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Lisa Dieker, Ph.D. Professor and Lockheed Martin Eminent Scholar Chair Department of Child, Family, and Community Sciences Grant Project(s): Office: ED 315-M Phone: 407-823-3885 Email:

Dr. Lisa Dieker is a Professor and Lockheed Martin Eminent Scholar at the University of Central Florida. She received her undergraduate and master's degree from Eastern Illinois University and her Ph.D. from the University of Illinois. Her primary area of research focuses on collaboration between general and special education at the secondary level with a specific interest in the unique opportunities that exist in urban schools in the areas of mathematics and science. She also has a passion for how technology and specifically virtual classrooms can be used to impact teacher preparation As the Lockheed Martin Eminent Scholar, she works collaboratively with outstanding UCF faculty in mathematics and science to Direct the Lockheed Martin/UCF Mathematics and Science Academy.  The Academy encompasses two programs, the K-8 teacher leadership program as well as a Transition to Mathematic and Science Teaching (TMAST) program, both focusing on teacher preparation in mathematics and science education. The TMAST program focuses on bringing in new teachers to urban middle school settings. Dr. Dieker also is the coordinator of the Ph.D. program in special education.  This program, during her tenure and in collaboration with her colleagues in special education, has graduated 50 new scholars into the field with 12 being students with disabilities and 20 being from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.  In 2010, she was selected for the UCF Graduate Mentor of the Year Award.  Working collaboratively with her doctoral students, she is engaged in a range of interdisciplinary activities across mathematics, science and special education. In relation to innovation, Dr. Dieker was instrumental in bringing together the Colleges of Computer Science, The Institute of Simulation and Technology and the College of Education to develop TLETeachLivE™.  The TLETeachLivE™ is a classroom simulator being used by 10 universities across the country to prepare preservice and inservice teachers using virtual students.  She just recently lead a convening funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to create a 2 year research agenda on the use of virtual environments in teacher education. Dr. Dieker has received more than $8.6 million in grant funding in her career and has produced 5 books and two national videos focused on effective strategies for inclusion and co-teaching. Her co-taught lesson plan book continues to be one of the bestsellers for use by practitioners throughout the United States. She has published numerous articles focused on interdisciplinary collaboration. She is sought out regularly to provide national and international keynote addresses. She serves in numerous leadership roles including serving on the board of the Council for Exceptional Education Teacher Education Division where she was selected by the Council for Exceptional Children as the Child Advocate Network (CAN) coordinator of the year.  She also has been the editor and associate editor for two international journals and is currently the Associate Editor of Teaching Exceptional Children.