Expertise and Interests

Dr. Darling began her career as a special education teacher. She taught third through fifth grade students with behavioral disorders. Working with this population was quite instructive, as these students presented engrained behavioral and academic challenges that intensified through the years. This gave rise to notions about “early intervention” and “catching them early.” Thus, she then transitioned to teaching young children with non-specified disabilities (i.e., developmental delays). In that realm, she was able to focus on ways to ameliorate challenging behaviors in young children and teach children methods and strategies for academic success, all within a developmentally appropriate framework.

Since completing her doctoral degree in 2002, Dr. Darling has taught preservice and in-service undergraduate and graduate students and conducted research focused on investigating ways to improve preparing personnel to work within special education and blended, inclusive environments. She also conducts work in disability studies.