Dr. Elder's research focuses on the development of sustainable inclusive education practices in under-resourced schools. Specifically, in his work he utilizes a critical disability studies lens to examine the intersections of disability, poverty, and education. During the 2015-16 academic year, he conducted his doctoral research in Kenya as a Fulbright scholar. Dr. Elder has published in a variety of top-tier international and US-based academic journals. He teaches undergraduate, master's, and doctoral courses on Disability Studies, inclusive education, and special education methods courses. B.A., Psychology & Art History, University of California, Santa Barbara; M.Ed., Special Education, University of California, Santa Barbara; Ph.D., Special Education, Syracuse University;C.A.S., Disability Studies;C.A.S., Leadership and Management in Non-Governmental Organizations

Co-InstructorCritical Disability Studies: Underrepresentation and the Global South - Spring 2016Co-Instructor Critical Issues in Dis/Ability and Inclusion- Summer 2015Co-Instructor Inclusive Professional Practices in Special Education- Spring 2015Co-InstructorPerspectives on Disability- Fall 2014Instructor of RecordSeminar in Education- Spring 2014Teaching Strategies for Inclusive Education- Spring 2013TA/Co-InstructorDifferentiation for Inclusion Education- Fall 2013Teaching Strategies for Inclusive Education- Fall 2012Invited Class PresentationsGRADUATE COURSESStudent Teaching Seminar for Mod./Sev. Disabilities- From Exclusion to Inclusion General Counseling Methods- Non-Pathologizing Approaches to DisabilityResearch Methods in Counseling- Ethnography and Participatory Research in KenyaInternational Human Rights and Comparative Disability Law- Inclusive Education in the Global SouthCritical Issues in Dis/Ability and Inclusion- State of the Nation: Inclusive Education in KenyaAround the World for Inclusive Education- Firsthand Experiences with Inclusion in Western KenyaResearch Methods in Counseling- Life History Interviews: Refugees with DisabilitiesUNDERGRADUATE COURSESInternational Education for Transformation- Disability in VietnamStudent Teaching Seminar/Inclusive Education- Resumes, Interviews, and edTPADevelopmental Issues of College Age Adults- Teaching for International Inclusion and Social Justice Introduction to Teaching for Non-Education Majors- Supporting Struggling Students

-Designed and implemented a research project aimed at the development of an inclusive education system in western Kenya as outlined by Article 24 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities-Collaborated with 20 teachers in eight schools to provide “no-cost” inclusive strategies to include students with disabilities in primary schools -Founded an inclusion committee with members who are primary and special education teachers, community members with and without disabilities, parents of children with and without disabilities, students with and without disabilities, school administrators, and members of the local and national Ministry of Education -Observed teacher implementation of inclusive strategies in primary school classrooms

-Collaborated with the Ministry of Education in Mbita District-Consulted with seven schools to assess inclusive practices for students with disabilities -Held community forums to discuss views on disability in the region -Assessed teacher attitudes on inclusion at seven school sites

InstructorED 229 H: Working with Stakeholders in Special Education- March 2012-June 2012 ED 228 C: Learners with Severe Disabilities, Functional Academics, and Inclusion- August 2010-June 2012 Co-InstructorED 360 W: ELD/SDAIE Methods- August 2010-June 2012M.Ed. FacilitatorDecember 2006- July 2012 -Supervised five to six graduate students to write and develop their M.Ed. projects

Special Education Teacher August 2004-July 2012-Founded an inclusive education program for students with autism at a public elementary school. -Provided systematic instruction to all students, including students with moderate/severe disabilities grades K-6-Wrote and monitored progress of Individualized Education Plans (IEP) for all students receiving special services with moderate/severe disabilities-Modified core curriculum in general education classes to provide access for all students-Supervised eight instructional assistants on best practices in education. -Collaborated with specialists in charge of implementing designated instruction services (DIS) for students with moderate/severe disabilities-Chair of Inclusion Committee, which oversaw the quality of inclusive practices -Collaborated with UCSB Teacher Education Program (TEP) on best instructional strategies for students with disabilities-Held regular Action Plan Meetings with parents, general education teachers, administrators, instructional assistants and DIS providers to assess effectiveness of education plans-Co-teaught in general education settings to facilitate successful inclusion of students with moderate/severe disabilities-Provided faculty and district-wide training sessions on behavioral supports, autism spectrum disorders (ASD), and curriculum modification and best inclusive practices -Provided an "Ability Awareness" program to all classes at Kellogg to educate students on how they can help students with disabilities find success academically and socially-Began a Peers at Lunch (PALs) program where typically developing students are encouraged to interact with students with disabilitiesCooperating TeacherStudent Teacher Supervisor- August 2004-July 2012

-Collaborated with the United States Embassy in Manama-Consulted with families to support the inclusion of family members with disabilities to better access family routines, schools, communities, and workplaces-Liaised with US Embassy attachés on the status and maintenance of the project -Held community forums to discuss views on disability in the region