Four faculty members representing BU Wheelock College of Education & Human Development’s Special Education, Literacy Education, Deaf Studies, and Science Education programs were recently promoted. Elizabeth Bettini, Katherine Frankel, Amy Lieberman, and Eve Manz all received the rank of associate professor with tenure.

Elizabeth Bettini, Special Education

Elizabeth Bettini is an associate professor in the Special Education program. Her research examines factors shaping the special education teacher workforce, particularly how working conditions contribute to the shortage of special education teachers and to inequities in access to skilled, committed special education teachers.

Katherine Frankel, Literacy Education

Katherine Frankel is an associate professor in the Literacy Education program. In her research, she examines literacy teaching and learning from critical sociocultural perspectives. She works alongside youth and their teachers to expand adolescents’ literacy learning opportunities within and beyond schools.

Amy Lieberman, Deaf Studies

Amy Lieberman is an associate professor in the Deaf Studies program. Her research focuses on American Sign Language (ASL) acquisition in deaf individuals, particularly on how young deaf children learn language through early interactions. She works closely with graduate students preparing to be Deaf Education teachers. 

Eve Manz, Science Education

Eve Manz is an associate professor in the Science Education program. Her research focuses on designing and implementing meaningful disciplinary learning experiences in elementary school classrooms. She works closely with elementary school teachers to design curriculum and test new approaches for engaging children in science and engineering.