Profile
Back to Directory
Ernest Solar, Ph.D., is an assistant professor of special education and literacy with the School of Education. His research is multi-faceted with a focus on mindfulness in higher education, crisis de-escalation, and the motivation to write. Prior to coming to the Mount, Solar spent 10 years in the classroom working with students with emotional and learning disabilities. In his free time he enjoys spending time with his wife and family in the forest and is a speculative fiction author.
Doctor of Philosophy – Education
Minor – Special Education Leadership (George Mason University)
Master of Education – Special Education
Graduate Certificate – Emotional Disturbance/Learning Disabilities (George Mason University)
Bachelor of Science in Exercise Sport Science
Concentration - Health and Fitness
Minor – Business Administration
(East Carolina University)
Special Education Leadership Fellowship (November 2008)
College of Education and Human Development Academic Award for Special Education (ED/LD) (May 2008)
Recipient of the Virginia Teachers of Promise Institute (February 2008)
Mindfulness, Special Education, Crisis De-escalation, and Motivation to Write.
Solar, E., Mucci-Guido, A., Cook, C., & Marinak, B. (2019). The motivation to write profile-college: A tool to assess the writing motivation of preservice teachers. Teaching/Writing: The Journal of Writing Teacher Education, 7(1), 1-18. Available at: https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/wte/vol7/iss1/1
Solar, E. (2018). The effects of mindfulness mediation with high school students who receive special education services: Research recommendations from a pilot study. Journal of the American Academy of Special Education Professionals, 13(1), 147-164.
Solar, E. (2016). Effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions with children and adolescents with disabilities: A quantitative literature review. International Journal of Learner Diversity and Identities, 23(2), 9-29.
Solar, E. (2013). An alternative approach to behavior interventions: Mindfulness-based stress reduction. Beyond Behavior, 22(2), 44-48.
Solar, E. (2011). Prove them wrong: Be there for students with emotional or behavioral disabilities. TEACHING Exceptional Children, 44(1), 40-45.
Solar, E. (2016, December). Hospitality in an inclusive classroom. National Association of Special Education Teachers: The Practical Teacher.
Solar, E. (2018, March 22). Arming teachers with hospitality and compassion. The Frederick News- Post. Retrieved from https://www.fredericknewspost.com/opinion/letter_to_editor/arming-teachers-with-hospitality-and-compassion/article_25a1d025-c0ea-52a8-9c7f-fdf2de20a8d7.html
Unrestrained: A CPI Podcast. (Producer). (2019, September 6). Episode No. 71: How RA Crisis Management Skills Reduced Reported Behavior Incidents with Special Guest: Dr. Ernest Solar. [Audio Podcast]. Retrieved from https://www.crisisprevention.com/Blog/How-RA-Crisis-Management-Skills-Reduced-Reported-B
Special Education, Mindfulness, Crisis De-escalation