My name is Lema Kabashi, and I am originally from Kosovo. I currently live and work in La Crosse, Wisconsin, where I have the privilege of serving as a Professor of Special Education at the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse. Teaching provides me with a meaningful opportunity to share my enthusiasm for children with disabilities and for the field of special education. I am deeply passionate about inspiring teacher candidates to support the children who need teachers the most—students with disabilities.

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Although this is my 13th year at UW–La Crosse, I bring over twenty five years of teaching and advising experience and more than 15 years of research experience in special education, particularly focused on young children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). My research centers on identifying effective strategies that promote social skills, increase appropriate behaviors, and reduce challenging behaviors in young children with ASD. More recently, my scholarly interests have expanded to include interventions for students with mathematical difficulties and practice-based coaching. Over the past year, I was on sabbatical in Kosovo conducting research in early identification and early intervention. This field test examines the psychometric properties—validity, utility, and reliability—of the Assessment, Evaluation, and Programming System (AEPS) for Infants and Children, Third Edition, within the Kosovar context.

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In addition to my work in the United States, I have extensive experience within Kosovo’s public education system. I previously served as a Pedagogue at a Vocational Technical High School in Peja, worked as a teacher training expert at the Ministry of Education’s Peja office, and later as an Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Education at the University of Prishtina. These roles allowed me to develop broad expertise across education, administration, curriculum development, teacher training, and direct work with students with exceptionalities.

 

During my time at UW–La Crosse, I have published numerous articles in peer-reviewed journals, presented at international, national, regional, and local conferences, and secured grants to support research with children with autism and the integration of evidence-based practices into my teaching. I have also served on various committees at the program, department, and university levels, including chairing and co-charing committees, serving as a member, and holding the role of the Program Coordinator for the Elementary Middle Education (K-9) Special Education (K-12).