"Promoting success for all students"

KECG Flyer

Dr. Robert Isherwood is an Assistant Professor of Special Education and teaches in the Principal Certification Program at Slippery Rock University. Serving as a former special education teacher in the Elizabeth Forward and Highlands School District for eight years, he was also an elementary school principal in the Leechburg Area and Plum Borough School Districts for six years.  Recently, he has published in the Journal of Organizational Learning and Leadership on school management information system implementation. Numerous papers at the national and state level have been presented on co-teaching and inclusive practices. He has been working with his colleagues in school districts across Western Pennsylvania to establish inclusive school settings through the implementation of co-teaching.  Dr. Isherwood is also a former member of the Butler Area School District Board of Directors. He recently won the 2007-08 United Way’s Red Apple Award for teaching excellence in Butler County for his teaching at Slippery Rock University and service to Western Pennsylvania school districts.  Dr. Isherwood recently published an article in the Pennsylvania School Administrator magazine discussing his work in the area of inclusion and co-teaching in local schools. 

Dr. Joseph Merhaut is an Assistant Professor in the Special Education Department at Slippery Rock University. He taught special education in the public school system for eight years and served as assistant high school principal and high school principal at the Hampton Township School District for seven years. Dr. Merhaut is a former hearing officer for the Department of Dispute Resolution in the Pennsylvania Department of Education. He was a member of the Pine-Richland School District board of school directors and acted as President for one year. In 2009, Dr. Merhaut was the recipient of the President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching from Slippery Rock University. He has published articles on school management, administration, and special education. He has numerous presentations at the state, national and international levels. Dr. Merhaut resides in Gibsonia Pennsylvania with his wife and three daughters.

Dr. Richael Barger-Anderson is an Assistant Professor of Special Education at Slippery Rock University. Along with being a special education teacher in the Moniteau School District for six years, she collaborated with Clarion University and local school districts to coordinate an inclusive summer program for five years. She has served as adjunct faculty for Butler Community and Mt. Aloysius Colleges in the Psychology and Early Childhood Departments. Papers on reading, co-teaching, and special education have been presented and published at the state, national, and international levels. Throughout her career, she has written and executed grants that promote inclusive practices, co-teaching, and professional development. She has coordinated efforts with districts throughout Western Pennsylvania to create successful inclusive classrooms. In 2009, she was presented with the Red Apple Award of Butler County, Pennsylvania. This prestigious honor is bestowed in recognition for outstanding service as an educator and to the community. Dr. Barger-Anderson resides in East Brady, Pennsylvania with her husband and two sons.