Rena VanDerwall

Prior to doctoral studies, Rena was a special education teacher for KPA (August 2016 through June 2018), a learning behavior specialist for Perspectives Leadership Academy in Chicago (from August 2012 through June 2014) and the Dean of Students for Perspectives High School of Technology (from August 2014 through June 2016). During her doctoral studies, Rena was awarded a research GA and served as a member of the Behavior Support Team at Valley Center School, KRESA (August 2018 through April 2020).

Rena has pursued numerous professional opportunities as a doctoral student to develop skills in research, teaching in higher education, and advocacy for schools and students. She is the co-author of 4 peer-refereed publications and the first author of 2 of these. She has an additional manuscript in preparation. She has given 7 presentations at state or national conferences.

Also, with WMU professors and KRESA colleagues, she has been the recipient of 3 grants from the Kalamazoo Community Foundation securing just over $100,000 (2 grants = $24,900; 1 grant = $50,000). These grants have supported research and service delivery in the area of positive behavior supports. Rena has taught courses and assisted with supervision of clinical experiences for undergraduate students in special education. In January 2020 she represented WMU at the Higher Education Consortium in Special Education (HECSE) short course for doctoral students, designed to prepare leaders in special education who can be strong advocates for state and federal policies governing education. Competition for selection to the short course is highly competitive and only ten spots are available to doctoral students from across the country