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Janet Story Sauer, Ed. D.

Portrait of Janet Sauer

Assistant Professor of Special Education
College of Education

1420 Austin Bluffs Parkway
Colorado Springs, CO 80918
(719) 255-4996

jsauer@uccs.edu

Janet Sauer is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Special Education at the University of Colorado in Colorado Springs. She taught children in Botswana, Africa, in a bi-lingual school on the Navajo Reservation, in Boston, Ohio and Iowa. Prior to joining the UCCS faculty, Dr. Sauer developed and taught in a Professional Development School in Dubuque, Iowa. She earned her doctorate in Special Education from the University of Northern Iowa where she also worked as a Graduate Research Assistant for the Inclusive Early Childhood Literate Community Project. At UCCS, Sauer co-teaches with people with disabilities, their family members, and guests from other disciplines to illustrate the complex and interdisciplinary nature of disability. Her research uses a Disability Studies theoretical framework and focuses on examining relationships in inclusive contexts and the nature of creativity as access to literacy. Sauer’s advocacy for the inclusion of students with disabilities in community and educational contexts have also led her to explore co-constructions in research methodology.

Professional Organizations

  • The Association for Persons with Severe Handicaps(TASH)
  • American Education Research Association (AERA): Division K – Teaching and Teacher Education; Special Interest Group (SIG): Disability Studies in Education and Special Education Research; Arts-based Research in Education

Previous Job Experience

Higher Education

  • Assistant Professor. Department of Special Education, University of Colorado at Colorado Springs
    2009 - present
  • Assistant Professor. School of Education, Clarke College, Dubuque, IA
    2007 - 2009
  • Graduate Research Assistant & Instructor. Department of Special Education, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, IA
    2005 - 2007
  • Instructor & Clinical Supervisor. School of Education, Clarke College, Dubuque, IA
    2001 - 2005
  • Graduate Research Assistant & Clinical Supervisor. Department of Special Education, Ohio University, Athens, OH
    1995 - 1996
  • Instructor. Speech Communication Department. Navajo Community College, Tsalie, AZ
    1993 - 1994
  • Education Officer. Ministry of Education, Botswana, Africa.
    1988 - 1990

Public School Teaching

  • Multi-categorical Special Education Teacher. Marshall Elementary School, Dubuque, IA
    1996 - 2000
  • Substitute Special Education Teacher. Beacon School (PreK-12), Athens, OH
    1994 - 1995
  • Special Education Teacher Aide. Beacon School (PreK-12), Athens, OH
    1994 - 1995
  • TV, Radio, Newspaper Communication Teacher. Navajo Bilingual Program, Rock Point Community School (K-12). Rock Point, AZ
    1991 - 1994
  • Video Co-Teacher, EDCO Youth Alternative Education Alliance, Boston, MA
    1986

Awards & Recognition

  • Outstanding Graduate Student Award.  Ohio University, Athens, OH
    1996

Education

Ed.D, Special Education
University of Northern Iowa – 2007

M.Ed., Special Education
Ohio University – 1996

B.S., Mass Communication
Emerson College – 1984

Certification & Licensure

  • Iowa State Professional Teaching License,Credential in Mild/Moderate Disabilities, Instructional Strategist I
    2009
  • Iowa State Professional Teaching License, Credential in Severe Disabilities (K-6), Multi-categorical Special Class with Integration
    1998
  • Iowa State Professional Teaching License, Credential in Learning Disabilities (K-6)
    1996
  • Ohio State Professional Teaching License, Education of the Multi-handicapped (K-12), Early Education Handicapped
    1996 - 2000

Teaching

SPED 5001/3001
Introduction to Special Education

SPED 5091
Current Topics in Special Education

SPED 3000/5000
Disability Studies in Education

Scholarship

Dr.Sauer recently published Negotiating the social borderlands: Portraits of young people with disabilities and their struggles for positive relationships with the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD) http://bookstore.aaidd.org/BookDetail.aspx?bid=113. She continually presents around the country at national and regional conferences such as TASH, the Disabilities Studies in Education SIG of the AERA, and the PEAK Inclusive Conference. She also holds interactive workshops at local schools on topics ranging from collaboration between parents and schools to making adaptations and modifications for students with disabilities.

Refereed Publications

In Press

  • Sauer, J. & Albanesi, H. (in press). Questioning privilege in the special education process. Understanding and Dismantling Privilege.
  • Sauer, J. (in press). Research, relationships and making understanding: A look at Brantlinger's Darla and the value of case study research. International Journal of Inclusive Education.
  • Sauer, J. & Kasa, C. (in press). Pre-service teachers listen to families of students with disabilities and learn a disability studies stance. Issues in Teacher Education.
  • Sauer, J. (in press). What's behind the curtain?: A family's search for an inclusive Oz. The Review of Disability Studies, An International Jouurnal.

Published

  • Yoo, M. & Sauer, J.(2012). Adopting the iPad: "You've gotta let go and let the student be the techspert." Colorado Reading Council Journal, 23. 15-21
  • Sauer, J. & Sauer, C. (2010). Challenging Pre-service Teachers' Understanding of the Intersection of Disability and Cultural Diversity. Journal of Praxis in Multicultural Education 5(1), 23-25.
  • >> View PDF PDF Icon
  • Selle, K., Salamon, K., Boarman, R. & Sauer, J. (2008).  Providing interprofessional learning through interdisciplinary collaboration: The role of “modeling.”  Journal of Interprofessional Care, 22(1), 85-92.
  • >> View PDF PDF Icon
  • Sauer, J. (2007). No Surprises, Please: A Mother's Story of Betrayal and the Fragility of Inclusion. Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities 45(4), 273-277.
  • >> View PDF PDF Icon
  • Sauer, J., McCarthy, J. & Kliewer, C. (2006).  The inclusive early childhood literate community: Supporting all children’s citizenship.  TASH Connections. 32(3-4).

Editoral

  • Ferguson, P. & Sauer, J. (2013).  Writing the Global Family: International Perspectives on Disability Studies and Family Narratives.  Review of Disability Studies published by the Center on Disability Studies, University of Hawaii at Manoa.  Two special issues accepted for publication.

Books and Book Chapters

  • Sauer, J. (2012).  Negotiating the social borderlands: Portraits of young people with disabilities and their struggles for positive relationships. Washington DC: American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilties (AAIDD). Refereed.
  • Sauer, J. (in press). "Understanding traditionally marginalized differences within a broader construct of diversity." In Developing Critical Perspectives in Inclusive Teaching, D. Lawrence-Brown & Mara Sapon-Shevin, Editors. New York: Teachers College Press.
  • Sauer, J. (in press).  The power of imagination in the lives of young people with significant disabilities. In Youth: Responding to lives-An international handbook, A. Azzopardi, Editor. Boston: Sense Publishers. Refereed.
  • Sauer, J. & Albanesi, H. (in press).  Questioning privilege in the special education process. In Privilege: A reader, 3rd eidtion. M. Kimmel & A. Ferber, Editors. Westview Press.

Grants

Funded

  • Diversity and Excellence, University of Colorado, Denver, 2011-2012.
    Authors: Heather Albanesi, Ann Schmiesing, Janet Sauer & Randy DePry
    Title: Multi-Campus Development of Two Disability Studies Courses
    Amount: $3,000 (matched by the Coleman Institute for $3000)
  • Diversity and Excellence, University of Colorado, Denver, 2010-2011.
    Authors: Janet Sauer & Christi Kasa-Hendrickson
    Title: Diverse Families as Faculty
    Principal Investigators: Janet Sauer & Christi Kasa-Hendrickson
    Amount: $2,610
  • Diversity and Excellence Grant (ISIE), University of Colorado Colorado Springs (Winter 2010).
    Author: Janet Sauer
    Title: Diverse Families as Faculty Interview Analysis
    Amount: $1,000
  • Faculty Assembly Women’s Committee, University of Colorado Colorado Springs, CO (Spring, 2010). Research, Creative Works, and Development Mini-grant.
    Author: Janet Sauer
    Title: Disability Studies in Education Conference
    Amount: $400

Unfunded

  • State of Colorado, Department of Human Services (2012).
    Authors: Julaine Field, Christi Kasa, Janet Sauer
    Title: Investigation of Policies on Bullying People with Intellectual Disabilities
    Amount: $45,000
  • Pikes Peak United Way Social Innovation Fund Grant (2011).
    Authors: Amber, Cote, Beth Seymour, Barbara Frye, Janet Sauer
    Title: Continuity to Success (Early Childhood Literacy).
    Amount: $131,590 (to be matched by PPUW)
  • U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), CFDA Number 19.401: Academic Exchange Programs – Scholars, 2011.
    Authors: Georgina Segura, Janet Sauer (co-PI) Chris Sauer, Janice Gould, Leslie Grant, Corinne Harmon, Kyla Hammond (co-PI), and Sylvia Martinez.
    Title: Study of the United States Institutes for Scholars and
    Secondary Educators: Reaching Learners on the Margin
    Amount: $360,000
  • Faculty Assembly Women’s Committee, University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, CO (Fall, 2010). Research, Creative Works, and Development Mini-grant.
    Author: Janet Sauer
    Title: Karen Gaffney’s Friends First Program
    Amount: $500
  • Committee on Research and Creative Works. University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, CO (2010).
    Author: Janet Sauer
    Title: Diverse Families as Faculty Interview Analyses.
    Principal Investigators: Janet Sauer & Christi Kasa-Hendrickson
    Amount: $7,500

Presentations

Peer-Reviewed

International
  • May 29, 2010 Author: Sauer, J.
    Title: What’s behind the curtain? A parent’s search for an inclusive Oz.
    Conference: The Second City Disability Studies in Education Conference, Ghent University, Belgium.
    Role: Paper Presentation
  • May 29, 2010 Author: Sauer, J. & Kim, K.
    Title: Exploring family experiences around the globe: How cultural perspectives influence the social construction of disability.
    Conference: The Second City Disability Studies in Education Conference, Ghent University, Belgium.
    Role: Research Presentation
  • July, 2007 Author: Kliewer, C. & Sauer, J.
    Title: Imagination and the triadic matrix of early literacy: From a disability studies perspective developed in inclusive early childhood programs.
    Conference: The International Conference on Imagination and Education, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
    Role: Research Presentation
National
  • November 28, 2012 Author: Sauer, J. & Kasa, C.
    Title: Why kids bully and what can be done about it
    Conference: The Association for Persons with Severe Handicaps (TASH), Long Beach, CA.
  • June 20-23, 2012 Author: Sauer, J. & Albanesi, H.
    Title: Questioning privilege in the special education process.
    Conference: Society for Disability Studies, Denver, CO
    Role: Panel Presentation
  • June 20-23, 2012 Author: Ferguson, P. &  Sauer, J.
    Title: Writing the global family: International perspectives on disablity studies and family narratives.
    Conference: Society for Disability Studies, Denver, CO
    Role: Panel Discussant
  • April 2012 Author: Sauer, J. & Kasa, C.
    Title: Getting Disability Studies into the Hands (and Heads) of Preservice Teachers.
    Conference: The Annual American Education Research Association (AERA), Vancouver, BC.
    Role: Paper Presentation, DSE SIG
  • October 13, 2011 Author: Romano J., Sauer, J., Title: Disability Portraiture in Preservice Teacher Education. Conference: Coleman Institute National Conference on Cognitive Disability and Technology in Challenging Economic Environments, Denver, CO. Role: Poster Presentation (see archived October News/Events)
  • September 23, 2011 Author: Sauer, J., Title: Preservice Teachers Lean Forward and Listen to Families of Students with Disabilities. Conference: Emerging Scholars Confernece at Chapman University, Orange, CA. Conference Website and Paper
  • December 11, 2010 Author: Lawrence-Brown, D., Sapon-Shevin, M., Sauer, J., Smith, R., Owen, V.
    Title: Preparing Teachers and Administrators Using a Critical, Disabilities Studies Frame.
    Conference: The Association for Persons with Severe Handicaps (TASH), Denver, CO.
    Role: Roundtable
  • December 10, 2010 Author: Fisher, A., Lawrence-Brown, D., Sapon-Shevin, M, Sauer, J, Smith, P, Wroblewski, R
    Title: Then the Lightbulb Came On: "Ah Ha!" Moments in Understanding Inclusion
    Conference: The Association for Persons with Severe Handicaps (TASH), Denver, CO.
    Role: Roundtable
  • December 10, 2010 Author: Sauer, J. & Kasa-Hendrickson, C.
    Title: Diverse Families Speak Out On Experiences with Schools: “The Student Has No Voice”
    Conference: The Association for Persons with Severe Handicaps (TASH), Denver, CO.
    Role: Research Presentation
  • May 2, 2010 Author: Sauer, J.
    Title: Look at me!: Portraiture and agency.
    Conference: The Annual American Education Research Association (AERA), Denver, CO.
    Role: Paper Presentation, DSE SIG
  • May 2, 2010 Author: Sauer, J.
    Title: Professional Development Schools and Social Justice.
    Conference: The Annual American Education Research Association (AERA), Denver, CO.
    Role: Roundtable Presentation, Division K
  • November 20, 2009 Author: Fisher, A., Lawrence-Brown, D., Sapon-Shevin, M, Sauer, J, Smith, P, Wroblewski, R
    Title: Critical Perspectives in Inclusive Teacher Preparation: Part II.
    Conference: The Association for Persons with Severe Handicaps (TASH), Pittsburgh, PA.
    Role: Roundtable
  • May 3, 2009 Author: Sauer, J. & Ricks, A.
    Tile: Education students’ portraits of teachers in the field: A disability studies perspective.
    Conference: The 9th Annual Second City Conference on Disability Studies in Education (DSE), Syracuse, NY.
    Role: Paper Presentation
    December 5, 2008 Author: Sauer, J. & Fordice, K.
    Title: Kari’s story: A portrait of agency
    Conference: The Association for Persons with Severe Handicaps (TASH), Nashville, TN.
    Role: Research Presentation
  • March 22, 2008 Author: Sauer, J.
    Title: Contesting the social borderlands: Portraits of three young people with significant disabilities and their struggle for positive relationships.
    Conference: The 8th Annual Second City Conference on Disability Studies in Education (DSE), Columbia University, New York, NY.
    Role: Paper Presentation
  • December, 2007 Author: Sauer, J.
    Title: Imagination and literacy in the lives of young people with significant disabilities.
    Conference: The Association for Persons with Severe Handicaps (TASH), Seattle, WA.
    Role: Paper Presentation
  • November, 2006 Author: Kliewer, C. & Sauer, J. Title: Currents of Literacy Development in the Inclusive Early Childhood Community. Conference: The Association for Persons with Severe Handicaps (TASH), Baltimore, MD.
    Role: Paper presentation
  • May, 2006 Author: Sauer, J. & McCarthy, J. Title: From practice to policy: How students with significant disabilities strengthen the classroom community. Conference: The 6th Second City Conference of Disability Studies in Education (DSE), Lansing, MI.
    Role: Paper presentation
  • April, 2006 Author: Kliewer, C., Sauer, J., & McCarthy, J.
    Title: Presuming competence: Full citizenship and local understanding.
    Conference: Honoring Diversity, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY
    Role: Research presentation
  • November, 2005 Author: Sauer, J. Title: Children’s stories: Pre-service teachers team up with families. Conference: The Association for Persons with Severe Handicaps (TASH), Milwaukee, WI.
    Role: Paper presentation

Invited

National
  • February 10, 2012 Author: Janet Sauer
    Title: Moving, Relocating, and the Search for an Inclusive Oz
    Conference: PEAK Parent Center Regional Conference, Denver, CO.
    Role: Training presentation
  • February 12, 2011 Author: Christi Kasa & Janet Sauer
    Title: Success in the Differentiated Classroom
    Conference: PEAK Parent Center Regional Conference, Denver, CO.
    Role: Training presentation
  • February 12, 2010 Author: Janet Sauer
    Title: Proactive Planning for the IEP Team.
    Conference: PEAK Parent Center Regional Conference, Denver, CO.
    Role: Training presentation
  • February 11, 2012 Author: Janet Sauer
    Title: Moving, Relocating, and the Search for Inclusive Oz
    Conference: PEAK Parent Center Regional Conference, Denver, CO.
    Role: Training presentation
  • February 12, 2010 Author: Janet Sauer
    Title: Proactive Planning for the IEP Team.
    Conference: PEAK Parent Center Regional Conference, Denver, CO.
    Role: Training presentation
    Regional
    • January 28, 2011 Author: Sauer, J., Marshall, L., Bennea Pastor-Clark & Emily McCandless-Beard
      Title: Personal Learning Profiles: Self-Advocacy, Teacher and Family Involvement
      Conference: Courage to Risk (CEC)
      Colorado Springs, CO
      Role: Training Presentation
    • January 22, 2011 Author: Janet Sauer, Regina Williams
      Title: The Power of the Collective: An Innovative Professional Development Model Targeting Cultural Responsiveness
      Conference: The 6th Annual Culturally Responsive Teaching, Leadership, & Counseling Symposium, UCCS, Colorado Springs, CO
      Role: Paper Presentation
    • January 23, 2010 Author: Sauer, J. & Sauer, C.
      Title: Challenges in addressing the intersection of disability and cultural diversity in teacher preparation.
      Conference: The 5th Annual Culturally Responsive Teaching, Leadership, & Counseling Symposium, UCCS, Colorado Springs, CO.
      Role: Paper Presentation
    • August 19, 2008 Author: Sauer, J.
      Title: Explorations for Inclusion
      Bellevue Parent Support Group, Bellevue, IA
      Role: Training Presentation
    • November, 2007 Author: Kane, J. Fordice, D., Sauer, J., & Schmidt, P.
      Title: Driven to succeed: Surviving the stress and isolation of a doctoral program.
      Conference: Iowa Educational Research & Evaluation Association, Iowa City, IA.
      Role: Poster Presentation
    • May, 2006 Author: Sauer, J., & McCarthy, J.
      Title: Reframing the debate: How students with significant disabilities strengthen the literate community.
      Conference: Whole Schooling Consortium 2nd Annual Conference, Portland, OR.
      Role: Research Presentation
    • February, 2006 Author: Schmidt, P., Fordice, D. & Sauer, J.
      Title: Parents in the IEP Process: Let’s engage them, not reject them.
      Conference: UW-Oshkosh Special Education Conference, Oshkosh, WI.
      Role: Training Presentation
    • December, 2005 Author: Kliewer, C., Sauer, J., McCarthy, J.
      Title: The inclusive early childhood literate community: Citizenship for young children with significant disabilities.
      Conference: Iowa Education Research and Evaluation Association Annual Conference, Cedar Falls, IA.
      Role: Research Presentation
    • April, 2004 Author: Sauer, J.
      Title: Improving learning environments for young children with special needs and their typically-developing peers.
      Conference: Annual Quality Childcare Conference, Dubuque, IA.
      Role: Training Presentation

    Service

    Community

    • Vice President, Parents Encouraging Parents, Manitou Springs, CO
      2010 - 2011
    • Breaktime for Families, The Resource Exchange, Colorado Springs, CO
      2010 - present
    • Co-Coordinated the Families as Faculty project with PEAK parent center and Dr. Kasa-Hendrickson
      2010 - present
    • TASH Night Out, The Association for Persons with Severe Handicaps (TASH).
      2010
    • Consultant, PEAK Parent Center, Family Engagement Plan with Colorado Department of Education
      2010
    • Teachers for Tomorrow, Student Teacher Presentations
      2004 - 2005
    • Puppeteer, Kids on the Block International Disability Awareness Program.
      2001 - 2004

    UCCS

     

    • Co-chair Faculty Assembly Women's Committee member; Dorothea Olkowski, Chair
      2011 - present
    • Multi-Cultural Faculty Mentor; Dr. Barbara Gaddis, Director
      2010 - present
    • Rosa Parks & Cesar Chavez Scholarship Competitions Committee; Andrea Herrera, Director
      2010

     

    College

    • Innovation and Technology Committee & Online Task Force; Linda Button, Chair
      2010 - 2011
    • Culturally Responsive Teaching, Leadership, & Counseling Conference Planning Committee; Kee Warner, Chair
      2010 - 2011
    • Department of Special Education Search Committee
      2010 - present
    • Academic Advisor, Special Education Graduate Students
      2010 - present
    • Diversity Committee; Rhonda Williams, Chair
      2009 - present
    • Collaborated with Curriculum & Instruction Department to develop an Early Childhood undergraduate program.
      2010 - present
    • Volunteer family for the Families as Faculty program
      2009 - 2010
    • Volunteer family for the Transition course
      2009