Lisa Simpson, Ed.D

Lisa Simpson
Associate Professor & Chair, Special Education

Lisa A. Simpson, Ed.D., teaches courses in the Education Specialist credential and Master’s degree programs. Her research interests are focused on the use of peer-mediated interventions to improve academic and social outcomes for students with autism spectrum disorders in inclusive settings. She is also examining preparation practices of preservice teachers through cross-credential collaborations, co-teaching, and residency models to ensure candidates are fully prepared to meet the needs of diverse learners in PK-12 classrooms.

Education

  • Ed.D., Learning and Instruction (Concentration in Special Education), University of San Francisco
  • M.Ed., Special Education / Emotional Disturbances, Texas Tech University
  • B.S., Elementary Education / Special Education, Texas Tech University

Recent Publications

  • Simpson, L. A., Whitenack, D., Bui, S., & Diehl, J. (2020). OGSD-SEAL-SJSU teacher residency partnership. CASUP Connections, 9, 9.
  • Simpson, L. A. (2020). Increasing social participation using a shared-reading peer-mediated intervention in students with autism. Advances in Neurodevelopmental Disorders, 4, 36-45.
  • Love, M., Simpson, L. A., Golloher, A., Gadus, B., & Dorwin, J. (2020) Professional development to increase teacher capacity for the use of new technologies. Intervention in School and Clinic, 56(2), 115-118.

  • Simpson, L. A., Maffini, C. S., & Schuck, R. K. (2019). Examining use of school personnel in CBT interventions for anxiety in students with ASD. Education and Training in Autism and Developmental Disabilities, 54, 301-312.

Recent Presentations

  • Simpson, L. A., Golloher, A., & Love, M. (2020). Cross-disciplinary collaboration: Examining perspectives of preservice candidates. Accepted Presentation for Council for Exceptional Children International Conference. Portland, Oregon.
  • Love, M., Golloher, A., & Simpson, L. A. (2020). Preparing general and special educators through structured collaboration: Perceptions of preservice teachers. Accepted Presentation for Council for Exceptional Children International Conference. Portland, Oregon.

  • Simpson, L. A., Golloher, A., & Love, M. (2019). Identifying best practices in preservice preparation for high leverage practice: Collaboration. Accepted Presentation for Teacher Education Division of the Council for Exceptional Children Conference. New Orleans, LA.

  • Golloher, A., & Simpson, L.A. (2018) Bridging the departmental divide to develop collaboration skills in general and special education preservice candidates. Presentation for the Teacher Education Division of the Council for Exceptional Children Conference. Las Vegas, NV.

  • Simpson, L. A. (2018). What’s in the Paraeducator’s Toolbox? Educational accommodations for students with autism spectrum disorders. Poster Presentation for Council for Exceptional International Conference. Tampa, FL.

Noteworthy Grants and Awards

  • Co-Principal Investigator, Lurie College Strategic Plan Grant to develop a dual credential residency program with undergrad (4+1) and post-bac
    options with coursework aligned to universal and Education Specialist teaching performance expectations.  Grant of $15,000 awarded Spring 2020
  • Principal Investigator, Hewlett Education Foundation Grant to expand the Lurie College of Education teacher residency program and build capacity with school district partners. Grant of $600,000 awarded Fall 2019
  • Co-Principal Investigator, Lurie College Research and Teaching Collaborative Grant to investigate factors contributing to high quality teacher residency
    programs for Education Specialists and Multiple Subject candidates.  Grant of $15,000 awarded Summer 2019
  • CTC Teacher Residency Grant: SJSU and Franklin McKinley School District - Education Specialist Lead.  Grant of $200,000 awarded Spring 2019

Online Resources

Areas of Research Interest

  • Autism and anxiety
  • Autism and social interactions
  • Autism spectrum disorders
  • Peer-mediated interventions
  • Teacher preparation

Personality Playlist

Listen to Lisa's playlist below and access all of the personality playlists on our Lurie College of Education Spotify account