Xiomara Lara

My name is Xiomara, and I have dedicated more than 20 years to the field of early childhood education, including 16 years teaching Pre-K 3 students. Throughout my career, I have worked with children from diverse backgrounds and abilities, developing a passion for creating inclusive learning environments where all children can thrive. In addition to my classroom experience, I spent six years working as a school administrator, which provided me with valuable leadership and educational management experience.

My educational journey has been driven by a desire to better serve children with diverse learning needs. I have completed coursework in special education, including topics such as human exceptionality, neurodiversity, educational law, individualized education programs (IEPs), and evidence-based practices for supporting students with disabilities. These experiences strengthened my commitment to advocating for inclusive education and supporting young children with exceptionalities.

Currently, I am pursuing a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) degree with a focus on Special Education. My research interests center on preschool teachers' preparedness to support children displaying characteristics of autism in inclusive classrooms. I am particularly interested in understanding how teachers without special education certification perceive their readiness to meet the needs of autistic learners and identifying gaps between classroom expectations and available training.

Through my doctoral studies, I hope to expand my knowledge of educational research, contribute meaningful findings to the field of early childhood special education, and help improve professional development opportunities for educators. Looking toward the future, I plan to continue serving the education community, potentially as an adjunct professor after retirement, while mentoring future educators and advocating for inclusive practices that benefit all learners. My ultimate goal is to use my experience, education, and research to create positive change for teachers, children, and families.