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Education: BS, St. John’s University, 2008; MS, St. John’s University, 2010; PhD, University of London, 2017. At SPU since 2016.

Krystle Jalalian-Chursky joined the School of Education as a full-time faculty member after serving as an adjunct professor since 2016. During those early years, she taught across both general and special education programs and served as a practicum supervisor, supporting candidates as they translated coursework into meaningful classroom practice. Prior to coming to SPU, Dr. Jalalian-Chursky worked as a clinician and behavioral therapist at the University of Washington’s Experimental Education Unit (EEU) at the Haring Center and ɬÀï·¬ Children’s Research Institute, where she contributed to the development of innovative intervention programs for young children, particularly children with autism spectrum disorders.

At SPU, Dr. Jalalian-Chursky serves at the Director of Undergraduate Teacher Education, and teaches a range of courses in special education, elementary, and early childhood education, as well as courses in diversity, equity, inclusion, and teacher preparation. She was also a member of the task-force committee that designed and developed SPU’s Early Childhood Education major, launched in Fall 2021, helping shape a program that reflects the needs of today’s learners and educators.

Her scholarly work centers on twice-exceptionality and disabilities, with a particular interest in how schools can cultivate the strengths and support the complex learning profiles of gifted students with co-occurring disabilities. She is passionate about designing learning environments that honor students’ unique talents while providing the scaffolds necessary for them to thrive both academically and socially. Dr. Jalalian-Chursky is also the Co-Principal Investigator for , a university-wide effort dedicated to cultivating virtue, character formation, and flourishing in students. Her work on this initiative reflects her deep belief that education is not only about knowledge acquisition but also about shaping wise, courageous, and compassionate human beings.

A passionate educator and mentor, Dr. Jalalian-Chursky is committed to creating classroom spaces where all learners feel supported, brave, and valued. She is dedicated to developing thoughtful, responsive plans through individual and group support, meaningful collaboration, and intentional encouragement. Known for her generosity and optimism, her favorite expression—“Pay it forward”—captures her hope that every student she teaches will carry that same spirit of kindness and service into their own work in schools and communities.