Doctoral Student Jennifer Macko Joins 18th Cohort of Council for Exceptional Children’s Division for Research Doctoral Student Scholars Program

Jennifer Macko ’20MAT, a doctoral student earning a Ph.D. in Teacher Education and Learning Sciences educational psychology concentration, has been selected to join the 18th cohort of the Council for Exceptional Children’s Division for Research Doctoral Student Scholars program.

The program, which will focus on excellence in special education research, includes participation in three virtual seminars led by experts in the field. Doctoral students in the cohort will have opportunities to engage these researchers in conversations about challenges new scholars face as they cultivate a high-quality research agenda. 

“Being selected for the Doctoral Student Scholars program is truly an honor,” Macko said. “This recognition affirms that the questions I’m asking and the research I’m pursuing matter. It’s especially meaningful because this program brings together emerging scholars who are passionate about advancing the quality of special education research, and I’m excited to be part of that community.”

Macko’s interest in the field of special education comes from personal experience. The parent of a child with autism, Macko independently researched and learned evidence-based best practices for teaching and supporting autistic children as she homeschooled her child when the public school system couldn’t support their needs. 

As her child got older, Macko decided she wanted to formalize her training and turn what she had learned into a career, so she enrolled in the NC State College of Education’s Master of Arts in Teaching in special education program and took on a role as a special education teacher with the Wake County Public School System. 

During her time in the MAT program, Macko enjoyed working with Associate Professor of Special Education Jamie Pearson and Professor of Special Education Cathy Crossland, both of whom, she said, provided her with guidance and professional development even after graduation. 

When Macko later had an opportunity to guest lecture in Crossland’s class, she was inspired by Crossland to return to the College of Education for her doctoral degree.

“The chance to continue working with both Dr. Pearson and Dr. Crossland made NC State the natural choice for my doctoral work,” said Macko, who was awarded a Goodnight Doctoral Fellowship to fund her studies.  

During her doctoral program, she has had opportunities to develop and teach several courses as well as contribute to Pearson’s Fostering Advocacy, Communication, Empowerment, and Support (FACES) program to support advocacy for families of children with autism as well as serve as a project coordinator for Pearson’s partnership with the Savanna-LaMar Inclusive Academy in Jamaica. She has also worked with Assistant Teaching Professor of Special Education Jared Stewart-Ginsburg to supervise student teachers and with Assistant Teaching Professor of Special Education Jordan Lukins to develop new IRIS Center modules. 

Macko hopes her experience in the Doctoral Student Scholars program will help her develop a more nuanced understanding of what constitutes rigorous, impactful research in special education and provide opportunities to discuss research methodology and think about quality standards with both established scholars and emerging researchers. 

“I’m deeply grateful to Dr. Jamie Pearson for nominating me for this honor and for her continued mentorship throughout both my master’s and doctoral programs. Her support has been invaluable in my growth as both an educator and a researcher.” Macko said. “I’m also thankful to the NC State community for creating an environment where doctoral students are encouraged to pursue research that emerges from lived experience and has the potential to create real change for students.”

This post was originally published in College of Education News.