WKU News

Name: Soyoung Park  

Department: Special Education

Job Title: Assistant Professor

Courses Taught: 

• SPED 330 Introduction to Exceptional Education: Diversity in Learning
• SPED 425 LBD Interventions: Strategies and Materials
• SPED 480 Data-Driven Decisions in Special Education

What is your professional and educational background?

I received a Ph.D. in Special Education with a concentration in Learning Disabilities and Behavior Disorders from the University of Texas at Austin. Before joining the WKU faculty, I was a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the Meadows Center for Preventing Educational Risk, where I worked with Dr. Diane Bryant on the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) funded Project AIM: Algebra-readiness Intervention Modules for Middle School Students with Mathematics Difficulties. 

Why did you choose this field of study? 

I taught in a variety of educational settings and frequently encountered students with mathematics difficulties in the classroom. I became interested in how to better instruct them. This led me to pursue a doctoral degree, and in my Ph.D. program, I discovered a passion for developing and testing evidence-based mathematics intervention for students with learning disabilities. 

What are your research interests?

My research focuses on evidence-based mathematics interventions that identify effective instruction for students with learning disabilities and provides high-quality guidelines for both pre-service and in-service teachers.

What is your passion in teaching?

Because of my own previous teaching experience, my main passion is in helping new special education teachers become more effective at delivering evidence-based intervention and how to intensify their instruction based on students’ needs. This will in turn improve student mathematics achievement, ultimately creating greater equity for students with learning disabilities. 

What do you love most about WKU?

My students! I love the chance to mentor and collaborate with my students as they grow into excellent teachers. While mentoring, I have found the relationships I have developed to be rewarding.