Dr. Kanishia Porter is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction at Texas Southern University. She holds both a master’s and a doctorate in Special Education from Southern University and A&M College. With 25 years of experience in the field, Dr. Porter began her career as a special education teacher in the K–12 setting.  After five years of classroom teaching, she pursued a new professional path as an educational diagnostician to expand her expertise in identifying and supporting students with learning challenges. In this role, she conducted psychoeducational evaluations and collaborated with teams on programming and postsecondary outcomes for students with disabilities. Currently, Dr. Porter prepares future educators through courses in introductory special education, inclusive educational practices, school and community collaboration, and assessment and evaluation. Her research interests include best instructional strategies for neurodivergent learners, Universal Design for Learning (UDL), teacher preparation and professional development, access to higher education, and family engagement.