Dr. Linda Forbringeris an Associate Professor and Special Education Program Director for the Department of Special Education and Communication Disorders at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE), where she teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in methods of teaching mathematics, classroom management, and instructional methods for students with disabilities. Before joining SIUE she taught for the Cleveland Public Schools and for the Positive Education Program, an agency which provides integrated educational and mental health services throughout Northern Ohio for school-age children and youth who have been diagnosed with an emotional disturbance. Dr. Forbringer served as a classroom teacher, a liaison teacher-counselor, and then administrator of a day treatment center serving kindergarten through twelfth grade students. She has presented on Response to Intervention in mathematics, differentiating instruction, and motivation at a variety of national and international conferences, including the Learning Disabilities Association, Council for Exceptional Children, International Council for Learning Disabilities, National Council of Teachers of Mathematics and National Council of Supervisors of Mathematics. Her research interests include methods of teaching mathematics, effective teaching practices, and strategies to support students in inclusive settings.

Dr. Wendy Fuchs is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Special Education and Communication Disorders at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. She teaches the beginning and advanced reading methods courses for pre-service special educators. Dr. Fuchs also serves as the Principal Investigator and Project Coordinator of the Illinois Institutes of Higher Education Partnership, a federally-funded Statewide Professional Development Grant that assists teacher preparation programs integrate MTSS into course content and field experiences. In addition to her work with the IHE Partnership, Dr. Fuchs provides professional development and educational consulting to school districts in Southern Illinois in the areas of Response to Intervention/Multi-Tier System of Supports (MTSS), school improvement, and maximizing student engagement. Dr. Fuchs is a member of the PBIS Statewide Leadership Team, and serves as an executive board member for the Illinois Teacher Education Division of Council for Exceptional Children. Her research interests include effective teaching practices, teacher perceptions of students with disabilities, data-based instructional decision making.