Justin D. Garwood
Professor
Program Coordinator of PhD in Social, Emotional and Behavioral Health and Inclusive Education (SHIE)
85 South Prospect Ave
451 Waterman
Burlington, VT 05401
United States
- Ph.D. in Education (Special Education and Literacy), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- M.Ed. in Secondary Education (English Education), Vanderbilt University
- B.S. in English, State University New York (SUNY) College at Brockport
- B.S. in Criminal Justice, State University of New York (SUNY) College at Brockport
Areas of expertise
- Classroom Management
- Emotional and Behavioral Disorders
- Quantitative Research Methodology
- Single-Case Design Research
- Teacher-Student Relationship Quality
BIO
Dr. Garwood is Program Coordinator for the PhD in Social, Emotional, Behavioral Health and Inclusive Education (SHIE) - a program he co-created with his colleagues in Special Education. Dr. Garwood's research and teaching focuses on students with and at risk for emotional and behavioral disorders (EBD) across three specific areas: (1) pre-service preparation and teachers use of relationship-based pedagogy, (2) academic interventions, and (3) classroom management. He currently serves on the editorial board of Behavioral Disorders and the Journal of Emotional and Behavioral Disorders. He is also a licensed teacher in English Education (grades 7-12) and Special Education (grades K-12).
Dr. Garwood has received nearly $3M in federal grant funding to support his research endeavors, as well as approximately $250K in internal grant funding. His second and most recent book, Tough But Worth It: What We Can Do to Include Students Experiencing Emotional and Behavioral Struggles, was published in 2026 by Solution Tree Press. In addition, he has published over 65 peer-reviewed journal articles in the field of special education.
Courses
- Behavior Analysis in Special Education
- Curriculum and Technology in Special Education – Literacy
- Preventing and Responding to School Shootings
- Foundations of Special Education
- Classroom Management for Student and Teacher Success
- Issues Affecting Persons with Disabilities
- Doctoral Dissertation Research
- Independent Quantitative Research
Publications
Awards and Achievements
- Martin J. Kaufman Distinguished Early Career Research Award, Council for Exceptional Children – Division for Research (2025)
- Prelock Online Teaching Award for Excellence in Synchronous Remote Teaching, University of Vermont (2024)
- Outstanding Contributions on Editorial Board, SAGE: Exceptional Children (2024)
- Joseph A. Abruscato Award for Excellence in Research and Scholarship, University of Vermont (2022)
- Research Article of the Year: American Council on Rural Special Education (2019)
- Early Career Publication Award, Council for Exceptional Children - Division for Research (2018)
- Outstanding Early Career Award in Teacher Preparation: NC Council for Exceptional Children (2015)
- Excellence in Mentorship: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (2015)
Bio
Dr. Garwood is Program Coordinator for the PhD in Social, Emotional, Behavioral Health and Inclusive Education (SHIE) - a program he co-created with his colleagues in Special Education. Dr. Garwood's research and teaching focuses on students with and at risk for emotional and behavioral disorders (EBD) across three specific areas: (1) pre-service preparation and teachers use of relationship-based pedagogy, (2) academic interventions, and (3) classroom management. He currently serves on the editorial board of Behavioral Disorders and the Journal of Emotional and Behavioral Disorders. He is also a licensed teacher in English Education (grades 7-12) and Special Education (grades K-12).
Dr. Garwood has received nearly $3M in federal grant funding to support his research endeavors, as well as approximately $250K in internal grant funding. His second and most recent book, Tough But Worth It: What We Can Do to Include Students Experiencing Emotional and Behavioral Struggles, was published in 2026 by Solution Tree Press. In addition, he has published over 65 peer-reviewed journal articles in the field of special education.
Courses
- Behavior Analysis in Special Education
- Curriculum and Technology in Special Education – Literacy
- Preventing and Responding to School Shootings
- Foundations of Special Education
- Classroom Management for Student and Teacher Success
- Issues Affecting Persons with Disabilities
- Doctoral Dissertation Research
- Independent Quantitative Research
Publications
Awards and Achievements
- Martin J. Kaufman Distinguished Early Career Research Award, Council for Exceptional Children – Division for Research (2025)
- Prelock Online Teaching Award for Excellence in Synchronous Remote Teaching, University of Vermont (2024)
- Outstanding Contributions on Editorial Board, SAGE: Exceptional Children (2024)
- Joseph A. Abruscato Award for Excellence in Research and Scholarship, University of Vermont (2022)
- Research Article of the Year: American Council on Rural Special Education (2019)
- Early Career Publication Award, Council for Exceptional Children - Division for Research (2018)
- Outstanding Early Career Award in Teacher Preparation: NC Council for Exceptional Children (2015)
- Excellence in Mentorship: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (2015)