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Instructor: Sarah Johnson

Dr. Sarah Johnson is an Associate Professor and Program Director in Special Education at Fresno Pacific University, where she brings more than 20 years of experience serving individuals with special needs from birth through age 22. Her expertise centers on teaching and working with individuals with special needs, with a particular focus on preparing educators to support students in reaching their greatest potential. She directs the Extensive Support Needs, Early Childhood Special Education, and Adapted Physical Education Added Authorization programs. Dr. Johnson has authored and taught numerous special education courses for undergraduate, graduate, and Master of Arts students at multiple universities. She earned an EdD in Educational Leadership from George Fox University, an MA in Special Education and teaching credentials from Fresno State, and a BA in Liberal Arts with a Physical Education emphasis from Fresno State. A Fresno native, she is a member of CrossCity Christian Church in Fresno.

Classes by this instructor

SED-907: Response to Intervention (RTI) / Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS)

This course provides an overview of Response to Intervention (RTI) and its role in identifying challenging behaviors and at-risk students. It covers RTI education, including its history, legal framework and the three tiers of RTI: whole class, small group and intensive interventions. The course also introduces Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS), a framework supporting all learners through academic, social, emotional and behavioral services.

SED-910: Understanding Individuals with Special Needs

This course explores what individuals with special needs in our communities can teach us. Course participants will learn the Categories of Disability along with a Biblical perspective on disability. This course will utilize the text, Adam, God's Beloved, by Henri J.M. Nouwen. It tells the story of Adam, who could not speak nor move without assistance. Nouwen befriended Adam and the spiritual lessons Adam taught him.

SED-911: Low Incidence Disabilities

This course provides an overview of four low-incidence disabilities, a severe disabling condition with an expected incidence rate of less than one percent of total statewide enrollment in special education. Students will learn the law, and four low incidence disabilities, Orthopedic Impairment (OI), Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), and Complex Health Issues (CHI).

SED-912: Bridging to the MMSN & ESN Credentials

This course is designed as a 'bridge' option for current Mild to Moderate Education Specialists or Moderate to Severe Education Specialists to demonstrate competence on Teacher Performance Expectations embedded in the new Education Specialist Credentials that were launched Summer/Fall 2022. The Office of Administrative Law (OAL) approved the package and several updates to the Education Specialist Credential went into effect on July 1, 2022.

SED-915: Bridging the Early Childhood Special Education Credential

This course is designed as a 'bridge' option for current Early Childhood Special Educators to demonstrate competence on Teacher Performance Expectations embedded in the new Education Specialist Credentials that were launched Summer/Fall 2022. The Office of Administrative Law (OAL) approved the package and several updates to the Education Specialist Credential went into effect on July 1, 2022.

SED-916: Autism Spectrum Disorder

This course provides an opportunity to learn about autism spectrum disorders. Students study in-depth psychological, sociological, and vocational aspects of programs designed to serve this population of children. The course also addresses the basic concepts in autism research and education that are foundational in understanding the patterns of behavior, social abilities, and language difficulties that unfold in students with autism spectrum disorders.

SED-918: Sensory Disabilities: Physical, Visual, Hearing & Deaf Blindness

This course provides an overview of the characteristics of sensory disabilities; Physical, Visual, Hearing, & Deaf-Blindness. The course will prepare students to address and support individuals in their assigned classroom(s) and environmental settings. Students will learn foundational knowledge, strategies, and appropriate supports to facilitate instruction, to achieve student success.