"All I want is an education, and I am afraid of no one."

- Malala Yousafzai

Susan Owens is a long-time Direct Instruction coach, trainer, and implementer. Ms. Owens has been working with DI programs since the early days of the curriculum, as she was a DI teacher and DI Program Implementer for the Learning Disabilities Department of Milwaukee Public Schools from 1976-2002. Her expertise with the program allowed her to develop and present an undergraduate course in DI design and program training at Carthage College in Wisconsin in the late 90s. From 2007-2012, Susan introduced DI and managed the DI implementation at Genesee Lake School in Oconomowoc, WI, a residential school that serves students on the Autism Spectrum. Susan has worked as a DI Coach and Trainer, providing helpful feedback and analysis to ensure quality implementations for over 30 years.

Susan received a B.S. in Early Childhood Education, Cum Laude with Departmental Honors, from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. She followed that up with an M.A. in Special Education from Cardinal Stritch University before returning to the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee for Post-Master’s work in Educational Administration, as well as Emotional Disturbance and Cognitive Disabilities.