Abigail Baxter, Ph.D.

Education

A.B., Psychology/Sociology, Guilford College, 1982
M.A., Clinical Community Psychology, University of Maryland – Baltimore County, 1985
Ph.D., Developmental Psychology/Assessment, Peabody College of Vanderbilt University, 1990

Teaching Philosophy

"My philosophy of education is simple. I want my students to be passionate about teaching ALL students, including those with disabilities. I want them to understand that ALL children can learn and that we have not done our jobs as teachers if our students do not learn. Learning should be a fun process for all involved. In addition, I want my students to appreciate the role that research plays in their work as a teacher and as a professional. They should research and evaluate the effectiveness of their work with their students. They should turn to the professional research literature to find the strategies that will best work with each student. Finally, I want my students to be advocates for the students they teach as well as for their families."

Research

Dr. Baxter's research interests in the past focused on families of children with disabilities, strategies for meeting the needs of young children with disabilities, and the evaluation of assessment instruments. 

Currently, Dr. Baxter is involved in the development and implementation of effective post-secondary education programs for young adults with intellectual disabilities, as well as the design and evaluation of comprehensive transition processes to support students with disabilities as they move into adulthood. 

Outreach

Dr. Baxter has been actively involved with Alabama's Early Intervention System at both the local and state levels. In this role, she consults with families of children of disabilities, collaborate with professionals who serve these children and their families, and work closely with public school systems. She also provides professional development to early interventionists and child care professionals to strengthen inclusive practices and outcomes for young children. 

In addition, Dr. Baxter serves as Board President for Gulf Regional Early Childhood Services, an agency that delivers Early Head Start services across southwest Alabama. Through her work with PASSAGE USA, she collaborates with public schools to support students with intellectual disabilities and promotes inclusive educational opportunities. 

Biography

Dr. Baxter was born in Connecticut and spent her childhood there and in various communities across New York state. As an adult, she has lived in North Carolina, Baltimore, Nashville, Chicago and Mobile, gaining diverse personal and professional experiences across those regions. 

For more than 30 years, Dr. Baxter has been dedicated to the education and support of children with disabilities. She previously served as Associate Director of an early intervention program in Chicago and has been a faculty member at the University of South Alabama for over 25 years. Throughout her career, she has secured and led multiple local, state and federal research and preparation grants and contracts, reflecting her sustained commitment to advancing the field.