescence Ed: Math (446)
    • Adolescence Ed: Physics (449)
    • Adolescence Ed: Social Studies (445)
    • Adolescence Ed: Spanish (447)
    • Adolescence Education (ADL)
    • BS/MAT Mathematics AP (512M)
    • Biology AP (508A)
    • Chemistry AP (50CH)
    • Communication Disorders (588)
    • Geology AP (51ES)
    • Visual Arts Education (189)
May not be repeated for credit

SPE493. Special Education Selected Topic. 3-12 Credits.

Restrictions:

  • Must have the following level: Undergraduate
  • Must not be enrolled in the following class: Freshman
May be repeated for credit

SPE494. Fieldwork In Special Education. 0 Credits.

Restrictions:

  • Must have the following level: Undergraduate
  • Must not be enrolled in the following class: Freshman
May not be repeated for credit

SPE495. Independent Study Special Education. 0 Credits.

Restrictions:

  • Must have the following level: Undergraduate
  • Must not be enrolled in the following class: Freshman
May be repeated for credit

Faculty

Literacy Education

Misar, Katherine
Assistant Professor
Ph.D., The Ohio State University
Office: OM 321B
Phone: (845) 257-2829
E-mail: misark@newpaltz.edu

Wang, Min
Associate Professor
Ph.D., University of Alabama
Office: OM 227D
Phone: (845) 257-2869
E-mail: wangm@newpaltz.edu

Woodcock, Christine
Associate Professor
Ph.D., University at Albany (SUNY)
Office: OM 227C
Phone:(845) 257-2852
E-mail: woodcocc@newpaltz.edu

Special Education

Baldonado, Lauren
Assistant Professor
Ph.D., Columbia University
Office: OM 103D
Phone: (845) 257-2810
E-mail: baldonal@newpaltz.edu

Coughlin, April
Associate Professor and Coordinator, Disability Studies
Ph.D., Syracuse University
Office: OM 104
Phone: (845) 257-2918
E-mail: coughlia@newpaltz.edu

Mellon, Leana (Ellie)
Associate Professor
Ph.D., Columbia University
Office: OM 107
Phone: (845) 257-2867
E-mail: mellonl@newpaltz.edu

Sileo, Jane
Associate Professor and Chair
Ed.D., University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Office: OM 106
Phone: (845) 257-2835
E-mail: sileoj@newpaltz.edu

Sinnott, Sarah
Assistant Professor
Ph.D., University of Connecticut
Office: OM 103D
Phone: (845) 257-2851
E-mail: sinnotts@newpaltz.edu