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Biography

Rachel Hammer Billman, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor in the Department of Special Education. At TU, she has advised students, supervised interns, taught coursework and served on numerous committees throughout the university. Prior to joining TU, Dr. Billman was a secondary special education and mathematics teacher and provided extended school-year services to students with disabilities at the preschool level. 

Selected Publications

• Billman, R. H., Hoppin, K. M., & Murphy, J. (2024). Computational Thinking in Undergraduate Pre-Service Special Education Programs. Journal of Technology-Integrated Lessons and Teaching, 3(2), 10–18.  
• Billman, R., Regan, K., Evmenova, A., Satsangi, R. (2023). Using virtual manipulatives with technology-based graphic organizers to support students in solving proportion word problems. International Journal for Research in Learning Disabilities. 6(1), 28-43.     
• Billman, R., Hoppin, K. (2023). InspeCTing and ConneCTing Computational Thinking Concepts in Preservice Special Education Teacher Programs. In A. Markelz, (Ed.), (pp 11-16). Teacher Education Division of the Council for Exceptional Children, Long Beach, CA.
• Satsangi, R., Billman, R., & Raines, A. R. (2021). Comparing video modeling to teacher-led modeling for algebra instruction with students with learning disabilities. Exceptionality. 29(4), 249-264,  
• Satsangi, R., Billman, R. H., Raines, A. R., & Macedonia, A. M. (2021). Studying the impact of video modeling for algebra instruction for students with learning disabilities. The Journal of Special Education, 55(2), 67–78.    
• Satsangi, R., Hammer, R., & Bouck, E. C. (2019). Using video modeling to teach geometry word problems: A strategy for students with learning disabilities. Remedial and Special Education. 41(5), 309–320.  

Selected Presentations

• Watson-Vandiver, M. J., Moallem, M., Harati, H., Li, Q, Billman, R., Christenson, L., Kara, M., Lucas, A., & Liu, X. (2025, April). Unpacking educational equity in computer science: Exploring computational thinking professional development modules for preservice teachers and educators. American Educational Research Association. Denver, CO. 
• Hoppin, K.M., Billman, R.H., Belzner K. (2025). Facilitating Accessible, Informal Computational Thinking Opportunities for Preservice Teachers and Students with Disabilities. Council for Exceptional Children Annual Conference, Baltimore, MD. 
• Billman, R.H., Hoppin, K.M., Porter, M (2025). Enhancing Special Education Teacher Preparation through Undergraduate Self-Study. Council for Exceptional Children Annual Conference, Baltimore, MD. 
• Billman, R.H., Hoppin, K.M., Knollman, G., Baer Chen, B. (2024). Forging Ahead with Innovation and Alignment: Reinventing Preservice Special Education Coursework for Real-World Impact. TCouncil for Exceptional Children Teacher Education Division Annual Conference, Pittsburgh, PA. 
• Hoppin, K.M. & Billman, R., Belzner, K.(2024). Camp InSpECT: Forging Ahead with Accessible Computational Thinking and Preservice Special Educators. Council for Exceptional Children Teacher Education Division Annual Conference, Pittsburgh, PA. 

Research

Dr. Billman's research interests include interventions in mathematics for learners with disabilities, special education teacher preparation, technology-based interventions for students with learning disabilities and computational thinking skills in the curriculum for learners with various disabilities. Her research can be found in journals such as The Journal of Special Education, Learning Disability Quarterly, The International Journal for Research in Learning Disabilities and Remedial and Special Education. 

Professional Service

• Committee Member, COE Office of Research and Evaluation Advisory 
• Advisory Board Member, COE Girls Computing and Cybersecurity Club 

Teaching

• SPED 441: Curriculum/Methods Of Instruction For Students With Disabilities (Prek-12)
• SPED 413: Universal Design For Learning: Addressing Learner Variability
• SPED 641: Education Of Students With Disabilities (Swd): Methods Of Instruction
• SPED 646: Using Technology To Differentiate Instruction