Rate My Professor Deb Amend

Dr. Deborah J. Amend, Ph.D., known professionally as Deb Amend, is an Assistant Professor of Special Education at Northern Kentucky University in the College of Education, a position she has held since June 2024. Her robust academic background includes a Doctor of Philosophy in Education and Social Change from Bellarmine University, completed in 2024 with a dissertation titled "A Collaborative Framework for the Inclusion of Students with Extensive Support Needs"; a Master of Arts in Multicultural Special Education from Mount Saint Joseph University in 2013; and a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music in 1995. Prior to her faculty role, Dr. Amend accumulated extensive practical experience in special education and music instruction. She served as Elementary Special Education Instructional Coach at West Clermont School District from 2022 to present, where she coached on IEP, FBA, and BIP development, classroom modifications, behavior interventions, and professional development. She was an Intervention Specialist at Summerside Elementary School (2021-2022), launching a multiple disabilities program and implementing reading improvement plans, and at North College Hill Secondary Campus (2014-2021), creating reading interventions for students with intellectual disabilities, life skills curricula, and overseeing transition plans. Earlier roles include Music Teacher at Saint Vivian School (2012-2014), where she founded a competitive concert choir, and owner of White Oak Piano Studio (2000-2006), developing PBS-based piano methods for students with autism.

Dr. Amend's research specializations encompass the inclusion of students with extensive support needs, collaborative frameworks for special education teams, applications of reading science to non-speaking students, behavior interventions, and adaptive music education. Her key publications include the book "A Dress for Anna: The Story of the Redemption of the Life of a Ukrainian Orphan" (CSS Publishing, 2009); articles "Challenging Behavior" (Children’s Voice, 2005), "The Gift of Tomorrow: Ukrainian-American Partnerships Work Towards a Ukraine Without Orphans" (Prism Magazine, 2012), and "Breaking Down Barriers: Piano Study for ALL Students" (Clavier Companion, 2014); and the peer-reviewed paper "Collaborative Inclusion: IEP Team Perspectives on Supporting Students with Extensive Needs and the Implications for Teacher Preparation Programs" co-authored with Amy E. Lein, Alexandra J. Taylor, and Elizabeth G. Dinkins (Kentucky Teacher Education Journal, 2024). She has received prestigious honors such as the Angels in Adoption Congressional Award (2017), You Make a Difference Award from North College Hill High School (2018), and Cooter Social Justice Awards from Bellarmine University (2022 and 2024). Dr. Amend co-founded and directs the Adaptive Arts & Music Project and Cincinnati Adaptive Music Camp, partnering with engineers to create custom instruments and supports for children with physical disabilities. She was selected for the 2025-26 Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education Faculty Leadership Academy cohort and has presented on inclusive practices, including at the KATE Conference (2024) and CEC National Conference (2022).