Sue Cusack
Professional Title: Assistant Professor
Areas of Academic Focus and Expertise:
Using technology to facilitate meaningful inclusive learning opportunities; universal design and accessibility; culturally responsive instruction in online learning environments
Area of Work and Concentration at Lesley: Technology, online learning
Representative List of Recent Courses Taught:
21st Century Teaching: Supporting all Learners on the Ability Spectrum; Technology in the Language Arts Curriculum
Education: M.Ed., Emmanuel College; B.A., Skidmore College
Representative List of Recent Publications / Exhibitions:
Cusack, S. (2006) Assistive Technology. In I. L. Rubin and A. C. Crocker (Ed.), Developmental Disabilities: Delivery of Medical Care, (pp. 548-556) Baltimore: Paul H. Brookes Publishing.
Presentations
- Literacy for All: Northeast PreK-8 Literacy Conference and Reading Recovery Institute, November, 2010). Strategies to Engage Digital Natives in Reading and Writing.
- Massachusetts Computer Using Educator (Mass CUE). Tackling 21st Century Learning (October, 2010). Beyond Access to Learning.
- American Library Association Annual Conference (January, 2010), Breaking Down the Barriers: Best Practices in Universal Design for Libraries, Institute for Human Centered Design panelist presentation and work group leader for school libraries
- National Association of Bilingual Educators Annual Conference (2008), Response to Intervention (RTI) and Assessment of Bilingual Students. Sue Cusack and Maria de Lourdes Serpa
Sue's passion for equity, access, and the opportunity to learn for all students is evident in her teaching and scholarship related to universal design and the inclusive use of technology. This passion is also reflected in her work as project director for the Educational Technology Leadership Institute (ETLI), a collaborative project with Boston Public Schools to build a systemic and sustainable professional development model to increase the district's capacity to address the needs of English language learners. Through ETLI, 20-30 teacher leaders have become qualified trainers in the content of second language acquisition, online facilitation, and adult learning and development. These new trainers are defining themselves as a community of learners and leaders who have the skills and dispositions to ensure greater understanding and support for students who are culturally and linguistically diverse.
scusack@lesley.edu