Christine Scholma

Home // Christine Scholma

Associate Professor of Special Education

Education

M.A., Nova Southeastern University, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, 2007
B.A., Trinity Christian College, Palos Heights, Illinois, 2004

Associated Academic Programs

Education / Special Education Special Education

“Teaching in a Christian school, I have been able to teach each student about their God-given gifts and talents and how they can use them to have an impact on the world around them.”

“God works through students to develop confidence in their strengths and move from being a passive receiver to living a life of active service to others in their school, home, and community,” said Christine Scholma.

Scholma’s world view is based on the understanding that God has created everyone for a purpose and has set every individual on a faith journey. Each decision students make, the work that they accomplish, and the interactions they have are acts of worship to God and his sovereignty.

“Diversity is beautiful and a lack of diversity can be quite bland,” said Scholma. “Our God is anything but bland! God has given me the opportunity to see how truly beautiful it can be to educate and serve a diverse population of students at Elim Christian School.”

As a Christian leader, Scholma believes one’s abilities should extend outside the classroom. She has used her leadership skills, musical talents, and teaching abilities to lead worship, serve as a youth group leader, take young adults on mission trips, and serve in children’s ministry.

“Teaching from a Reformed world view has helped me to influence other professionals, para-professionals, parents of students, volunteers, and undergraduate students completing their aiding and practicum hours,” she said. To her classroom she brings what she learned as an undergraduate and 11 years of experience in the field to help raise up new Christian leaders.

Scholma has demonstrated her world view in her own educational background. She has taught students with significant cognitive and physical disabilities requiring intensive interventions. These students have come from a variety of ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, each different and rich in culture and giftedness and having an impact on Scholma in various ways.

She considers each community outing, field trip, or interaction with others to be an opportunity to help her students receive the acceptance and respect that should be afforded to all people regardless of ability.

“I would describe myself as a lifelong learner; I believe that I will be growing in my faith until my last day on Earth. Until then, I trust in God’s plan in my life and follow where he leads.”

Courses

Traditional Undergraduate Courses
Disability and Community: Thriving Together
Inspiring Change Through Data Driven Goals
Introduction to Exceptional Children
Fine Arts in Education
Teaching Students with High Incidence Disabilities I
Teaching Students with High Incidence Disabilities II
Teaching Students with Low Incidence Disabilities I
Teaching Students with Low Incidence Disabilities II
Language & Communication Disorders
Communication and Collaboration in SPED
Undergraduate Learning Assistant in SPED
Undergraduate Research Independent Study
Scope and Sequence Through Transition
Diverse and Learner Ready Teaching

Adult Undergraduate Courses
Introduction to Exceptional Children
Fine Arts and PE in Education
Language and Communication Disorders
High Incidence Disabilities
Low Incidence Disabilities
Communication and Collaboration in SPED
Assistive Technology for Students with  Disabilities

Graduate Courses
Language and Communication Disorders

Adult Program Curriculum Development
Introduction to Exceptional Children
Fine Arts and PE in Education
High Incidence Disabilities
Low Incidence Disabilities

Research with Students

Vander Velde Student Research Scholarship, Trinity Christian College  2022 to 2023

  • Co-faculty Advisor with William Boerman-Cornell to: Zain Fakhoury (’24)
  • Research Project Title: Disability Identity Representation in Young Adult Literature

Vander Velde Student Research Scholarship, Trinity Christian College   2020 to 2021

  • Faculty Advisor to: Amanda Opphoff (’22)
  • Research Project Title: Professor Perspectives on Teaching Students with Intellectual Disabilities

Honors Work in the Major Student Research, Trinity Christian College       2017 to 2018

  • Faculty Advisor to: Mikaela Kiel (’19)
  • Research Project Title: Sticks and Stones Can Break My Bones, But Can Words Hurt Me: An Exploration of Person First Language in Postsecondary Education

Publications

Book Chapter

Scholma, C., Baillie Gorman, S. (2021) Family Interactions and Culture. In Gibbon,T., Harkins Monoco, E., and Bateman, D. Sexuality education for students with disabilities (pp. 177-188) essay, Rowman et. Littlefield.

Peer Reviewed Journal Articles Accepted

Scholma, C., Eyres, R., Slocum, V., Harkins Monoco, E. (Dec. 2022) Include all of me: intersectionality in sexuality education for students with disabilities. To be published in: DADD Online Journal.

Taylor, T., Hardy, H., McComas, C., McCollow, M., Scholma, C. (Dec. 2022) Diversity equity and inclusion in children’s literature: a content analysis of 40 books. To be published in: DADD Online Journal.

Presentations and Invited Lectures

Conference Presentations

Lecture with Q&A: Dignifying, Labeling, Insulting and Honoring: How Characters with Disabilities are Labeled in Middle Grades and Young Adult Literature
Critical Questions in Education Symposium, Denver, CO, October 2022 Scholma,C., Boerman-Cornell, W., and Fakhoury, Z.

Poster Presentation: Belonging: Students with ID Perspectives on Postsecondary Programs
AAC&U Conference on Diversity, Equity, and Student Success, New Orleans, LA, March 2022
Scholma, C., and Schadler, D.

Award Presentation: Dolly Gray Award for Children’s Literature
International Conference on Autism, Intellectual Disability, and Developmental Disability, Clearwater, FL, January 2022
Scholma, C.

Lecture with Q&A: Include All of Me: Intersectionality in Sexuality Education for Students with Disabilities
International Conference on Autism, Intellectual Disability, and Developmental Disability, Clearwater, FL, January 2022
Scholma,C., Harkins Monoco, E., and Eyres, R.

Workshop: Teaching for the Good Life
Knowledge for the future: Higher Education, Change, and Christian Responsibility Conference, Palos Heights, IL, November 2021
Scholma, C., Vinegar, R., and Tan, A.

Lecture: How do I Teach That? Instructional Strategies and Curriculum for Teaching Comprehensive Sexuality to Students with Intellectual Disabilities
Council for Exceptional Children Learning Interactive Virtual Event, March 2021
Scholma, C., Eyres, R., and Slocum, V.

Lecture: Families and Educators: Working Together to Implement Sexuality Education
International Conference on Autism, Intellectual Disability and Developmental Disability, Virtual Event, January 2021
Eyres, R., Scholma, C., Slocum, V. Harkins Monoco, E., and Baillie, S.

Poster Presentation: But That Doesn’t Work for My Family! How Religion and Culture Affect Sexuality Education
International Conference on Autism, Intellectual Disability and Developmental Disability, Virtual Event, January 2021
Scholma, C., and Baillie, S.

Poster Presentation: Faculty Perspectives of Teaching Students with Intellectual Disabilities
Illinois Council for Exceptional Children Virtual Fall Convention, Virtual Event, November 2020
Scholma, C., and Ophoff, A.

Poster Presentation: Partnerships with Purpose: How Service-Learning Benefits Preservice Teacher Education
National Council for Exceptional Children Conference, Indianapolis, IN, February 2019
Scholma, C.

Four Hour, Four Session Strand: Moving Forward: The Path to Effective Sexual Health Education for Students with Disabilities
–  Self-determination and Sexual Health for People with Disabilities
–  Teaching Sexual Health Education Across Disability Categories
–  Implementation and Evaluation of Sexual Health Curriculum
National Council for Exceptional Children Conference, Tampa, FL, February 2018
Harkins, E., Scholma, C., Slocum, V., Eyres, R., and Treacy, A.

Poster Session: Partnerships with Purpose: How Service-Learning Benefits Preservice Teacher Education
International Conference on Autism, Intellectual Disability and Developmental Disability, Clearwater, FL, January 2018
Scholma, C.

Lecture and Panel: How to Navigate the Sexuality Dance: Inclusive Sexuality Education in the Current Political Landscape
International Conference on Autism, Intellectual Disability and Developmental Disability, Clearwater, FL, January 2018
Harkins, E., Scholma, C., and Kammes, R.

Lecture: Doing it Right: Sexuality Education and Self Determination
TASH National Conference, Atlanta, GA, December 2017
Treacy, A., Slocum, V., Eyres, R. Harkins, E., and Scholma, C.

Lecture: Sticks and Stones Can Break My Bones, But Can Words Hurt Me?
Illinois Council for Exceptional Children Conference, Lisle, IL, 2017
Scholma, C. and Kiel, M.

Lecture: From Classroom to Kenya: How Service Learning Positively Impacts Student Growth
National Council for Exceptional Children Conference, Boston, MA, April 2017
Scholma, C. and Buma, C.

Lecture: Doing it Right: Sexuality Education and Self-Determination
National Council for Exceptional Children Conference, Boston, MA, April 2017
Scholma, C., Slocum, V., Eyres, R., Harkins, E., Niles, G., and Treacy, A.

Lecture: Hello, Can You Hear Me? Meaningful Writing for Students with Significant Disabilities
Illinois Council for Exceptional Children Conference, Lisle, IL, November 2016
Scholma, C., Best, M., and Burden, V.

Lecture: How Do I Hang Out? Improving Leisure Skills for Students with Significant Disabilities
International Christian Community for Teacher Education Conference, Palos Heights, IL, 2016
Scholma, C.

Lecture: How Do I Hang Out?  Improving Leisure Skills for Students with Significant Disabilities
Illinois Council for Exceptional Children Conference, Lisle, IL, November 2015
Scholma, C. and Fiorivanti, J.

Lecture: Best of the Best: Best Practices in Special Education
Illinois Council for Exceptional Children Conference, Lisle, IL, November 2009
Scholma, C. and Baillie, S.

Lecture: Best of the Best: A Look at Best Practices in Special Education
National Council for Exceptional Children Conference, Seattle, WA, April 2009
Scholma, C. and Baillie, S.

Grants

Presentation Chair: Dolly Gray Children’s Literature Award 2018-Present

  • Jury to review and analyze all qualifying books for positive disability representation
  • Present the Dolly Gray Award at the annual DADD Conference

Leadership Education at Duke Divinity Strengthening Ministry Grant 2022-2023

Grant Title: Intentional Planning for Diverse Student Needs Through Innovative Programs

  • Qualitative research on planning for a sense of belonging for students with ID
  • Cooperative planning for supporting students with ID in postsecondary education

Center for Teaching and the Good Life Summer Grant   2022

Grant Title: Belonging by Design: Equity, Justice, and Inclusion in Course Construction and Implementation

  • Examination of curriculum using DEI rubric to inform changes in pedagogy
  • Implementation of curricular changes and qualitative research on results

Center for Teaching and the Good Life Summer Grant 2021

Grant Title: What’s So Good About Inclusion? Disability, Community,  and the Good Life

  • Review of resources related to disability inclusion in a variety of settings
  • Collaboration with peers related to the benefits of disability inclusion

Leadership Education at Duke Divinity Innovation Grant                       2019-2020

Grant Title: Wholistically Supporting Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities on a Liberal Arts College Campus

  • Development of research team to investigate programs for students with ID
  • Site visits to programs for students with ID in postsecondary education

1871 Innovation Grant 2018

Grant Title: Trinity Christian College Students’ Perspectives on Wholistic Health Needs

  • Quantitative survey research about freshman perspectives of health needs
  • Review of student perspectives of disability related supports

Memberships and Professional Affiliations

  • Member Pennsylvania Inclusive Higher Education Consortium (PIHEC), 2022-Present
  • Member Disability Lead, 2021-Present
  • Member Council for Exceptional Children (CEC), 2007-Present
  • Teacher Education Division (TED), 2016-Present
  • Division of Autism and Developmental Disabilities (DADD), 2016-Present
  • Member American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (ACCTE), 2017-Present
  • Member Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD), 2017-Present
+ Expertise

“God works through students to develop confidence in their strengths and move from being a passive receiver to living a life of active service to others in their school, home, and community,” said Christine Scholma.

Scholma’s world view is based on the understanding that God has created everyone for a purpose and has set every individual on a faith journey. Each decision students make, the work that they accomplish, and the interactions they have are acts of worship to God and his sovereignty.

“Diversity is beautiful and a lack of diversity can be quite bland,” said Scholma. “Our God is anything but bland! God has given me the opportunity to see how truly beautiful it can be to educate and serve a diverse population of students at Elim Christian School.”

As a Christian leader, Scholma believes one’s abilities should extend outside the classroom. She has used her leadership skills, musical talents, and teaching abilities to lead worship, serve as a youth group leader, take young adults on mission trips, and serve in children’s ministry.

“Teaching from a Reformed world view has helped me to influence other professionals, para-professionals, parents of students, volunteers, and undergraduate students completing their aiding and practicum hours,” she said. To her classroom she brings what she learned as an undergraduate and 11 years of experience in the field to help raise up new Christian leaders.

Scholma has demonstrated her world view in her own educational background. She has taught students with significant cognitive and physical disabilities requiring intensive interventions. These students have come from a variety of ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, each different and rich in culture and giftedness and having an impact on Scholma in various ways.

She considers each community outing, field trip, or interaction with others to be an opportunity to help her students receive the acceptance and respect that should be afforded to all people regardless of ability.

“I would describe myself as a lifelong learner; I believe that I will be growing in my faith until my last day on Earth. Until then, I trust in God’s plan in my life and follow where he leads.”

+ Courses, Publications & Research

Courses

Traditional Undergraduate Courses
Disability and Community: Thriving Together
Inspiring Change Through Data Driven Goals
Introduction to Exceptional Children
Fine Arts in Education
Teaching Students with High Incidence Disabilities I
Teaching Students with High Incidence Disabilities II
Teaching Students with Low Incidence Disabilities I
Teaching Students with Low Incidence Disabilities II
Language & Communication Disorders
Communication and Collaboration in SPED
Undergraduate Learning Assistant in SPED
Undergraduate Research Independent Study
Scope and Sequence Through Transition
Diverse and Learner Ready Teaching

Adult Undergraduate Courses
Introduction to Exceptional Children
Fine Arts and PE in Education
Language and Communication Disorders
High Incidence Disabilities
Low Incidence Disabilities
Communication and Collaboration in SPED
Assistive Technology for Students with  Disabilities

Graduate Courses
Language and Communication Disorders

Adult Program Curriculum Development
Introduction to Exceptional Children
Fine Arts and PE in Education
High Incidence Disabilities
Low Incidence Disabilities

Research with Students

Vander Velde Student Research Scholarship, Trinity Christian College  2022 to 2023

  • Co-faculty Advisor with William Boerman-Cornell to: Zain Fakhoury (’24)
  • Research Project Title: Disability Identity Representation in Young Adult Literature

Vander Velde Student Research Scholarship, Trinity Christian College   2020 to 2021

  • Faculty Advisor to: Amanda Opphoff (’22)
  • Research Project Title: Professor Perspectives on Teaching Students with Intellectual Disabilities

Honors Work in the Major Student Research, Trinity Christian College       2017 to 2018

  • Faculty Advisor to: Mikaela Kiel (’19)
  • Research Project Title: Sticks and Stones Can Break My Bones, But Can Words Hurt Me: An Exploration of Person First Language in Postsecondary Education

Publications

Book Chapter

Scholma, C., Baillie Gorman, S. (2021) Family Interactions and Culture. In Gibbon,T., Harkins Monoco, E., and Bateman, D. Sexuality education for students with disabilities (pp. 177-188) essay, Rowman et. Littlefield.

Peer Reviewed Journal Articles Accepted

Scholma, C., Eyres, R., Slocum, V., Harkins Monoco, E. (Dec. 2022) Include all of me: intersectionality in sexuality education for students with disabilities. To be published in: DADD Online Journal.

Taylor, T., Hardy, H., McComas, C., McCollow, M., Scholma, C. (Dec. 2022) Diversity equity and inclusion in children’s literature: a content analysis of 40 books. To be published in: DADD Online Journal.

Presentations and Invited Lectures

Conference Presentations

Lecture with Q&A: Dignifying, Labeling, Insulting and Honoring: How Characters with Disabilities are Labeled in Middle Grades and Young Adult Literature
Critical Questions in Education Symposium, Denver, CO, October 2022 Scholma,C., Boerman-Cornell, W., and Fakhoury, Z.

Poster Presentation: Belonging: Students with ID Perspectives on Postsecondary Programs
AAC&U Conference on Diversity, Equity, and Student Success, New Orleans, LA, March 2022
Scholma, C., and Schadler, D.

Award Presentation: Dolly Gray Award for Children’s Literature
International Conference on Autism, Intellectual Disability, and Developmental Disability, Clearwater, FL, January 2022
Scholma, C.

Lecture with Q&A: Include All of Me: Intersectionality in Sexuality Education for Students with Disabilities
International Conference on Autism, Intellectual Disability, and Developmental Disability, Clearwater, FL, January 2022
Scholma,C., Harkins Monoco, E., and Eyres, R.

Workshop: Teaching for the Good Life
Knowledge for the future: Higher Education, Change, and Christian Responsibility Conference, Palos Heights, IL, November 2021
Scholma, C., Vinegar, R., and Tan, A.

Lecture: How do I Teach That? Instructional Strategies and Curriculum for Teaching Comprehensive Sexuality to Students with Intellectual Disabilities
Council for Exceptional Children Learning Interactive Virtual Event, March 2021
Scholma, C., Eyres, R., and Slocum, V.

Lecture: Families and Educators: Working Together to Implement Sexuality Education
International Conference on Autism, Intellectual Disability and Developmental Disability, Virtual Event, January 2021
Eyres, R., Scholma, C., Slocum, V. Harkins Monoco, E., and Baillie, S.

Poster Presentation: But That Doesn’t Work for My Family! How Religion and Culture Affect Sexuality Education
International Conference on Autism, Intellectual Disability and Developmental Disability, Virtual Event, January 2021
Scholma, C., and Baillie, S.

Poster Presentation: Faculty Perspectives of Teaching Students with Intellectual Disabilities
Illinois Council for Exceptional Children Virtual Fall Convention, Virtual Event, November 2020
Scholma, C., and Ophoff, A.

Poster Presentation: Partnerships with Purpose: How Service-Learning Benefits Preservice Teacher Education
National Council for Exceptional Children Conference, Indianapolis, IN, February 2019
Scholma, C.

Four Hour, Four Session Strand: Moving Forward: The Path to Effective Sexual Health Education for Students with Disabilities
–  Self-determination and Sexual Health for People with Disabilities
–  Teaching Sexual Health Education Across Disability Categories
–  Implementation and Evaluation of Sexual Health Curriculum
National Council for Exceptional Children Conference, Tampa, FL, February 2018
Harkins, E., Scholma, C., Slocum, V., Eyres, R., and Treacy, A.

Poster Session: Partnerships with Purpose: How Service-Learning Benefits Preservice Teacher Education
International Conference on Autism, Intellectual Disability and Developmental Disability, Clearwater, FL, January 2018
Scholma, C.

Lecture and Panel: How to Navigate the Sexuality Dance: Inclusive Sexuality Education in the Current Political Landscape
International Conference on Autism, Intellectual Disability and Developmental Disability, Clearwater, FL, January 2018
Harkins, E., Scholma, C., and Kammes, R.

Lecture: Doing it Right: Sexuality Education and Self Determination
TASH National Conference, Atlanta, GA, December 2017
Treacy, A., Slocum, V., Eyres, R. Harkins, E., and Scholma, C.

Lecture: Sticks and Stones Can Break My Bones, But Can Words Hurt Me?
Illinois Council for Exceptional Children Conference, Lisle, IL, 2017
Scholma, C. and Kiel, M.

Lecture: From Classroom to Kenya: How Service Learning Positively Impacts Student Growth
National Council for Exceptional Children Conference, Boston, MA, April 2017
Scholma, C. and Buma, C.

Lecture: Doing it Right: Sexuality Education and Self-Determination
National Council for Exceptional Children Conference, Boston, MA, April 2017
Scholma, C., Slocum, V., Eyres, R., Harkins, E., Niles, G., and Treacy, A.

Lecture: Hello, Can You Hear Me? Meaningful Writing for Students with Significant Disabilities
Illinois Council for Exceptional Children Conference, Lisle, IL, November 2016
Scholma, C., Best, M., and Burden, V.

Lecture: How Do I Hang Out? Improving Leisure Skills for Students with Significant Disabilities
International Christian Community for Teacher Education Conference, Palos Heights, IL, 2016
Scholma, C.

Lecture: How Do I Hang Out?  Improving Leisure Skills for Students with Significant Disabilities
Illinois Council for Exceptional Children Conference, Lisle, IL, November 2015
Scholma, C. and Fiorivanti, J.

Lecture: Best of the Best: Best Practices in Special Education
Illinois Council for Exceptional Children Conference, Lisle, IL, November 2009
Scholma, C. and Baillie, S.

Lecture: Best of the Best: A Look at Best Practices in Special Education
National Council for Exceptional Children Conference, Seattle, WA, April 2009
Scholma, C. and Baillie, S.

+ Awards & Memberships

Grants

Presentation Chair: Dolly Gray Children’s Literature Award 2018-Present

  • Jury to review and analyze all qualifying books for positive disability representation
  • Present the Dolly Gray Award at the annual DADD Conference

Leadership Education at Duke Divinity Strengthening Ministry Grant 2022-2023

Grant Title: Intentional Planning for Diverse Student Needs Through Innovative Programs

  • Qualitative research on planning for a sense of belonging for students with ID
  • Cooperative planning for supporting students with ID in postsecondary education

Center for Teaching and the Good Life Summer Grant   2022

Grant Title: Belonging by Design: Equity, Justice, and Inclusion in Course Construction and Implementation

  • Examination of curriculum using DEI rubric to inform changes in pedagogy
  • Implementation of curricular changes and qualitative research on results

Center for Teaching and the Good Life Summer Grant 2021

Grant Title: What’s So Good About Inclusion? Disability, Community,  and the Good Life

  • Review of resources related to disability inclusion in a variety of settings
  • Collaboration with peers related to the benefits of disability inclusion

Leadership Education at Duke Divinity Innovation Grant                       2019-2020

Grant Title: Wholistically Supporting Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities on a Liberal Arts College Campus

  • Development of research team to investigate programs for students with ID
  • Site visits to programs for students with ID in postsecondary education

1871 Innovation Grant 2018

Grant Title: Trinity Christian College Students’ Perspectives on Wholistic Health Needs

  • Quantitative survey research about freshman perspectives of health needs
  • Review of student perspectives of disability related supports

Memberships and Professional Affiliations

  • Member Pennsylvania Inclusive Higher Education Consortium (PIHEC), 2022-Present
  • Member Disability Lead, 2021-Present
  • Member Council for Exceptional Children (CEC), 2007-Present
  • Teacher Education Division (TED), 2016-Present
  • Division of Autism and Developmental Disabilities (DADD), 2016-Present
  • Member American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (ACCTE), 2017-Present
  • Member Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD), 2017-Present