Annie George-Puskar

Annie George-Puskar completed her Ph.D. in educational psychology with a specialization in early childhood intervention leadership from the University of Connecticut's Neag School of Education. George-Puskar began her career in early childhood intervention during her undergraduate studies at The Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., and continued it through her post-graduate certification in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) at Penn State University. Her areas of focus are children ages birth-5 with disabilities and developmental delays, early childhood transitions into preschool, using data-based decision-making instruction, and personnel preparation. George-Puskar currently runs a research lab that is studying the transition practices of preschool teachers in New York City and has presented at multiple national and international conferences.

George-Puskar serves as the chair of the Doctoral Planning Committee for the Graduate School of Education and is the program coordinator for the Early Childhood/Childhood and Special Education online programs. She is also the project coordinator for the ECO Grant Personnel Preparation Grant (OSEP). George-Puskar is currently the co-chair for the Leadership Community of Practice for the Division for Early Childhood under the Council for Exceptional Children, an editorial board member for Education Research Quarterly; and a reviewer for the journals Infants and Young Children; International Child Care and Education Policy; Young Exceptional Children; and Child:Care, Health & Development.

Education

Ph.D. in Educational Psychology, Special Education - University of Connecticut (2018)

Post Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis, Pennsylvania State University (2011)

M.A. in Psychology, The Catholic University of America (2010)

B.A. in Psychology, The Catholic University of America (2009)

Selected Publications

Pansé-Barone, C., George-Puskar, A., & Ziegler, L. (2021). Personnel Preparation in Engaging Families: A Systematic Literature Review. Teacher Education Division of the Council for Exceptional Children, Fort Worth, TX.

George-Puskar, A., Beavers, E., Sopko, K.M. (under revision). Building Leadership Capacity in Early Intervention and Early Childhood Special Education.

George-Puskar, A. (under review). Navigating the Preschool Transition: The Support of Service Coordination.

George-Puskar, A., Pansé-Barone, C., Acharya, N., & Ziegler, L. (under review). Transition Practices for Children with Autism and Developmental Delays: A Scoping Review of the Literature.

​​George-Puskar, A. (2018). Perceptions of Service Coordinator Practices and Transition Related Outcomes for Children and Families. Doctoral Dissertation, The University of Connecticut.

Bruder, M.B., Baril, E., & George-Puskar, A. (2015). Acquisition and Use of Knowledge and Skills. In S.A. Raver., & D.C. Childress (Eds.) Family-Centered Early Intervention (pp. 136-166). Baltimore, MD: Brookes Publishing Co.