22 Adjunct Info – Guiding You Through Your Educational Journey
Andrea Brinnel, Ed.D.
Ed.D., American International College
M.Ed. and Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies, Westfield State University
BA, University of Bridgeport
Dr. Andrea Brinnel is an early childhood consultant and program manager for 619 Part B (preschool special education) at the CT State Department of Education and was formerly with the CT Office of Early Childhood. With more than twenty-five years of experience in education, Dr. Brinnel has been a classroom teacher and central office administrator in both CT and MA. She has worked in the fields of early childhood and special education, placing an emphasis on the meaningful inclusion of children with special education needs in general education settings and the building of a continuum of services birth through grade 3. Dr. Brinnel presented on early learning issues at both the 3rd and 4th annual International Educational Symposia in the United Arab Emirates and has participated on national webinars about preK to grade 3 leadership and the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).
Dr. Brinnel lives in MA with her husband and dog and has a son who is an engineer living in Chicago and a daughter who is a K-8 music educator and musician living in Philadelphia.
Katie Kubaska, M.ED
BA, Bay Path College; M.Ed
Reading Specialist, Westfield State University
Katie Kubaska, M.Ed., a proud graduate of the Bay Path University Education Program, has been teaching future teachers as an adjunct professor since 2017. Kubaska not only teaches at the college level, but also works full time as a third grade teacher. After earning her Master’s Degree from Westfield State University and licensure as a Reading Specialist in the spring of 2017, she has fallen in love with the teaching of reading to both young children and future educators.
Kubaska especially enjoys teaching at Bay Path University through the eyes of someone currently in the field. Kubaska currently co-teaches with the special education teacher in a self-contained model. She brings current and significant classroom experiences into the courses to make learning relevant. Teaching at the University helps her to step back from the day-to-day curriculum of third grade and analyze current best practices in pedagogy. The tie between public education at the elementary level and the education of future teachers is a cornerstone of Kubaska’s teaching.