Department of Special Education Faculty & Staff
Faculty
The Department’s faculty hold terminal degrees (i.e., Doctoral–level), are highly respected in their field, and are well-connected within professional organizations. They are decidedly student-centered in designing and delivering their curriculum and instruction. They maintain robust research and service agendas, contributing to their field of study, the university, local and national communities. Learn more about our faculty and their areas of foci below.
Dr. Sharon M. Darling
Dr. Darling earned her doctorate from Georgia State University in Atlanta, GA. Her research interests are in the areas of special education teacher education, the inclusion of young children with special needs in school and community settings, challenging behaviors, and diverse children and families.
Dr. Charles Dukes
Charles E. Dukes, EdD, PhD earned a doctorate in Special Education from Florida International University in Miami, Florida and a second doctorate in Experimental Psychology from Florida Atlantic University. His areas of expertise include instructional practices for individuals with the most significant disabilities, applied behavior analysis, and individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD).
Dr. Lisa Finnegan
Dr. Finnegan earned her doctorate from the University of Central Florida (UCF), in Orlando, FL. Her research interests are the areas of universal design for learning (UDL) and the implementation of multi-tiered systems of support, both academically and behaviorally.
Dr. Jim Forgan
Dr. Forgan earned his doctorate from the University of Miami, in Coral Gables, FL. His research interests are in the areas of teaching reading to students with learning disabilities and special education.
Dr. Joseph Gagnon
Joseph Calvin Gagnon (Brojomohun-Gagnon), Ph.D., is a Professor and Chair of the Department of Special Education. Dr. Gagnon earned a Ph.D. in Special Education from the University of Maryland at College Park. His research interests relate to academic, behavioral and mental health supports that support the education of youth with emotional disturbance and learning disabilities within inclusive settings, as well as those who are incarcerated or in day treatment/residential education and treatment settings.
Dr. Katie Miller
Dr. Miller earned her doctorate from the University of Central Florida (UCF), in Orlando, FL. Her research focus is on examining evidence-based interventions infusing technology to increase academic performance for students with disabilities.
Dr. Rangasamy Ramasamy
Dr. Ramasamy earned his doctorate from the University of Arizona in Tucson, AZ. His research interests are in the areas of inclusive education, classroom management, and behavior analysis.
Dr. Jack Scott
Jack Scott earned his doctorate from the University of Florida in Gainesville, FL. His research interests are in the areas of early intensive behavioral intervention, particularly parent-directed home programs and reading instruction for children with autism. He also serves as Executive Director of the FAU Center for Autism and Related Disorders (FAU-CARD).
Staff
Mrs. Ellen Ismalon
Ms. Ismalon serves as the Department’s Secretary and initial contact for questions about our department or degree programs. Her office is located in the College of Education, Boca, room 413. She can be reached at eismalon@fau.edu or 561-297-3284.
Visiting Instructors
Dr. Elisa Cruz-Torres
Elisa Cruz-Torres, Ed.D., BCBA-D earned her doctorate from Florida Atlantic University (FAU) in Boca Raton, FL. Her areas of expertise are in Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), Emotional/Behavioral Disorders (E/BD), and Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA).
Dr. Peggy Goldstein
Dr. Goldstein earned her doctorate from Florida Atlantic University (FAU) in Boca Raton, FL. Her areas of expertise are early childhood special education, language disabilities and teacher education.