Christine Evans

Professor of Practice and Department Chair

Christine Evans is the Graduate Program Director/Associate Professor of Practice for the Severe Disabilities Program at The New England Center for Children, which is the largest off-site program in the Department of Education. Evans' main focus is on teacher preparation in the field of severe disabilities.

While overseeing the program, Evans also advises graduate students and supervises practicum and interns in both private and public schools, including our partner program in the United Arab Emirates (Abu Dhabi) and the Post Master’s Licensure Program. Evans travels to Abu Dhabi every year to observe practicum students and to consult to the program.

Evans teaches and supervision include SPND 446 Learners with Special Needs, which is taught as a hybrid course. She directs and supervises all practicum placements for SPND 478 and SPND 488. Evans consults on campus to develop new initiatives for the special education program.

Evans is the President of the Massachusetts Council for Exceptional Children and an advisory board member at The New England Center for Children. In addition, Evans is also a member of The Berkshire Association for Behavior Analysts and Therapy, The University Collaborative Supervisors, The Massachusetts Association for Colleges and Teacher Education, and The Association for Behavior Analysis International.

Evans also serves on the nominating committee for the Myrna E. Libby Scholar Award as well as the Eli Schuch Award. She co-chaired the Transition Matters conference, which focused on evidenced-based practices to improve the post-school outcomes of Massachusetts youth with disabilities.

Evans has contributed research and clinical articles. These include Using Video Modeling to Teach Children with PSS-NOS to respond to Facial Expressions (Axe and Evans 2012) and Personal You: Strategies to Help Reduce Teacher Stress (Council for Exceptional Children Today (Evans and Hardin 2010).
 

Education

  • BA, Hartwick College
  • MEd, Lesley University School of Education

Courses

  • SPND 446 Learners With Special Needs 
  • SPND 487 Seminar
  • SPND 488 Seminar and Fieldwork in Education

Research/Creative Activities

Articles include Using Video Modeling to Teach Children with PSS-NOS to respond to Facial Expressions (Axe and Evans 2012) and Personal You: Strategies to Help Reduce Teacher Stress (Council for Exceptional Children Today (Evans and Hardin 2010).

Christine Evans in the News

photo of Professor Christine Evans

Simmons Celebrates 30-Year Partnership with the New England Center for Children

For 30 years, Simmons has been providing specialized teacher training for employees at the New England Center for Children. Professor Christine Evans has witnessed the evolution of this program and the remarkable dedication of NECC teachers. Based in Southborough, the...


Shout-outs from Students and Alums

Professor Christine Evans, Alia Al-Suwaidi '24MSEd, and CEO of MRC-NECC Dr. Pamela Olsen, courtesy of MRC-NECC.

Lead Therapist of Special Education Teaches with her Heart

Alia Al-Suwaidi ’24MSEd is determined to ensure that all children — regardless of their disability — can learn and thrive effectively. She is a member of the first international cohort of Simmons students at the Mohammed bin Rashid Center for Special Education, operated by the New England Center for Children, and the winner of the inaugural Dr. D. Daniel Gould Award for Global Excellence in Special Education Teaching.