Brennan (he/him) is a doctoral candidate in the LD/BD program at The University of Texas at Austin. He is a doctoral scholar with the National Center for Intensive Intervention (NCLII-2). Before pursuing his doctoral studies, Brennan began his teaching career as a general educator in Nebraska. After relocating to New York City, Brennan worked as a special education teacher at a specialized, independent school for students with twice-exceptionalities. His work in the field prompted him to pursue his PhD to study effective intensive intervention methods for students with dyslexia, with a particular focus on spelling intervention.

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Beth (she/her or they/them) received her B.A. in Education and Child Study from Smith College. She graduated from the University of Washington with an M.Ed. with a concentration in Low Incidence Disabilities. She worked for five years as a secondary special education teacher before embarking on her PhD journey. Beth is currently a doctoral student in the Equity and Diversity in Special Education program at UT Austin. She works on both GoKAR! (Kids Against Racism) and Project EXPERT. Her research is focused on self-determination, as well as culturally responsive and equitable practices within special education.

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Erica (she/her) received her B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies from Texas State University where she studied Special Education. She graduated from New York University with an M.A. in Sociology of Education with a policy concentration. She worked in schools for 23 years as a special education teacher and administrator. Erica is a doctoral candidate in the LD/BD program at UT Austin. She works on Project EXPERT, and her research is focused on professional development for teachers of students with disabilities.

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Emily (she/her) is a doctoral student in the LD/BD program at The University of Texas at Austin. Emily received her master’s degree in special education with an emphasis in dyslexia from Midwestern State University. She is a Certified Academic Language Therapist and trained in the Take Flight program through the Scottish Rite Hospital. Before joining the PhD program, Emily was a special education teacher and dyslexia interventionist in Austin ISD. Here research interests are teacher knowledge of reading instruction and social-emotional outcomes for students with dyslexia.

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Elizabeth (she/her) is a doctoral student in the LD/BD program at The University of Texas at Austin. She is a doctoral scholar with the National Center for Leadership on Intensive Intervention (NCLII-2). Elizabeth has her M.S. in special education focusing on behavior disorders and positive behavior supports from Texas State University. Prior to beginning her PhD at UT Austin, she led a behavior inclusion program in San Marcos CISD. She aims to conduct research that will improve screening and interventions that target the emotional and academic effects of trauma.

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Sarah (she/her) received her M.H.S. from Johns Hopkins University where she studied school-based mental health prevention and intervention. Sarah went on to earn an M.A. at Case Western Reserve University, where she specialized in pediatric psychology. Her research interests focus on integrating cognitive, behavioral, and socio-emotional strategies within academic interventions. Sarah is currently a doctoral candidate in the LD/BD program at UT Austin.

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Raquel (she/her) is a doctoral student in the LD/BD program at The University of Texas at Austin. She is completing her master's in education with a certificate in technology, information, and communication from European University of the Atlantic. Raquel has been a teacher in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil for over 20 years and has taught across grade levels, content areas, and settings. Her research interests focus on use of media tools to enhance reading instruction for students with learning disabilities.

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