Sara Velia Niño, EDC training and technical assistance (TTA) associate, is an expert in strengthening educational systems and a scholar-practitioner. She brings 20 years of experience in enhancing students’ academic success and well-being through centering lived experiences and supporting the use of effective practices to improve instruction and administration. She brings extensive expertise in TTA and facilitation, K–12 education, early childhood education, early intervention, adult learning, family engagement, research, and policy analysis.

Niño is a key member of EDC’s Massachusetts Multi-Tiered Systems of Support Academy team. Before joining EDC, she held leadership, faculty, senior TTA, and educational consultant positions.

Niño is a published author and frequent presenter. She was the lead developer of the online hub English Learners with Disabilities and wrote multiple hub resources.

Niño holds an MEd in Special Education from California State University-Fullerton. She is a doctoral candidate at UMass Boston in the Urban Education, Leadership, and Policy Studies program.