Laurie L. Wellner

Dr. Laurie L. Wellner serves as Deputy Chair of Education and Special Education at Touro University's Graduate School of Education in New York. She specializes in teacher education, autism, special education, organizational leadership, ADHD, trust theory, ethics in education, and stakeholder collaboration for educational improvement. With over 30 years of experience, Dr. Wellner's career includes service in California public schools as both general and special education teachers, special education administrator, and higher education faculty and leadership roles. She earned her EdD in Organizational Leadership from the University of La Verne, California. Her scholarly contributions include articles, book chapters, an edited book for early career teachers, a meta-analysis on trust theory, and a curriculum guide for Applied Behavior Analysis. Dr. Wellner presents research internationally, including at Cambridge University, UK, and conferences in Ireland, Los Angeles, and Hawaii. She regularly chairs doctoral dissertations and has participated in accreditation proceedings with WASC, NATE, and CAEP. Since 2017, she has served on California's Advisory Committee for Cognia. A sought-after speaker, Dr. Wellner addresses school sites, districts, charter schools, parent groups, and educational organizations. Throughout her career, Dr. Wellner has remained a passionate advocate for students, families, and educators. Her work has directly shaped teacher preparation programs, special education practices, and school leadership approaches. She continues to influence how we understand and improve education for all learners.