LaShorage Shaffer, Ph.D.
Teaching Areas:
M.A in Early Childhood Education, Children and Families, Early Childhood, Elementary CertificationResearch Areas:
Disabilities and Special Education, Diversity and Inclusion, Early Childhood Learning and Development, Literacy, Multicultural Education, Personnel Preparation, PreK-12 Education (Early Childhood, Elementary and Secondary), Special EducationBiography and Education
Dr. Shaffer is an Associate Professor in Early Childhood/Early Childhood Special Education at the University of Michigan-Dearborn in the Department of Education. She attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign where she earned her doctorate in Special Education. Dr. Shaffer's research interests span across personnel preparation of professionals in both the educational and medical fields serving young children facing challenges due to systemic societal obstacles, children with disabilities and their families, culturally responsive practices, social-emotional development, challenging behavior, emotional/behavioral disorders, policy issues, and professional development. For over 20 years, Dr. Shaffer has been engaged in teaching (both young children and adults), mentoring, supervising, training, advising, evaluating, develop curriculum, evaluating courses, serving on advisory boards and committees, leading programs, engaging in research, and dissemination.
She has been privileged to work for children and families in various capacities. Dr. Shaffer serves the field as a member of several boards and committees, including The Children's Center for Communication, Autism Alliance of Michigan, Special Education Coalition of Michigan, Early EdU Advisory Council, and the Division for Early Childhood at the national level as the President-elect and other division committees.