Cynthia Chambers, PhD

Professor and Associate Dean of Educator Preparation

See Dr. Chambers' Selected Works

Community-Based Projects

EDUCATION

Ph.D. Special Education: Early Childhood, University of Kansas
M.Ed. Special Education: Severe and Multiple Disabilities. Peabody College of Vanderbilt University
B.S. in Special Education: Interrelated. Georgia College & State University

COURSES TAUGHT

Systematic Instruction for Functional and Academic
Transition to Adult Life
History, Issues, and Trends in Special Education
Collaboration with Families, Agencies, and Schools

RESEARCH FOCUS

Family involvement
Siblings of individuals with disabilities
Peer play interactions
Community inclusion

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

Chambers, C. R. (2014). Learning with Laz. Breaking Ground.

Chambers, C. R. (2014). Creating meaningful, community-based social networks. Breaking Ground.

Owens, M., & Chambers, C. (2013). Spreading the word: Reading, journaling, and social engagement. Breaking Ground.

Chambers, C. (2011). POP Arts enhances skills, creates community. Breaking Ground, 62, 4-5.

Chambers, C. (2011). Turning Pages Together: Supporting literacy and social engagement. Breaking Ground, 58, 3.

Chambers, C. R., & Horn, E. M. (2010). Strategies for family facilitation of play dates. Young Exceptional Children, 13(3), 2-14.

Horn, E. M., Chambers, C. R., & Saito, Y. (2008). Techniques for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and primary-aged children with severe and multiple disabilities. In S. Raver-Lampman (Ed.), An introduction to early childhood special education: Strategies and practices.

Chambers, C. R. (2007). Siblings of individuals who enter careers in the disability field. Teacher Education and Special Education, 30(3), 115-127.

Chambers, Cynthia R. (2007). Parent-implemented intervention for play dates of children who are socially withdrawn. Ph.D. dissertation, University of Kansas, United States -- Kansas. Retrieved October 17, 2007, from ProQuest Digital Dissertations database. (Publication No. AAT 3266515).

SELECTED PRESENTATIONS

Chambers, C. R. & Swank, L. E. (2018). Building leaders in the disability field through inter-professional training. Presentation at the 19th International Conference on Autism, Intellectual Disability & Developmental Disabilities, Council for Exceptional Children Division on Autism & Developmental Disabilities, Clearwater, Florida.

Cable, T., & Chambers, C. R. (2017, June). Vanderbilt Consortium LEND: Making professional students into community providers for individuals with disabilities. Presentation at the 141st American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Annual Meeting. Hartford, Connecticut.

Chambers, C. R. (2017, January). The Friends of Lazarus Job Internship Program. Presentation at the 18th Annual Conference on Autism, Intellectual Disabilities and other Developmental Disabilities, Clearwater, Florida.

Fish, T., Chambers, C., & Gross-Kunkle, A. (2016, June). What People See and Think: Community Responses to Next Chapter Book Club. Presentation at the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Annual Meeting, Atlanta, Georgia.

Galyon-Keramidas, C., Chambers, C., Hudson, T., & Marks, L. (2016, March). Gambling on Technology: Setting up technology for supervision at a distance. Presentation at the 35th Annual National Conference, American Council on Rural Special Education, Las Vegas, Nevada.

Chambers, C. R. & Campbell, A. (2015, April). Using applied theatre to teach the hidden curriculum. Presentation at the Council for Exceptional Children International Convention, San Diego, California.

Chambers, C. R. (2014, April). Building the skills of future educators through community-based service learning. Presentation at the Council for Exceptional Children International Convention, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Chambers, C. R. (2014, January). Skill development of future educators in working with students with developmental disabilities through community-based service learning. Presentation at the 15th International Conference on Autism, Intellectual Disabilities and other Developmental Disabilities, Clearwater, Florida.

Chambers, C. R. (2013, April). Community and school-based inclusive book club programming. Presentation at the Council for Exceptional Children International Convention, San Antonio, Texas.

Chambers, C. R. (2013, April). Building an inclusive performance arts community. Presentation at the Council for Exceptional Children International Convention, San Antonio, Texas.

Chambers, C. R. (2013, January). Turning Pages Together: Inclusive book clubs. Presentation at the 14th International Conference on Autism, Intellectual Disabilities and other Developmental Disabilities, Kona, Hawaii.

Chambers, C. R. (2013, January). POP Arts: Inclusive performance arts programming. Presentation at the 14th International Conference on Autism, Intellectual Disabilities and other Developmental Disabilities, Kona, Hawaii.

Chambers, C. R. (2012, December). Performing Together through inclusive arts programming. Presentation at the TASH Conference, Long Beach, California.

Chambers, C. R. (2012, December). Turning Pages Together: An inclusive book club program. Presentation at the TASH Conference, Long Beach, California.

Chambers, C. R. (2012, June). The Power of Performing Arts—Inclusion in the Arts. Presentation at the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, Charlotte, North Carolina.

Fish, T. R., & Chambers, C. R. (2012, June). Enhancing adult literacy and community participation for people with IDD. Presentation at the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, Charlotte, North Carolina.

Chambers, C. R., & Takenaka, T. (2012, April). POP Arts: An inclusive performance arts program. Presentation at the Council for Exceptional Children International Convention, Denver, Colorado.

HONORS AND AWARDS

Recipient, Distinguished Faculty in Service, East Tennessee State University, 2018.
Recipient, ETSU Clemmer College Faculty Award for Service, 2018.
Recipient, Tennessee Campus Compact Award, 2016.
Recipient, Patricia E. Robertson Diversity Leadership Award, East Tennessee State University, 2015.
Recipient, Harold Love Outstanding Community Involvement Award, Tennessee Higher Education Commission, 2014.
Recipient, ETSU Clemmer College Faculty Award for Service, 2013.
Recipient, Diane Holtsclaw Advocate of the Year Award, Core Services, 2012.
Recipient, Community Service Award, The Arc of Tennessee, 2012.
Recipient (POP Arts), ETSU Clemmer College Outstanding Community Support Award, 2012.

SELECTED GRANTS RECEIVED

Recipient, Vanderbilt University, Zika Conference Mini-Grant, 2017-2018

Recipient (Co-PI Marks and Mims), Vanderbilt University, Inclusive Higher Education, 2017-2018

Recipient (Co-PI Mims), Vanderbilt University, Community Conversation on Inclusive Higher Education, 2017.

Recipient, Health Resources and Services Administration of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Other Related Disabilities (LEND; Collaborative grant with Vanderbilt University Medical Center), 2016-2021.

Recipient, Chapters Ahead Inc, Next Chapter Book Club Affiliate Expansion Project, 2014-2015.

Recipient, Autism Society of America East Tennessee Chapter, Inclusive Supports for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders within Performing Arts Programming, 2014-2015.

Recipient, East Tennessee State University, Instructional Development Grant, Partnership for Effective Transition Services, 2012-2013.

Recipient, East Tennessee State University—Dean’s Collaborative Mini-grant, POP Arts-University School, 2011-2012.

Recipient, State of Tennessee Council on Developmental Disabilities, POP Arts Spring/Summer Program, 2012.

Recipient, Technology Access Fee Innovative Projects, Integration of mobile equipment and software in advisement, instruction, and supervision, 2011-2012.

PERSONAL INTERESTS

Animal rescue

Special Education Program

Educational Foundations & Special Education