Faculty and Staff

Dr. Arturo Rodriguez joined the Early and Special Education Department in May 2023.  Focusing on Inclusivity/Inclusion in Education, Bilingual Education and ESL programs, before coming to Boise State, he was a high school Spanish teacher, and a Dean of Students in East Harlem, NY.  Dr. Rodriguez earned both an MA and PhD in Curriculum and Instruction from New Mexico State University.  He is interested in many facets of education, including social analysis, challenges faced by diverse populations, and digital or on-line learning.

Deborah Carter, PhD, BCBA-D, is a Professor in Early and Special Education at Boise State University. Dr. Carter’s areas of expertise include school-wide and individual student positive behavior support, social-emotional development, and nature-based learning. She provides training and coaching support to early childhood programs and K-12 schools implementing systems of positive behavior support. Her current research focuses on implementation of program-wide positive behavior support in early childhood and integrating social-emotional learning and environmental education. Her work has been included in the Journal of Positive Behavior Interventions, Behavioral Disorders, Assessment for Effective Intervention, Intervention in School and Clinic, The Early Childhood Education Journal, Teaching Young Children, and International Journal of Early Childhood Environmental Education.

Dr. Jeremy W. Ford, NCSP, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Early & Special Education at Boise State University. He is a specialist-level trained, nationally certified school psychologist and earned his Ph.D. in Teaching and Learning (Special Education) from The University of Iowa. Dr. Ford has experience working in schools in multiple capacities across kindergarten through high school and beyond. These experiences include: Crisis intervention at an alternative school, teacher assistant for students with intellectual disabilities, school psychologist, professional development trainer, technical assistance provider, and consultant for students with autism.

Dr. Ford’s research interests include: Curriculum-based measurement, explicit instruction, post-secondary transition and education for students with disabilities, Response to Intervention/ Multi-tiered Systems of Support, and screening and progress decision-making. He is also the Director of The ASSIST Lab, a Vertically Integrated Project focused on expanding research opportunities for both undergraduate and graduate students through participation in a variety of projects related to supporting students with disabilities access for an equitable education. These projects include The PEERS Program and PREP Academy. Dr. Ford’s research has been published in Assessment for Effective Intervention, Learning Disabilities Research and Practice, the Journal of Inclusive Post-secondary Education, the Journal of Post-secondary Education and Disability, School Psychology Review, and Teacher Education and Special Education.

Michael Humphrey, EdD, is an Associate Professor in Early & Special Education Department at Boise State University. Dr. Humphrey received his BA in English from the University of Iowa in 1997, and then served in the Peace Corps in Sri Lanka and Cameroon till 2000. He received his MA in Special Education in 2004 and his EdD in Special Education in 2008 from the University of Northern Colorado. His current research focuses on building teacher-efficacy in inclusive classrooms, preparing teachers to work with culturally and linguistically diverse populations, and improving teacher retention. Dr. Humphrey’s work has been included in Exceptionality, A Special Education Journal, Journal of Post-secondary Education and Disability, Learning Disability Quarterly, The Clearing House, and, Rural Special Education Quarterly.

Teri Lewis, PhD is a Visiting Professor for the Early and Special Education Department. Prior to joining the faculty within ED-ESP, Dr. Lewis was a faculty member at both the University of Oregon in the College of Education and Oregon State University in the School of Psychological Sciences. Her teaching focuses on classroom and behavior management, Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS), applied behavior analysis and single case design. 

Her career began working with individuals with chronic behavioral issues as an educational behavioral consultant for Spectrum Center located in the San Francisco Bay Area. In this capacity she provided behavioral and educational support to students with chronic behavior problems and served as the Program Coordinator for several years. 

In addition to university teaching she has been the Oregon Director for NorthWest PBIS Network and as the PBIS Implementation Coordinator for the Salem-Keizer School District. Most recently she has worked in the Center for School and Community Partnerships as the Positive Behavior Support Director for the RK12 Project focused on supporting sustained implementation in rural school settings.

Juli Lull Pool, PhD, is an Associate Professor and Program Coordinator for Undergraduate Programs in the Early & Special Education Department. Dr. Pool received her Ph.D. in Early Intervention at the University of Oregon. Her teaching for the department focuses on early childhood assessment, inclusive and intervention methods in preschool, and foundations of practice in early childhood and early childhood special education. Dr. Pool also works as a University Liaison, supervising pre-service teacher candidates who are completing their student teaching experience  in early childhood environments. Dr. Pool’s areas of expertise include early childhood assessment such as observational assessment, parent-completed tools, and curriculum-based assessment; and, inclusive environments and teaching methods for preschoolers. Currently, her research focuses on assessment in Montessori classrooms. She has published in several professional journals including Young Exceptional Children, Topics in Early Childhood Special Education, Early Childhood Education Journal, Intervention in School & Clinic, and Assessment for Effective Intervention.

Erin Tanzer, MA, is a clinical instructor in the Early and Special Education Department. Erin received her MA in Place-based Education from Prescott College and completed the Teton Science Schools Graduate Program in field science education and place-based learning, and is seeking a doctoral degree in Curriculum and Instruction at Boise State University. Erin supports students and teachers at all levels of their careers to make learning real and relevant for young children through incorporating place-based education, nature-based pedagogy, inquiry, and early STEM learning in all types of programs and outdoor settings. Her experience includes teaching in an early childhood program inspired by the Reggio-Emilia philosophy and nature-based learning, independent school operations and enrollment management, project-based curriculum design, and educator professional development.

Lillian Allred is a first year graduate student in the Master in Teaching Special Education program. She received her BS in Environmental Science from the University of Washington. She then decided to pursue a degree in special education after working as an aide in a life skills class for a year. Lillian is passionate about education, nature, and people. When not focused on her studies or her work she enjoys dancing, the outdoors, and conversation with friends and family. She hopes to utilize her scientific background to further the research and application of education methodologies and to be (eventually) an exceptional teacher.

Jitka Elizarraras is a graduate student in Early and Special Education. After this program, she hopes to attend a doctoral program to focus on early interventions for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. While most of her time is dedicated to studies and work, she enjoys spending free time working on art projects and spending time with family and friends.

Tara Curl has a diverse background with a variety of professional experiences. Prior to becoming an educator, she was a franchisee for a preschool music and movement program based out of Carmel, Indiana. Tara served the government as an office administration supervisor during the 2010 census. Tara enjoyed work as a travel agent for many years, and also served in the US Army for eight years. Tara’s career as an educator started in 2016. She was a Resource Room teacher in the Boise School District for fourth to sixth grade students for the past five years. This year, she was given the opportunity to teach students in Kindergarten to sixth grade. In Tara’s free time, she enjoys traveling with her young adult/teen girls and her BFF. Her most recent trips include Cabo San Lucas for spring break and a month in Costa Rica this past summer. When she’s not traveling, Tara enjoys game nights, dinner out, and reality TV.

Tamesyn O’Rourke had the privilege of moving with her family to the Treasure Valley 15 years ago. Tamesyn loves to spend time with her husband and children riding bikes, playing board games, and riding motorcycles. Tamesyn has worked in education for 18 years and has taught students in grades kindergarten through graduate school. Tamesyn is a Boise State Alumni after earning her Masters of Educational Leadership in the class of 2018.

Born and raised in Arizona, Laura Smith earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Early Childhood Special Education and English Language Learners. Prior to teaching, she was a case manager, providing services to adults and children with disabilities. Laura began her teaching career in 2012 as an Extended Resource Elementary Special Education Teacher and has since added Administration Designee to her role within the Boise School District. Laura is an extrovert at heart and she thrives on collaborating and working with others. Laura has enjoyed being a Liaison with the Boise State University Masters in Teaching Program for the past three years. When Laura’s not teaching, she spends her time with her four children and the newest member of her family, a black lab puppy named Maverick.

Megan Yarnell is an early childhood special education teacher and has worked with young children and their families in a developmental preschool program for over a decade. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Early Childhood Studies from Boise State University. Megan believes that building relationships and encouraging student independence are essential components to creating engaging and meaningful early learning experiences. Megan has been recognized as Teacher of the Year by her school and received the Idaho DEC Early Childhood Excellence award. Megan’s teaching philosophy is that children learn when they feel connected and safe. It is the role of the teacher to nurture and support individual students within an environment where all children can explore, take risks and interact with their peers in meaningful ways.