Laura McKenna is a life-long resident in Bergen County, New Jersey. Her sons have experienced the full range of public education, from AP classes to our autism program. She has 35 years of experience in education as a special education teacher, researcher, college professor, and writer. She holds a PhD with a specialization in politics and education policy. She held leadership positions on the LSHSA, organized social activities for autistic youth, supported special education parents with the transition from high school, and is the administrator for the local special education Facebook page, which serves over 700 parents and special education staff. When our town had a staffing crisis last year, she got her certification and now works every Thursday as a substitute paraprofessional in the local autism program.