Special Education Faculty and Staff

Annie M. Bauer, received her doctorate in Learning and Development from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville in 1983. Dr. Bauer is a professor of Special Education, and is assigned as the NCATE Coordinator in the Office of Assessment and continuous Improvement. She has served with Dr. Lawrence J. Johnson as co-editor of Teacher Education and Special Education. The author of twenty books on issues related to disability, inclusive environments, and classroom management, Dr. Bauer has also published in journals such as The Journal of Special Education, School Psychology Quarterly, The Journal of the Association for Persons with Severe Handicaps, and Topics in Early Childhood and Special Education.

Dr. Christina R. Carnahan is associate professor of special education in the School of Education, College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services at the University of Cincinnati. Additionally, Dr. Carnahan is the director of Advancement and Transition Services (http://cech.uc.edu/education/ats.html) within the School of Education. Dr. Carnahan's research interests include literacy and communication interventions for individuals with autism spectrum disorders and other complex communication and behavioral support needs, and creating efficient and effective instructional practices across the lifespan. Dr. Carnahan has published in journals such as Exceptional Children, Journal of Special Education, and Focus on Autism and Developmental Disabilities. She is also the co-author of two books including Quality Literacy Instruction for Learners with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Facilitating Evidence Based Practice for Students with ASD: A Classroom Observation Tool for Building Quality Education.

Todd Haydon is a Professor in the Special Education Program. He earned his doctorate from the University of Florida in Special Education with a focus on emotional and behavioral disorders. Dr. Haydon’s current research interests include effective teaching practices, functional behavior assessments, positive behavior and supports, and the integration of instructional and behavioral interventions for students exhibiting behavioral difficulties. He also has an interest and book published on Eastern Philosophy.

Casey Hord is an Associate Professor in the Department of Special Education. He coordinates the Special Education EdD program at the University of Cincinnati. His primary research interest is developing interventions in mathematics for students with high incidence disabilities. Other research interests include the role of visual representations in mathematics teaching for addressing difficulties with working memory, the mathematical reasoning processes of students with high incidence disabilities, and the potential role of tutors for students with disabilities in urban, suburban, and rural settings.

For more information on UC student involvement in tutoring contexts in the community, please see this link: http://cech.uc.edu/headlines/2016/hughes-tutoring.html and, if you have an interest in volunteering as a tutor at a local school, please email Dr. Hord at casey.hord@uc.edu

For more information about Dr. Hord's National Science Foundation project (in collaboration with Anna DeJarnatte) and related research, please see the following links:
https://cadrek12.org/users/casey-hord
https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1813903
https://sites.google.com/ucmail.uc.edu/trainingpreserviceteachers/home

If you are interested in the Special Education EdD program, or getting a PhD in Eduational Studies with a concentration in Special Education, please contact Dr. Hord at casey.hord@uc.edu.

Song Ju is an associate professor in the program of Special Education at School of Education. She earned her Ph.D. degree in 2012 from Texas A&M University. Her primary research interest is secondary transition for students with disabilities, with specific foci on transition to employment and postsecondary education. Other research interests include students with disabilities in the Juvenile Justice System and self-determination.

Stephen Kroeger, associate professor, serves as a faculty member in the Special Education Program in the School of Education. Dr. Kroeger's research agenda includes a special focus on students at risk and the incorporation of effective instructional strategies. His most recent work has evolved around culturally sustaining pedagogy, cross-program collaboration in Middle Childhood and Educational Leadership.

Dr. Kroeger is an accomplished educator who served as a middle school and high school classroom teacher for thirteen years, eleven of which were as a special educator working with children identified with behavioral and emotional disorders. He was a lead mentor in his district and a facilitator of the Peer Assistance and Evaluation Program. He earned his Masters in Special Education 1993 and his doctorate in Education in 2003 in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Cincinnati. He earned two additional Masters in Theology and Divinity from the Jesuit School of Theology in Berkeley, California, and has several years of work experience overseas in the Palestian West Bank, Peru, Central America, and the Caribbean.

Dr. Kroeger holds a state level position with the Ohio Deans Compact, serving as the facilitator of a statewide Community of Practice. 

Steve has received such honors as the Golden Apple Award in 2018, 2011 and 2009. He was selected as the Outstanding Doctoral Student for 2003-2004 at the University of Cincinnati, the Excellence in Teaching Award for Graduate Assistants, 2002-2003, and Teacher of the Year Commendation, Special Education Regional Resource Center, 1994.