Dr. Amber Bechard

Dr. Amber Bechard is an Associate Professor of Education in the Inclusive Education Program in LaFetra College of Education at University of La Verne. She serves as the Associate Director of Literacy and Outreach for the Center for Neurodiversity, Learning, and Wellness and is guiding the launch of the LaFetra College of Education dyslexia teacher training program. Dr. Bechard’s research interests include teacher preparation, inclusive education, co-teaching, multicultural education, dyslexia, Twice Exceptional children and global competency in teacher education. She teaches courses on assessment and literacy, and supports student teachers and interns in the schools. She offers professional development in dyslexia, differentiated instruction, co-teaching, Universal Design for Learning and multicultural education.

She has 28 years of experience as a classroom teacher in elementary, middle school and special education. Her practitioner expertise includes several years spent as a Curriculum Development Specialist and teacher in gifted and inclusive general education settings. She earned her Ed.D. in Curriculum & Instruction from Aurora University, her M.Ed. from National-Louis University and earned her Bachelor of Arts at the University of Redlands. She holds an Education Specialist Clear Credential earned at University of California Los Angeles, National Board for Certification in Early Adolescent Literacy and California Teaching Credentials in Elementary Education K-9, Middle School Language Arts & Social Science, Education Specialist PK-12.

Her recent publication, “One Teacher’s Journey: An examination of the link between evolving teacher identity and practice and the changing socio-political context of education,” published in Challenges Associated with Cross-Cultural and At-Risk Student Engagement, tells of her own evolution as an educator in rapidly changing times.