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Faculty Spotlight: Diana Abbott, Professor of Education; Director, M.Ed. in Special Education Program
“Whether I am working with teachers at the graduate level or working with students at the undergraduate level, every Roberts student I come in contact with teaches me how to be a better Christian, a better human, or a more informed scholar. My character is truly blessed by each student I come in contact with.”
When were you first interested in teacher education?
I have always been interested in being a teacher. I remember setting up classrooms in the garage or the basement when I was a child. I would teach my dolls and stuffed animals so many amazing things!
What’s one way working at Roberts represents educating your character?
God led me to Roberts not only so I could make a difference in the lives of students with disabilities by teaching teachers how to be their best selves particularly for these students, but so the students I connect with can shower me with their gifts. This definitely educates my character.
Every day, I am amazed at how hard our students work and by the fact that they take classes with so much more on their plate and in their personal lives than I ever experienced.
Whether I am working with teachers at the graduate level or with undergraduate students, every Roberts student I meet teaches me how to be a better Christian, a better human, or a more informed scholar. My character is truly blessed by each student.
I also do not want to dismiss how amazing my colleagues are. I gain so much grace and mercy from my colleagues that fill my heart and soul.
What’s your calling?
I feel that God has called me to be both a teacher and an advocate for equity and inclusiveness.
This is especially for marginalized individuals and those who do not fit the criteria for what is viewed as typical. I choose the word “typical” purposefully… Our beliefs, experiences, habits, and assumptions are only as “normal” as what we interpret and perceive as typical. God calls us to use our intelligence to think and relate with humility, instead of defaulting to judgment.
To me, the Bible’s teachings are clear - do not judge others for what they are or are not. God calls on us to serve Him with humility, mercy and grace.
God gives me a voice to serve Him as Jesus would do if He was here on earth with me. This is how I try to live out my calling each day.
What brought you to Roberts and how long have you been here?
My story is one that God definitely shaped. When I was very young, we lived in Chili and I actually went to preschool at Pearce 4 Kids. My family moved to the West Coast the summer after I completed second grade, and we continued to move around quite a bit throughout my school years.
While studying to be a teacher in college, my parents moved to the Syracuse area. I found a teaching job near them and taught as a special educator for 11 years.
After attending a Ph.D program in Special Education at Syracuse University, my plan was to go back into the school system. But God had different plans for me and led me back to Chili and Roberts.
That was in 2004. I have been teaching in the Teacher Education Department and running the M.Ed. in Special Education program since being hired.
Any recent publications to highlight?
Not too long ago, some members in the department were interested in expanding upon our own understanding of DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) to be the best teacher educators we can be. This work prompted our desire to closely analyze our current practices in requirements for student teaching, which precipitated targeted efforts for course work, as well.
We were excited to present our framework to dismantle the structural supremacy inherent in our evaluation requirements at the state level, and then by disseminating our work by writing a manuscript for publication.
With Dr. Elizabeth Stevens as the primary author, our article A Call for Change: Disrupting White Supremacy Culture in Dispositional Expectations of Teacher Candidates was published by The Teacher Educators’ Journal.
If you could help everyone understand one thing about studying your subject, what would it be and why?
The world of special education is much more than teaching students with disabilities, and our craft as a vocation is more than a required specialized understanding of teaching and learning.
Special education teachers employ best practices to not only meet the individual needs of students, but differentiate a range of educational programming in order to meet the needs of a range of learners, such as typical students and those with differences in the same classroom.
We design and deliver specialized educational opportunities to support access and provide a level playing field. Focusing on “specialized” education should be at the heart of all general education teaching instead of seen as a separate or different type of instruction.
What does “character education” mean to you?
To me, “character education” focuses on qualitative transformative educational outcomes, meaning that one’s dispositions matters when evaluating that individual’s knowledge and abilities.
Character education is at the heart of the Master of Education in Special Education program at many different levels. If we didn’t focus on the character of our teachers in the program, we couldn’t ensure that we were creating the teachers we need in the field today.
Our focus is on further refining the knowledge, skills and dispositions that our students have as already certified teachers. We get to “mold” our K-12 teachers into proficient masters of high leverage best practices – resilient, action-oriented special educators.
Is there a student (past or present) who you’ve helped grow in faith?
I would like to hope that I have helped all my students grow in faith.
I feel like the best way that I have helped my students grow in faith is through their career paths. Sometimes a certain job or a specific pathway seems to be a student’s focus, and if that doesn’t work out, the student may feel discouraged and lose faith. I love to support my students through all of this and help them to persevere and put their faith in God’s plan.
When I then hear about that perfect job or of a new path God is leading them down, I am just so thankful and energized by God’s conspicuous faithfulness!
How has Roberts influenced your own spiritual journey?
The fact that Roberts is a Christian institution allows me to embrace my relationship with the Lord each and every day.
The friends that God has put on my path during my years here at Roberts encourage my faith and support me in strengthening my daily connections with Jesus through prayer and study.
My relationships with students and colleagues foster my desire to share in prayer and rejoicing in God’s faithfulness in our lives.
What is the most helpful advice you’ve received?
I have held onto so much advice over the years. But I think the most helpful advice came to me years ago one night in class with a group of students who were struggling to manage everything on their plates and we just stopped and prayed together.
A student led us in a prayer and after that I just wrote on the board our new motto for the rest of their time in the program: “Let Go and Let God”. I work at this each and every day.
What’s one of your passions?
I am most passionate about being a “soccer mom!” These days I am following my son wherever he goes to play soccer, practice soccer, and train physically to be better at soccer! I also pray before each game that God gives me humility and grace as a soccer mom sitting on the sidelines, too!
What is your favorite quote or verse and why?
One of my favorite verses is: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:12-13).
This verse reminds me that in everything I do to live out God’s calling for me, He is only asking me to do the best I can in my imperfect flesh in my imperfect life. Without taking time for sabbath and reflection on God’s teachings, I am not able to keep my light shining.
I look to the Holy Trinity to remind my heart, mind, and soul of their true purpose and calling as I move through different chapters of my life with God.
Student Feedback
“It was easy to make a connection with Dr. Abbott as I worked with her over my time at Roberts. She was always kind and caring. I felt like she truly cared about her students and was always so patient. There's a saying that you will always have one teacher that you will remember for a lifetime. Dr. Abbott is that one teacher for me.”
Carrie Serow ‘23 (Master’s of Special Education)
“Dr. Abbott was a blessing to have come into my life and has helped me grow as a teacher, parent, and person. Anyone with the privilege of meeting or working with Dr. Abbott will say that she is a blessing in disguise. She shines a light on all people she meets/helps. She is a guiding light toward your future.”
Toni Mickey ‘23 (Master’s of Special Education)