Profile
Education
1998 Doctorate of Philosophy in Special Education, The University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, Mississippi
1994 Master of Science in Counseling and Personnel Services Emphasis in Rehabilitation Counseling
The University of Memphis, Memphis, Tennessee
1992 Bachelor of Science in Pre-Professional Psychology, The University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg, Mississippi
Certification
2008 Teacher Induction Trainer, New Teacher Center, University of California Santa Cruz
2003 Assistive Technology Application Certification Program (ATACP), University of California Northridge
1998 K – 12 Mississippi Educator AA Certification, Area of concentration: Serious Emotional Disturbance
PROFESSIONAL Experience [2009 – 1999]
1999 - University Experience
Interim Chair [2009 - ]
The University of Memphis, Instruction and Curriculum Leadership Department, Memphis, Tennessee
Support faculty in the delivery of high quality degree and licensure programs. Facilitate department partnerships with state and local education agencies. Represent the interests of the department on and off campus. Communicate department activities to stakeholders. Process faculty and student issues. Ensure that department activity is aligned with University policy.
Grant Writer & Administrator [Principle Investigator and Project Director: 1998 -]
Identify funding sources and write proposals for competitive funding. Connect research to practice and design practical management plans. Facilitate budget development and provide succinct budget justifications. Monitor and approve expenditures, collaborate with state and school district administrators, recruit participants, supervise staff, and negotiate support. Awarded grants/contracts are listed below.
- Cooley Nichols, S. (Principle Investigator). Building Effective Inclusive Practices in Reading, Mathematics, and Writing: Professional Development and Mentoring Support. The Tennessee Higher Education Commission, $150,000.00 [2009].
- Cooley Nichols, S. (Principle Investigator). Special Education Institute. The Tennessee Department of Education, Office of Training and Professional Development, more than $2,500,000.00 [2002 – present]
- Cooley Nichols, S. (Principle Investigator). Becoming a Special Educator in Tennessee: BASE-TN. The Tennessee Department of Education, Office of Training and Professional Development, more than $2,000,000.00 [2004 – present]
- Scott, J. C. (Principle Investigator), Cooley Nichols, S., & Powell, A. Math, Assistive Technology and Reading (MATR): Enhancing Teaching in Inclusive Middle School Classrooms. The Tennessee Higher Education Commission, $125,500.00 [2007 – 08]
- Cooley Nichols, S. (Principle Investigator). Assistive Technology Training and Integration Network (ATTAIN). The Tennessee Department of Education, Office of Training and Professional Development, $175,000.00 [2002 – 07]
- Cooley Nichols, S., (Principle Investigator) Brinson, S. A., & Scott, J. C. Math, Assistive Technology and Reading (MATR): Enhancing Teaching in Inclusive Classrooms. The Tennessee Higher Education Commission, $114,000.00 [2004 – 05]
- Cooley, S. (Principle Investigator) & Duhon, G. Distance Louisiana. Louisiana Board of Education, $15,000.00 [1999 – 00]
Associate Professor [ 2005 – ]
The University of Memphis, Instruction and Curriculum Leadership Department, Memphis, Tennessee
Teach undergraduate/graduate courses and mentor alternatively licensed inservice teachers. Chair and serve on dissertation and thesis committees. Maintain an active line of research and scholarship pertaining to inclusion, special education, and teacher education. Assume leadership roles in professional organizations at the International/National and state levels. Served as program coordinator - responsibilities included evaluating clinical faculty, instructors, and adjuncts, facilitating the NCATE accreditation process for the Council for Exceptional Children SPA, representing the special education unit at the department level, justifying the need for faculty lines, and mediating problems/concerns of faculty, staff, and students.
- Curriculum Developer
Assisted with curriculum development of traditional special education teacher training and alternative licensure programs. Facilitated the curriculum mapping process. Was responsible for ensuring that professional standards were addressed. Served as instructor of record, created course syllabi, and taught courses. Refined course content and delivery based on stakeholder (state department of education, LEAs and students) input. Programs listed below.
- Dual license undergraduate program - special education and elementary education
- Master of Science in special education
- Master of Arts in Teaching – special education graduate level initial licensure program
Assistant Professor [1999 – 2005]
The University of Memphis, Instruction and Curriculum Leadership Department, Memphis, Tennessee
Taught undergraduate and graduate courses, supervised student teachers and practicum students. Mentored alternatively licensed inservice teachers. Served on dissertation and thesis committees. Managed recruitment/retention and training grant projects. Conducted research in the areas of emotional disturbance, mental retardation/ developmental disabilities, early childhood special education, teacher education, recruitment and retention, and working with families. Provided school and community training and services. Participated in numerous department, college, and University committees. Was faculty advisor of the Student Council for Exceptional Children.
Assistant Professor [1998 – 1999]
McNeese State University, Special Education Department, Lake Charles, Louisiana
Coordinated the Early Intervention Program within the Department of Special Education. Supervised student teachers in surrounding school districts, assessed student performance (instructional practices, curriculums and lesson plans), and collaborated with special services directors and educators. Prepared lectures, class activities, class materials (i.e. examinations, quizzes…), taught graduate, undergraduate and certification early childhood special education and early childhood education courses in the departments of Special Education and Curriculum and Instruction.
1997 – 1999 Early Interventionist
State of Mississippi, Health Department, Jackson, Mississippi
Rendered services to infants and toddlers at-risk of developing or with disabling conditions within their natural environments. Provided inservice workshops for instructors and caregivers. Conducted screenings and assessments of infants and toddlers 0 through 3 years of age, prepared reports of screening and assessment results.
1996 – Professional Development Designer & Facilitator
Specialize in the creation of systemic professional development programs that are tailored to meet the needs of individual LEAs/SEAs. Conduct needs assessments and design programs to address the identified needs. Provide professional development to paraeducators, general and special educators, and school administrators. Assess implementation effectiveness.
2008 - New Teacher Center Trainer
Facilitate training with new and veteran educators, researchers, and policy makers to support the development of strong induction models by providing resources and programs that address effective mentoring and supervision practices, issues of equity, using student data to improve instruction, and strategies for meeting the needs of English
Professional service [2009 – 2005]
2009 - President, Division of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Exceptional Learners of the International Council for
Exceptional Children
2004 – Executive Board Member-Knowledge and Skills Subcommittee Representative, Div. of Culturally and Linguistically
Diverse Exceptional Learners of the International Council for Exceptional Children
2008 - Reviewer, International Reading Teaching Journal, specialty areas: struggling readers and special education
2008-09 Local Arrangements Committee Chair for the Council for Exceptional Children Annual Convention 2010
Nashville, Tennessee
2004-07 Secretary, Division of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Exceptional Learners
International Council for Exceptional Children
2005 - Acting President, President, President Elect/Conference Chair, Tennessee Council for Exceptional Children
2007 - Member, Board of Directors, Arlington Developmental Center, Arlington, Tennessee
Professional Affiliations
2009 - AERA
1999, 2009 - Comprehensive System of Personnel Development
1996 - Phi Delta Kappa
1995 – Council for Exceptional Children
Honors/Awards
2009 College of Education Distinguished Service Award, University of Memphis, Memphis, Tennessee
2009 Certification of Recognition, 10 Years of Dedicated Service, University of Memphis, Memphis, Tennessee
2007 BASE-TN Program – Dynamic & Outstanding Leadership Award, University of Memphis, Memphis, Tennessee
RESEARCH & Scholarship [2009 -2005]
Publications [2009 – 2005]
Scott, J.C., Cooley-Nichols, S., Brinson, S.A., & Legard, C. (2008). Utilizing assistive technology in inclusive classrooms: Leaving no children without. Journal of School Educational Technology, 5(1),59-65.
Cooley-Nichols, S., Bicard, S. C., Bicard, D. F., and Casey, L. B. (Spring, 2008). A field at risk: Teacher shortage in special education. Phi Delta Kappan.
Casey, L. B., Bicard, D. F., Bicard, S. C., and Cooley-Nichols, S. (Spring, 2008). Recent Innovations in General and Special Education: Works in progress to address a much needed and much delayed response to A Nation at Risk in terms of assessment and classroom management. Phi Delta Kappan.
Cooley-Nichols, S. and Hill-Clarke, K. (2006). Increasing parental involvement in literacy acquisition of children with special needs. Focus on Inclusive Education, 3(3), 4-8.
Cooley-Nichols, S. (Winter, 2005). Don't do it alone: Increase communication with families. Dimensions of Early Childhood, 33(1), 32-36.
Presentations [2009 – 2005]
Cooley-Nichols, S. and Harris, D. (2009, May). What Every K12 Administrator Should Know about Special Education. Lecture presented at the Annual Leadership Conference at The University of Memphis. Memphis, Tennessee.
Cooley-Nichols, S. and Harris, D. (2009, April). Effective Mentorship Practices for Alternatively Licensed Special Education Teachers. Lecture presented at the International Conference of the Council for Exceptional Children, Seattle, Washington.
Winn, J., Cooley-Nichols, S., Friend, M., Rice, C., McCletsky, J., and Sileo, N. (2009, April). CEC’s Advanced Standards Initiative: Guiding Preparation of Professional Who Foster Inclusive Practices. Poster presented at the International Conference of the Council for Exceptional Children, Seattle, Washington.
Cooley-Nichols, S. and Harris, D. (2009, February). STRIVE PROJECT: Supporting Teacher Rejuvenation of Inclusive Environments in Education. Lecture presented at the Annual Tennessee Special Education Conference. Nashville, Tennessee.
Winn, J., Cooley-Nichols, S., Friend, M., Rice, C., McCletsky, J., and Sileo, N. (2008). Using CREDE Principles in the College Classroom. Lecture presented at the Teacher Education Division of the Council for Exceptional Children Conference, Dallas, Texas.
Cooter, K. and Cooley-Nichols, S. (2007). Using CREDE Principles in the College Classroom. Poster presented at the Teacher Education Division of the Council for Exceptional Children Conference, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Cooley-Nichols, S. & Brazley-Keith, M. (2007, September). Using Assitive Technology in Inclusive Settings. 10th Annual Beyond Access Conference: Inclusion Mission Possible, Memphis, Tennessee.
Cooley-Nichols, S. (2007). Utopia is…If I didn’t have to tell my students, “Quiet, No, Sit down, Stop” 100 times a day. The Memphis Literacy Academy: 5th Annual Fall Conference, Memphis, Tennessee
Cooley-Nichols, S. (February, 2006). Opening and Welcome. Tennessee Council for Exceptional Children Conference. A World of Possiblities: Excellence in Special Education, Memphis, Tennessee.
Cooley-Nichols, S. (February, 2006). Closing Ceremony. Tennessee Council for Exceptional Children Conference. A World of Possibilities: Excellence in Special Education, Memphis, Tennessee.
Cooley-Nichols, S. & Brazely-Keith, M. (2005). Special education law for parents: Advocating for a better tomorrow. The African-American Family Conference: Understanding Special Education and Its Impact, Memphis, Tennessee.
Additional Information
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