معرفی
Dr. Heather Walter is an Assistant Professor of Special Education at George Mason University's College of Education and Human Development (CEHD), with affiliations to the Helen A. Kellar Institute for Human Disabilities and the Interdisciplinary Center for Research and Development in Teacher Education. She holds an EdD from George Washington University and specializes in early childhood special education, teacher well-being, and workforce retention. Her research integrates mixed methods and implementation science to address systemic challenges in educational equity and organizational effectiveness.
Key research interests include educator well-being measurement, policy-driven systems change, and cross-disciplinary collaboration. Notable achievements include the 2021 AERA Dissertation Award and a Spencer Foundation grant for special education burnout studies. She leads federally funded projects (OSEP) and advises on wellbeing initiatives at institutional levels, including GMU’s Mental Health Wellbeing Task Force.
- Education: EdD in Special Education from George Washington University
- Grants: Spencer Foundation Small Grant (2023), OSEP-funded research
- Service: Board Chair of a private school, VA Early Intervention Consortium member, and national education organizations
Walter teaches courses on inclusive education, early childhood intervention, and special education policy. Her recent publications focus on teacher resilience during crises, chronic illness student well-being, and frameworks for embedding wellbeing into educational systems.
