Barbara Gibson
Professional Title: Assistant Professor
Areas of Academic Focus and Expertise:
Response to Intervention with a focus on literacy for struggling adolescents, special education teacher preparation program assessment
Area of Work and Concentration at Lesley: Special education; inclusive classrooms; diverse learners
Representative List of Recent Courses Taught:
Contemporary Perspectives in Special Education: Introduces students to the central issues of special education
Designing Instruction for the Inclusive Classroom: A course focusing on best teaching practices to facilitate access to the curriculum for all students.
Reading and Writing for Diverse Learners: Focusing on ways to develop literacy for students with diverse needs.
Instructional Accommodations in ELA and Social Studies (5-12): Content area literacy for adolescents who struggle.
Education: C.A.G.S., Lesley University; M.Ed., Temple University; B.S., Boston University
Barbara has taught English, reading, and special education at all grade levels in both urban and suburban public school settings, and remains connected to the field through consulting and collaboration with various public school districts. Her current work for Lesley includes a pivotal role in the Lesley at Tacoma Community College program, offering certification within a B.A. degree to non-traditional students in the Tacoma, Washington, area. She presents on special education-related issues at conferences and for professional development workshops for in-service teachers.
Recent presentations include:
- Using Assessment Data for Teacher Evaluation Improvement, MACTE 2011
- Improving Reading Comprehension for Struggling Students
- Teacher Preparation Programs: Using Assessment Data for Program Evaluation & Improvement, presented to NEEAN Assessment Conference, 2009
- Universal Design in the College Classroom, presented to Lesley University faculty, 2009