COE professor delivers keynote address in Beijing
College of Education associate professor Kymberly Harris, Ph.D., delivered a keynote address to special education professionals at the 2017 Haidian International Conference on Inclusive Education, held July 2-7 in Beijing.
The conference was co-hosted by the Haiden Institute for Special Education and the Research Center for Inclusive Education of Beijing Normal University. Harris’s speech addressed the principles of differentiated instruction in successful inclusion of diverse learners.
“It was a great experience presenting to special education teachers,” said Harris. “The teachers I met are dedicated advocates for their students and promote equity in educational experiences for students with disabilities.”
While in Beijing, Harris met with University of Sydney clinical instructor Cathy Little, Ph.D., to discuss the Georgia Department of Education's initiative of Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS), a proactive approach to establishing the behavior supports and social culture needed for all students in a school to achieve social, emotional and academic success.
“Dr. Little and I discussed the implications of PBIS on the educational system of China for further comparative research,” explained Harris. “This is one of my primary research interests.”
Harris added that since having been to China a total of three times now, she is forming relationships with many local educators and researchers.
“I consider many of the faculty and students there to be colleagues and friends,” she said. “I look forward to the interesting research and collaborative projects that will arise from my opportunities to visit and speak in China.”
Harris has already collaborated on research projects with colleague and professor at Beijing Normal University, Meng Deng, Ph.D., who also serves as the director for the Research Center for Inclusive Education. Harris’s work with Deng led to her being chosen as the latest keynote speaker for this conference.
Since Harris’s initial trip to China with another group of COE faculty in 2008, she served as a faculty sponsor for Deng during his Fulbright Scholar appointment to Georgia Southern in 2010. Additionally, she has served as an advisor for one of Deng's graduate students, Ting Peng, and sponsored one of Deng's doctoral students, Xiao Xiao Lin.
Harris’s continued goal for collaboration is to teach at Beijing Normal University as an invited faculty member.
For more information on the College of Education, visit Georgia Southern.edu/COE.
Georgia Southern University, a public Carnegie Doctoral/Research University founded in 1906, offers 118 degree programs serving 20,673 students. Through eight colleges, the University offers bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs built on more than a century of academic achievement. Georgia Southern is recognized for its student-centered and hands-on approach to education. Visit GeorgiaSouthern.edu.
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