Jade Wexler, Ph.D. is an associate professor of special education and the inaugural College of Education Impact Professor at the University of Maryland. Her current research focuses on improving literacy outcomes for secondary students with reading difficulties and disabilities, via teacher professional development and establishment of sustainable school-wide literacy models. Dr. Wexler has been the principal and co-principal investigator on several federally funded adolescent literacy-focused grants totaling approximately $8M. She has published over 55 articles in peer-reviewed journals and co-authored three books about adolescent literacy. As a former high school special education and reading teacher, Dr. Wexler aims to bring her practical experience in the field to her research and greatly values her school partners.