Darren Minarik

Position: Radford University
Advisory Board

Darren Minarik is currently an associate professor in secondary social studies and special education teacher preparation and serves as co-director for the Virginia Inclusive Practices Center at Radford University. He is also a senior staff member for the American Civics Center, a nonpartisan civic education organization based in Washington, D.C. Darren earned a B.A. and M.Ed. in Political Science and Social Studies at Auburn University. He completed a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction at Virginia Tech with a focus on social studies and special education. Darren presents at the state, national, and international level and his research interests address educational intersections between the social sciences and special education, with an emphasis on inclusive educational practices, self-determination, disability history, and civic engagement. His National Council for the Social Studies publication, Social Studies and Exceptional Learners, is the first comprehensive guide that addresses teaching students with disabilities in inclusive K-12 social studies classrooms.