Special Education Faculty of Saint Joseph’s University

The instructors who teach the master's in special education program at Saint Joseph’s are professionals dedicated to helping you learn to help students with challenges meet their full potential in school and beyond. With both extensive academic credentials and years of professional experience, they provide an enriching and inspiring learning environment.

Samuel B. Slike, D.Ed.

Dr. Samuel B. Slike has been the Director of Special Education Online Programs at SJU since 2011. Previously he was Professor and Curriculum Coordinator of the Master of Science Education...

Cheryl L. George, Ph.D.

Cheryl L. George is a former special education teacher (K-12), with classroom teaching experience in resource rooms and self-contained special education classrooms, grades 1-8. She also...

MaryErin (Mollie) Sheppard, Ed.D

Dr. Mary E. Sheppard is an Assistant Professor in the Special Education Department. Her research focuses on effective teaming practices that support families of children with special needs...

Jaclyn Galbally

Jaclyn Galbally is currently a visiting faculty member at Saint Joseph's University, where she has been teaching in the online program for the past five years. She has been working in the...

Carolyn Berenato, Ed. D.

Carolyn L. Berenato, Ed. D. is an assistant professor of Special Education at Saint Joseph's University. Her research focuses on learning environments; K-12 curriculum and educational...

Bari Goldstein

Bari Goldstein has taught Theory and Practice of High Incidence Disabilities at Saint Joseph’s University for the past three years. She has worked with students with special needs for the...

Christopher F. Herman

As one of the initial authors of the St. Joe's online program, Chris Herman has been teaching at the University in a variety of capacities since 2006. Outside of SJU, he is a founder...

Elizabeth J. Hunsperger

Elizabeth Hunsperger earned her Bachelor’s and Doctor of Education degrees at the University of Delaware and her Master’s at Delaware State University. Her professional background includes...

James R. Johnson

James Johnson received his undergraduate degree in Elementary Education and Visually Impaired from Illinois State University, a Master’s in Special Education from Temple University in 1982...

Kyle C. Kanter

As a former special education teacher for over 16 years and now a supervisor of special education for the Norristown Area School District, Kyle Kanter has worked with students from all...

Renee Lang Reasons

Renee Lang Reasons reaped the benefits of a Jesuit education by earning all of her degrees at Saint Joseph’s University—a Bachelor’s in Elementary Education, a Master’s in Reading and...

Jeanmarie Mason

Jeanmarie Nelson has 37 years of education experience and is currently employed at the Spring-Ford Area School District. Her certifications include Mentally and Physically Handicapped K-12...

Nooha Ahmed-Lee

Nooha Ahmed-Lee has worked in education for 26 years. She earned a Bachelor’s in Education from the University of Washington, a Master’s in Education at the City University of New York and...

Irene Merenda

Irene Merenda recently retired after more than 25 years as an Educational Audiologist within a public school setting, serving children with hearing loss (and their families) from age of...

Jo Ann Marie Rae

Jo Ann Marie Rae earned a BS in Special Education and Elementary Education from West Chester University, a Master’s degree in Educational Administration and a supervisory certificate and a...

Veronica Ruiz

Veronica Ruiz earned her undergraduate degree at Southwest Texas University, a master’s degree at Texas State University and is currently enrolled in the Ph.D. in Multicultural Special...

Eileen Sabbatino

Eileen Sabbatino has been a full-time faculty member in the Special Education department at Saint Joseph’s University for 12 years.

Before entering higher education, she taught...

Elizabeth C. Serpentine

Elizabeth Serpentine earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Connecticut and a Master’s and Doctoral degree from the Pennsylvania State University in the field of Communication...

Nina Wall

Nina Wall, MSS, LSW, is the Director of the Bureau of Autism Services in the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare. Prior to this position, she served as co-chair of the Autism Task...

Sarah Woldoff

Sarah Woldoff, Ph.D. is a licensed psychologist with over 10 years of experience providing assessment services, individual treatment, consultation with schools and medical professionals,...

Joseph E. Fischgrund

Joseph E. Fischgrund has been an educator of deaf students for many years, most notably as the Headmaster of The Pennsylvania School for the Deaf (PSD) in Philadelphia, PA, a position he...

Glenna Billingsley

Glenna Billingsley taught special education in Austin, Texas for 23 years and was a Behavior Specialist for a school district south of Austin for 3 years. She is currently an Assistant...

Nicole Bourque

Nicole Bourque earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Saint Joseph’s University and is currently a doctoral candidate in SJU’s Interdisciplinary Doctor of Education Program for...

William J. Hudson

Mr. Hudson recently retired after more than 30 years of teaching students who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing. He has worked in a variety of educational settings including; center based...

Dee Castorani

Dee Castorani earned a BS in Education from Cabrini College and a M.Ed. in Mid-Level Education from Rosemont College. Her certifications include Special Education, Reading Specialist,...

Kimmarie Cipolla

Kimmarie Cipolla received a doctorate in Special Education from Arcadia University in June 2010. Her dissertation focused on social cognition, effects of teaching social thinking to...

Elizabeth G. Clark

Elizabeth G. Clark earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Disorders from Marquette University, and a Master of Arts Degree from Temple University in the field of Communication...

Holly Cohen

Holly Cohen has 30 years of experience as a school psychologist and has taught special education students for five years. She has designed courses, presented workshops, and taught courses...

Jennifer Dougherty

Jennifer Dougherty has been teaching in the field of special education for 14 years at the elementary and secondary levels. She currently works as a national certified school psychologist...

For more information about the faculty of the online master's in special education, call (866) 758-7670 or request more information below.