Q & A with Amy Kunkel, assistant teaching professor, special ed

Amy Kunkel is a new assistant teaching professor in the Department of Educational Psychology’s special education program. We talked with Dr. Kunkel, also a PhD alumni of the special education program, about the path to her current role at the University of Minnesota.

How did you become interested in your area of expertise?

As an undergraduate, I declared six different majors. My undergraduate degree took me six years. I was conflicted. Something happened to me in my fourth year that changed my life forever: volunteer work at an employment agency for adults with disabilities.

I was terrified to begin working in the kitchen to serve lunches to folks working in various locations around Iowa City, Iowa. I wasn’t terrified of working in the kitchen, mind you, but of interacting with people who might be different than me. It was three brothers (who happened to be on the autism spectrum) that changed my entire worldview on disability and made me realize that people are people, no matter what. Our differences are what make us amazing and unique. These brothers had me cracking up as soon as I crossed the threshold of the kitchen. They embraced me into their community before I knew I was ready to be embraced. Their acceptance of me, with all my flaws, was inspiring.

I remember walking along a pedestrian bridge when a cartoon light bulb appeared over my head: SPECIAL EDUCATION. The next day, I changed my major for the sixth and final time, enrolled in teacher preparation coursework, and never looked back.

I got a job serving people with disabilities in their homes and workplaces while finishing my undergraduate degree. I began work as a special education teacher in the Twin Cities upon graduation.

I now have a BA, MA, and PhD in the field of special education and get to experience the joy of preparing future teachers for work in the field. I’m so thankful to those brothers for steering me down this amazing path–what a journey it has been.

What is most exciting about your work?

I love teaching. It gives me energy, and I believe I am able to impart that energy and passion to my students.

I also love learning, and one thing that is exciting about working in higher education is the community of scholarship around me. I am constantly inspired by my colleagues and have very nerdy conversations with my friends in Ed Psych as well as with my worldly friends/colleagues at national conventions. These conversations have led to collaborations that have served to push me in my own scholarship and have resulted in publications that push the field forward as well.

What advice would you give students?

My advice to future teachers is to develop your team. Whether you are a student in a teacher prep program, or you’ve begun your teaching career, the team of people you surround yourself with will help you get through whatever life throws at you. You will experience adversity, and difficult situations may seem insurmountable. Your team is there to help you. Find them, nurture your professional relationships with them, and support them in times of need. In turn, they will be there when you need them most. None of us can do this work by ourselves.

How do you explain your field of work to people outside the college?

My expertise is rooted in the delivery of effective instruction to students served in special education, and I currently prepare future special education teachers for their roles in public schools across the metro.

I’m interested in effective academic and behavioral interventions, particularly those employing technology to deliver
effective instruction.

I’m currently focusing much of my attention on the cultural competence of our future special educators, as well as the cultural responsivity of special education scholars conducting intervention research.

Do you have any hobbies or special interests outside of work?

• Running
• Cooking
• Gardening
• Traveling
• Reading
• Creating
• Crocheting
• Sewing

Anything else you want people to know?

I have three beautiful children and a wonderful partner who keep me grounded and have been a key force in my life and my career. I would not be where I am today without them.