About the Author

Like her mother and grandmother, Pam Brillante, EdD, knew her calling to be a teacher. Since finding her passion for special education, she has spent 30 years working as a special education teacher, administrator, consultant, and professor.

Dr. Brillante earned a bachelor of arts degree in special education from William Paterson University of New Jersey and started her career as a teacher in a K–2 self-contained special education classroom for students with multiple disabilities. She taught children in both self-contained and inclusive preschool classes in the public schools while earning a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction with a concentration in early childhood education at William Paterson.

From the classroom, Dr. Brillante transitioned to almost a decade working for the New Jersey Department of Education as early childhood specialist for the Office of Special Education, helping public schools develop high-quality, inclusive early childhood programs. During this time, she earned a doctorate in educational leadership from Rowan University.

In addition to her full-time faculty position in the Department of Special Education and Professional Counseling at William Paterson, Dr. Brillante continues to consult with school districts and present to teachers and families on the topic of high-quality, inclusive early childhood practices.

An author for NAEYC and other publications, Dr. Brillante is a founder and co-facilitator of the NAEYC Early Childhood Consultants and Authors Interest Forum. She is also a consulting editor and workshop reviewer for NAEYC as well as a member of the Head Start Governance Advisory Committee for Acelaro Learning.