Annie George-Puskar

Annie George-Puskar

PhD
Assistant Professor, Curriculum and Teaching
[email protected]

Annie George-Puskar completed her PhD in educational psychology with a specialization in early childhood intervention leadership from the University of Connecticut's Neag School of Education. George-Puskar began her career in early childhood intervention during her undergraduate studies at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., and continued it through her post-graduate certification in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) at Penn State University. Her areas of focus are early childhood transitions into preschool (particularly for young children with developmental delays and disabilities and their families), developing leadership across all levels of early childhood systems, and using data-based decision-making instruction for personnel preparation. 

George-Puskar currently runs a research lab that is studying the transition practices of preschool teachers in New York City in collaboration with the New York City Early Childhood Research Network and various early childhood agencies in New York City.  George-Puskar has published her work in various journals and has presented at multiple national and international conferences. She has been quoted and interviewed for both local and national media outlets on early childhood development, teacher preparation, and educational leadership in schools.

George-Puskar is an editorial board member for the journals: Education Research Quarterly, Infants and Young Children, Young Exceptional Children, and Topics in Early Childhood Special Education. George-Puskar is a Dame of Magistral Grace in the Order of Malta and is involved in Diocesan-wide initiatives in early childhood education in the Diocese of Bridgeport. She enjoys spending time outside and going on adventures with her husband and their 4 young children.

  • Ph.D. in Educational Psychology, Special Education (Early Childhood Leadership) - University of Connecticut (2018)

    Post Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis, Penn State University (2011)

    M.A. in Psychology, The Catholic University of America (2010)

    B.A. in Psychology, The Catholic University of America (2009)

  • SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

    Bucceri, B., Ding, Y., Chen, E., George-Puskar, A., Wu, Y., & Zhang, A.-Q. (2026) Evaluating parenting experience and impact of having children with disabilities during COVID-19. International Journal of Disability, Development, and Education

    George-Puskar, A. & Shanahan, E. (2026). Parental involvement on preschool transitions in New York City: A mixed-methods case study of teachers' perceptions and practices. Children and Youth Services Review, 183. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2026.108815

    George-Puskar, A., Beavers, E.A., & Bruns, D. (2025). Building leadership capacity in early childhood special education through self-reflection and action planning. Topics in Early Childhood Special Education. https://doi.org/10.1177/027112142513946

    Quan, S., Ding, Y., Zhang, C., & George-Puskar, A., (2025). Impacts of traditional, digital, and AI-integrated home literacy environments on children’s literacy skills: A cross-sectional study. Early Education and Development. DOI: 10.1080/10409289.2025.2573078

    George-Puskar, A., Beavers, E., Bruns, D., & Lindner, C. (2024). Process of self-leadership: Establishing yourself as leader no matter your role. International Journal of Leadership and Education Policy, 20(1). doi:10.22230/ijepl.2024v20n1a1315  

    Pansé-Barone, C., George-Puskar, A., Bensaid, B.J. (2024) Enhancing relational family-centered practices in early intervention preparation. Journal of Special Education Preparation, 4(1), 48-56. https://doi.org/10.33043/xrcbdrr6

    Laser, A., Acar, S., Brown, K., Doody, K.R., Green, K.B., Chapman, L.A., Rollins, L.H., George-Puskar, A., Gonzalea, M., Moldavan, A. M., Doody, K.R., Fulcher-Rood, K., Schuetze, P., Jackson, K., Mills, B., Dennis, L.R., Cole, T., Farquharson, K., Macy, M. (2024). Meaningful and engaging learning experiences in early childhood special education preparation programs. Journal of Special Education Preparation, 4(1), 68-84. https://doi.org.10.33043/7959d86z  

    George-Puskar, A., & Gandhi, J. (2023). Technical Report: Early Childhood Educators' Perspectives on Child and Family Transitions into Preschool in NYC. New York City Early Childhood Research Network: Professional Development Institute

    Moldavan, A.M., Gonzalez, M., & George-Puskar, A. (2023). Framing Mathematical Competence and Behavior of a Black Male in a Kindergarten Classroom. Retrieved from American Educational Research Association (AERA) Online Paper Repository. Chicago, IL.

    Gonzalez, M., Moldavan, A.M., & George-Puskar, A. (2022). Forging mathematics and special education partnerships to strengthen instruction and interdisciplinary research. Connections, 32(1).

    Gonzalez., M., Moldavan, A.M., & George-Puskar, A. (2022).  Leveraging a case to disrupt the over-identification of Black males in mathematics special education. In A.E. Lischka et al., Proceedings of the forty-forth annual meeting of the North American Chapter of the International Group for the Psychology of Mathematics Education. Middle Tennessee State University, p. 556- 557. 10.51272/pmena.44.2022

    Pansé-Barone, C., George-Puskar, A., & Ziegler, L. (2021). Personnel Preparation in Engaging Families: A Systematic Literature Review. Teacher Education Division of the Council for Exceptional Children, Fort Worth, TX.

    Bruder, M.B., Baril, E., & George-Puskar, A. (2015). Acquisition and Use of Knowledge and Skills. In S.A. Raver., & D.C. Childress (Eds.) Family-Centered Early Intervention (pp. 136-166). Baltimore, MD: Brookes Publishing Co.

    ​​Reichow, B., George-Puskar, A., Lutz, T., Smith, I.C., & Volkmar, F.R. (2015). Brief report: A systematic review of Rett syndrome in males. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. DOI 10.1007/s10803-015-2519-1

  • RECENT PRESENTATIONS

    Vannoni, M. E., & George-Puskar, A. (2026, February). Understanding needs, misconceptions, and barriers for newcomers (Poster presentation PO091). National Association of School Psychologists Annual Convention, Chicago, IL.

    Shanahan, E. &. George-Puskar, A. (2026, February). Parent perceptions of preschool transition supports in NYC schools (Poster presentation PO095). National Association of School Psychologists Annual Convention, Chicago, IL.

    George-Puskar, A., Beavers, E. A., Bruns, D. (2025, October). Everyone is a leader: Research in self-leadership in EI/ECSE. 1-hour session, Division for Early Childhood & International Society on Early Intervention Joint Conference. Portland, OR.

    Beavers, E. A., George-Puskar, A., Bruns, D. (2025, October).  Self-Leadership: Knowing yourself as a leader. 1-hour session, Division for Early Childhood & International Society on Early Intervention Joint Conference. Portland, OR.

    Bruns, D., George-Puskar, A., Beavers, E. (2024, September). Develop, nurture, and coach: Deconstructing key skills in a leader. 1-hour session, Division for Early Childhood of the Council for Exceptional Children Annual Conference, New Orleans, LA.

    Pansè-Barone, C. & George-Puskar, A. (2024, September). Online preservice training: Strategies for family-professional partnerships. 1-hour session, Division for Early Childhood of the Council for Exceptional Children Annual Conference, New Orleans, LA.

    George-Puskar, A., Moldavan, A., & Gonzalez, M. (2024, April). Disrupting Preservice Teachers’ Biases: Leveraging Case-Based Instruction to Explore Counternarratives in Early Childhood Special Education. Paper Acceptance and Presentation at American Educational Research Association (AERA). Round Table Session: Disrupting the Status Quo: Equity and Inclusion in Early Childhood. Philadelphia, PA.

    Ding, Y., Bucceri, B.*, & George-Puskar, A. (2024, February). Parents' Experiences of Having Children with Disabilities During COVID-19 Pandemic. Paper Presentation, National Association of School Psychologists Annual Conventions, New Orleans, LA.  

    George-Puskar, A., Moldavan, A., & Gonzalez, M. (2023, November). Using case-studies in teacher preparation to disrupt racial bias in mathematics and early childhood special education. National Association of the Education of Young Children Annual Conference, 90-minute session, Nashville, TN.

    Bruns, D., George-Puskar, A., Beavers, E., Lindner, C.* (2023, November). Building, supporting and sustaining leadership: Considerations and strategies for professionals working with young children. National Association of the Education of Young Children Annual Conference, 90-minute session, Nashville, TN.

    Shanahan, E.* & George-Puskar, A. (2023, November). Parental involvement and separation anxiety during transitions into NYC preschools. National Association of the Education of Young Children Annual Conference, poster session, Nashville, TN.

    Moldavan, A., George-Puskar, A., Gonzalez, M. (2023, November). Disrupting preservice teachers’ racial biases with counternarratives: A self-study of teacher educators’ practice. National Association of the Education of Young Children Annual Conference, 90-minute session, Nashville, TN.

    Shanahan, E.*, George-Puskar, A., Vannoni, M.* (2023, November). Identifying Teacher Use of Preschool Transition-Related Practices to Support Children and Families. 32nd Greater New York Conference on Behavioral Research. St. Francis College, Brooklyn, NY.

    Shanahan, E.*, Vannoni, M.*, & George-Puskar, A. (2023, August). Parental involvement and separation anxiety during transition in NYC Preschools. American Psychological Association Annual Conference, Poster Session, Washington, D.C.

    Shanahan, E.* & George-Puskar, A. (2023, May). Parental Involvement and Separation Anxiety During Transition into NYC Preschools. Doctoral Student Research Celebration, Fordham University, New York, NY. 

    Lindner, C.* & George-Puskar, A. (2023, May). The Process of Self-Leadership: Establishing Yourself as Leader No Matter Your Role. Doctoral Student Research Celebration, Fordham University, New York, NY.

    Gonzalez, M., Moldavan, A.M., & George-Puskar, A. (2023, April). Black male mathematical competence or disruptive behavior? Noticing racial special education disparities in early childhood. Paper Acceptance and Presentation. American Educational Research Association Conference, Chicago, IL.

    George-Puskar, A., Gandhi, J., Acharya, N.*, Shanahan, E.*, Vannoni, M.*, & Quan, S.* (2023, March). Transition: Preschool to Kindergarten, Panel Session (Facilitated by Megan Purcell). Council for Exceptional Children Annual Convention, Louisville, KY.

    George-Puskar, A., Gonzalez, M., & Moldavan, A.M. (2023, March). Using case-studies to explore racial bias in teacher candidates. Poster Session, Council for Exceptional Children Annual Convention, Louisville, KY.

    Gonzalez, M., Moldavan, A.M., George-Puskar, A. (2023, March). Using case-studies in teacher preparation to explore racial bias in mathematics and early childhood special education. 1-hour session. Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators Annual Conference. New Orleans, LA.

    Shanahan, E.*, George-Puskar, A., Vannoni, M.,*& Acharya, N.*. (February, 2023). Overcoming child and family barriers in preschool transitions in NYC. Poster Session, National Association of School Psychology Annual Conference, Denver, CO.

  • CTGE7532: Design, Implementation & Dissemination of Research

    CTGE 6192: Research in Teaching

    CTGE 5421: Planning and Instruction for Young Children with Disabilities

    CTGE 5411: Perspectives and Issues in Early Childhood Special Education

    CTGE 5233: Early Learning through Play

    CTGE 5155: Foundations for Special Education

    PSGE 6417: Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities

    PSGE 5316: Psychology of Child Development and Learning