About

The Authors

Authors of Optimism Kit

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author of optimism kit

Margaret (Meg) Kelly Carroll, Ed.D​​​

Margaret (Meg) Kelly Carroll, Ed.D. is a professor of education at Saint Xavier University in Chicago, IL, teaching courses in special education and instructional methods. Meg earned her Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction at Loyola University of Chicago with minors in Special Education, Reading, Higher Education, and Philosophy of Education. With a master’s degree in Learning Disabilities from Chicago State University and a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and Intellectual Disabilities Education from University of Illinois in Urbana, she has published five books and more than 35 articles. A frequent conference (over 170) and staff development (over 1,000) presenter, Meg also acts as a consultant for several Chicago area public and private elementary, middle and high schools, providing professional development, modeling instruction, and observing teachers and coaching them to refine and enhance their instruction. She is a board member and newsletter editor for the Learning Disabilities Association of Illinois, a member of the Professional Advisory Board of the Learning Disabilities Association of America, and chair of the special education program at Saint Xavier University. Meg has taught children with and without disabilities at the preschool through high school levels. Meg is passionate about teaching teachers to work with students with disabilities. She primarily teaches courses to candidates preparing to be special education teachers, but she also teaches courses to candidates preparing for general education who will have students with disabilities in their classes. Meg’s teaching license is for birth to age 21 and she has endorsements for Learning Behavior Specialist I; high school world history; middle school general science, language arts and social science; English as a second language; gifted education; elementary education; secondary education; early childhood education; and early childhood special education approval. Recently completing her 41st year as a special educator, Meg is delighted to offer a kit that includes learning materials, strategies for teaching children with autism, a visual communication system, and practical implementation step-by-step directions as well as social stories. Shada Badawi and Meg Carroll have been working together for 6 years.

  • Professor of education at Saint Xavier University Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction at Loyola University of Chicago with Minors in Special Education, Reading, Higher Education, and Philosophy of Education.
  • Master’s degree in Learning Disabilities from Chicago State University and a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education
  • Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and Intellectual Disabilities Education from University of Illinois in Urbana
  • Published five books and more than 35 articles

author of optimism kit

Shada Badawi, MS

Shada Badawi is a graduate of the University of Jordan with a bachelor’s in speech and hearing science. Shada earned her master’s degree in Multicategorical Special Education at Saint Xavier University in Chicago, IL. As a licensed and highly qualified teacher in Special Education with a Learning Behavior Specialist I endorsement recognized by the Illinois State Board of Education, she has published a series of thirteen children’s books which fosters inclusion of students with special needs. With over 10 years of experience as an educator, Shada has worked in an American special education organization and American public schools since 2012 and was an adjunct professor at Karizmi Community College. Shada developed an auditory verbal therapy training kit, Afnan Kit for Teaching Kids with Hearing Aids and Cochlear Implants. As a speech pathologist at the Jordanian Center for Educational Rehabilitation and Consultation, Shada spent much of her time managing clinical projects as a Certified Project Manager (IAPPM- NJ, USA) . Shada has been certified in MENTA restraining methods and the ABC Star program for teaching kids with autism, and she has created and implemented up-to-date education resources and behavioral modification strategies. With an excellent evaluation as an educator in the American public school system, she is also trained in Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports systems (PBIS). Shada is trained to implement iPad usage and yoga strategies in special education classrooms. Her membership in the International Honor Society in Education, known as Kappa Delta Pi, is a direct reflection of her dedication and pursuit of lifelong learning. She continues her development as an educator through various workshops, trainings, and conferences.

  • Special Education teacher with a Learning Behavior Specialist I endorsement recognized by the Illinois State Board of Education
  • Master’s degree in Multicategorical Special Education at Saint Xavier University
  • Published a series of thirteen children’s books which fosters inclusion of students with special need
  • Published five books and more than 35 articles

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