Professional Bio

Degrees

  • PhD, Curriculum & Instruction, Teacher Education: Special Education, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, 2011
  • Educational Leadership (modified master’s program), University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, 1998
  • MEd, Gifted Education, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, 1988
  • Bachelor of Arts, Specific Learning Disabilities, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, 1984

 

Professional Credentials & Memberships

  • Exceptional Student Education/Grades K- 12, State of Florida
  • Educational Leadership, State of Florida
  • Middle Grades Integrated Curriculum/Grades 5-9, State of Florida
  • Gifted Education/Grades K-12, State of Florida
  • Colorado Teacher Education Division (TED) of the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC), 2012-present
  • Colorado Council for Exceptional Children (CEC), 2011-present
  • Colorado Consortium of Special Education Teacher Educators (CCSETE), 2011-present
  • Association of Teacher Educators (ATE), 2010-present
  • Teacher Education Division (TED), Council for Exceptional Children (CEC), 2007-present
  • Supporting Emotional Needs of Gifted (SENG), 2007-present
  • American Educational Research Association (AERA), 2005-present
  • Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD), 2004-present
  • Council for Exceptional Children (CEC), 1989-present
  • National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC), 1988-present
  • Florida Association for the Gifted (FLAG), 1988-2011

Academic & Professional Experience

  • Regis University, Assistant Professor & Program Coordinator, Special Education, Department Chair: Teacher Licensure Programs, Denver, CO, 2011-present
  • University of South Florida, Graduate Teaching Assistant, Gifted Program Assistant, Tampa, FL, 2010-2011
  • University of South Florida, Middle School Tutoring Project, SCATT, Tampa, FL, 2010
  • Dunedin Highland Middle School, Sixth Grade Teacher, Earth Science, Coordinator: Center for Gifted Studies, Dunedin, FL, 2009-2010
  • University of South Florida, Graduate Research & Teaching Assistant, Department of Special Education, Tampa, FL, 2008-2009
  • St. Petersburg College, Learning Specialist/Academic Coach, Early College Program, 2007-2008
  • Madeira Beach Middle School, Eighth Grade Co-Teacher, Science, Madeira Beach, FL, 2006-2007
  • St. Petersburg College, Adjunct Professor & Student Teaching Supervisor, Department of Special Education, 2005-2006
  • Freelance Writer, Editor, & Educational Consultant, 1991-2005
  • Clearwater Christian College, Adjunct Professor, Department of Special Education, 1999
  • Fuguitt Elementary School, Teacher, Gifted Education, K-5, Largo, FL, 1995-1996
  • Safety Harbor Middle School, Sixth Grade Teacher, Gifted Education, Safety Harbor, FL, 1988-1990
  • Safety Harbor Middle School, Teacher, Specific Learning Disabilities, Modified Self Contained, 6-8 grades, Safety Harbor, FL, 1987-1988
  • Lockhart Sixth Grade Center, Teacher, Specific Learning Disabilities, Resource, Sixth Grade, Tampa, FL, 1985-1987
  • New York City Public Schools; New York City Parochial Schools, Substitute Teacher, Staten Island, Brooklyn and Manhattan, NY, 1984-1985

Research & Scholarship

Current Research Activities

  • Woodrow, K., Uchiyama, K., & Caruana, V. (2012). Perspective transformations of teacher candidates during their capstone experience.
  • Caruana, V., Mickelson, A., Hicks, T., & Hoppey, D. (2011). Assessing attitudes and confidence of teacher candidates to teach in inclusive settings: Phase 1
  • Caruana, V. Preservice teachers’ perceptions of their perspective transformations: A case study. (2010 – 2011) Dissertation study.

Refereed Journals

  • (Submitted/In Revision): Caruana, V. Preservice teachers’ perceptions of their perspective transformations: A case study. Journal of Transformative Education.
  • (In Preparation): Caruana, V., Mickelson, A., Hicks, T., & Hoppey, D. Assessing attitudes and confidence of teacher candidates to teach in inclusive settings
  • (In Preparation): Bartesaghi, M., & Caruana, V. ‘You’ve got mail’: How parents and teachers account for problems during email exchanges.

 

Published

  • Caruana, V. (1999). Partnering with homeschoolers. Educational Leadership, v57, n1, 58-61.

Books (Trade)

  • Caruana, V. (2008). Apples & chalkdust 10th anniversary edition. New York: Simon & Schuster Publishing.
  • Caruana, V. (2007). Standing up for your child. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale Publishers.
  • Caruana, V., & Hammer, K. (2007). Brain food. New York: Rowan & Littlefield Publishers.
  • Caruana, V. (2006). Before the bell rings. New York: Simon & Schuster Publishing.
  • Caruana, V. (2005). Recess for teachers: renewal of mind, body, spirit. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
  • Kent, C., & Caruana, V. (2005). Sunshine for teachers. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishers.
  • Caruana, V. (2004). Apples & chalkdust: a teacher’s journal. Colorado Springs, CO: Cook/Honor Bks.
  • Caruana, V. (2004). One heart at a time for teachers. Minneapolis, MN: Bethany House Publishers.
  • Caruana, V. (2004). When teachers pray. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
  • Caruana, V. (2004). Giving your child the excellence edge. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale Publishers.
  • Caruana, V. (2003). Apples of gold. Minneapolis, MN: Bethany House Publishers.
  • Caruana, V. (2003). Apples & chalkdust portable. Colorado Springs, CO: Cook/Honor Bks.
  • Caruana, V. (2003). Apples & chalkdust notes. Colorado Springs, CO: Cook/Honor Bks.
  • Caruana, V. (2003). (Ed.). The homeschooler’s guide. Wheaton, IL: Good News/Crossway Bks.
  • Caruana, V. (2002). Prayers from a teacher’s heart. Tulsa, OK: Honor Books
  • Caruana, V. (2002). Educating your gifted child. Wheaton, IL: Good News/Crossway Bks.
  • Caruana, V. (2001). The organized homeschooler. Wheaton, IL: Good News/Crossway Bks.
  • Caruana, V. (2001). Apples & chalkdust #2. Tulsa, OK: Honor Books.
  • Caruana, V. (2001). The abc’s of homeschooling. Wheaton, IL: Good News/Crossway Bks.
  • Caruana, V. (2000). Apples & chalkdust for teachers. Tulsa, OK: Honor Books.
  • Caruana, V. (2000). Success in school. Bemidji, MN: Focus Publishing.
  • Caruana, V. (1998). Apples & chalkdust. Tulsa, OK: Honor Books.

 

Unpublished Manuscripts/Curriculum Developed

  • Caruana, V. (2006). R.A.R.E: Learning Strategy for Answering Short and Extended Response Questions in the Content Areas.

 

Presentations

(Webinar): Caruana, V. Access Skills Required for Special Education Students to Meet Common Core. SimpleK12, October 2012

 

Invited Speaker

  • Caruana, V. Hitting the Wall: Helping Gifted Students Navigate Obstacles. Gifted Association of Pinellas (GAP) Parent Meeting. Clearwater, FL, February 2009
  • Caruana, V. Aligning Your Curriculum to Standards. New Mexico Department of Education Summer Institute. Farmington, NM, November 1999
  • Caruana, V. Advice for New Teachers. University of South Florida, College of Education Student Council. Tampa, FL, April 1999
  • Caruana, V. Big Fish in Little Ponds: Fighting Complacency in Gifted Children. Gifted Association of Pinellas (GAP) Parent Meeting. Clearwater, FL, January 1998
  • Caruana, V. Homeschool Partnerships: Making the Connection. Up with Achievement Conference, Pinellas County Schools. Largo, FL, April 1998

 

International/National Presentations

  • Caruana, V. Using Case Study to Gauge Transformative Learning of General Education Preservice Teachers. CEC Teacher Education Division, Grand Rapids, MI, November 2012
  • Caruana, V. Assessing Attitudes and Confidence of Teacher Candidates to Teach in Inclusive Settings. CEC Teacher Education Division, Austin, TX, November 2011
  • Caruana, V. Resiliency in Teachers: Optimistic Attitudes as Contributing Factors to Retention in the Field. ATE National Convention. Orlando, FL, February 2011
  • Caruana, V. Assessing Dispositions: An Inspection of Four Instruments in the Field. CEC Teacher Education Division, Dallas, TX, November 2008
  • Caruana, V. Partnering with Parents. ASCD National Convention. Chicago, IL, March 2005
  • Caruana, V. Writing Your Own Curriculum. KDP International Convocation. Birmingham, AL, 1996
  • Caruana, V. The Gifted Child with Learning Problems. CEC International Convention. Sarasota, FL, 1990

 

State/Regional Presentations

  • Caruana, V. Homeschoolers and Exceptional Education. FFCEC Conference. Orlando, FL, 1998
  • Caruana, V. Underachieving Gifted. Florida Association for Gifted Conference. Tampa, FL, 1997
  • Caruana, V. Making the Home/School Connection. Florida Association for Gifted Conference. St. Petersburg, FL, 1990
  • Caruana, V. Gifted Children with Learning Problems. Florida Association for Gifted Conference. Ft. Lauderdale, FL, 1988

Awards & Recognition

  • CEC Teachers’ Blogs: A Teacher’s Journal, FEA Blogs, 2010, www.appleschalkdustjournal.blogspot.com
  • LITES (Leadership in Teacher Education for Special Education (LITES) Scholarship, 2008-2011
  • ING Unsung Heroes Award, in recognition of innovation and excellence in education, 2007
  • The Gold Book Award, in recognition of more than 500,000 copies sold of Apples & Chalkdust (Honor Bks., 1998), 2003

 

Grants Awarded

  • Cranston-Gingras, A., Doone, P., Caruana, V.(co-writer) (2009). High School Equivalency (HEP) Project. U.S. Department of Education: Office of Migrant Education. ($2,000,000)
  • Caruana, V. (2009). Splash! Mini-grant. Southwest Florida Water Management District. ($4000).
  • Caruana, V. (2007). R.A.R.E. Unsung Heroes mini-grant. ING Financial. ($5000).

Community Involvement & Service

Regis University, School of Education & Counseling Service

  • School of Education & Counseling Academic Council, 2012-present
  • Search Committee Chair, 2012
  • Retention Task Force, 2012
  • Assessment & Accreditation Committee, 2011-present
  • Teacher Education Seminar Leader, 2011-present
  • MEd Licensure Team, 2011-present
  • Teacher Education Study Group, 2011
  • Substantive Undergraduate Course Change submission, 2010-2011

Regis University Committee Service

  • College for Professional Studies Academic Council, 2012-present
  • College for Professional Studies monthly blog contributor, 2011-present
  • ADA Compliance, 2011

University of South Florida Service

  • Undergraduate Program Council, 2011
  • University Task Force on Faculty Rewards, 2009
  • Doctoral Program Student Newsletter, SPECtrum, Editor, 2008, 2009
  • Doctoral Student Program Committee (Special Education), 2008-2009
  • Research Committee Member, 2008-2009
  • Teacher Education Committee, 2008-present

Professional Service

  • Colorado Teacher Education Division (TED) of the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC),  President, 2012-present
  • Colorado Council for Exceptional Children (CEC), Board Member, 2011-present

Review Boards

  • National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), Special Education SPA, Lead Reviewer, 2008-present
  • Florida Association for the Gifted (FLAG) Conference, Tampa, FL, 2010
  • Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) Annual Convention and Expo, Teacher Education Division, 2008-present
  • CEC/Kaleidoscope Committee, 2008-present
  • American Educational Research Association (AERA) Annual Meeting, NY, 2008-present 

Community Service

  • Education of Children of Color (ECOC ) Summit, 2012-2013
  • Special Olympics Winter Scarf Project, 2011
  • High School Youth Ministry, St. Jerome Catholic Church, Largo, FL, 2009-2011
  • Volunteer for Regional Special Olympics, St. Petersburg, FL, 2008