Annie George-Puskar

Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, Curriculum and Teaching

[email protected]

Annie George-Puskar completed her Ph.D. 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 children ages birth-5 with disabilities and developmental delays, early childhood transitions into preschool, using data-based decision-making instruction, and personnel preparation. 

George-Puskar currently runs a research lab that is studying the transition practices of preschool teachers in New York City.  Her research also includes looking at leadership development in early childhood special educators and using case studies as instructional strategies to disrupt racial and gender bias with pre-service teachers. George-Puskar has published her work and has presented at multiple national and international conferences.

George-Puskar serves as the co-chair of the Doctoral Planning Committee for the Graduate School of Education and is the program coordinator for the Innovation in Curriculum & Instruction PhD Program.  George-Puskar is an editorial board member for Education Research Quarterly; and a reviewer for several journals, including the journals Infants and Young Children; Topics in Early Childhood Special Education; and Young Exceptional 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

    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

  • SELECTED PRESENTATIONS (PRESENTED WHILE AT FORDHAM)
     
    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.
     
    George-Puskar, A., Moldavan, A.M., & Gonzalez, M. (2022, November). Using case-studies in teacher preparation to explore racial bias in mathematics and early childhood special education. 1.5 hour session. National Association for the Education of Young Children Annual Conference. Washington, D.C.
     
    Gandhi, J., George-Puskar, A. & Shanahan, E.* (2022, November). Family Barriers to the Transition into Preschool: Teacher Reports and Strategies. 1.5 hour session. National Association for the Education of Young Children Annual Conference. Washington, D.C.
     
    George-Puskar, A., Panse-Barone, C. & Acharya, N.* (2022, November). Preschool Transition Practices: A Scoping Review of the Literature. Poster Session. National Association for the Education of Young Children Annual Conference. Washington, D.C.
     
    Moldavan, A.M., Gonzalez, M., & George-Puskar, A. (2022, November). Leveraging a case-study to disrupt over-identification and representation of black males in math and special education. Poster Session. Psychology of Mathematics Education-North American Chapter Annual Conference. Nashville, TN.
     
    Shanahan, E.*, Vannioni, M.*, Acharya, N.*, George-Puskar, A. (2022, October). The Preschool Transition NYC: Overcoming child and family barriers in preschool transitions in NYC. Poster Session. New York Association of School Psychologists Annual Conference, Uniondale, NY.
     
    George-Puskar, A., Beavers, E., & Bruns, D. (2022, September). Perceptions of yourself as a Leader and others' perceptions of you as a leader. 3-hour Preconference Workshop. Division for Early Childhood & International Society on Early Intervention Joint Conference, Chicago, IL.
     
    George-Puskar, A. Moldavan, A.M., & Gonzalez, M. (2022, September). Using case-studies in teacher preparation to explore racial bias in mathematics and early childhood special education. 1-hour session. Division for Early Childhood & International Society on Early Intervention Joint Conference, Chicago, IL.
     
    George-Puskar, A., Panse-Barone, C., & Acharya, N.* (2022, September). Scoping Review of the Literature: Teacher Practices in Preschool Transitions. Poster Session. Division for Early Childhood & International Society on Early Intervention Joint Conference, Chicago, IL.
     
    Quan, S.* & George-Puskar, A. (2022, May). Early Childhood Transitions in New York City: A Quantitative Analysis. Fordham University Doctoral Student Research Day, New York, NY.
     
    Shanahan, E.*, Acharya, N.*, Vannoni, M.*, & George-Puskar, A. (2022, May). Early Childhood Transitions in New York City: A Qualitative Analysis. Fordham University Doctoral Student Research Day, New York, NY.
     
    Acharya, N.* & George-Puskar, A. (2022, February). Increasing student engagement through data-sharing of student work completion percentages. Teacher Slam Session, Council for Exceptional Children Annual Conference,  Virtual.
     
    George-Puskar, A., Gandhi, J., & Acharya, N.* (2021, November). Supporting the Transition into Preschool for Children with IEPs: Teacher Reports and Experiences. 1-hour session, National Association for the Education of Young Children Annual Conference, Virtual.
     
    Pansé-Barone, C., George-Puskar, A., Zeigler, L. (2021, November). Preservice Preparation Instruction and Curricula to Increase Family-Professional Collaboration for Special Educators: A Mixed-Methods Systematic Review. 1-hour session, Teacher Education Division of the Council for Exceptional Children Annual Conference, Fort Worth, Texas.
     
    George-Puskar, A., Beavers, E., Wiegand, S., Hankins, S., Binakonsky, B., & Sopko, K.M. (2021, September). Building Leadership Through Self-Reflection: Inspiring Change with Action. 3-hour Pre-Conference Workshop, Division for Early Childhood Annual Conference, Virtual.
     
    George-Puskar, A. (2021, January). The Transition for Children with ASD and DD in Early Childhood: A Systematic Review. Poster Session, Division for Early Childhood Annual Conference, Virtual.
     
    George-Puskar, A., Bruder, M.B., Childress, D., & Nicols, S. (2019, October). The State of Service Coordination Across the Country. Panel Presentation, Division for Early Childhood Annual Conference, Dallas, TX.
     
    George-Puskar, A. & Bruder, M.B. (2019, October). Judgements of Service Coordinator Practices and Transition-Related Outcomes for Children and Families. Poster Session, Division for Early Childhood Annual Conference, Dallas, TX.

    Freyre-Calish, G., George-Puskar, A., Howe, E., Panse, C., & Bruder, M.B. (2019, October). Lessons Learned: Implementing an Interdisciplinary Training for Early Intervention Professionals. Poster Session, Division for Early Childhood Annual Conference, Dallas, TX.

  • 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