Email: Danielle.Kovach@centenaryuniversity.edu

Academic Accomplishments

• Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Mentally/Physically Handicapped/ Elementary Education/Special Education, Kutztown University
• M.Ed. in Special Education, East Stroudsburg University
• Master of Arts (M.A.) in Educational Technology, New Jersey City University
• Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Special Education, Walden University

Biography

Dr. Danielle M. Kovach is a third-grade special education teacher at Tulsa Trail School in Hopatcong, New Jersey, and an adjunct professor for special education at Centenary University in New Jersey. Knowing she wanted to be a teacher since she was a little girl, Dr. Kovach began her teaching career in 1997 and has taught both general and special education across various settings. Throughout her 25 years in education, Dr. Kovach has earned over $100,000.00 in grants and awards. These grants have afforded her students and school new technologies, a life skills kitchen, a sensory room, social-emotional learning areas and programs, and STEM integration.

After receiving her B.S. in special education and elementary education from Kutztown University, Danielle earned her first master’s degree in special education from East Stroudsburg University, followed by a second master’s degree in educational technology from New Jersey City University. In 2017, she completed her doctorate in special education from Walden University.

Dr. Kovach was named the 2011 New Jersey State Teacher of the Year, the 2011 Sussex County Teacher of the Year, and the 2011 Hopatcong Teacher of the Year. In 2012, she was awarded a national teaching title, the National Education Association Foundation Award for Teaching Excellence. Dr. Kovach is the 2022 Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) President and has served as a CEC Board of Directors member since 2018. She was also recognized nationally as the 2014 CEC Teacher of the Year.

Her role as a special educator taught her to praise the process, challenge the impossible, and celebrate victories. Those experiences inspire her daily to advocate for children with exceptionalities and support the educators who serve them.

Publications/ Presentations

• Cavitt, D., & Kovach, D. (2022). Challenges and victories of virtual environments with students with disabilities. Multidisciplinary Perspectives on Diversity and Equity in a Virtual World. Hershey, Pennsylvania: IGI Global.
• Kovach, D. (2017). Chapter one: Feature teacher. In W.L. Heward, S.R. Alber-Morgan, M. Konrad (11^th ed.). Exceptional Children: An introduction to special education. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education.
• Kovach, D. (2022). Chapter one: Featured teacher. In W.L. Heward, S.R. Alber-Morgan, M. Konrad (12th ed.). Exceptional Children: An introduction to special education. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education.
• Kovach, D. (2022). Building connections. TEACHING Exceptional Children, 54(3), 164-165. https://doi.org/10.1177/00400599211070423
• Kovach, D. (2022). The why from within. TEACHING Exceptional Children, 54(4), 243–244. https://doi.org/10.1177/00400599221121718
• Kovach, D. (2022). Listen to understand. TEACHING Exceptional Children, 54(5), 328. https://doi.org/10.1177/00400599221106920
• Kovach, D. (2022). 100 years from now. TEACHING Exceptional Children, 54(6), 392–393. https://doi.org/10.1177/00400599221121512
• Kovach, D. (2022). New School Year, new adjustments. TEACHING Exceptional Children, 55(1), 4. https://doi.org/10.1177/00400599221121718
• Kovach, D. (2022). Big Dreams and bright futures: Teaching, leadership, and thanks. TEACHING Exceptional Children, 55(2), 88. https://doi.org/10.1177/004005992211427

Short Quote

“No challenge too big, no victory too small.” 

Area of Greatest Professional Interest

Special Education, Educational Technology, Behavior Management, Differentiated Instruction, Teacher Leadership, Home/Family Communication, Special Education Advocacy, Data Driven Instruction, Learning Disabilities, Communication Impairments, Autism, Classroom Management, Professional Development