Emily Ropars has worked in early childhood education for more than 20 years with a passion for equity in educational opportunities and inclusion for all children. She holds a master’s degree in special education with a specialization in early intervention and early childhood special education. Ms. Ropars’s experience includes providing early intervention services as a developmental therapist, as well as working in all early childhood settings as a teacher, coach and administrator: lab preschool, childcare, Head Start, and private schools. She uses her experiences across the early childhood systems to engage educators and administrators in intentionally facilitated professional learning, and to provide technical assistance and coaching. In addition to her work as an inclusion specialist, she is the Past President of the Illinois chapter of the Division for Early Childhood of the Council for Exceptional Children and is an appointed member of DCFS’s CDLAC Board.