Dr. Judy K. Montgomery, speech/language pathologist, Professor of Special Education and Literacy at Chapman University in Orange California, has extensive experience as a practitioner and educational administrator. She is a Board Recognized Child Language Specialist. She was a Director of Special Education, an elementary school Principal, and a Coordinator of Federal Projects. She has provided services to preschoolers, English learners, Headstart children, and adolescents with severe disabilities, in both inclusive and special education programs. She was appointed to the California Reading First Advisory Panel, the State Developmental Disabilities Board, and is advisor to Early Reading First programs in three states.

She is former president of the American Speech Language Hearing Association (ASHA), California Speech Language Hearing Association (CSHA), and the United States Society for Augmentative and Alternative Communication (USSAAC), and the Division of Communication Development and Deafness (DCDD) of the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC).

Personal Teaching Philosophy

I want my classes to be memorable and practical. Sometimes that is easier to do than other times! I try to divide my class time into 3 sections- 1/3 lecture, 1/3 discussion, and 1/3 activity or project. In this way, the students get new information from my point of view, ideas from other students, and then during the project get to try out or develop and test their own point of view. I continually add more technology to what I do in class, so students can re-create our classes using podcasts, video streaming, and online lectures. Finally, I always have field experiences with my teaching. We go to a conference, try out a new approach with a group of students, design an assessment, help to norm a test for a publishing company, or screen the hearing of athletes at Special Olympics. We are always busy!

Research/Areas Interests

I am very involved in response to intervention programs for speech-language pathologists and other educators. I am working with several school districts in my local area who are trying out various tiered instructions to see if they can prevent un-necessary paperwork and special education placements for students. My own program for RTI- called START IN- has a strong research base and is being used in many school districts. I try to keep up with what these districts are doing and review their data often. I continue to research vocabulary acquisition in K-12 to improve both language and reading skills. Finally, I support many alternative service delivery models for SLPs, and write and speak on the value of evidence-based practices as we improve our effectiveness in public school programs.

Classes Taught

• Communication Disabilities, Language and Literacy
• Learning Disabilities
• Inclusive Education
• Assessment
• Advanced Interventions for students with mild moderate disabilities
• Advanced Interventions for students with moderate severe disabilities
• Supervision of Student Teachers
• Advisor for 2 doctoral students

We have a very comprehensive doctoral program in disability studies. I work closely with the students, research assistants and dissertation candidates especially when their projects are related to my work.

I am also writing a Program Document this summer to launch a new Communication Sciences and Disorders Masters Degree Program at Chapman University to open Fall, 2009. This is a time consuming task and will require many levels of approval. Wish us well!