Academic Background:
Dr. DeHaas came to Juniata College in 1997. She earned a Ph.D. in Special Education (with an emphasis in Human Development and Family Studies) from Penn State University, a M.Ed. in Special Education/Educational Leadership from Providence College, and a B.S. in Elementary and Special Education from Slippery Rock University.
Following the initial completion of her doctorate in August 1991, Professor DeHaas became the Inclusion Project Coordinator in a Middletown, Rhode Island school. In January of 1992, she began teaching at the University of Northern Colorado and serving as an Associate Professor and Program Coordinator for Early Childhood Special Education, remaining at the school into 1997.
When Dr. DeHaas arrived at Juniata College in 1997, the Education Department already had a contemporary approach to teacher education. All teacher candidates, whether working toward certification in Early Childhood, Elementary, or a Secondary content area, were required to enroll in at least 7 credits of Special Education coursework. During her first year at JC, the Education Department faculty developed a Unified General Education/Special Education program which was approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. As a result, teacher candidates may enroll in Early Childhood and/or Elementary Education and Special Education certification programs. Furthermore, content regarding how to meet the needs of student with disabilities and other diverse learners is infused in all certification courses.
Professor DeHaas continues to have an interest in helping other teacher education institutions develop unified teacher education programs. She presents this approach to teacher education at many state and national conferences. She served on several review teams for the Pennsylvania Department of Education. In 1999, Dr. DeHaas served as a member of the Pennsylvania Department of Education team responsible for writing the new special education teacher education guidelines. She continues to serve as a Program Evaluator of Teacher Certification Programs for the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
Dr. DeHaas' research interests focus on high-stakes assessment decision making for students with disabilities. She is also interested in the effects of disabilities on the social and emotional development of young girls. Dr. DeHaas has published articles in Teacher Education and Special Education, Topics in Early Childhood Special Education, Young Children, and Child and Youth Care Forum. She has written several book chapters and has given many professional presentations. She is responsible for teaching several Education courses at Juniata.
Professor DeHaas is certified to teach students in elementary and special education in Pennsylvania and Rhode Island. She holds Director of Special Education and Elementary Principal certificates in Pennsylvania and Rhode Island. Before earning her Master's degree, she taught students with special needs in Rhode Island and Pennsylvania.