Mark Alter, PhD is a Professor of Educational Psychology at New York University and was the founding chair of the Department of Teaching and Learning and served as Chair for 14 years. . He has an extensive record of publications , national and international workshops and funded grants in the field of special education. He was granted A Fulbright Senior Specialist award to Viet Nam and was awarded The NYU Distinguished Teaching award. Alter has experience as an assistant teacher and teacher with students with severe and profound disabilities, as well as a PhD from Yeshiva University in special education. He has an international presence, most recently in Romania, Crete , Brazil, Italy & Argentina discussing special education, teacher education and early childhood education