Mary Beirne-Smith

Associate Professor
Department of Special Education and Multiple Abilities
251G Graves Hall
(205) 348-6093
mbeirne@bamaed.ua.edu
Appointed 1986

Recent Courses Taught:

SPE 491: Academic Methods, Elementary
SPR 590: Introduction to Mild Disabilities
SPE 600: Doctoral Seminar in SPE

Areas of Research:

Teacher Education: Collaboration
Academic Interventions for Students with Mild Disabilities
Special Education Administration

Academic Degrees:

Ed.D. University of Virginia, Special Education, Learning Disabilities with minors in Educational administration and Educational Research
M. Ed., University of Virginia, Special Education, Learning Disabilities
B.S. Longwood College, Elementary Education

Professional Experiences:

Associate Professor, Special Education Program (Department) Chair 1996 1999, LD/MLBD Program Chair, 1991 1996; Assistant Professor, Learning Disabilities, 1986 1990, The College of Education, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL.

Special Education Supervisor, Petersburg Public School System, Petersburg, VA.

Adjunct Instructor, Special Education, Virginia State University, Petersburg, VA.

Special Education Teacher, Knoxville City Schools, Knoxville, TN.

Special Education Teacher, Albemarle County School System, Charlottesville, VA.

Special Education Supervisor, Lynchburg Public School System, Lynchburg, VA

Program Strategist, Lynchburg Public School System, Lynchburg, VA.

Elementary Teacher, Lynchburg Public School System, Lynchburg, VA

Selected Publications:

Beirne Smith, M., Patton, J.R., & Kim, S. (2006) Mental retardation (7th ed.). Columbus, OH: Merrill, an imprint of Macmillan.

Beirne Smith, M., Patton, J.R., & Kim, S. (2006). Instructor's manual to accompany mental retardation (7th ed.). Columbus, OH: Merrill, an imprint of Macmillan.

Beirne Smith, M., & Riley, T. (2004). Spelling instruction. In E.A. Polloway and T.E.C. Smith, Teaching language skills to exceptional children. Denver, CO: Love.

Beirne-Smith, M., Patton, J.R. & Kim, S. (2006). Website to accompany Mental retardation (7th ed.). Columbus, OH: Merrill, an imprint of Macmillan.

Stewart, F & Beirne-Smith, M. (manuscript submitted). Facilitating cooperative teaching practices in inclusive settings. Teacher Education and Special Education.

Beirne-Smith, M. (In press). Spelling assessment of students with mild learning disabilities. Assessment for effective intervention. Invited Manuscript.

Selected Presentations:

Beirne-Smith, M. & Stewart, F. (presentation accepted, April 4. 2008). Facilitating cooperative teaching practices among preservice general and special education teacher educators. Teacher Education Division of The Council for Exceptional Children National Conference. Boston, MA.

Beirne-Smith, M. (2005). Project-based group work: Preservice teachers’ perceptions of instruction in collaboration. Teacher Education Division of The Council for Exceptional Children National Conference. Albuquerque: NM