By Matt Kurnick
"I've only been at ISU for 11 years. They've allowed me to be a more balanced person, to do teaching, research, and service, and to enjoy relationships with the faculty. I really like the focus on teaching. The idea that we do all of it, I guess it's a really good place to develop professionally and try new things." — Barb Fulk, professor, Special Education
(April 1, 2009) Barb Fulk, professor of Special Education at Illinois State University, doesn't need X-ray vision or special glasses to see disabilities that the average pair of eyes cannot detect.
"You can't tell by looking at the student that there's anything going on but they still have reading problems," Fulk described. "They call them invisible disabilities. The students are average intelligence, some have high vocabularies when speaking, but can't read a second-grade level book."
It's the problem solving; it's working with students; it's teaching reading; it's the assessment process; and then it's the decision of which teaching method to use. These components are what first drew Fulk to special education and they are to this day, what spark her interest for her teaching, advising, and researching.
Fulk teaches courses at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral level. Over the years her diverse course load has included classes such as Assessment for Special Education, Methods for Diverse Learning, and Personnel Preparation. The classes that involve teaching reading are the ones that hold a special place in Fulk's heart.
"That's my love, teaching reading to students from the very early skills," Fulk explained. "My own teaching experience was mostly with students with learning disabilities who have reading problems, and about 80 percent of students with disabilities have reading problems, so that's not unusual."
In addition to teaching, Fulk dedicates a large portion of her time to advising master's and doctoral students during their thesis and dissertation writing process. Sitting on these committees affords Fulk several opportunities that she relishes.
Depending on her position on the committee Fulk gets to work hand-in-hand with the students as they go through the stages of research. As rewarding as the research and writing process is, Fulk remembers from her own experiences that the final step is the most enjoyable.
"The final defense is the most fun, particularly when it goes well," Fulk said. "If we've done our work as committee members all the way through, it will go well. I just remember how it's like a ton of bricks gets lifted off your shoulders because you've been working on this project for a couple years, and then all of a sudden it's like, 'Yo, it's done and it worked,' and life is good. It's such a rewarding time and we're usually pretty committed to the students by then."
When Fulk has a less active role, she is able to bounce her ideas off of other faculty members about not only helping the student ensure that their research is of the highest quality, but about other possible research projects for herself. This collaboration has opened Fulk's eyes to a whole new side of research.
Fulk, who started her career in higher education at Purdue University, was schooled in strictly quantitative research. Since coming to Illinois State 11 years ago, Fulk has been introduced to, and participated in, qualitative research as well.
"You get to work, not only with the student, which is fun, but you get to brainstorm with other faculty members," Fulk said. "A lot of times you get some really good ideas hearing what someone else said. You learn a lot about research. I've learned a lot about qualitative research. Wow, is that rich and it's really, really fun to do."
The latest qualitative work that Fulk contributed to was designed to help special education teachers learn how to help adults with disabilities. Their findings included things like helping the persons with disabilities set goals.
Fulk has spent her entire career in special education. When she started, it was recognized as an area with a shortage of teachers, and she hears the same thing today. However, now she has the power to help not only fill the void, but fill it with excellent teachers.
"The entire faculty here works really hard," Fulk said. "Our graduates are prepared and they're competent. The principals and directors say what we're doing is working well. I've only been at ISU for 11 years. They've allowed me to be a more balanced person, to do teaching, research, and service, and to enjoy relationships with the faculty. I really like the focus on teaching. The idea that we do all of it, I guess it's a really good place to develop professionally and try new things."
© 2009 Illinois State University • An equal opportunity/affirmative action university encouraging diversity • Privacy Statement • Contact Us • Check COE faculty and staff e-mail
