SPECIAL EDUCATION PROFESSOR BUILDS NEW CONNECTIONS IN MALAYSIA AS FULBRIGHT SPECIALIST

Professor Karin Fisher, Ph.D., had an unforgettable educational experience when she spent nearly three weeks in Malaysia. The special education professor traveled to Southeast Asia for a collaboration with the Dyslexia Association of Sarawak, thanks to her selection as a Fulbright Specialist Program award winner.

“I felt an immense sense of pride and gratitude,” said Fisher. “It validated my dedication to special education and international collaboration. More importantly, I saw it as an opportunity to continue contributing meaningfully to global education initiatives while learning from educators in diverse contexts.”

Fisher, who joined the Georgia Southern University faculty in 2016, teaches Introduction to Special Education to non-special education majors, Special Education Teacher Leadership, and Collaboration Across the Lifespan. During her time in Malaysia last year, she led workshops and seminars for teachers, parents and other service providers. She also visited six schools and organizations that support people with disabilities. The professor noted that receiving the Fulbright Specialist Award meets both a personal achievement and a professional responsibility to make a positive impact on children with disabilities and their teachers.

Fisher, who also supervises graduate student teachers, sees the experience as beneficial to the University.

“Such opportunities enrich our curriculum and create a more globally aware academic community,” she shared. “I typically have at least one student a year take an online course with me from outside the U.S. Special Education teachers are in demand worldwide.”

What the Fulbright Specialist found most rewarding about the opportunity was connecting with board members of the Dyslexia Association of Sarawak. She noted they are all passionate volunteers dedicated to helping students with disabilities.