Bio
My education career started nearly 40 years ago, when I taught in the K-12 system with students identified as having emotional-behavioral disorders. I spent 25+ years collaborating with families and meeting due process guidelines to assess students, determine eligibility for special education, and develop Individual Education Plans. I provided professional development to colleagues about Cultural Responsiveness and Behavior Management. My doctoral studies focused my energy on DISCRIT theory, the racialization of disability, and inclusion. I have taught future and current special educators at the university level for over 15 years.
Degree
PhD in Special Education
Iowa State University
MA in Educational Psychology
University of Minnesota
BA in Special Education
Drake University
Published Works
- Connelly, J. (2026). Providing Institutional Support for Emerging Critical Scholars Navigating Ethics Review. (in press). Qualitative Research .
- Tuttle Prince, A., Connelly, J. (2024). Students with Disabilities in Charter Schools. Journal of Student Research, 13(1). .
- Connelly, J., Prince , A., Hayden , E. . Humanising Portrayals of Children with Psycho-Social Differences in Children’s and Young Adult Literature. . Taylor & Francis , -19. .
- Connelly, J. (2023). White liberalism, positive behavior supports, and Black Indigenous Students of Color: "We're teaching them how to do school." . (). Teachers College Press .
- Connelly, J., Hayden, E., Tuttle Prince, A. (2022). Disrupting deficit dialogues with literature. Journal for Multicultural Education, 17(1), 17-30. .
- Connelly, J. (2022). Book Review: Untold Narratives: African Americans who received special education services and succeeded beyond expectations.. Journal of Critical Thought and Praxis, 1(2). .
- Connelly, J. (2021). Interrogating the Special Education Identification Process for Black Indigenous People of Color. Division for Culturally & Linguistically Diverse Exceptional Learners of the Council for Exceptional Children, 21(1), 78-92. .
Research Interests
Disability Critical Race Theory
Inclusion Practices for Children with Social-Emotional-Behavioral Differences
Teaching Interests
Inclusive Instructional, Management, and Assessment Methods. Universal Design for Learning.
Office Hours
Wednesdays 1-5 pm on campus