Themes for Inclusive Classrooms: Lesson Plans for Every Learner (Early Childhood Education)

Laverne Warner, Ph.D., is Professor Emerita in the Department of Language, Literacy, and Special Populations at Sam Houston State University in Texas. Previously, she taught public school in Texas, Indiana, and Vermont. She is the author of nine books and has published more than 100 articles in journals across the country. Sharon Lynch, Ed.D., has been working in the field of education for over twenty years. She has worked as an educational diagnostician, speech language pathologist, special education teacher, and as an educational consultant. Sharon is currently an associate professor at Sam Houston State University, where she teaches assessment, behavioral intervention, cognitive disabilities, and early childhood special education. As an educator for 27 years, Diana Kay Nabors has taught in both special education and general education classes. She currently is the Program Coordinator for the Early Childhood Program at Sam Houston State University. Cynthia Simpson has more than 15 years of experience in the public and private sector as a preschool teacher, special education teacher, elementary teacher, educational diagnostician, and administrator. She is currently an assistant professor at Sam Houston State University where she teaches courses in early childhood and special education.

Diana Nabors, EdD, has been a public school educator for many years. She is an associate professor and program coordinator for the early childhood program within the College of Education at Sam Houston State University. As a presenter and consultant, she works with area school districts and prekindergarten centers focusing on programs for early childhood classrooms. She also assists in providing field experiences for the university preservice teachers in general education, inclusive, and special education settings. Nabors has written numerous articles on inclusive classrooms for early childhood publications and has served on various local and state committees focusing on early childhood education. Diana was a semi-finalist for the 2005-2006 Excellence in Teaching Award at Sam Houston State University.

Cynthia Simpson, PhD, has more than 15 years of experience in the public and private sector as a preschool teacher, special education teacher, elementary teacher, educational diagnostician, and administrator. She maintains an active role in the childcare industry as an educational consultant in the areas of assessment and inclusive practices. Her professional responsibilities include serving on the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education/National Association for the Education of Young Children Review Panel, as well as holding the position of state adviser to the Texas Educational Diagnostician Association. She also represents college teachers as the vice president of legislative affairs for Texas Association of College Teachers. Cynthia has many publications to her credit and is a featured speaker at the international, national, and state level. She is currently an assistant professor in the College of Education at Sam Houston State University, where she teaches courses in early childhood and special education. Cynthia was recently awarded the 2008 Susan Phillips Gorin Award, the highest honor that can be bestowed on a professional member of the Council for Exceptional Children by its student membership.