Special Education

Finding Joy in Education

In 2025, the field of education faces unprecedented challenges. For instance, the National Center for Education Statistics reports that during the 2024-2025 school year, 74% of public schools in the United States faced difficulty hiring teachers to fill vacant positions. Furthermore, teachers indicate that a common reason why they leave the profession is they feel that teaching is an undervalued profession.
- Centennial School
- Special Education
Centennial School Marks 60 Years of Transforming Lives in Special Education

Lehigh University’s Centennial School marks its 60th anniversary, celebrating six decades as a guiding light for children with behavioral and learning challenges and for the educators committed to helping them succeed. Founded in 1965 by Lehigh’s College of Education during the University’s centennial, Centennial has grown into much more than just a school — it is a vibrant, supportive community where each child’s potential is recognized and nurtured through expertise, compassion, and a belief in second chances.
- Special Education
- Research
Upcoming Book Calls for Action on Equity for Multilingual Students with Disabilities

A new book by Sara Kangas, an associate professor and program director in the COE's Special Education program, is set to challenge longstanding assumptions about how public schools serve multilingual learners with disabilities.
- Special Education
Morin Leaving Academia to Pursue Entrepreneurship

Kristi Morin is stepping down from her position as an associate professor in the Special Education program to pursue opportunities that support individuals preparing for the Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) exam.

During her tenure at Lehigh, Morin was awarded a highly competitive early career grant from Institute of Education Sciences, United States Department of Education, in which she developed a mentoring program to reduce attrition among early career teachers working with autistic children. In addition, she led a state-funded grant to address the extreme shortage in special education teachers throughout Pennsylvania. This included developing curriculum for an accelerated program to fully certify multiple cohorts of prospective special education teachers.
- School Psychology
- Special Education
Behavioral Interventions Effective Tool in ADHD Treatment

A recent op ed by COE professors George DuPaul and Lee Kern published in Penn Live suggests that the role of behavioral parent training [BPT] may be underutilized. For young children, especially those under six, leading health authorities, including the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), recommend that parents pursue behavioral interventions (specifically BPT] before turning to medication.
Spring COE Newsletter Focuses on Research

The Spring 2025 issue of COE News focuses on research taking place across the College. COE Associate Dean for Research Bridget Dever introduces the issue:

As I look back on my first year as the COE's Associate Dean for Research, I appreciate the opportunity to support our talented faculty and students and promote their research. I am so proud of our many successes and the impact our research has in the communities we serve.
COE Grad Students Present at 2025 Colloquium

What a great event! Thirty-three COE graduate students shared their high-impact research at the Inaugural College of Education Student Research Colloquium last Friday. Students from the Counseling Psychology, Educational Leadership, School Psychology, Special Education and Teaching, Learning and Technology programs participated in the Mountaintop campus poster session.

Thank you to everyone who came out to show their support.
- Centennial School
- Special Education
2025 Stoops Lecture Celebrates Centennial School

Dr. Brandi Simonsen will serve as the keynote speaker for the 2025 John A. Stoops Lecture on May 6, 4:30 - 6:30 p.m., Iacocca Hall. Established in tribute to Lehigh’s first dean of education and founder of Centennial School, this year’s lecture marks Centennial’s sixtieth anniversary. Simonsen's remarks, titled Celebrating Centennial School and the Promise of Positive Practice, will examine the contributions of Centennial, and the use of Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS).
Your Support Makes a Difference

On March 25th and 26th, Giving Day + March Mania: Combined Challenge for Lehigh takes place. This 48-hour event impacts all areas of the student experience and challenges all members of the Lehigh family to demonstrate their support for the campus initiatives and causes they are most passionate about. Please visit the COE Giving Day + March Mania page to participate:
Inaugural College of Education Student Research Colloquium Announced

The College of Education is holding its inaugural Student Research Colloquium on April 11 from 4 to 6 p.m. in Building C, High Bay C2, Mountaintop Campus. The event will highlight student-led high-impact research that makes a difference in our community.