Biography
Kate Scorgie is an enthusiastic supporter of all those who have chosen to enter this field with the opportunities it affords to shape lives for life. She has enjoyed a career of over 26 years in the field of teacher education/special education, including 18 years as a full-time professor of graduate education at a university in southern California. Across the years she has taught over 20 different courses related to teacher education special education, human development, research and leadership studies, and developed a number of online courses in these areas.
She brings a rich international perspective to her working, having resided not only in the United States but also in Canada and in Great Britain. She has presented at international conferences in numerous countries worldwide, and has also frequently traveled overseas during summer terms to teach graduate classes in diverse nations from Ukraine to Ethiopia to Papua New Guinea. She was honored to be a member of the planning committee for a conference on inclusion of marginalized groups worldwide, held at the University of Padua, Italy, with a role in the Manifesto for Inclusion that was developed and announced there.
She thoroughly enjoys the adventure of research and publication, and looks forward to traveling with each new group of Alliant University class participants on their own journeys of exploration and discovery. She is also grateful for the opportunity to serve as a volunteer “Cuddler” in the Neo-Natal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Rady Children’s Health in San Diego two days a week.
Professional Interests
Over the years her research has focused on such topics as families of children who represent diverse learners, three processes that constructively guide individuals and families through times of transition and adjustment, social inclusion, and the unique experiences of children in military families.
Education and Certifications
Dr. Scorgie holds degrees from Ohio State University (B.S.Ed.), Western Michigan University (MA in Visual Impairment), Wheaton College (MA in Communication Studies), and a Ph.D. from the Department of Educational Psychology, University of Alberta, Canada. She holds dual credentials in special education K-12 and education K-8.
Courses
Current courses include Research for Educators and Critical Thinking for Teachers. Dr. Scorgie has also taught courses at the undergraduate, masters and doctoral levels in special education, leaderships studies, educational psychology, assessment, achievement motivation, child and adolescent growth and development, theories of adult learning and development, and current issues in education.
Scholarship & Contributions to the Field
Dr. Scorgie has published over 40 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters, many of which have been cited frequently in the field. She has also co-edited three volumes in the International Perspectives in Inclusive Education series (Emerald Press): Transition Programs for Children and Youth with Diverse Needs (2022); Promoting Social Inclusion: Co-creating Environments that Foster Equity and Belonging (2019); and Working with Families for Inclusive Education: Navigating Identity, Opportunity and Belonging (2017).
Currently, she also serves as a research advisor and thesis committee member for doctoral candidates at another university in the United States. In addition, she has also served for 15 years as a reviewer of proposals for the annual meetings of the American Educational Research Association (AERA) as well as for other conferences.