Benjamin Tillotson received his M.Ed. from the University of Utah in Special Education - Severe Disabilities. Ben recently started his 12th year as a special education teacher and 14th year working in special education. He currently works with students with high incidence disabilities at a junior high school. Ben has previously worked with students with extensive support needs at the elementary, high school, and post-high settings. For seven years he co-taught at the SCORE Transition Academy in Salt Lake City School District that he co-developed. Ben formerly served on the board and as president of Utah Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) and has enjoyed serving the past three years on the international board of directors for the Council for Exceptional Children. In partnership with the Utah Global Diplomacy, Ben has hosted groups from the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and Europe as part of the U.S. Department of State’s, International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP). Ben also works for Global Education Allies (GEA) leading groups of educators on international professional development tours in North America, Europe, Asia, Australia, and Africa. This summer he led a tour in Scandinavia and the Baltics and recently returned from the South Pacific program. On these tours, participants learn teaching strategies and how their unique cultural, political, and economical systems impact education. In 2021, Ben received the Outstanding Alumni Award from the University of Utah’s Special Education Department for his work in transition and with pre-service teachers. In his spare time Ben loves to travel, rock climb, hike, play music, make art, write, buy plants, and spend time with his family and friends.