Maag named Larry and Sharon Roos Professor of Special Education

25 Oct 2021    

John Maag has been named the Larry and Sharon Roos Professor in Special Education. 

Maag specializes in the education and treatment of children with emotional and behavioral disorders. He teaches courses in behavior management, cognitive therapy and the use of strategic interventions.  He also teaches general education pre-service teachers to work with students with disabilities. 

“John’s exemplary teaching contributes significantly to the training of highly qualified educators and to increasing the number of educators who implement positive approaches to challenging behaviors in their classrooms,” said Steven Barlow, chair of the Department of Special Education and Communication Disorders. 

During his 33-year career in special education, Maag has published 120 peer reviewed articles, 16 book chapters and 10 books. He has also authored or co-authored another 13 non-juried publications, given 86 scientific and 72 keynote presentations at national and international conferences and has consulted for more than 150 agencies, organizations, and school districts in 23 states during the past 10 years.

The Roos Professorship was established through a gift from Larry and Sharon Roos. The Roos’, who are both University of Nebraska–Lincoln alumni, have two children, including a son born with Down syndrome. Throughout his education, they saw firsthand the difference exceptional teachers can make in the lives of children with disabilities. They began their connection with the Department of Special Education and Communication Disorders by sponsoring a scholarship fund for undergraduate and graduate students majoring in special education.