Undergraduate PreK–4 w/Special Education Program Coordinator
Associate Professor, Education
Colleen Lelli, EdD, Associate Professor in the Educational Specialists Department, is very fortunate to have been provided the opportunity to work with children of all ages. She has worked with preschool children, high school students and was a behavioral therapist working with students with autism.
Lelli has provided multiple presentations locally, at the state level, national and international level. Her research, presentation, and publication interests include special education advocacy and support, pre-service and in-service teachers’ knowledge of domestic violence and their ability to support the learning of those who have witnessed trauma.
A passion of Lelli’s is to use children’s literature to advocate for children with special needs, such as, helping children of trauma gain and build resilience. Lelli uses children’s literature to teach pre-service teachers as well as young children.
Lelli earned a bachelor's degree from Cabrini College, a master’s degree from Arcadia University, and recently earned a doctorate degree from Widener University.
Her research interests are content-area reading, phonics, study skills, and bibliotherapy. She presented a paper, An Innovative Model of Special Education Teacher Training: A Collaboration between Cabrini College and Neighboring School Districts, at the Pennsylvania Council for Exceptional Children Conference in 2006.
