Staci Zolkoski

Staci Zolkoski is the Director and Associate Professor of Special Education at the University of Texas at Tyler. She specializes in enhancing classroom instruction for students with disabilities, particularly those with emotional and behavioral disorders. Her work emphasizes resilience in special needs children, improving mental health collaborations, and parental involvement, especially father engagement. Dr. Zolkoski holds a Ph.D. and teaches courses such as Managing and Instructing Diverse Learners and Educational Strategies for Special Education.

Her research focuses on effective educational practices for students with disabilities, including behavioral interventions and social-emotional learning in rural schools. She has published extensively on topics like mindfulness in education, teacher well-being, and resilience measurement in children. Notable studies include investigations into first-generation college students' well-being and the psychometric properties of social-emotional learning scales.

Zolkoski's work highlights collaboration between educators and mental health professionals to address student needs. Her articles explore innovative approaches such as mindfulness programs and culturally competent teacher training. While no specific awards are listed, her contributions to special education pedagogy and rural education challenges demonstrate significant scholarly impact.

Her advising and grant activities are not detailed here, but her academic leadership role suggests active involvement in departmental initiatives. Zolkoski's research extends to Title I school dynamics and community-based solutions for student success, reflecting a commitment to equity in education.