A Christian College of the Liberal Arts & Sciences

Cathy Freytag

Professor of Education, Associate Dean for Education and Physical Education; Chair, Education Department

  • 585-567-9677 ext #6770
  • Chamberlain Center 204
  • Education
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Education

  • Ed.D., University of Central Florida (2003)
  • M.A., University of Alabama (1991)
  • B.S., Carson-Newman College (1990)

Courses Taught

  • Educating Exceptional Learners
  • Curriculum and Assessment in Inclusive Classrooms
  • Issues in Inclusive Education
  • Seminar on Reflective Teaching
  • Content-Area Learning Strategies in Middle School Classrooms

Why I teach at Houghton College

Prior to beginning my career in teacher education, I served as a special educator in public school settings for 12 years.  During that time, I worked with students with disabilities in both inclusive and self-contained classrooms.  While teaching at the elementary and middle school levels, I developed a passion for collaborative teaching and for equipping all educators to effectively meet the needs of diverse learners in a range of settings.  By teaching at Houghton College, I am able to equip the next generation of educators to become competent scholars, reflective teachers and caring servants who are well-prepared to address the needs of all students.

Research Interests

I enjoy going deeper in my discipline by continuing to investigate research-validated instructional approaches such as Differentiated Instruction, Universal Design for Learning (UDL), and Response to Intervention (RtI).  Topics of perennial interest include: collaboration, effective preservice teacher preparation, partnership development, and applying effective teaching strategies across cultures. I particularly enjoy inviting students to collaborate with me and to co-present at professional conferences.

Professional Affiliations

  • International Christian Community for Teacher Education (president 2012-2014)
  • Council for Exceptional Children
    • Division for Learning Disabilities (Past-President: New York State Chapter)
    • Teacher Education Division
    • Division of International Special Education and Services
  • New York State Association of Teacher Educators/New York Association for Colleges of Teacher Education
  • Task Force for Quality Inclusive Schooling
  • International Reading Association

Publications

Freytag, C.E. & Gormley Budin, S. (2009). RTI: Background, clarification, and implications for students with learning disabilities and their teachers. Exceptional Individuals, 33(3), 16-18.

Freytag, C.E. (2008). Reimagining excellence in inclusive education: Transforming edict to ethic. Journal of Education and Christian Belief, 12(2), 129-143.

Freytag, C.E. (Winter 2006/2007).  Ministering with head, heart and hands: Leading and laboring as scholar-servants in Zambia. Wesleyan Life, 3(3), 11.

Freytag, C.E. (2004).  Accommodate to celebrate. New Teacher Advocate, 12(1), 2-3.

Freytag, C.E. (2002).  Professional licensure: The desecration of teacher preparation. Educational Forum, 67(1), 56-61.

Russell, T. & Freytag, C.E. (1992, Spring). Working in the ‘Real’ World. Special  Education Leadership, 22-24.

Collaborative Presentations

Freytag, C.E., Sullivan, S.R., Brate, S., & Cradduck, E. (2009, April). Culturally-responsive literacy instruction with English-language learners. Lecture at the annual convention of the Council for Exceptional Children, Seattle, WA.

Freytag, C.E., Brate, S., & Cradduck, E. (2009, February).  Differentiation and universal design in an African context: Lessons learned about culturally-responsive teaching with ELLs in Zambia. Invited presentation at the 33rd Annual Conference of the Student Council for Exceptional Children (Chapter 19), Geneseo, NY.

Freytag, C.E., & Gormley Budin, S. (2008, November). RTI: Background, clarification, and implications for students with learning disabilities and their teachers. Invited presentation at the New York State Council for Exceptional Children Annual Convention, Verona, NY.

Freytag, C.E. & Howard, M. (2007, February). Using differentiated instruction and universal design principles to reach English language learners with diverse learning abilities. Invited presentation at the 31st Annual Conference of the Student Council for Exceptional Children (Chapter 19), Geneseo, NY.

Freytag, C.E., Becker, H., Estochen, E. & Howard, M. (2006, November). Using differentiated instruction and universal design principles to reach English language learners with diverse learning abilities. Invited presentation at the New York State Council for Exceptional Children Annual Convention, Albany, NY.

Freytag, C.E., Bressler, D., Sharpe, R., Truax, A., et al. (2005, May). Reaching middle schoolers in high-need rural districts through interagency collaboration: Experiencing an effective 21st century community learning center.  Concurrent session presentation, 10th Conference on Inclusive Schools and Communities for Children and Youth, Tarrytown, NY.

Freytag, C.E., Cullum, A., Kestler, L., et al. (2004, November).  Co-teaching in practice: Why it works and why it doesn’t.  Panel discussion at the annual meeting of the New York Federation of the Council for Exceptional Children, Rochester, NY.

Personal Interests

I enjoy being “Aunt Cathy” to Jenny, Katie, Jake and Josh; participating in numerous ministries at Fillmore Wesleyan Church;  and hosting students in my home.