This article presents an interview with James Kauffman, a professor emeritus of education at the University of Virginia, where he has been chair of the Department of Special Education, associate dean for research, the Charles S. Robb Professor of Education, and the William Clay Parrish, Jr. Professor of Education. Dr. Kauffman is a former teacher in both general elementary and special education for students with emotional and behavioral disorders. Kauffman received his EdD in special education from the University of Kansas in 1969. He is a past president of the Council for Children with Behavioral Disorders (CCBD) and served as coeditor (with Frederick Brigham) of "Behavioral Disorders" from 1999 to 2002. He served as director of doctoral study in special education and has taught seminars in special education. In this interview, Dr. Kauffman shares how he got into the field of the educating students with emotional and behavioral disorders. He also shares his thoughts on understanding and teaching students with emotional behavioral disorders. (Contains 1 note.)