Rate My Professor Heather Closen

Heather Closen serves as Assistant Teaching Professor of Inclusive Early Childhood Education at Bowling Green State University Firelands, a position she has held since 2022. She earned an M.Ed. in Special Education from Kent State University and a B.A. in Psychology from the College of Wooster in 2008. Following her undergraduate studies, Closen accumulated seven years of experience as a teacher, administrator, and after-school tutor. She then advanced her expertise by becoming a board-certified behavior analyst (BCBA), working as an applied behavior analyst at Reaching New Heights, a pediatric therapy provider in northeastern Ohio. In this role, she supported children with autism and other developmental disabilities and their families, facilitating growth and meaningful connections. Her diverse background in psychology, special education, and applied behavior analysis informs her commitment to preparing educators for inclusive settings, drawing from hands-on experience with children from preschool through upper elementary levels.

At BGSU Firelands, Closen teaches key courses in the Inclusive Early Childhood Education (EIEC) program, including EIEC 2340, EDTL 3020, EIEC 3210, EIEC 4210, EIEC 3340, and EIEC 3350. She serves as the Placements and Student Teaching Coordinator, integrating field placements into coursework to provide students with practical experience from early program stages through a senior-year student teaching placement. Her teaching philosophy emphasizes building confidence and knowledge in future teachers, with particular joy in witnessing students' 'AHA' moments as they connect new concepts to prior knowledge. Additionally, Closen contributes to university governance as a member of the Honorary Degrees Committee. Through these efforts, she shapes the next generation of educators equipped to deliver exceptional instruction in inclusive early childhood environments.