Implementation Support Team & Affiliated Faculty
We are privileged to work with amazing faculty and staff within the Morgridge College of Education who provide particularly specialties that advance our mission to improve learning experiences for young children.
Faculty
Alissa Rausch, EdD
Alissa Rausch, EdD, is Assistant Research Faculty within the Marsico Institute for Early Learning. She has supported the educational rights of young children, especially those with disabilities and with intersectional identities as a provider, program leader, advocate, preservice faculty, and technical assistance provider. She developed and implemented comprehensive early childhood inclusion programs, ensuring all children's needs are supported and learning within a nurturing and stimulating environment in both Douglas County School District and Cedar Rapids Community Schools. As the president of Disability Law Colorado and the Colorado Division for Early Childhood, she advocated for inclusive practices and policies - actively engaging in legislative initiatives, community outreach programs, and professional development sessions in the Colorado disability community and nationally.
Through experiences with the National Center for Pyramid Model Innovations (NCPMI) Center and the Early Childhood Technical Assistance (ECTA) Center, she developed a deep understanding of federal and state regulations and best practices in creating inclusive learning environments. She has partnered with programs to provide optimal support for children with diverse needs, building an understanding of the complex early childhood system and what might support transformative change and leverage the unique skills of the Implementation Support Team across these systems. As PI and Co-PI on multiple grants, she conducts action research - collaborating with communities to design and implement evidence-informed solutions through data-driven decision making and harnessing the power of research to continuously improve practices and advocate for transformative change.
Rashida Banerjee, PhD
Rashida Banerjee, PhD, is a Professor for the Department of Teaching and Learning Sciences at the University of Denver. Her research areas are effective community, family, and professional partnerships, appropriate assessment of young children, especially issues around diversity, inclusive intervention for young children, and interdisciplinary special education workforce development. Dr. Banerjee has published articles, book chapters, books, received grants, and presented at numerous national and international conferences on these topics. Her research and funded projects focus on preparing well-qualified early childhood, and early childhood special educators and promoting family partnerships.
Dr. Banerjee has served on the Board of national organizations such as the Division for Early Childhood and Divisions for International Special Education Services of the Council for Exceptional Children. She served on the DEC Recommended Practices Committee responsible for ensuring the development and use of evidence-based practices in early childhood. Dr. Banerjee has served as the Editor for Journal for International Special Needs Education and associate editor for Young Exceptional Children. She currently serves as the associate editor for the Topics in Early Childhood Special Education. She is a recipient of the International Ford Foundation Fellowship Program.
