Online Faculty Spotlight - Danielle Feeney

Why Ohio University? What brought you here?  

When I began job searching towards the end of my PhD program, OHIO stood out to me. In fact, it was specifically The Patton College of Education that stood out. When reading about the college’s values, learning about the faculty, and exploring the programs that were offered, I felt deeply aligned with the culture and mission. I wanted to work somewhere I could live out my goals and develop myself both personally and professionally; PCOE seemed like an amazing place to do that and more. 

What inspired you to focus your career on Special Education? And why should others consider this path? 

Honestly, this path initially chose me! I began with a focus on Early Childhood Education. After I received my degree as an undergraduate, I got a job as a middle school Intervention Specialist where I taught 6th-8th grade reading and English in resource and inclusive classrooms. Although it was out of my comfort zone, I dedicated myself to it. I got my master’s degree while working and fell in love with everything related to this field. My passion and drive lead me to pursue a Ph.D. and take on a quasi-administrative role at work, where I expanded my knowledge to PK-8 classrooms across various contexts. The more I learned from the students I worked with and the more I learned about special education’s history and all related inequities, the more I knew it was the best path for me. 

There are so many reasons others should consider careers in this field, whether from the start or as a change (like I did)! The work, in every way, is driven by values. As Intervention Specialists, we can live out our values for student support, equity, advocacy, collaboration, relationships, just systems, and more, on a daily basis. We can improve the lives of our students while simultaneously improving society and institutions. We get to learn from our students in new ways every day. I don’t know that there is anything like it. 

What piece of advice or wisdom do you hope to impart to your students? 

Remember who you are. Don’t lose sight of your values, integrity, and passion. Every unique part of you is valid and worthy; don’t let anyone or any situation make you feel otherwise. Show up as you are, for who you are. And however you are, I'm so glad you're here. 

Tell me some of the biggest challenges and rewards in working with students with disabilities. 

The biggest challenge is society. We live in a wildly ableist, deficit-oriented society. Throughout history, people with disabilities have been maltreated and ostracized. This hasn’t gone away. We can’t do this job without constantly combating these deficit mindsets, inaccessible spaces, and ableist actions within schools and society. Doing what is right in this field means pushing back on norms even if others around you aren’t. Disabled individuals’ voices and needs have always been excluded; working in this field involves constant work to change that. It isn’t easy. But it is critical. 

The biggest reward comes from taking action, even in the smallest of ways, and seeing the impact it has. Every day, we get the choice to change ourselves and our habits, and then teach others to do the same. We are able to do better and advocate for better. We have the honor of listening to voices of disabled individuals and amplifying them to create change. And each time we do this, we get to see the difference it makes both in and out of the classroom.