Lara Francisco

Education Specialist, lfranc@uw.edu

Lara is an education specialist at the Haring Center for Inclusive Education. She received her Special Education Teaching Degree from Western Washington University and is continuing her upper-level studies at Seattle Pacific University’s School of Education. She has a Washington State Teaching Certificate for Elementary Education (K-8) as well as for Special Education (K-12).

Lara’s work focuses on inclusionary practices in the classroom while looking at the whole child – academic, behavior and social-emotional needs.  Understanding the importance of having strong internal systems, collaboration and the benefits of using a Multi-Tiered Support System, Lara often provides support in these areas as well.  

Prior to joining the Haring Center, Lara spent 25 years working in both the Highline and Seattle School Districts. She has been a resource room teacher, a 1st and 2nd grade teacher, a math specialist and an MTSS team member and lead. She has also received additional training in both Positive Discipline and Roots of Empathy.

Areas of expertise:

• Elementary Inclusion
• Inclusive Leadership and Systems
• Multi-Tiered Systems of Support
• Social and Emotional Skills
• Teaming and Collaboration

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