By Tommy Navickas
"At Illinois State University I continue to appreciate the long history of our dedicated department and the history of teacher preparation here. It is obvious to me that teacher preparation is the centerpiece of the program here and that there is a serious commitment to special education. I will always be thankful for the decision I made to come here. The years have flown by—it is hard for me to believe that it is coming up on 20 years." — E. Paula Crowley, professor of special education
(April 28, 2008) While in school growing up in Ireland, Paula Crowley was routinely called upon to help other students. "Today we might call such arrangements peer buddy systems," Crowley says, and it was those early experiences that stirred her awareness of special needs; a calling that later propelled her to the field of special education.
After earning her bachelor's degree in elementary education with an all-level certification in behavioral disorders from the University of Incarnate Word, Crowley taught in the Lackland Independent School District in San Antonio, Texas. There she worked as a special education teacher in a self-contained classroom with typically 13 or 14 children who had emotional and behavioral disorders. This first professional teaching position greatly enhanced Crowley's first-hand knowledge and perspective in the field of special education. "I found myself so amazed by the complexity of the needs of the children—they had so many health and medical concerns and they needed a variety of support staff."
During this time at Lackland Independent School District, Crowley says that she became intrigued by the power of expressive language and how this related to the students' social and academic behavior. "Children were so much more successful when they were able to talk and express themselves verbally—a challenge for many of them." This observation and interest prompted Crowley to continue advancing her academic knowledge base. "I decided if I studied a course in language development I could be a more effective teacher." Encouraged by her professors, Crowley enrolled at Trinity University and went on to earn a M.Ed. in Special Education.
Crowley's next teaching position was at the San Antonio Children's Center, a psychiatric hospital and residential program for children and adolescents with emotional and behavioral disorders. Not only did the children attend school there, but they lived there. Crowley notes that this was tough work for herself and for the other five teachers as they unraveled the challenges of teaching children with many complicated situations, including abuse and neglect.
After several years of teaching, Crowley knew that she was ready to take the next step in her career. "I learned so much about special education and children with emotional and behavioral disorders, as well as other complicating disabilities. I had many new questions and with the encouragement of colleagues, I was now was ready to enter a doctoral program in special education."
Crowley's next career steps started with her entrance into a Ph.D. program at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Va. Following three years of intensive research and study, she graduated in 1989 and found her way to the Special Education Department at Illinois State University.
Crowley continues a very active professional career in teaching, research, and service at Illinois State University. "One of the most enjoyable aspects of my work here is the balanced approach to the three critical functions of teaching, research, and service." She stated that "the Department of Special Education continues to expect and support high standards for teaching excellence, a sincere commitment to scholarship, and a continued generous record of service." She cites her colleagues at Illinois State University, both within and outside her department, as enjoyable, professional, and committed professionals. She considers her students a pleasure to work with.
Crowley is a dedicated teacher of her students here at Illinois State University. She considers good teaching an essential part of her commitment as a professor. Over the years she has written several books and articles. Her published work focuses on aspects of teacher preparation and teacher development.
Among her commitments at Illinois State University is her role as advisor to the student organization, Best Buddies. In the spring of 1990 she initiated the first such organization on campus and over the years it has distinguished itself by a generous record of service to individuals with disabilities in the community. Best Buddies has won various awards over the years and even got international attention as an Outstanding Chapter in 2006-2007.
Crowley has been a dedicated member of several professional organizations, including the Illinois Council for Exceptional Children and the Illinois Council for Children with Behavioral Disorders, where she served as president twice, in addition to treasurer, secretary and conference coordinator. She remains dedicated to these and other national and international professional organizations both in and related to her field today.
Crowley reflects on the gratitude she has for the profession and the continued admiration she has for her dedicated colleagues and students. "I am thankful for my wonderful colleagues and students in the field of special education."
Crowley hopes her students receive a similar satisfaction in their professional careers through active life-long learning. "I would like our students to use this wonderful time at Illinois State to learn everything and anything that they can possibly get their hands on. As future professionals, they are life-long learners who are knowledgeable, articulate, and confident of their own views and their own commitments as special educators."
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