Claudia Dunn, Ph.D.
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Lecturer
Department of Dual Language and English Education & Department of Special Education
SDSU
Bio
Dr. Claudia Dunn, a visiting professor at San Diego State University, is a leading researcher in social-emotional learning (SEL) and educational equity. She advocates for immigrant parents of children with disabilities and works to increase culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) parent involvement in IEPs. Committed to bridging educational gaps, she empowers vulnerable populations in special education by promoting culturally responsive SEL strategies that foster student resilience, mental health, and success. Dr. Dunn has published multiple articles and presented at national and international conferences, sharing her expertise on SEL, equity, and inclusion. Through her work, she equips educators and communities with the tools to create inclusive, emotionally supportive learning environments where all students can thrive.
Education
- Ph.D., Texas A & M University, College Station, Texas
Major: Educational Psychology - M.Ed., Baylor University, Waco, Texas
Major: Educational Psychology - J.D., Universidad La Concordia, Aguascalientes, México
Major: Juris Doctor- Magna Cum Laude
Interests
- Social Emotional Development, Social Emotional Learning, Mental Health in Education, Student Success.
- Emotional and Behavioral Disorders (EBD) and Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD).
- Bilingual/Multicultural/Multilingual Education.Culturally Responsive Teaching, Underrepresented/Underserved Students, and Communities.
- Immigrant parents, family well-being, parents mental health.
Languages
Spanish, English
Awards & Honors
- 2023 Recipient of the Outstanding Faculty Award. Department of Dual Language and English Education. San Diego State University.
- 2022 Recipient of the Inclusive Excellence Fellowship. San Diego State University.
- 2021 Recipient of the College of Education and Human Development Distinguished Honor Graduate. Texas A&M University.
- 2020-2021 Recipient of the College of Education and Human Development Strategic Research Award (2020-2021) Educational Psychology. Texas A&M University.
- 2020 Best Poster Presentation Award winner at Developmental Disabilities (D.A.D.D.) Conference in Sarasota, Florida.
- 2017-2019 Member of Kappa Delta Pi – International Honor Society.
- 2016 Nominated for Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges, Baylor University.
- 2010 Instituto Tecnológico Superior de Rioverde, México. Excellence in Teaching Award, Department of Languages.
- 2008 Most Outstanding Senior of the Class Award, Universidad La Concordia.
Courses
Fall 2021:
- SPED 450: Classroom Adaptations for Special Populations
- SPED 771: Directed Internship
- DLE 651: Curriculum, Teaching, and Assessment: Designated and Integrated English Language Development (ELD)
Spring 2022:
- SPED 543 - Educational Programs and Services for Young Children with Disabilities: Preschoolers
- SPED 771: Directed Internship
- DLE 686: Seminar in Multicultural Education
Publications
- Garrity, S., Miller, S., Dunn, C. (2024) “I help them see their potential": The role of cultural navigators in supporting the professional development of immigrant and refugee family child care providers. Early Childhood Education Journal.
- Shikarpurya, S., Gilson, C., Dunn, C. (2024) Exploring Transition Planning Among Racially Minoritized Parents of Children with Disabilities using DisCrit and QuantCrit. In press.
- Yllades, V., Ganz, J., Wattanawongwan, S., Dunn, C., Baek, E. (2023) Using Telepractice to Improve Communication and Behavioral Skills for Individuals with A.S.D. and ID: A Meta Analytic Review. Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders.
- Dunn, C., Gilson, C., Yllades, V. (2022) Experiences of Latinx Immigrant Parents of Children with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities in the I.E.P. Process. Education and Training in Autism and Developmental Disabilities.
- Yllades, V., Pierson, L., Bowman-Perrott, L., Dunn, C. (2022) Mapping review of bilingual individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Journal of the American Academy of Special Education Professionals.