Entrepreneur, #1 Best-Selling author, motivational speaker and more.

I’m Rebecca Engle, a special education teacher, educational policy advocate, author, and public speaker dedicated to advancing disability-inclusive education grounded in dignity, access, and lived experience. As a former IEP student who was nonverbal until the age of four, my work is shaped by firsthand knowledge of how systems can either silence students or help them thrive. Today, I design affirming, student-centered classrooms and learning environments for students with complex support needs, particularly those who are autistic, nonspeaking, or sensory-sensitive.

My teaching philosophy centers regulation, communication, autonomy, and respect. Rather than compliance-based approaches, I prioritize nervous-system safety, meaningful engagement, and individualized supports that honor each learner’s humanity. I hold a B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies with concentrations in literacy, history, and special education, as well as a Master of Education in Educational Policy, with a focus on special education systems and law.

My professional experience spans a wide range of educational and community-based roles. I have supported refugee students using AI-based translation tools, taught and mentored nonverbal and emotionally sensitive students, and designed curriculum and sensory-informed behavior supports across diverse settings. In addition to classroom teaching, I provide nationwide IEP coaching, helping families understand goals, advocate effectively, and navigate special education processes from a place of empowerment rather than fear. My work also includes trauma-aware care, inclusive event planning, and professional learning for educators seeking neurodiversity-affirming practices.

My advocacy and leadership have been recognized globally. I am a Top 3 finalist for the Shyla Day Global Most Inspiring Educator Award, a nominee for the H-E-B Excellence in Education Award, and a recipient of the Guardians of Tomorrow Award. I am an international best-selling author. Through my writing and speaking, I amplify neurodivergent voices and challenge outdated educational systems.

I currently serve on multiple nonprofit boards, including Autism Community Network’s Experts by Experience and I am a Volunteer with the Alliance Against Seclusion and Restraint, contributing lived-experience-driven perspectives to national conversations on disability rights and education reform. Whether mentoring families, leading trainings, or building inclusive classrooms, my mission remains the same: to make education truly accessible, equitable, and human.