معرفی
Dr. Jerry Petroff serves as Professor of Special Education in the Department of Special Education, Language, and Literacy at The College of New Jersey's School of Education. He holds multiple leadership roles including Faculty Director of the School of Education, Executive Director of the Center for Sensory & Complex Disabilities, and Coordinator of the Teacher of the Blind and Visually Impaired Program. Dr. Petroff also directs the Career & Community Studies Program, which provides inclusive post-secondary education opportunities for students with intellectual disabilities.
Dr. Petroff earned his Ph.D. in Psychological Studies in Special Education from Temple University (1999), an M.Ed. in Speech Pathology and Audiology from The College of New Jersey (1982), and a B.S. in Teacher of the Deaf and Blind from The College of New Jersey (1975). His extensive professional background includes classroom teaching at the Marie H. Katzenbach School for the Deaf and various roles with the New Jersey Department of Education and Commission for the Blind & Visually Impaired.
Dr. Petroff's research focuses on critical areas within special education:
- Transition services for youth with deafblindness and complex disabilities
- Father involvement and family-school partnerships
- Assistive technology applications in educational settings
- Inclusive education practices and teacher preparation
- Community-based instruction for individuals with sensory disabilities
- Post-school outcomes for individuals with disabilities
His scholarly work demonstrates a consistent focus on improving outcomes for individuals with sensory disabilities. Recent publications show an increasing emphasis on understanding family dynamics, particularly father involvement in educational planning. Dr. Petroff has maintained a strong commitment to developing evidence-based transition practices that support youth with disabilities as they move into adulthood, bridging theoretical research with practical applications for educators and families.
Dr. Petroff has received notable recognition for his contributions to the field:
- Diana Cuthbertson 2005 Parent-Professional Collaboration Award from SPAN Annual Conference
- Special Recognition Award from The National Technical Assistance Consortium for Children and Young Adults Who Are Deaf-Blind
As a principal investigator, Dr. Petroff has secured substantial grant funding from the US Department of Education, New Jersey Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired, and other agencies. His work with the Career and Community Studies Program has created innovative inclusive post-secondary opportunities. He has also contributed significantly to teacher preparation through his courses on inclusive practices, assistive technology, and special education methods.
Through the Center for Sensory & Complex Disabilities and his coordination of the Teacher of the Blind and Visually Impaired Program, Dr. Petroff has built strong partnerships with state agencies and developed comprehensive training curricula that support professionals working with individuals who have sensory disabilities.
