Kathleen Gradel, Ed.D.Associate Professor
Office: TH E276 Phone: (716)673-4681
Email: gradel@fredonia.edu
Introduction
Prior to joining the faculty at SUNY Fredonia , Dr. Gradel earned tenured Associate Professor status at Buffalo State College, where she built 2 Master's programs in early childhood special ed and severe disabilities. She was on faculty at Univ/Maryland, Univ/Virginia, and Johns Hopkins. As Program Director for national UCPA, Inc. she generated $3 million in grants annually, coordinated national technology projects, and trained in preK-adults technology use. She has both managed and evaluated grants to higher ed, schools, libraries, non-profits, and states. She joined FSU after directing an inclusive early childhood/primary program. She recently served as Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Technology for the Silver Creek School District.Teaching Interests
At FSU, Dr. Gradel's favorite courses include: Educational Psychology and the three graduate special education classes. In addition, she has worked with numerous students on their own action research in EDU 690, and with undergraduates in EDU 416. She is Chair of the University Planning & Budget Committee, and has served on the FSU Faculty Technology Support Team. She is also Co-Advisor to the Fredonia education honor society, Kappa Delta Pi. In the community, Dr. Gradel works with P-12 faculty on schoolwide positive behavioral interventions/supports, differentiated instruction, technology skills, and curriculum mapping. Nationally, she trains on technology applications and preservice teacher preparation. She serves as Co-Chair of the Erie County Developmental Disabilities Assoc. of WNY Committee on Education, and as Co-liaison of the Western Region Task Force on Quality Inclusive Schooling.Research Interests
Dr. Gradel's research includes: Strategies to facilitate (a) school success of P-12 students with learning/behavioral needs enrolled in inclusive classrooms; (b) mastery of instructional skills by preservice educators; (c) induction supports for IHE faculty. She has a long-term commitment to grant funding to extend the best practices of practitioners, having worked with numerous national groups in extramurally-funded efforts. She - with Dr. Michael Jabot and local districts - has been successful in securing two major NYS professional development and systems change grants.Educational Background
Dr. Gradel earned her Special Ed Bachelor's, Master's, and doctorate from the University of Virginia. As an undergraduate, she was certified in Mental Retardation, Birth-21. At the Master's level, she extended her certification to Emotional Disturbance. Her doctorate focused on severe disabilities, with minors in Developmental Psychology and Early Childhood Special Education, and a concentration in evaluation.Published Books:
- Snell, M.E., & Gradel, K. (1987). Instructor’s manual; Systematic instruction of persons with severe handicaps. Columbus, OH: Charles E. Merrill.
Recent Published Invited Chapters:
- Gradel, K., Jabot, M., Magiera, K., & Maheady, L. Special education teaching strategies. Invited chapter in Special educators’ almanac. Chapter 9 in E. Fletcher-Janzen & C. R. Reynolds (Eds.), Special education almanac. NY: John Wiley & Sons. Manuscript in press.
- Maheady, L., Gradel, K., & Magiera, K. (2003). Mainstreaming: Supporting the inclusion of students with disabilities in general education classrooms. Invited chapter in G. Sugai & R. Horner (eds.), The encyclopedia of behavior modification and cognitive behavior therapy, Sage Publications, NY.
- Gradel, K. (2002). Funding and public policy. In DeRuyter, F., & Olson, D. The clinician’s guide to assistive technology. Chicago, IL: Mosby-YearBook, Inc.
Recent Published Articles:
- Gradel, K. (1998). Augmentative communication over the long haul…things to ponder. ASHA AAC Newsletter.
- Neubert, D.A., Danehey, A.J., & Gradel, K. (1992). Case management practices for young adults with developmental disabilities in transition. Career Development for Exceptional Individuals, 15(1), 1-12.
- Gradel, K. (1991). Translation of a customer service culture into practice in assistive technology and employment services. Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, 1(2) 41-54.
- Gradel, K. (1991). Project TECH TOTS: Getting technology into the hands of families and kids. The Networker, Winter.
- Gradel, K. (1991). What does customer service mean? The Networker, Winter.
Copyright (c) 2007 SUNY Fredonia College of Education