Dr. Jim Ansaldo is a research scientist with the Center on Education and Lifelong Learning (CELL) at the Indiana Institute on Disability and Community, Indiana University, Bloomington.
For over 20 years, Dr. Ansaldo has conducted research, supported school change efforts, and facilitated teacher professional learning around applied improvisation, culturally responsive practice, curriculum design, problem solving, and reflective communication. Ansaldo specializes in facilitating professional learning around the use of applied improvisation in academic and social-emotional learning, inclusion of students with disabilities, and research communication.
Degrees
Ansaldo holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English from Southern CT State University, a Master’s in Teaching from Quinnipiac College, and a Doctorate in Curriculum Studies from Indiana University.
Personal Statement
I have a strong passion for work that includes all stakeholders and challenges deficit orientations. My passion involves using techniques from improvisational theater to support academic and social-emotional learning for youth with disabilities. I believe strongly that educators have the power to create the conditions for school success. We must support educators to be decision-makers, to find their own solutions to tough problems, and to reclaim the joy and passion that led them into the profession.
Research Interests
- Applied improvisation
- Equity in education
- Research communication
- Research to practice
Publications
- Kasthurirathne, R., Alana, L., & Ansaldo, J. (2018, May). Improvising social skills for teens with ASD. The ASHA Leader, 23(5), 38-41.
- Alana, L., and Ansaldo, J. (2018). The connect improv curriculum: Supporting youth on the autism spectrum and their educators. In T. R. Dudeck and C. McClure (Eds.), Applied improvisation: Leading, collaborating & creating beyond the theatre (pp. 79-98). Bloomsbury.
Awards and Honors
- 2017 Certificate of Commendation Award by the Indiana Speech-Language-Hearing Association