CV: Erin Pfister

Erin Pfister, M.Ed., M.A., joined the Department of Special Education and Communication Disorders as a Lecturer for the special education teacher preparation program in June 2025. In her current role, Pfister’s responsibilities include teaching Introduction to Special Education, Accommodating Exceptional Learners in the Secondary Education Classroom, and other courses for professors on sabbatical. She supervises practicum students and student teachers. Prior to joining SECD at UNL, Pfister was a special education teacher for 15 years, an instructional coach for 3 years, and an administrator for 3 years. Pfister has experience working with preschool students, elementary students, secondary students, and adult learners. 

Pfister obtained a bachelor's degree in Vocal Music Education from Nebraska Wesleyan University in 2000. She pursued a strong interest in special education to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln to earn a master's degree in special education with a focus on students with behavior disorders in 2001. Pfister returned to higher education while teaching full time to earn a master’s degree in educational leadership, from Doane University in 2008 and a graduate certificate as a Kindergarten through 3^rd Grade Math Specialist through the Primarily Math Program at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 2012. Pfister became a full-time graduate student at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 2021 to work towards a doctorate degree, coordinate a research study, and manage a grant provided by the Institute of Education Sciences. 

Education:

• Graduate Certificate, Primarily Math, National Science Foundation, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2012
• Master of Education in Educational Leadership, Doane University, 2008
• Master of Arts in Special Education, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2001
• Bachelor of Music in Vocal Music Education, Nebraska Wesleyan University, 2000

Awards and Honors:

• Office of Special Education Programs, University of Tennessee Collaborative Intervention Design, RISE Grant Scholar, 2022-2023
• Institute of Educational Sciences, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, ProjectPAC Program Coordinator, 2021-2022

Experience:

• 2025-Present, Lecturer, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
• 2022-Present, Supervisor of Special Education Practicum Students and Student Teachers, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
• 2024-2025, Special Education Teacher, Lincoln East High School, Lincoln Public Schools, Lincoln, Nebraska
• 2021-2022, Program Coordinator for ProjectPAC, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
• 2018-2021, Special Education Coordinator, Huntington Elementary School, Lincoln Public Schools, Lincoln, Nebraska
• 2017-2018, Special Education Teacher, Kloefkorn Elementary School, Lincoln Public Schools, Lincoln, Nebraska
• 2012-2017, Special Education Teacher, Belmont Elementary School, Lincoln Public Schools, Lincoln, Nebraska
• 2011-2012, Instructional Coach, Calvert Elementary School, Prescott Elementary School, Lincoln Public Schools, Lincoln, Nebraska
• 2009-2011, Elementary Math Coach, Lincoln Public Schools, Lincoln, Nebraska
• 2008-2009, Special Education Teacher, Fredstrom Elementary School, Lincoln Public Schools, Lincoln, Nebraska
• 2003-2008, Special Education Teacher, Elliott Elementary School, Lincoln Public Schools, Lincoln, Nebraska
• 2001-2003, Special Education Teacher, Crawford School, Minneapolis Public Schools, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Memberships:

• Council for Exceptional Children
• Teacher Education Division, Council for Exceptional Children
• National Council for Teachers of Mathematics