Christopher L. Van Loan

Christopher L. Van Loan

Christopher L. Van Loan, PhD, is a professor of special education at Appalachian State University, where he directs the graduate program in emotional and behavioral disorders. He teaches undergraduate and graduate courses on classroom management, behavior supports, and how to work with emotional and behavioral challenges. Dr. Van Loan has over 25 years of experience in education and youth development, beginning as a US Peace Corps volunteer in Guatemala, then serving as a health educator, behavior specialist, and special education teacher in therapeutic and public-school settings. His professional focus centers on fostering strong teacher-student relationships, promoting trauma-informed classroom practices, and improving supports for students with significant behavioral needs.

Dr. Van Loan is an active member of the Council for Exceptional Children and the American Educational Research Association. He has presented internationally on topics such as restraint reduction, and building relationally responsive classrooms. He was honored with the Reich College of Education’s Outstanding Teacher Award in 2018–2019 and has led or participated in several funded projects on crisis deescalation and social-emotional curricula, most recently supporting rural special education teachers.

His published work includes peer-reviewed articles in the Journal of Emotional and Behavioral Disorders, Intervention in School and Clinic, and Educational Research Review, among others.

Dr. Van Loan holds a doctorate and a master’s degree in special education from the University of Florida and a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Florida State University.