BEACONS

Doug Cheney, Ph.D.

Dr. Cheney, is the Director of the BEACONS project and an Associate Professor of Special Education at the University of Washington (UW). Dr. Cheney earned his doctorate from the University of Washington and his master's degree from the University of Oregon. Both degrees are in the area of special education with an emphasis in emotional disturbance/ behavior disorders. Dr. Cheney is a Past President of the International Council for Children with Behavioral Disorders (CCBD), a division of the Council for Exceptional Children, and the co-chairperson of Washington State Task Force on Behavioral Disabilities. Along with directing the BEACONS project, Dr. Cheney directs the Master's Degree Program at the University of Washington which prepares teachers in the area of Behavior Disorders and co-directs the doctoral program in Positive Behavior Supports. He has been a special education teacher and administrator, director of research projects, and a college instructor.

Erika Blood, M.S.

Erika Blood is the Project Coordinator for the BEACONS Project at the University of Washington, Department of Special Education, as well as a doctoral student in the department. She earned her masters degree from the University of Oregon in special education with an emphasis in middle/secondary special education. Prior to coming to the University of Washington, she worked as a teacher in Reno, Nevada. Erika's teaching experience at the high school level includes resource room math and science for students with learning disabilities, and self-contained and community-based programs for students with developmental disabilities and emotional & behavioral disorders. She also taught in a self-contained program for elementary students with EBD. Erika's experience outside of the public school setting includes work with various non-profit organizations in the areas of transition, vocational training, job placement, and social skills training for adults with disabilities.

Scott Stage, Ph.D.

Dr. Stage is the Project Evaluator for the BEACONS Project. He is an Associate Professor in Educational Psychology at the University of Washington, the Director of the School Psychology Program, and a licensed psychologist. He has been a teacher of students with emotional disturbance, researched effective methods with these students, directed program development and research at a residential treatment program, and worked as a school psychologist in assessment and counseling with this group of students. His current research interests are functional behavioral assessment with students with EBD, school-wide programs for students at-risk for EBD, and cognitive behavioral therapy for students with EBD.

Wendy Iwaszuk, M.Ed.

Wendy Iwaszuk joined the BEACONS Project in the summer of 2004 as a Research Assistant and doctoral student at the University of Washington, Department of Special Education. After completing her master's degree at Central Washington University, Wendy worked as a school psychologist, behavioral intervention specialist and elementary school counselor. During the last several years, Wendy has worked with teachers, families and students focusing on assessing and designing specialized educational programs for students from birth to age 21. She is also an active member of Washington Council for Children with Behavior Disorders (WACCBD) serving on their executive board for over five years.