David D. Yang, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Early Childhood Special Education
About
Dr. Yang is an Assistant Professor of Early Childhood Special Education at Western Washington University. His research focuses on the intersection of special education, early childhood education, language & literacy, bi/multilingualism, and teacher education. His primary work investigates the language and literacy development of children on the autism spectrum, especially those from culturally and linguistically diverse (CLD) backgrounds. He also investigates the connection between teacher identity formation in preservice and in-service educators from CLD backgrounds and its influence on their pedagogical practices, particularly when supporting multilingual students with special needs. Dr. Yang earned his Master's and Ph.D. in Special Education from Queen's University in Canada. Before joining academia, he was a high school teacher in the Seattle Public Schools District.
Courses taught:
- Developmental and remedial reading instruction for inclusive settings (SPED 479)
- Reading instruction for students with special needs (SPED 483)
- Introduction to Explicit Literacy Instruction (SPED 351)
- Professional collaboration – working with families, colleagues, and community to promote student success (SPED 469)
- Assessment for Special Education and General Education Teachers (SPED 465)
- Teaching each student (SPED 364)
- Students with disabilities (SPED 457)
- Secondary students with special needs (SPED 510)
- Disability, diversity, and the mass media (DIAD 205)