Kimberly Viel-Ruma

Dr. Kimberly Viel-Ruma is a Clinical Professor in the Department of Communication Sciences and Special Education at the University of Georgia, where she has served in a faculty role since 2014. She earned her Ph.D. in Students with Exceptionalities from Georgia State University and holds advanced degrees and teaching credentials in special education, leadership, and social science education. Prior to her career in higher education, Dr. Viel-Ruma was a special and general education teacher in Georgia public schools and she served as a Russian language translator in the United States Army, experiences that continue to inform her applied, practice-oriented approach to teacher preparation.

Dr. Viel-Ruma’s teaching, scholarship, and service focus on evidence-based instructional practices, teacher efficacy, and the preparation of educators to support students with high incidence disabilities across general curriculum settings. She has extensive experience coordinating practicum and student teaching experiences, developing graduate and undergraduate curricula, and contributing to special education program development. Her research has appeared in journals such as Teacher Education and Special Education, Learning Disabilities Research & Practice, and Education and Treatment of Children. She has presented regularly at professional conferences like the Georgia Association for Positive Behavior Support Annual Conference, the Council for Exceptional Children Conference and Expo, and the International Association of Special Education Biennial Conference.