Ruth Zealand

Professor, Education

Ruth Zealand is a Professor of Education in the Education Department. Before working in higher education, she had been a general and special education teacher of students PreK-12, a special education supervisor, a principal and a family advocate. Her research interests are in teaching methodology, conflict resolution and building positive communities, and aesthetic education. She was the first recipient of the Art of Accessible Teaching Award From Teachers College, Columbia University for outstanding contributions to the educational equity for students with disabilities. She co-authored, with Emily Stern, Start Your Career in Art Education by Allworth press.

Education

Ph.D., Columbia University
M.Phil., Columbia University
Ed.M., Columbia University
M.A., Columbia University
B.S., University of Michigan Ann Arbor 

Courses Taught

  • EDUC 201: Principles and Practices of Education
  • EDUC 301: Nature and Needs of Students with Disabilities
  • EDUC 418/438: Seminar, Observation and Student Teaching in Elementary School Grades 1-3/4-6
  • EDUC 444/446: Seminar, Observation and Student Teaching in Special Education Grades 1-3/4-6
  • EDUC 453/454: Seminar, Observation and Student Teaching Grades 7-9/10-12
  • EDUC 455/456: Sem: Observation & Practice Tchg. Adol/Sp. Ed.Grades 7-9/10-12
  • Publications and Scholarly Activities

    PUBLICATIONS
    Proceedings

    Zealand, R. Editor in Chief: I-4 Journal. Edit and publish proceedings of First and Second Imagination, Inquiry and Innovation Institutes (I-4) from 2013 and 2014. Acampora, S. and Fairbank, H. co-editors

    Books
    Stern, E. & Zealand, R. (2013). Pathways to becoming an art educator, NY: Allsworth Press

    Articles
    Zealand, R., Larkin, D., & Shron, M. (2016). Building Relationship-Based Care Among Nurses: A Holistic, Exploratory Process, Creative Nursing, 22 (3), 185-195.

    Zealand, R., Larkin, D., Tanna, W., Coppola, J., & Thomas, B. (2012). Service-Learning: New models of creative instruction for successful teaching strategies in the millennium. Network: A Journal of Faculty Development.

    Zealand, R. (2002). Thriving Against All Odds: A very special school in Oaxaca, Opportunities & Outcomes for People with Disabilities, NY: Teachers College

    Webinar
    Zealand, R. & Ervine, J. (2015) Bullying awareness for parents, Magellan Health

    PRESENTATIONS
    Invited

    Zealand, R. (2015). Peer Mediation and Mediation Can Work With Special Populations. St. Johns University, NY

    Ervine, J. & Zealand, R. (2014). Bullying awareness: A guide for parents, (Webinar Power Point format) Magellan Health.

    Zealand, R. & Darling, M. (2014). Peer mediation, First Annual IS 228 Leadership Summit. Brooklyn, NY

    Zealand, R. (2014). Part II: Conflict resolution, peer mediation and restorative justice activities for students, with 3-prong anti-bullying approach, 2-part presentation (Part I: by Ervine, J. & Darling, M.) to Ministry of Education Officer, Judith Bartley, Bermuda

    Conferences

    Zealand, R. (2013). RTI to Education Evaluation, Student Leadership Symposium, Council for Exceptional Children, Dominican College, NY

    Zealand, R., Hickson, L., & Mallory, S. (2013). Social vulnerability of adolescents with autism spectrum disorders and adolescents with other developmental disabilities in situations of negative peer pressure, as part of Symposium: Social Vulnerability of Individuals with Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities across the Lifespan Gatlinburg Conference, San Antonio, TX

    Zealand, R., Khemka, I. Ahluwalia, S. Kalapurakal, R., & Flynn, N. (2013). Inclusion of adolescents with ASD & ID: Challenges in friendships and peer relationships, Bridges to Empowerment, 2013 Opportunities & Outcomes for People with Disabilities International Conference, Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, NY 

    Zealand, R., Larkin, D. & Shron, M. (2011) Pilot Project: Building relationship-based care among nurses: A holistic, exploratory process. First Annual Research Symposium, with D. Larkin, & M. Shron, White Plains Hospital, White Plains, NY

    Larkin, D. & Zealand, R. (2011). Creative conflict resolution and peer mediation in schools and communities: An inter-service professional course for nursing and education students in Service Learning: New models of creative instruction for successful teaching strategies in the millennium, Emerging Pedagogies for the New Millennium, Faculty Resource Network National Symposium, San Juan, PR

    Quandt, D. & Zealand, R. (2010). RTI: A new collaborative program between college & a neighboring school, with Siegel, A. & Squires, S. An Inclusive Vision for Teacher Education: Exploring Issues of Engagement.  NYSATE/NYACTE Conference, Saratoga, NY

    Zealand, R. & Gordon, J. The millennial student: Challenges & implications for higher education Faculty Resource Network National Symposium: The Millennial Student.  San Juan, PR

    Zealand, R. (2001). Thriving Against All Odds: A Very Special School, in Oaxaca, International Conference of Council of Exceptional Children (CEC), Kansas City, MO

    Zealand, R. (2001). Realities of Educating Students with Complex Medical Problems, Teachers’ Perspectives, Opportunities and Outcomes International Conference: When Worlds  Collide 2001: Promises & Realities, Teachers College, Columbia University, NY

  • Honors, Awards, and Grants
    AWARDS

    Art of Accessible Teaching Award given by Teachers College, Columbia University for outstanding contribution to the educational equity for students with disabilities

    Irwin J. Rhodes Award for Excellence in Teaching, The Robert Louis Stevenson School, New York, NY

    Special Education Department Award, Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, NY

    GRANTS
    William C. & Joyce C. O'Neill Charitable Trust Grant for Anti-bullying research