Education
Ph.D., Texas Tech University, Special Education, 2014
M.Ed., University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Educating for Diversity, 2005,
B.A., University of Texas at Austin, Studio Art, 1999
M.Ed., University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Educating for Diversity, 2005,
B.A., University of Texas at Austin, Studio Art, 1999
Schools
Departments
Biography
Dr. Tara Mason is an Assistant Professor of Inclusive Education with 20 years of special education and assistive technology teaching experience. She teaches and advises students in the special education licensure program here at Western Colorado University. Dr. Mason’s special education public school background encompasses working with students across the continuum of learning needs in general education and special education programs. Additionally, Dr. Mason has a background working with students with Visual Impairments as a teacher of students with visual impairments (TVI). Her research focuses on learning, accessibility, and student empowerment; technology and Universal Design for Learning (UDL); trauma-informed teaching practices; and equitable teaching and assessment practices to support students using a strength-based student learning framework. Dr. Mason believes we must celebrate student strengths, identities, and cultural backgrounds. We can achieve this goal by having tough conversations with teacher candidates about diversity and inequity in our schools, and empowering future educators to be student advocates and teacher leaders in their buildings.