Vanguard University Offers New Special Education Emphasis

COSTA MESA, Calif., August 24, 2016 – A new academic emphasis at Vanguard University will assist in meeting the drastically growing demand for special educators in the school systems in California. This fall 2016 will launch the first year of the special education emphasis in Vanguard’s teaching program—with nearly 70 students enrolled in the specialized bachelor of arts program.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that employment of special education teachers is projected to grow six percent from 2012 to 2022. Employment growth, then, will be driven by continued demand for special education services. Many job opportunities will stem from the need to replace teachers who leave the occupation.

"Most of all, this special education emphasis helps to serve the most vulnerable young children, which is congruent with the goal of Vanguard University’s early childhood education program as a whole," said Dr. Seon Chun-Burbank, assistant professor and chair of the department of liberal studies at Vanguard. "Our goal is to equip students with the professional and spiritual tools needed to live a Spirit-empowered life of Christ-centered leadership and service."

Additional courses to complete the special education emphasis are: (1) Exceptional Children: Teaching Language Arts, Math and Science for Students with Severe Disabilities (2) Principles of Applied Behavior Analysis: Autism, and (3) Functional Assessment and Evaluation for Exceptional Learners.

"Since the number of children with autism has been increasing, it will be highly beneficial for our students to learn how to apply behavioral principles in their classes, deal with challenging behaviors, and build positive relationship with their students and their families," said Dr. Chun-Burbank.

Two Vanguard faculty members will lead the program in teaching the special education courses, Rosa Moon and Kyanne Albelo. Since 2004, professor Moon has been working with children with autism and special needs students in clinical settings, private schools, and client homes. Professor Albelo was awarded Teacher of the Year in 2006, and has worked closely with students with disabilities in a full Inclusion program for nearly 10 years.

For more information on the Vanguard University’s liberal studies program, visit www.vanguard.edu/liberalstudies.