Adaptive Learning

While in college, Kathryn Heller volunteered at an after-school program for students with physical and multiple disabilities such as cerebral palsy, spina bifida and muscular dystrophy. Now a registered nurse and professor in the Department of Educational Psychology and Special Education, she didn't know much about special education at that time, but to her, the educational programming seemed lacking and she felt more could be done. That experience stayed with her, even as she pursued a career as a critical care nurse.

Q: What made you decide to leave critical care nursing and pursue a career in the education field?

A: "Nurses often find new and novel ways to use their training and expertise. I felt that I could have more of an effect by combining my nursing skills with special education and drawing on both disciplines. I wanted to educate others about children with physical and health disabilities and research effective methods of addressing children's educational and health needs when physical disabilities are present."

To read more about Heller and her work in the College of Education, click here.  

Photo caption: Kathryn Heller created an assistive techology lab in the COE to help show her students how how assistive technology can be used to increase children's academic performance at school and their independence across environments.