ABOUT IIDC
Joni Schmalzried is a Project Coordinator with the Center on Community Living and Careers, working primarily with the Indiana Secondary Transition Resource Center. Joni is also an Assistant Professor of Education at Huntington University in Huntington, IN.
Joni has spent the last 26 years working in the field of special education. She started as a classroom teacher, both at the elementary and secondary level. She found her true passion as a Transition Coordinator in the early 1990s. She spent the last 7 years as a Director of Special Education for a 4-school corporation cooperative. Throughout this time, Joni has continued to work as an adjunct instructor at several colleges/universities.
Joni received her Bachelor’s Degree from St. Francis College, and her Master’s and Doctoral Degrees from Ball State University. Joni’s dissertation focused on the connection between Special Education teachers and teachers at Career and Technical Education Centers and how they work on behalf of students with disabilities.
Joni has served on many committees and boards over including the Board of Directors for Pathfinders Services, Inc. in Huntington, Indiana. She has also been an active member on a Systems of Care Board, Community Success Board, and the Statewide Transition Advisory Board.
Education
- Ball State University | Doctorate in Special Education and Educational Leadership | 2010
- Ball State University | Master's Degrees in learning Disabilities and Emotional Disabilities
- St. Francis College | Bachelor's Degree in Moderate and Severe Disabilities | 1984
Professional Experience
- Department of Education, Huntington University | Assistant professor | 2010-Present
- Wabash Miami Area Program for Exceptional Children | Director of Special Education | 2004-2011
- Wabash Miami Area Program for Exceptional Children | Transition Coordinator | 2000-2004
- Department of Education, University of Saint Francis | Assistant Professor | 1998-2001
- Whitko High School | Secondary Special Education Teacher | 1996-1998
- Huntington Whitley Special Services | Program Director | 1993-1996
- Huntington North High School | Secondary Special Education Teacher | 1987-1993
- Sarah Litch Developmental Center | Elementary Special Education Teacher | 1984-1987
Awards, Honors & Certifications
- Dekko Teacher of the Year, Kosciosko County
- Outstanding Special Educator, Indiana CEC
- Rotary Teacher of the Year, Huntington County
Presentations & Publications
- Connecting Special Education and CTE, Indiana Transition Forum | 2011
- Positive Behavior Supports, Manchester College Fall Pre-Service Teacher Workshop | 2011
- Transition Planning - How We Can Keep Students in School, Administrative Retreat | 2010
- The Importance of Early Planning for Students with Disabilities, Department of Education Advisory Board | 2009
Areas of Expertise
- Career and Technical Education
- Creative Transition Activities for Secondary Students with Disabilities
- Secondary Transition Planning
- Students with Significant Behavior Needs
- Writing Measurable and Connected Annual Goals