About Me
Hi, I’m Dr. Nancy Welsh-Young—educator, researcher, and founder of Research Ready Educator, LLC. I hold a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction with a focus on Special Education Transition from the University of Arkansas, where I was honored to serve as an OSEP Scholar and a Doctoral Academy Fellow from 2020 to 2024.
My research centers on evidence-based practices that improve outcomes for students with behavioral support needs. My dissertation investigated the effects of an interdependent group contingency (CW-FIT MS Tier 1) on classroom behavior, teacher-student relationships, and academic performance in inclusive secondary settings.
In addition to my doctorate, I earned graduate certificates in Educational Statistics and Research Methods and in Special Education Transition Services—because I believe in the power of data-informed strategies and strong post-school planning for all learners.
Now, I help educators and families translate research into real-world strategies that support neurodivergent students, especially in the areas of executive functioning, IEP implementation, technology, and behavior skills. I'm so glad you're here.
Welcome
to Our Site
At Research Ready Educator, LLC, we believe that every student—especially neurodivergent learners—deserves access to strategies that work. Founded by Dr. Nancy Welsh-Young, our mission is to bridge the gap between special education research and real-world practice.
We equip educators and families with research-based professional development, practical tools, and expert guidance focused on executive functioning, IEP implementation, and structured literacy. Whether you're in the classroom, at the IEP table, or supporting learners at home, we're here to help you feel confident, informed, and empowered.
Through workshops, digital resources, and actionable content, Research Ready Educator transforms complex research into strategies you can use right now—because when educators are ready, students thrive.
Services
At Research Ready Educator, LLC, we support educators, schools, and families with evidence-based strategies designed to meet the unique needs of neurodivergent learners. Our services focus on practical application, empowering those who work with students every day.
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Whether you're a teacher looking for real strategies, a school leader building capacity, or a caregiver navigating special education systems—Research Ready Educator is here to help!
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Workshops & Speaking Engagements
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Customizable professional development for schools and districts
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In-person or virtual workshops on executive functioning, behavior supports, and transition
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Guest speaking for conferences, school teams, or parent organizations
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Behavior Skills & Classroom Management
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Behavior intervention training grounded in research-based practices
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Tiered strategies for classroom behavior support, including group contingencies
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Coaching and consulting for implementing proactive, inclusive management systems
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Practical tools for improving teacher-student relationships and classroom climate
IEPs and Transition Planning
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Guidance on writing measurable, meaningful IEP goals
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Support with transition planning and services for secondary students
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Family-centered tools to improve collaboration at the IEP table
Honors and Awards
CEC Leadership Institute Trainee · (2024-2025)
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DCDT Graduate Student Research Scholarship awardee · (2024)
Graduate Professional Student Congress Academic Prowess Award—University of Arkansas · (2024)
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Graduate Professional Student Congress Outreach Award—Issued by at the University of Arkansas - Fayetteville · (May 2023)
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Best Literature Review Kaleidoscope Poster Winner—Issued by Council for Exceptional Children - Teacher Education Division · Oct 2021
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AR/MS LEND Trainee · (2021)​
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Doctoral Academy Fellow—Issued by University of Arkansas · Aug 2020
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OSEP Scholar · (2020-2024)
Published Articles
Criss, C. J., Welsh-Young, N., Kearley, A. N. K., & Nelson, J. (2025). Empowering educators to advocate locally, statewide, and nationally. Journal of Special Education Preparation, 5(1), 16–25. https://doi.org/10.33043/r384362a
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Young, N., (2024). Effects of an interdependent group contingency on classroom behavior and teacher-student relationships for students with behavioral support needs: An initial investigation of CW-FIT MS tier 1 in inclusive secondary settings. A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of doctor of philosophy in curriculum and instruction. University of Arkansas. ProQuest Dissertations & Theses, 2024 ( 31486445).
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Welsh-Young, N., Merry, K., & Kucharczyk, S. (2024). Creating Dynamic Community
Resource Maps for Transition Planning. Inclusive Practices.
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Kroesch, A.M., Southall, S., Welsh-Young, N., Peeples, K.N. (2024). Paraprofessionals'
Implementation of Constant Time Delay Procedures with Elementary Students with
High-Intensity Behavioral Support Needs. Behavioral Disorders.
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Speight, R. & Welsh-Young, N. (2023, May 13). Improving Secondary Student Classroom Behavior with an Interdependent Group Contingency. Teaching Exceptional Children. https://doi.org/10.1177/00400599231180272
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Sreckovic, M., Kucharczyk, S., Schultz, T., & Welsh-Young, N., (2023). Coming out Autistic at Work: A Review of the Literature. Autism: International Journal of Research and Practice.
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Welsh-Young, N. (2021, January 1). Organizing virtual learning materials for students with autism. Autism Spectrum News. https://autismspectrumnews.org/organizing-virtual-learning-materials-for-students-with-autism/
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Welsh-Young, N., Kucharczyk, S., & Sreckovic, M. (2022, October 25) Disclosure of disability in the workplace: Using video modeling for employability skills (pp. 5–8). Career Development and Transition for Exceptional Individuals (CDTEI). Volume 45 (2)
Presentations
Welsh-Young, N. (2024, October 6) It's Never Too Late to Try a Behavior Strategy: Using
CW-FIT MS, an Interdependent Group Contingency, with High School Students. Invited
speaker: Recipient of Graduate Student Research award. In-person. DCDT, Chantilly, VA.
Welsh-Young, N. (2024, March 15) Noncompliance is a Social Skill: Supporting At-Risk Youth
in K-12 Schools. In-person. Council for Exceptional Children. San Antonio, TX.
Welsh-Young, N. (2024, March 15) Improving Secondary Behavior with Group Contingencies.
In-person. Council for Exceptional Children. San Antonio, TX.
Welsh-Young, N. (2024, February 6) Navigating an IEP Meeting for Your CASA Child. In-person.
CASA of Sebastian County. Fort Smith, AR.
Welsh-Young, N. (2024, January 17) Trauma-Focused Supports for Autistic Youth. Poster session,
Division on Autism and Developmental Disabilities (DADD). Honolulu, HI.
Welsh-Young, N. (2023, October 31) Training and Supervising Paraprofessionals to Use
Constant Time Delay with Elementary Students. In-Person, TED. Long Beach CA.
Welsh-Young, N. (2023, October 19) Creating Large Scale Digital Community Resource Maps for
Students with Disabilities. In-Person, DCDT. Reno, NV.
Welsh-Young, N. (2023, July 17) Navigating the IEP Meeting for Your CASA Child.
In-Person. CASA of Crawford County In-Service Training. Van Buren, AR.
Welsh-Young, N., & Merry, K. (2023, June 27) Creating Digital Community Resource Maps
for Students with Disabilities. In-Person. ISTE. Philadelphia, PA.
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Welsh-Young, N., Oswalt, A.K. (2023, June 27) Top Ten Job Search Skills for Youth with
Disabilities. Virtual. Zarrow Center. Norman, OK
Welsh-Young, N., (2023, June 23) What CASAs Do to Support Family Reunification.
In-Person. 100 Families Alliance. Van Buren, AR
Welsh-Young, N., & Merry, K. (2023, February 27) Training Regional Transition
Coordinators in Developing Digital Community Resource Maps for Students with Disabilities.
Virtual. Arkansas Transition Services. Little Rock, AR.
Welsh-Young, N., Oswalt, A.K., Michaud, C.L. (2022, December 3) Video Modeling: A
Simple Tool for Teaching Employability Skills. In-person. The Association for the Severely
Handicapped (TASH); Phoenix, AZ
Welsh-Young, N. & Speight, R. (2022, November 11) Enhancing Teacher Readiness with
CW-FIT: A Classroom Management System. In-person. Teacher Education Division - Council
for Exceptional Children (TED-CEC). Richmond, VA.
Welsh-Young, N., (2022, November 4) Pilot Study: Lived Experiences of Caregivers and
Emerging Adults with Emotional Behavioral Disorders in Transitioning into Adulthood from
an Alternative Learning Environment. In-person. Division on Career Development and
Transition (DCDT) Conference. Little Rock, AR.
Welsh-Young, N., Merry, K., & Keys, E.N. (2022, May 17). Community Resource Mapping.
In-person and virtual. Division on Career Development and Transition (DCDT) Conference.
Myrtle Beach, SC.
Merry, K & Welsh-Young, N., (2022, May 17). Using productivity apps with parents for
school to work. Pre-recorded virtual. Division on Career Development and Transition
(DCDT) Conference.
Welsh-Young, N., Merry, K., Russell, G., & Clark, A. (2022, April 21) Special Education
IDEA, 504 & Legal Aspects Overview. Live via Zoom. Leaders in Education for
Neurodiversity (LEND). University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS), Little Rock,
AR.
Sreckovic, M., Kucharczyk, S., Schultz, T., & Welsh-Young, N., (2022, February 1-4). ASD
disclosure at work: Experiences of employees, employers, and co-workers. Virtual. Council
for Exceptional Children (CEC) Conference.
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Michaud, C.& Welsh-Young, N., (2022, January 28). Going Above and Beyond for Families:
Why Bother? In-person. Division on Autism and Developmental Disabilities (DADD)
Conference. Clearwater Beach, FL.
Oswalt, A.K. & Welsh-Young, N., (2021, December 5). Video Modeling: A Simple Tool to
Enhance Student Learning of Basic Skills. Virtual. TASH Conference.
Mitchell, W. & Welsh-Young, N., (2021, December 2). Enhancing Interagency Collaboration
Using a Family-Centered Planning Approach. Virtual. TASH Conference.
Welsh-Young, N. (2021, November 4). Using high leverage practices to engage families
through technology. Poster presentation. Teacher Education Division - Council for
Exceptional Children
