Rate My Professor Kathy Gibbs

Dr Kathy Gibbs serves as a Senior Lecturer in the School of Education and Professional Studies at Griffith University. She is also the Program Director for the Bachelor of Education program. Gibbs teaches a variety of courses, including those in the Bachelor of Education, Master of Secondary Teaching, and Graduate Certificate in Special Needs Education. Prior to her academic career at Griffith, she amassed over 35 years of experience in school systems across New South Wales and Queensland. During this time, she taught across multiple disciplines and occupied several high-profile leadership positions, such as Deputy Principal and Acting Principal. In 2014, Gibbs completed her Doctorate of Education. Her doctoral thesis employed a social constructionism theoretical framework to investigate the schooling experiences of six adolescent boys diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

Gibbs' research interests lie in special needs education, with a strong focus on Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in adolescents, differentiated learning experiences, and teaching practices tailored for neurodivergent students. Her studies examine practices in Queensland schools and universities, highlighting the need for inclusive, flexible support systems that foster understanding, clear instructions, and meaningful relationships between students, tutors, and peers. She is affiliated with the Griffith Institute for Educational Research. Key publications include "Differentiated teaching practices of Australian mainstream teachers for students with ADHD" (2021, cited over 80 times), "Investigating Teachers' Beliefs in Inclusive Education and Their Implementation of Inclusive Practices" (2023, co-authored), "Australian teachers and school leaders' use of differentiated learning experiences as responsive teaching for students with ADHD" (2023), "Teacher aides’ voices: perspectives on teaching pedagogy" (2024), and "“I want to help kids like me be heard!” A survey about the voices of primary school students with ADHD" (2023). Additionally, Gibbs serves on the Board of Directors for ADHD Australia, contributing to broader impacts in the field of inclusive education.