Thomas H. Bull G’89, G’19 is an assistant teaching professor and Director of the School of Education’s Bridge to the City program. He brings more than 35 years of expertise in inclusive education to the School.
Bull’s work centers on connecting aspiring teachers with transformative urban teaching experiences. In his role overseeing Bridge to the City, Bull recruits prospective student teachers, helps to manage SOE partnerships with New York City schools, and coordinates housing and supervision of student teachers in the city. He collaborates closely with the Syracuse University Fisher Center in NYC to ensure students have the support and resources they need to succeed in diverse urban classrooms.
Before joining Syracuse University full-time, Bull spent 16 years as a special education teacher at Long Branch Elementary School in the Liverpool (NY) Central School District, where he worked in a teacher leadership role to create a fully inclusive school community. His classroom experience ranged from inclusive kindergarten through sixth grade, and he was recognized twice as Long Branch Teacher of the Year. Bull also served as Director of Summer Shenanigans, an inclusive summer recreational program that reflected his commitment to creating communities and experiences welcoming to all students.
From 1989 to 1990, Bull worked as an inclusion specialist with York University in Ontario, conducting seminars and workshops throughout North America and Europe with renowned educators Dr. Marsha Forest and Dr. Jack Pearpoint, focusing on inclusion and social justice in schools.
At Syracuse University, Bull has served as SOE Director of Field Relations (2012-2023), maintaining partnerships with school districts and coordinating field placements for hundreds of teacher candidates. He has taught courses on collaboration for inclusive schooling and differentiating instruction and has served as a regional field facilitator for the S3TAIR Project, supporting schools in implementing evidence-based practices for students with disabilities.
Bull has presented on inclusive education practices, co-teaching strategies, and universal design for learning. He has served as a field placement coordinator and seminar co-instructor for the Fulbright Distinguished Awards in Teaching Program for International Teachers and on the Syracuse University Remembrance Scholarship Selection Committee. He holds an M.S. in Special Education (1989) and in Educational Leadership (2019) from the School of Education, and a B.S. in Special Education from SUNY Plattsburgh (1986).