Kate E ZimmerKate E. Zimmer, PhD received a bachelor's degree in elementary education from Saint Leo University, St. Leo, Florida, and a master's degree in curriculum and instruction from the University of Central Florida in Orlando, Florida. Dr. Zimmer taught atthe elementary level for 7 years in a multi-age classroom serving students with a variety of special needs. She was also involved in pediatric research on attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, childhood anxiety, and childhood depression. In 2013, she graduated with her PhD in special education from the University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, where she examined the effects of a storybook reading intervention on the initiation of joint attention in young children with autism.Dr. Zimmer is currently Branch Alliance for Educator Diversity's Director of the BIRCH Professional Learning Center in Austin, Texas. In this role, Dr. Zimmer collaborates with the BIRCH professional learning and development team to create goals and design trainings for in-person and virtual programs, resources, and learning communities. In addition, Dr. Zimmer leads Branch Alliance for Educator Diversity's mixed-reality simulation laboratory where she provides leadership by coordinating and directing activities to ensure the successful operation of the laboratory. These activities include technical direction, simulation design, strategic planning, fundraising, outreach, partnerships, and working closely with simulation specialists to ensure quality control. In recent years, her research focus has been on teacher preparation, high-leverage practices, and mixed-reality simulation. Dr. Zimmer works with numerous faculty members and external partners to purposefully embed mixed-reality simulation within courses and professional development so that pre- and in-service teachers are able to engage in a powerful, interactive learning experience that prepares them for the real world and hones in on specific teaching strategies that impact student outcomes. Dr. Zimmer has taught both graduate and undergraduate courses that focused on autism, behavior, curriculum and instruction, and instructional practices. She developed an online graduate endorsement in autism spectrum disorders and works closely with the Early Childhood Faculty Special Interest Group in the Teacher Education Division of the Council for Exceptional Children. Her numerous peer-reviewed presentations, articles, and grants along with her passion for teacher education make her an excellent co-author and editor for this textbook. Read More Read Less