Elaine Smolen - Deafness/Hard of Hearing - Teachers College, Columbia University

Elaine Smolen is a PhD candidate in deaf education at Teachers College, Columbia University.  She serves as an adjunct faculty member at Teachers College and The College of New Jersey, where she also supervises preservice teachers of the deaf and hard of hearing.  Elaine’s dissertation work uses Language ENvironment Analysis (LENA) technology to investigate the effects of caregivers' language input on the language and literacy development of children with hearing loss who use listening and spoken language. Her research interests also include family engagement, public policy, and adoption of children with hearing loss. An experienced teacher of the deaf and certified Listening and Spoken Language Specialist (LSLS Cert. AVEd), she provides consulting and professional mentoring services in the New York area.  Prior to beginning her doctoral studies, she worked for over six years as a head teacher at Clarke Schools for Hearing and Speech/New York, where she prepared four- and five-year-olds for kindergarten. Elaine has also provided early-intervention evaluations, family-centered itinerant services, and teletherapy for students in New York City and beyond. 

Elaine attended The College of New Jersey, where she received a master’s degree in deaf education and elementary education and a bachelor's degree in English. She holds teaching certification in the areas of deaf education, elementary education, and English.  Elaine enjoys reading, baking, going to the beach, and traveling.  She also loves taking advantage of New York's cultural events and sees as many open-captioned and sign-interpreted Broadway performances as she can.