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Resume 

Dr. Rebekah Dyer

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Professional Profile

Self-directed, enthusiastic educator with a passionate commitment to student development and the learning experience. Skilled in the design of challenging, enriching, and innovative activities that address the diverse interests and needs of students. Possess outstanding communication skills; present information in a variety of ways, emphasizing relevance of class material to the world beyond the classroom. Active team member who effectively collaborates with all levels of team members and establishes quality relationships with students.

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  • Differentiated Instruction

  • Student Motivation

  • Student-Centered Learning

  • Student Evaluation and Assessment

  • Advocacy

  • Progress Monitoring

  • Inclusion

  • Disability Ministry

 

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Education and Certification

  • Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership with an Emphasis in Special Education (2018) – Grand Canyon University

  • Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership (2005) – Northern Arizona University

  • Bachelor of Arts Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education Cross-Categorical (2001) – Arizona State University West

  • Certification: Special Education Cross-Categorical K-12 • Certification: Disability Ministry Beyond Suffering, Joni & Friends

Honors and Awards

  • 2022 College of Education Ground Full-Time Faculty Award: For Excellence in Learning, Leading and Serving

  • 2019 Community Partnership Award. International Dyslexia Association Branch Award to AZ-IDA.

  • 2018 Grand Canyon University Center for Innovation in Research and Teaching Faculty Scholarship Award

  • 2017-18 Best Buddies Outstanding College Chapter

  • 2015 Grand Canyon University Influential Faculty Award The Influential Faculty and Staff Awards are a recognition of faculty and staff members who have made a difference in the lives of students. The awards are presented to a select group of faculty and staff members who were nominated by the graduating senior class.

  • 2015 Most Outstanding Advisor Best Buddies AZ Best Buddies Arizona has presented Rebekah Dyer an award of most outstanding co-advisor for 2014-2015 “for their amazing leadership, dedication to Best Buddies, and commitment to helping spread inclusion throughout their school and community.”

Academic Experience

  • Full Professor, Grand Canyon University: College of Education 04/20 – Current

  • Adjunct Doctoral Instructor/Chair - Walden University 06/22 - Current

  • Academy Curriculum Consultant, Phi Delta Kappa International 07/20 – Current

  • Adjunct Instructor, Southern New Hampshire University 07/19 – Current • Subject Matter Expert, Joni & Friends 02/20 – Current

  • Content Expert, Grand Canyon University Doctoral College 08/19 - Current 

  • Associate Professor, Grand Canyon University: College of Education 12/18 – 04/20

  • Assistant Professor, Grand Canyon University: College of Education 08/09 – 12/18

  • Subject Matter Expert, Grand Canyon University 01/12 - Current

    •  Masters in Special Education Courses

      •  SPD 500, SPD 540, SPD 550, SPD 551, SPD 558, SPD 560, SPD 570, SPD 580

    •  Continuing Education Courses

      • REA 5005 TE, SPE 501TE, SPE 502TE, SPE 503TE, SPE 504TE, SPE 505TE, SPE 507TE, SPE 509TE, SPE 511TE, SPE 516TE, SPE 521TE, SPE 530TE, SPE 531TE, SPE 532TE, SPE 534TE, SPE 541TE

    • Early Childhood Education Courses

      • ECH 480, ECH 485, ECH 680, ECH 685 

  • College Supervisor, Grand Canyon University 08/10 – Current

  • Adjunct Instructor, Phoenix College 08/11 – 08/12

  • College Supervisor, Rio Salado Community College 01/08 – 01/13

Courses Taught

  • SPD 200 – Survey of Special Education: Mild to Moderate Disabilities

  • SPD 300 – Special Education Litigation and Law

  • SPD 310 – Collaborations and Communication in Special Education

  • SPD 320 – Assessment and Eligibility in Special Education

  • SPE 330 – Foundations of Special Education

  • SPE 351 – Characteristics of Students with Intellectual Disability

  • SPE 357 - Characteristics of Students with Emotional/Behavioral Disorders

  • SPE 359 - Characteristics of Students with Learning Disabilities

  • SPD 521 - Collaborations and Communications in Special Education

  • SPD 531 - Assessment and Eligibility in Special Education: Mild to Moderate Disability

  • SPD 560 - Language Development with Mild to Moderate Disabilities and Disorders

  • SPD 580 - Methods of Teaching Lang Arts to Students with Mild/Moderate Disabilities

  • EED 480NA – Student Teaching: Elementary Education

  • SPE 448NB – Student Teaching: Special Education

 

Professional Organizations

  • Branch Council Executive Committee Chair/National Board Member, International Dyslexia Association 02/23 - Current

  • President, AZ Neurodiversity Inclusivity PTSA 10/21 – 06/23

  • GCU LOPES Academy Advisory Board Member 04/21 - Current

  • Accreditation Reviewer, International Dyslexia Association 02/20 - Current

  • President, International Dyslexia Association – AZ Branch 5/17 – Current

  • Vice President, International Dyslexia Association – AZ Branch 2/15 – 5/17

  • Member, International Dyslexia Association – AZ Branch 4/14 - Current

Published Podcasts and Videos

Dyer, R. (2021, March). Podcast Guest. The Importance of Inclusion: S2: EP 4. Tulips in Tuscany Podcast. ‎

       Tulips in Tuscany: S02 Episode 4 | The Importance of Inclusion Ft. Dr. Rebekah Dyer on Apple                 Podcasts

Dyer, R. (2021, January). Podcast Guest. The Impact of Inclusion. Springbrook’s Converge

       Autism Radio. ‎Springbrook's Converge Autism Radio: The Impact of Inclusion on Apple Podcasts

Dyer, R. (2020, May). Podcast Guest. Inclusion for individuals with special needs: S2: EP 17. Joni & Friends

Podcast. https://www.joniandfriends.org/inclusion-for-individuals-with-special-needs/

Dyer, R. (2020, April). Podcast Guest. Dealing with isolation when your family is impacted by autism: S2: EP

12. Joni & Friends Podcast. https://www.joniandfriends.org/dealing-with-isolation-whenyour-family-is-impacted-by-autism/

Dyer, R. (2020, April). GCU K12 Educational Development. Great reading tips for parents of special

population students. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3cycKzbRL0k

Dyer, R. (2020, April). GCU K12 Educational Development. Helping students with special needs during

emergency remote learning. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbTKJaON8zU

Dyer, R. (2020, February). Podcast Guest. Misconceptions About kids with learning differences in the

classroom: Episode 618. Ten Minute Teacher Podcast. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/10- minute-teacher-podcast/id1201263130?i=1000464672452 

Dyer, T., & Dyer, R. (2019, February). Podcast Guest. From the parent point of view: Episode 8. Top of the

Class Podcast. http://toppodcast.com/podcast_feeds/top-of-the-class-emily-pottinger-and-drmeredith-critchfield/

Publications

Dyer, R. (2022) Successful Inclusion of Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder. International Journal         of Technology and Inclusion, Volume 11, Issue 1, 1712-1716.

Dyer, R. (2022) Inclusion and Accessibility for Students with Disabilities in Higher Education; pp 301-

       314. In Handbook of Research on Promising Practices for Advancing Diversity and Inclusion in           Higher Education.

Dyer, R. (2019, December). Successful inclusion of children with ASD in disability ministry. Journal of

the Christian Institute on Disability, 69-85.

Dyer, R. & Dyer, T. (2019, December) The flipped classroom for college students: An evaluation of

research and trends from traditional and online faculty. Journal of Instructional Research, 8, 113- 117.

Pottinger, E., Dyer, R., Akard, J. (2019, December) Reflective practice through mentorship. Journal of

Instructional Research, 8, 62-69.

Dyer, R. (2018). Teaching students with disabilities at the college level. Journal of Instructional

Research, 7, 75-79.

Akard, J., & Dyer, R. (2016). Chapter 12: Reflecting on Instruction to Improve Student Progress. In

Teaching with a purpose: Learning, leading, and serving (2nd ed.). Retrieved from http://lc.gcumedia.com/eed480na/teaching-with-a-purpose-learning-leading-andserving/v2.1/#/home

Akard, J., & Dyer, R. (2016). Chapter 13: Reflecting on Classroom Management and Engagement

Protocols. In Teaching with a purpose: Learning, leading, and serving (2nd ed.). Retrieved from http://lc.gcumedia.com/eed480na/teaching-with-a-purpose-learning-leading-andserving/v2.1/#/home

Akard, J., & Dyer, R. (2016). Chapter 14: Analyzing Assessment Data. In Teaching with a purpose:

Learning, leading, and serving (2nd ed.). Retrieved from http://lc.gcumedia.com/eed480na/teaching-with-a-purpose-learning-leading-andserving/v2.1/#/home

Dyer, R. (2016). Chapter 18: Preparing for Inclusion and Special Education. In Teaching with a purpose:

Learning, leading, and serving (2nd ed.). Retrieved from http://lc.gcumedia.com/eed480na/teaching-with-a-purpose-learning-leading-andserving/v2.1/#/home

Dyer, R. (2015). Thank You for Being Part of My Story. In K. LaPrade & M. Gilpatrick (Eds.), Teaching: A

calling of passion and purpose. (pp. 27-28). Phoenix, AZ: Grand Canyon University College of Education.

Dyer, R (2015, June). 4 steps to Help Students Retain Knowledge. Teaching In Purple: GCU College of

Education blog. Retrieved from http://blogs.gcu.edu/college-ofeducation/4-steps-to-help-students-retain-knowledge/

Dyer, R (2015, April). Teachers Appreciating Teachers. Teaching In Purple: GCU College of Education

blog. Retrieved from http://blogs.gcu.edu/college-ofeducation/category/teacher-appreciation/page/3/

Presentations

Dyer, R. (2023, April). Successful Inclusion in a Christian University. Key Ministry's DATC2023

        disability ministry conference. Cleveland, OH.

Dyer, R. (2022, June). Best Practices: Supporting Students with Disabilities in the Online Classroom.                 2022 Online Teaching Conference. Long Beach, CA.

Dyer, R. (2022, June). Best Practices: Supporting Students with Disabilities in the Online Classroom.

       Arizona Alliance of Black School Educators (AzABSE) 8th Annual Teacher Leadership Summit.               Phoenix, Az.

Dyer, R. (2022, June). Inclusive Disability Ministry Programs. Institute on Theology and Disability                     Conference. Delaware, OH.

Dyer, R. (2022, May). Guest Lecturer. Beyond Suffering: A Christian View on Disability Ministry. Word of           Life Bible Institute, Monte, Argentina.

Dyer, R. (2022, April). Faith & Disability. The Faith Inclusion Network Community for All Conference.                 Virtual.

Dyer, R. (2022, January). Facilitating Effective IEP Meetings. The Learning Disabilities Association of                 America 59th Annual Conference. New Orleans, LA.

Dyer, R. & Dickey, Gwen. (2022, January). Removing Barriers for University Students with Disabilities. The         Council for Exceptional Children 2022 Convention and Expo. Orlando, FL.

Dyer, R. (2021, November). Inclusion of Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder. World Congress on               Special Needs Education. London, UK. Virtual.

Dyer, R. (2021, November). Faith and Disability. Wonderfully Made Conference. Virtual.

Dyer, R. (2021, February). Student Self-Management of Emotions and Behaviors. CEC 2021 Convention and

Expo. Virtual.

Dyer, R. (2020, October). Successful Inclusion of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Disability

Ministry Programs. Wonderfully Made: Special Needs Conference. Virtual.

Dyer, R. (2020, September). Structured Literacy. EdRising Literacy Lives Conference. Virtual.

Dyer, R. (2020, March). Dyslexia 101. Education 2020 Conference. Rio Salado College, Tempe, AZ.

Dyer, R. & Caska, H. (2020, March) Dyslexia 101. Educators Rising State Leadership Conference. Tucson, AZ. Dyer, R. (2020, February). Experience Dyslexia. AZCEC/AZCASE Annual State Conference. Phoenix, AZ.

Dyer, R. (2020, February). Universal Design for Learning Strategies. Spring Professional Development for

Teachers at St. Francis Xavier School. Phoenix, AZ.

Dyer, R. (2020, January). Strategies for Special Populations. Presenting at the Spring Professional

Development for Teachers at Duarte Unified School District. Duarte, Ca.

Dyer, R. (2019, December). Questioning Strategies in the Classroom. Presented at the Fall Professional

Development for Teachers at White Mountain Elementary School. Ruidoso, NM.

Dyer, R. (2019, December). Experiencing Dsylexia. Presented to Arizona State University: College of

Education Faculty. Tempe, AZ.

Dyer, R. (2019, October). Creative Ways to Differentiate Instruction for All Learners. Presented at the

Kappa Delta Pi Convocation. Norfolk, VA.

Dyer, R. (2019, October). Developing a Learning Environment for All Learners: Differentiated Instruction in

the Classroom. Presented at Educator Day for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix Catholic Schools. Phoenix, AZ.

Dyer, R. & McCabe, C. (2019, July). Domain 1: Planning and Preparation: Planning for Special Populations

in the Mainstream Classroom Grades 6-12. Presented at EdKey Back to School Institute. Phoenix, AZ.

Dyer, R. & McCabe, C. (2019, July). Domain 1: Planning and Preparation: Planning For Special Populations

in the Mainstream Classroom Grades K-5. Presented at EdKey Back to School Institute. Phoenix, AZ.

Dyer, R. & McCabe, C. (2019, July). Domain 1: Planning and Preparation: Planning for Special Populations

in the Self-Contained Classroom. Presented at EdKey Back to School Institute. Phoenix, AZ.

Dyer, R. & McCabe, C. (2019, July). Domain 2: The Classroom Environment: Classroom Management For

the Self-Contained Classroom. Presented at EdKey Back to School Institute. Phoenix, AZ.

Dyer, R. (2019, May). Beyond Suffering: Module 2. Invited Speaker at The Word of Life Bible Institute:

Disability Ministry Training, Monte, Argentina.

Dyer, R. (2019, April) Exceptional Ministry. SPARK Conference: A retreat for local children’s leaders,

Prescott, AZ.

Dyer, R. (2019, March) Dissertation Review. Emerging Scholars Conference, Phoenix, AZ.

Dyer, R. & Caska, H. (2019, March) Dyslexia Advocacy: Developing a Plan for Your Child to Ensure Success

at School. International Dyslexia Association Southern Regional Conference, Louisville, KY.

Dyer, R. & Long, K. (2019, March) Advocating for Public Schools. Educators Rising State Leadership

Conference, Tucson, AZ.

Dyer, R. (2018, October) A Case Study of Parental Perceptions of Disability Ministry Inclusion Programs:

Keynote Speaker. The 9th Amity International Conference on Autism, Nanjiing, China.

Dyer, R. (2018) Autism and Inclusion: Breakout Session. The 9th Amity International Conference on Autism,

Nanjiing, China.

Blair, J., Dyer, R., & Murray, V. (2018) Supporting Students’ Self-Determination Skills. Presentation at the

Arizona Department of Education: Director’s Institute, Phoenix, AZ.

Blair, J., Dyer, R., & Murray, V. (2018) More Than Just a Syllabus. Presentation at the Arizona Department

of Education: Director’s Institute, Phoenix, AZ. Dyer, R. (2018, April). Teaching Students with Disabilities at the College Level. Presentation at the Center for Scholastic Inquiry: International Academic Research Conference, Savannah, GA.

Dyer, R (2016, October). The Power of Student Mentorship & Inclusion of Individuals with Disabilities.

Presentation at the EdRising Fall Leadership Conference, Phoenix, AZ

Dyer, R (2016, October). Inclusion in Churches. Presentation at the Center for Scholastic Inquiry:

International Academic Research Conference, Scottsdale, AZ.

Dyer, R (2016, August). Teaching in Action: Learning Techniques for All Early Childhood Students. Poster

presentation at the Center for Innovation in Research and Teaching Conference, Phoenix, AZ.

Akard, J. & Dyer, R (2016, April). Teaching in Action: Learning Techniques for All Early Childhood Students.

Presentation at the Arizona Department of Education Conference: Supporting the Young Learner with Special Education Needs, Glendale, AZ.

Dyer, R. (2015, October). The Inclusion Classroom. Presentation at the Center for Scholastic Inquiry:

International Academic Research Conference, Charleston, SC.

Dyer, R. (2015, March). The Inclusion Classroom: Differentiated Instruction. Presentation at the Future

Educators of America State Leadership Conference, Tucson, AZ. 

Community Outreach and Volunteer

  • Disability Awareness Week Coordinator 01/20 - Current

  • GCU College of Education Rank & Term Tenure Committee Representative 09/20 – Current Faculty Advisor for Council for Exceptional Children: GCU Chapter 09/20 – Current

  • Behavior Interventionist: Joni & Friends AZ Family Retreat 07/19 - Current

  • Disability Ministry Director, Turning Leaf Community Church of the Nazarene 10/19 - Current

  • Canyon Inclusive Advisor, Grand Canyon University 01/18 – 04/22

  • Best Buddies Advisor, Grand Canyon University 08/13 – 04/22

  • Canyon Classroom Connection 03/15 – 04/17

  • Mentor, Grand Canyon University Mission Trip 01/15 – 5/15

  • Teach Club Advisor, Grand Canyon University 08/13 – 4/14

  • College Group Leader, Turning Leaf Church 04/13 – 4/17

  • Luggage Lugger, Grand Canyon University 08/09 – 06/16

K-12 Teaching Experience

  • Special Education Teacher, Arizona Virtual Academy 08/05 – 04/11

  • Special Education Teacher, Santa Maria Middle School 12/01-06/05

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