Dr. Cara McDermott-Fasy

Education

Ph.D. in Education (Curriculum and Instruction), Boston College
M.A.T. in Education (Elementary and Special Education), Rhode Island College
B.A. (Psychology), Boston College
 

Selected Publications

Publications:​

McDermott-Fasy, C., Kurto, K., Foley, A., Obel-Omia, C., Feinberg, N., Zoll, S., Pinheiro, B., LaCroix, K., & Dennis, D. (2023). The science of reading in higher education: A collaborative effort to refine and enhance programs in the Ocean State. The Reading League Journal 4(1), 52-57.

Pinheiro, B., McDermott-Fasy, C., Imber, S., & LaCava, P. (2022). How one teacher preparation program met its students’ needs during the “new normal." Thresholds in Education 45(1), 19-40.

Kurto, K., McDermottt-Fasy, C., Foley, A., Feinberg, N., LaCroix, K., & Dennis, D. (2022). Rhode Island Science of Reading and Structured Literacy Syllabi Refinement Tool.
RI-ScienceOfReadingStructuredLiteracy-SyllabiRefinementTool.docx (live.com)

Kurto, K., McDermottt-Fasy, C., Foley, A., Feinberg, N., LaCroix, K., & Dennis, D. (2022). Rhode Island Science of Reading and Structured Literacy: Resource Bank for Syllabi Refinement.
RI-ScienceOfReadingStructuredLiteracy-ResourceBank.pdf

McDermott-Fasy, C., Obel-Omia, C., & Feinberg, N. (2021). Using innovation configurations to align syllabi to the Science of Reading and Structured Literacy. In A. Markelz, (Ed.), TED 2021 Conference Proceedings: Steering into the Future (pp. 239-243). Teacher Education Division of the Council for Exceptional Children, Fort Worth, TX.

Refereed Presentations:

McDermott-Fasy, C., & Obel-Omia, C. (April, 2025). Bridging a literacy scope and sequence from Elementary Education through Special Education in a dual certification program. Paper accepted for presentation at the World Literacy Summit, Oxford, England.

McDermott-Fasy, C., & Obel-Omia, C., Jones-Bromenshenkel, M., & Butcher, J. (November, 2024). What’s de-silofication got to do with it: Forging innovation in literacy through shared vision setting and collaboration. Paper presentation at the annual meeting of the Teacher Education Division of the Council of Exceptional Children, Pittsburg, PA.

Jones-Bromenshenkel, M., McDermott-Fasy, C., & Butcher, J. (November, 2024). Forging ahead! Collaborating to reimagine our literacy coursework. Conversation session at the annual meeting of the Teacher Education Division of the Council of Exceptional Children, Pittsburg, PA.

Almagno, J., & McDermott-Fasy, C. (2023). Connecting the dots between assessment and intervention through a heightened awareness of common reading profiles. Roundtable session at the New England Educational Research Organization, Portsmouth, NH.

McDermott-Fasy, C. & Obel-Omia, C. (November, 2022). Realizing every student’s right to read. Conversation session at the annual meeting of the Teacher Education Division of the Council of Exceptional Children, Richmond, VA.

McDermott-Fasy, C., Obel-Omia, C., & Feinberg, N. (November, 2021). Using innovation configurations to align syllabi to the Science of Reading and Structured Literacy.  Paper session at the annual meeting of the Teacher Education Division of the Council of Exceptional Children, Fort Worth, TX.

Bass, A. & McDermott-Fasy, C.  (April 2021).  Where is the pipeline?  An exploration of interest and barriers for paraprofessionals in a large, urban school district.  Roundtable session at the New England Educational Research Organization, Portsmouth, NH.

Feinberg, N., McDermott-Fasy, C. & Obel-Omia, C. (October, 2020). Redesigning the future of teacher preparation: How one institution approached the emerging needs of both special and elementary education.  Paper session accepted for presentation at the annual meeting of the International Literacy Association, Cincinnati, OH.

McDermott-Fasy, C.  (2019, November). A de-siloed approach to supporting students with language-based learning differences.  Interactive Paper Session presented at the annual meeting of the Teacher Education Division of the Council for Exceptional Children, New Orleans, LA.

McDermott-Fasy, C. (2019, April). High leverage practices in special education:  The path from "response to conditions" to program reform.  Paper accepted for presentation at the annual meeting of the Council for Exceptional Children, Indianapolis, IN.

Courses

SPED 312 Assessment Procedures for Students with Special Needs
SPED 390 Independent Study: Honors Project
SPED 412 Intensive Intervention in Literacy
SPED 460 Capstone: Specialized Language Instruction
SPED 471 Student Teaching in Elementary Special ​Education
SPED 501 Assessment in Special Education
SPED 518 Literacy for Diverse Learners: Intensive Intervention 
SPED 534 Family Involvement in Special Education
SPED 546 Dyslexia in Schools: Assessment and Identification

Additional Information

Research Interests
Language-Based Learning Differences including Dyslexia
Parental Experiences with the Special Education System
Multi-Tiered Systems of Support
Academic Assessment and Interventions
Data Based Individualization​
Mentoring/Induction

Certifications
National Board Certified Teacher, Early Childhood through Young Adulthood/Exceptional Needs Specialist (2003-2013; Renewed for 2013-2023)
Rhode Island Professional Administrator of Curriculum and Instruction
Rhode Island Professional Administrator of Special Education
Rhode Island Professional Teacher of Elementary Grades, 1-6
Rhode Island Professional Special Educator, Mild to Moderate, Elem/Mid Level

Recent Professional Development
LETRS (Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling):  Facilitator Training (June 2022) with Yearly Literacy Symposiums (2022-Present)
LETRS: Training offered by the Rhode Island Department of Education: Unit 1-8 (June 2020 - June 2022)
Multisensory Teacher Training:  A Two-Week Summer Institute (inclusive of 30-hour Orton Gillingham Overview) offered by The Hamilton School (July 2019)

Recent Recognition
2023 Decoding Dyslexia Rhode Island Educator Ally Award

Positions Held
Coordinator of the Undergraduate Elementary Special Education Program 
Coordinator of the Graduate Literacy/Dyslexia Endorsement
Rhode Island Representative for New England Educational Research Organization (NEERO)
Rhode Island CEEDAR State Leadership Team and Literacy/Dyslexia Subcommittee
Rhode Island SPDG Stakeholder Advisory Committee