Dr. Ruby L. Owiny is an associate professor of special education at Minnesota State University, Mankato, in the Department of Special Education. Previously, she was an associate professor at Trinity International University in Bannockburn, IL. She was also the director of the Division of Education and the Access Program, which supported students on the autism spectrum as they pursued their bachelor’s degree. She is an associate for 2Teach, an educational consulting company that provides training for school personnel in research-based strategies to improve outcomes for students in today’s inclusive classrooms. Prior to these roles, Dr. Owiny taught elementary education and special education to learners with learning disabilities, emotional and behavioral disorders, developmental delays, autism, and intellectual disabilities in Lexington, KY, primarily in Title I schools.

Dr. Owiny received her Ph.D. from the University of Kentucky and has published on the implementation of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and evidence-based practices. Her most recent co-authored work will be available in early 2024, a book on the high-leverage practices, The Practical Guide to High-Leverage Practices in Special Education: The Purposeful “How” to Enhance Classroom Rigor. Her co-authored book, Special Education in Today’s Diverse Classrooms: Meeting the Needs of Students with Exceptionalities, will be available in September 2025. She is also preparing two manuscripts based on two research projects she conducted: lesson implementation using Universal Design for Learning (UDL) in the classroom and the use of simulation to train pre-service teachers to conduct and implement functional behavior assessments and behavior intervention plans. She frequently presents on how to meet the needs of students with disabilities through inclusive practices. Finally, Dr. Owiny is active in the Council for Exceptional Children, leading the workgroup that supports the Student Teacher Support Network, and is also active in the Teacher Education Division (TED) of CEC, serving as a former president of TED (2021).

With this professional experience and expertise, Dr. Owiny collaborates with schools to develop and continually improve inclusive learning environments. She also partners with caregivers to ensure their child receives instruction using best practices, tailored to their needs, with a well-designed Individualized Education Program (IEP), which is specific to the individual needs of their child and is implemented appropriately.

Memberships

Council for Exceptional Children (CEC)

Teacher Education Division (TED) of CEC

Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA; NOTE: membership as an advocate only)

National Association of Special Educators (NASET)

Certifications

IL Early Childhood (Birth to 3 years)

IL Special Education, LBSI (Preschool - Transition)