Leia Henaghan

Leia Henaghan serves as a Lecturer and Clinical Coach in the Education Department at Western Colorado University, bringing over a decade of K-12 special education experience and Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) credentials to her role. She develops behavioral programming for students with emotional/behavioral disabilities and significant support needs, teaching courses including EDU 415/615, EDU 411/611, and EDU 433/633 while consulting for Gunnison Watershed School District.

Her academic preparation includes:

• G.Cert. in Applied Behavior Analysis, University of Colorado Denver (2023)
• M.Ed. in Special Education, University of Phoenix (2012)
• BA in Outdoor Education, Western Colorado University (2004)

Her professional focus centers on evidence-based interventions for students with disabilities, emphasizing life skills development and personalized accommodations. She designs behavioral programming to build student confidence and achieve individualized goals, particularly for those with emotional/behavioral challenges and significant support requirements. Her work bridges clinical behavior analysis with classroom implementation to foster inclusive educational environments.

Leia actively shapes special education practitioners through her MA in Special Education and Alternative Licensure programs, highlighting the field's meaningful impact on student outcomes. She champions practical strategies for facilitating systemic change in education while maintaining strong community connections through local school district partnerships.