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The Pathway Project

Paving the Way for High-Quality Personnel Entering the Workforce in Support of Young Children with Disabilities

Learn how to support young children with disabilities and families through the Pathway Project!

The project will fund students seeking certification in Birth Through Kindergarten (BK) and Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE).

Graduates will be trained to work with:

  • Infants, toddlers, and preschoolers with disabilities,
  • Families with young children with high-intensity needs, and
  • Professionals providing services in the natural environments of children and families

Video: Dr. Cindy Vail talks about the importance of high-quality early childhood supports

Pathways to BK/ECSE Certification and Endorsement

Pathway scholars will enter through one of three possible pathways to BK/ECSE certification and endorsement. Scholars will follow the:

  1. Direct pathway: A graduate degree program resulting in a Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) or Master’s in Education (M.Ed.) in BK/ECSE;
  2. Double Dawgs pathway: A combined undergraduate and graduate degree program resulting in M.A.T. or M.Ed. in BK/ECSE; or
  3. Partnership pathway: A partnership with Spelman College beginning during students’ undergraduate program and resulting in an M.Ed. in BK/ECSE from UGA

Graduates of the Pathway Project will be prepared and certified to take positions primarily serving young children with disabilities eligible for Part C or Part B special education services.

If you have any questions about this project, feel free to contact:

Apply for Funding

Meet the Team

Rebecca Lieberman-Betz, PhD

Associate professor, Department of Communication Sciences and Special Education (Special Education)

Scholarship:

  • Teacher preparation and interdisciplinary collaboration
  • Play and communication development in young children with developmental delays
  • Parent-implemented intervention
  • Part C service delivery

Cynthia Vail, PhD

Professor, Department of Communication Sciences and Special Education (Special Education)

Scholarship:

  • Teacher preparation and peer coaching
  • Part C policy
  • Arranging play environments to promote pro-social behavior
  • Exercise as an antecedent intervention

Alicia Davis, PhD

Clinical professor, Department of Communication Sciences and Special Education (Special Education)

Valeisha Ellis, PhD

Assistant professor, Department of Education, Spelman College

Professional interests:

  • Integrating science and reading -nstruction
  • Effective S.T.E.(A)M. education methods research
  • Reading and science student achievement
  • Social and emotional learning/mindfulness pedagogy
  • Effective models of establishing and maintaining P-12 school & community partnerships
  • Effective pre-service field & clinical models for teacher education
  • Minority teacher preparation, recruitment, and retention
  • HBCU teacher preparation

Susie Fitzmaurice

Graduate assistant, Department of Communication Sciences and Special Education

Professional interests:

  • Active learning space
  • Infants with dual sensory impairments
  • Part C service delivery

National Science Foundation logo

The contents of this webpage were developed under a grant from the U.S. Department of Education, #H325K230069. However, those contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the U.S. Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government. Project Officer: Sunyoung Ahn.

Contact Info

Rebecca Lieberman-Betz, PhD
552A Aderhold Hall 110 Carlton St. Athens, Ga 30602
© University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602
706‑542‑3000