Dr. Julie M. Lane, Ed.D. is an educator, scholar, and advocate with more than three decades of experience advancing special education programming, inclusion, and cultural reciprocity across diverse school settings. She has served as Associate Professor at Abilene Christian University and Fresno Pacific University, where she teaches, advises doctoral students, and leads research focused on creating welcoming, effective educational environments for children with disabilities in private, faith-based, and international schools.
Before entering the field of special education, Dr. Lane enjoyed a successful career as a professional harpist, an experience that shaped her deep appreciation for creativity, discipline, and the whole child. This early professional path ultimately informed her transition into education, where she brought an artist’s sensitivity and a leader’s vision to the development of inclusive programs. Over the course of her career, she has designed and launched special education programs, realigned credential pathways to meet state standards, and led institutional initiatives that strengthened both academic rigor and school climate.
Her research agenda centers on special education program design, cultural reciprocity, and school environments that foster belonging and dignity for all learners. Dr. Lane has published extensively on inclusion, Child Find partnerships between public and private schools, international special education practices, and the intersection of faith and disability in school contexts. She is also a contributing editor for several academic journals and a leader in professional organizations dedicated to exceptional education.
Grounded in Christian faith and a lifelong commitment to service, Dr. Lane partners with parents, educators, and institutions to navigate complex educational systems with clarity and compassion. She believes every student and family deserves to feel welcomed, respected, and valued, regardless of their beliefs, backgrounds, or lifestyles, and is committed to fostering a community where diversity is honored and everyone can belong safely and fully. She is particularly committed to supporting families through key transitions and helping them understand assessments, school structures, and systems of support so that children with disabilities are educated with dignity, purpose, and belonging.
Dr. Alexus Elkins is an accomplished educational leader and emerging research analyst, currently living in Corpus Christi, Texas. She brings extensive experience in instructional leadership, campus administration, and special education systems, with a strong focus on data-informed decision-making and continuous improvement. Dr. Elkins is recognized as an organized, goal-oriented, and service-driven professional who approaches complex challenges with a solution-focused mindset, high expectations, and a commitment to equity for all learners.
Dr. Elkins earned her Doctorate of Education in Organizational Leadership from Abilene Christian University, where her work emphasized perceived barriers in special education, organizational effectiveness, and the use of data to drive sustainable change. She also holds a Master of Education in Special Education from Texas Tech University and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Texas A&M University–College Station, providing a strong interdisciplinary foundation in human behavior, research-informed practice, and educational systems.
Currently, Dr. Elkins serves as a Campus Administrator for a Pre-K through 2nd grade campus in Calallen Independent School District, supporting instructional leadership, campus operations, and student success initiatives. Previously, she served as Principal of a PreK through 5th grade campus in Ricardo Independent School District, where she led the alignment of curriculum, assessment, and intervention practices. In this role, she analyzed student performance data, implemented evidence-based instructional systems, monitored program effectiveness, and supported educators through strategic staffing, professional development, and change management.
Earlier in her career, Dr. Elkins worked as a Special Education Teacher, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams and families to develop and monitor Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). Her work included progress monitoring, differentiation for intervention and enrichment, and ensuring compliance while maintaining a strong focus on student growth and outcomes.
Dr. Elkins holds numerous certifications and advanced trainings related to instructional leadership, special education, assessment, and program evaluation. She is deeply passionate about special education research, data analysis, and translating findings into practical, student-centered solutions to support and improve educational outcomes.
Educational Consultant | Instructional Leadership | Inclusive Practices
Dr. Sonya Woodfork is an educational consultant and instructional leader with extensive experience supporting early childhood and elementary educators, campus leaders, and district teams in strengthening instructional practices and advancing inclusive education. She brings a research-informed, practice-based approach to improving teaching and learning across diverse educational settings.
Dr. Woodfork earned her Doctor of Education degree from Abilene Christian University in December 2024. Her dissertation, Understanding Barriers of General Education Teachers Implementing Inclusive Practices, informs her consulting work by addressing the systemic, instructional, and professional learning challenges educators face when implementing inclusive practices in general education classrooms.
With a professional background that includes service as an elementary assistant principal, principal, instructional support specialist, early childhood consultant, and ECSE educator, Dr. Woodfork offers a comprehensive understanding of curriculum design, instructional coaching, and school improvement. She has successfully partnered with teachers and administrators to analyze data, design responsive instruction, build professional learning communities, and implement developmentally appropriate practices that support student achievement.
Dr. Woodfork’s consulting expertise includes facilitating professional learning for educators, mentoring instructional leaders, conducting classroom observations and needs assessments, and supporting districts with curriculum alignment, inclusive instructional strategies, and early literacy development. She has extensive experience in special education compliance, IEP development, and collaborative service delivery models that promote access and equity for all learners.
As a former Early Childhood Consultant, Dr. Woodfork has designed and delivered customized professional development aligned to state standards, Head Start expectations, and district goals, with a focus on emergent literacy, language development, and effective instructional practices in early learning environments. She is a skilled communicator known for building trust, fostering collaboration, and supporting sustainable change.
Dr. Woodfork holds Texas certifications in Special Education EC–12, Generalist EC–6, and Principal EC–12, along with advanced training in educational leadership and the T-TESS evaluation system. Her work is grounded in data-driven decision-making, adult learning theory, and a commitment to inclusive, high-quality education.
In addition to her professional work, Dr. Woodfork values family and service. She has been married for 31 years and is the proud parent of three adult children. In her spare time, Dr. Woodfork is heavily involved in serving her community and has been an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated for 37 years.