Dr. Kathlene S. Shank

Professor and Chairperson Email: ksshank@eiu.edu

INTRODUCTION

My EIU Story

Dr. Shank is dedicated to preparing special education professionals who meet the highest standards of the profession and helping each of Eastern's special education candidates to meet their fullest potential to be prepared to make significant  life enhancing differences in the lives of learners with exceptional learning needs and their families.

Education & Training

Dr. Shank earned her Ph. D. at the University of Illinois.  Her focus at the doctoral level was on research and evaluation.  Her current professional expertise is in  the areas of special education policy, rules, regulations, legislation and laws.

Conference Presentations

Dr. Shank's vita provides an overview of the varied and multiple professional presentations she has made.

Community

Dr. Shank is very involved in Special Olympic activities in the Charleston, Mattoon, Effingham and surrounding areas, including the Special Olympic Family Festival (SOFF) which occurs each fall  and the Area 9 Track and Field Event held each Spring on the Eastern Illinois Univeristy campus.

Publications

The most significant publication with which Dr. Shank has been involved has been the international professional standards book published by the Council for Exceptional Children, What Every Special Education Must Know, Ethics, Standards, and Guidelines.

Frequently Taught Courses

As the program administrator and long time faculty member there are very few Eastern Illinois University courses with a  Special Education prefix (SPE) that Dr. Shank has not taught. She has taught entry level special education courses, assessment courses,literacy and language classes, and graduate classes.

Professional Affiliations

Dr. Shank is very active professionally in the standards and program accreditation activities of the International Council for Exceptional Children. She is a past-president of the Teacher Education Division of the Council for Exceptional Children and she is the current co-chair of the Illinois Alliance of Administrators of Special Education Licensure and Certification Committee.  Dr. Shank is also very involved with the Department of Special Education student organizations: Student Council for Exceptional Children and Sigma Rho Epsilon, a special education honorary.