Stathene Varvisotis

Assistant Professor
Sammartino Hall Room 12

Phone: 201-559-

Academic Accomplishments

  • Ph.D. Capella University, Special Education Leadership
  • M.Ed., William Paterson University, Reading and Learning Disabilities
  • B.A. Wittenberg University, Elementary Education and Reading

Biography

Dr. Varvisotis earned her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and reading from Wittenberg University, and began her teaching career in Springfield, Ohio. Upon returning to New Jersey, she taught basic skills reading and math, elementary education, and high school remedial reading. Additionally, she home instructed a student with physical challenges who was unable to attend school in person. She also spent summers teaching swimming and lifesaving in her hometown community.
After a few years, Dr. Varvisotis secured the teaching position that would become the foundation of her career. She was a junior high school/middle school reading teacher, language arts teacher, reading specialist, and teacher of basic skills language arts. It was in these positions that Dr. Varvisotis built lasting relationships with her students. During the early years of this position, she earned her M.Ed. in reading and learning disabilities, with certifications as a Reading Specialist and a Learning Disabilities Teacher Consultant. Dr. Varvisotis also was a teacher of high school special education, and eventually, a Learning Disabilities Teacher Consultant in the middle school where she began her career in the district. In 2008, she began pursuit of her Ph.D. in Special Education Leadership at Capella University.

In 2012, Dr. Varvisotis began her higher education teaching career at the University of Nebraska at Kearney in the areas of teacher education and special education. She advised both graduate and undergraduate students and supervised field experience and student teachers. Once again, in this position, she forged strong bonds with her students. After six years, Dr. Varvisotis returned to the East, and taught teacher education and childhood special education at Concordia College-New York, working with teachers advancing their educations and individuals who were transitioning into teaching. Sadly, Concordia College-NY closed in 2021.

Dr. Varvisotis joined Felician University in the fall of 2021 and will continue working with teachers to assist them in building on their skills as educators and by so doing, allow them to be the best teachers they can be to and for their students.

Peer Reviewed Journal Articles

  • Matyo-Cepero, J.A., Varvisotis, S., Lilienthal, L.K., & Premer K.A. (2021). Co-teaching, collaboration, and consultation in the time of COVID-19. The Delta Kappa Gamma Bulletin: Collegial Exchange 87(4), 10-15.
  • Varvisotis, S., Matyo-Cepero, J.A., & Tracy, G.E. (2019). Meeting the needs of international undergraduate students through Invitational Education. The Delta Kappa Gamma Bulletin, 86(3), 44-50. https://search.informit.org/doi/10.3316/informit.952541828041367
  • Varvisotis, S., Matyo-Cepero, J.A., & Ziebarth-Bovill, J. (2018). Invitational Education, the invitational Individualized Educational Plan meeting: It can happen! Journal of Invitational Theory and Practice, V. 23, 85-90.
  • Matyo-Cepero, J.A., Varvisotis, S. & Lilienthal, L.K. (2017). Using the tenets of Invitational Education to create an inviting classroom in higher education. The Delta Kappa Gamma Bulletin, 83(5), 11-14.
  • Matyo-Cepero, J. & Varvisotis, S. (summer, 2015). A review of IRIS; An online resource center for educators. The Delta Kappa Gamma Bulletin: International Journal for Professional Educators, 81(4), 86-88.
  • Varvisotis, S. (2016). Fathers Speak: The lived experiences of fathers of adolescents with autism regarding transition planning for their children. Journal of Curriculum, Teaching, Learning and Leadership in Education, 1(1), 93-101.
    Available at: http://digitalcommons.unomaha.edu/ctlle/vol1/iss1/11
  • Matyo-Cepero, J. and Varvisotis, S. (2016) Surviving publish or perish: The junior faculty approach to scholarly writing and publishing. Journal of Curriculum, Teaching, Learning and Leadership in Education, 1(1), 29-34.
    Available at: http://digitalcommons.unomaha.edu/ctlle/vol1/iss1/4
  • Matyo-Cepero, J., Kritzer, J.B., & Varvisotis, S. (2015). Tier I interventions: The first steps for students at risk. Eastern Education Journal, 44(1), 2-27.
  • Varvisotis, S. (1988). Software review: The semantic mapper. The Reading Instruction Journal, Fall, 1988, 36-37.

International and Invited Book Chapter

  • Ziebarth-Bovill, J, Matyo-Cepero, J. & Varvisotis, S. (2015). Invitational theory and practice in higher education: An international perspective. In S. Gregory & J Edwards (Eds.), Invitational advising: Applying invitational education to academic advising. ISBN 9781498514132

Conference Presentations

International Peer Reviewed

  • Varvisotis, S. & Matyo-Cepero, J.A. (January 2021). Fathers of children with autism: What makes their roles unique? CEC-DADD Conference, Clearwater, FL.
  • Matyo-Cepero, J. & Varvisotis, S. (January 2020) When I’m Gone; Preparing siblings to take on guardianship roles for siblings with autism. CEC-DADD Conference, Sarasota, FL.
  • Matyo-Cepero, J.A., Varvisotis, S., Lambert M., & Saracini L.M. (February 2018). When I’m gone: Parents preparing their adult children with the necessary tools to become guardians for siblings with autism. Council for Exceptional Children Conference and Expo, Tampa, FL.
  • Varvisotis, S., Matyo-Cepero, J.A., Ziebarth-Bovill, J. (November 2016). Invitational Education, IEP meetings and YOU. International Alliance for Invitational Education World Conference, Lexington, KY.
  • Tracy, G.E., Matyo-Cepero, J.A., Varvisotis, S., & Ziebarth-Bovill, J. (November 2016.) Meeting the needs of international undergraduate students through Invitational Education. Invitational Alliance for Invitational Education World Conference, Lexington, KY.
  • Matyo-Cepero, J.A., Ziebarth-Bovill, J., & Varvisotis, S. (October 2015). The development of an invitational relationship between junior faculty & mentors. International Alliance for Invitational Education World Conference, Long Island, NY.
  • Matyo-Cepero, J.A. & Varvisotis, S. (May 2015). Surviving publish or perish: The junior faculty approach to scholarly writing and publishing. Curriculum, Teaching, Learning, and Leadership in Education Symposium. Omaha, NE.
  • Varvisotis, S. (May 2015). Fathers speak: The lived experiences of fathers of adolescents with autism regarding transition planning for their children. Curriculum, Teaching, Learning, and Leadership in Education Symposium. Omaha, NE.
  • Ziebarth-Bovill, J., Matyo-Cepero, J.A., & Varvisotis, S. (November 2014). Invitational advising: Transforming academic advising with invitational education. International Alliance for Invitational Education World Conference, Nashville, TN.
  • Matyo-Cepero, J.A. & Varvisotis, S. (February 2013). Differentiating instruction, the easy way. Nebraska Reading Association, Kearney, NE.

State

  • Matyo-Cepero, J.A. & Varvisotis, S. (January 2021). Fathers and autism: What is dad’s role? 28th Annual CARD Conference, Orlando, FL.
  • Matyo-Cepero, J. & Varvisotis, S. (January 2020). When I’m gone: preparing siblings to take on the guardianship role (A Sib Toolbox). The 27th Annual CARD Conference, Orlando, FL.
  • Koopermans-Hiller, L. & Varvisotis, S. (October 2019). Makerspaces: Council for Exceptional Children: New York State Conference. Tarrytown, NY.
  • Matyo-Cepero, J., Hoehner, P., Varvisotis, S., Hoehner, N. & Hoehner, K. (February 2019) Tiering & Compacting for Success. Nebraska Association for the Gifted, Omaha, NE.
  • Matyo-Cepero, J., & Varvisotis, S. (May 2015). Surviving publish or perish: The junior faculty approach to scholarly writing and publishing. Curriculum, Teaching, Learning, and Leadership in Education Symposium, Omaha, NE.

College Presentations

  • University of Nebraska-Kearney
  • Tracy, G., Matyo-Cepero, J., Varvisotis, S. & Ziebarth-Bovill, J. (February 2017). Meeting the needs of international undergraduate students through invitational education. UNK College of Education EDGE presentation.
  • Varvisotis, S., Matyo-Cepero, J. & Ziebarth-Bovill, J. (February 2017). Invitational Education, IEP meetings, and YOU. UNK College of Education, EDGE presentation.

Courses Taught

  • TE 188 Leadership for Today
  • TE 204 Typical/Atypical Growth and Development
  • TE 306 Reading and Inclusion in the K-12 Classroom
  • TESE 323 Partnerships with Families
  • TE 411 Inclusive Practices for Students with Exceptionalities in PreK-8 Classrooms
  • TESE 437 Medical Aspects in Special Education
  • TESE 472 Functional Academics for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities
  • TESE 476/876P Transition Issues for Individuals with Disabilities
  • TESE 475/875P Preparing Adolescents for the Post-Secondary World
  • TESE 474 Field Experience for Preparing Adolescents for the Post-Secondary World
  • TESE 463 Instructional Strategies for Teaching Individuals with Disabilities
  • TESE 487/887P Teaching Functional Academics to Individuals with Exceptional

Needs

  • TESE 861 Legal Issues in Special Education
  • TESE 862 Formal and Informal Assessment
  • TESE 867 Functional Behavior Assessment & Behavioral Interventions
  • TESE 881 Characteristics and Identification of Learning and Behavioral

Disabilities

• TESE 885 Inclusion and Differentiation Techniques for the 21st Century

Classroom

  • TESE 886 Co-Teaching and Collaborative Services
  • EDU 510 Development and Characteristics of Students with Special Needs
  • EDU 525 Teaching Science and Social Studies
  • EDU 528 Language, Culture and Literacy
  • EDU 529 Literacy for Students with Special Needs
  • EDU 530 Literacy for the Young Child
  • EDU 541 Classroom Management for Special Education
  • EDU 553 Integrating Assistive Technology in the Classroom
  • EDU 557 Teaching Students with Autism and Severe Disabilities
  • EDU 600 Research in Special Education
  • EDU 682,3,4 Student Teaching Seminar/EdTPA Preparation
  • Student Teacher Supervisor-Early Childhood/Childhood Special Education
  • Field Experience Supervisor-Early Childhood/Childhood Special Education
  • Co-Creator of “Impact U”, an immersive post-secondary program offering an inclusive college experience for adults aged 18-26 with intellectual and developmental disabilities along with supports and safeguards necessary for success. Impact U students graduate from the 2-year program with a Certificate of Applied Learning and a resume of work experiences. Our students audit college-level classes, reside in residence halls (if so desired), eat in dining hall, perform community service, and work in internships on and off campus. The program encourages social and emotional growth, independence, and building skills in problem-solving, decision making, and social fluency, executive functioning, and self-advocacy. Students also engage in job readiness the pre-vocational training and supported employment in on and off campus internships.

Grants

  • Montgomery, D.J., (Principal), Larsen, K. (Supporting), Matyo-Cepero, J.A. (Supporting) & Varvisotis, S. (Supporting). “Kearney Inclusive Wellness Initiative”. Community Grant supporting the Arc of Buffalo County (2013-2015).
  • Montgomery, D.J., (Principal), West, C.S. (Supporting), Kritzer, J.B.(Supporting), Matyo-Cepero, J.A. (Supporting) & Varvisotis, S. (Supporting). “Renewal of the Special Education Undergraduate and Graduate Programs”, Sponsored by UNK, College of Education, Teacher Education Program of Excellence, University of Nebraska Kearney, $1,000.00. (December 13, 2012-May 1, 2013).
  • Wojcik, B. (Principal), Varvisotis, S. (Co-Principal), West, C. (Supporting) Harshbarger, D.(Supporting), Richeson, A.(Supporting), & Bruner, P (Supporting). “An Exploration of the Viability of Video Self-Recording within Teacher Preparation with Regard to Teacher Candidates’ Development of Pedagogical Content Knowledge” (2016-2017).

Categories:

  • Curriculum Renewal Initiatives, Curriculum materials/equipment, Technology Hardware/Software, Professional Development, Research/Scholarship Initiatives, Program Assessment Initiatives
  • Research and implementation of video-self recordings as a self-assessment tool for teacher candidates
  • Project funded through the Program of Excellence, University of Nebraska-Kearney $3608.90.