When it comes to teaching teachers about cultural diversity,
families and the special education system, Elizabeth Harry
wrote the book. Literally.
"Teacher's Handbook: Cultural Diversity, Families and
the Special Education System" (1997, New York: Teachers
College Press) is one of half a dozen volumes Harry — Eastern
Michigan University's 2008-09 Porter Lecture Series speaker
— has written or co-authored, as she's blazed a path through
the field of special education.
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Harry |
Harry will share the first of three evening lectures — scheduled
over the course of the academic year — Thursday, Oct. 9,
7:30 p.m., in suite 203 of the Porter Building. Her lecture
will be followed by a book signing in the Porter Building's
second-floor student lounge. That same day, Harry will
make a 9 a.m. presentation to College of Education students
and faculty in suite 203 of the Porter Building, and will
discuss her research at 3 p.m. in the second floor lounge
of the Porter Building. On Friday, Oct. 10, Harry will
bring her message to the Washtenaw Intermediate School
District's bi-weekly superintendents' meeting.
All events at EMU are open to the public. Subsequent lectures
are set for Feb. 12, 2009, and March 26, 2009. For more
information on scheduled events, visit http://www.emich.edu/coe/chair/documents/beth_harry_schedule_of_events.pdf
Over the course of the three lectures, Harry will share
her research on the disproportionate placement of minority
students in special education programs; helping culturally
and linguistically diverse students with disabilities;
and the role of families and communities in supporting
students with disabilities.
Harry, a professor of special education in the department
of teaching and learning at the University of Miami in
Coral Gables, Fla., has been a consultant to more than
a dozen state and national agencies; given more than 100
presentations and keynote speeches on special education
topics; and serves on roughly five doctoral dissertation
committees a year.
But before she was a renowned scholar and educator, she
was the mother of a child with cerebral palsy, a Jamaican,
a woman of color. Her own experiences in the special education
system makes her research that much richer.
"I think it's her unique perspective of looking at it
as a mother and a researcher (that sets her apart)," said
Sally Burton-Hoyle, co-chair of the Porter Lecture Series
Committee. "We need to bring those two worlds together,
so our students have better insight into supporting their students."
Named for former EMU president John Porter, the John W.
Porter Distinguished Chair in Urban Education is the College
of Education's first endowed chair. It brings nationally
recognized scholars to EMU with the goal of expanding the
university's role in urban school districts. In addition
to giving faculty and students access to the leading scholars
in their fields, the College of Education uses the series
to reach out to partner school districts and community
groups.
Unlike recent years, which have split the lectures between
several visiting professors, this year's committee opted
to stick with just one.
"They've had great, nationally-known speakers at every
single Porter Chair event," Burton-Hoyle said. "We were
really interested in developing a dialogue. We wanted to
bring in someone and try to get to know them better, have
people develop a relationship with her."
