Dr. Denise Stappenbeck joined the faculty of Medaille College in the fall of 2020. As a P-12 educator for more than two decades, Dr. Stappenbeck brings a wealth of experience leading schools in curriculum and assessment design, special education, district and school strategic planning, and program evaluation. 

Dr. Stappenbeck began her career as a special educator focused on equity in access in education for students who are deaf and hard of hearing. This led to her extensive research in the area of literacy and co-teaching/co-enrollment practices. In addition to serving as a district science facilitator, technology integrator, and professional developer, Dr. Stappenbeck has also held positions as a building leader and K-12 Director of Curriculum.  

Believing whole-heartedly in her alma mater's motto of "Ever Better" as a vision for the future, Dr. Stappenbeck has been actively involved in evaluation work for a number of chronically low-performing schools and districts in New Mexico and in New York. She is passionate about using data to target curriculum needs and to provide differentiated professional development that leads to systematic change in teacher practice. 

At Medaille, Dr. Stappenbeck teaches courses in science methods and assessment of literacy. She also serves as a college supervisor for the Students With Disabilities Tutoring Program which provides practical experience to Medaille graduate students and needed support services for K-12 students in the Buffalo and surrounding region.