Education

M.Ed. in counseling, Stephen F. Austin State University, Nacogdoches, Texas, May 1983

B.S. Ed in Elementary & Special Education with concentration in rehabilitation,

Stephen F. Austin State University, May 1981.

Texas Professional Counselor Licensure (LPC), March 1987 - Present

Professional Experience

Founding Partner, The Institute for Person Centered Practices (a collaborative initiative between the Texas Center for Disability Studies at the University of Texas @ Austin and the Center on Disability and Development at Texas A&M University), 2010 www.person-centered-practices.org

Community Education Specialist, Texas Center for Disability Studies, The University of Texas at Austin, 2006 - present

Program Coordinator, Texas Project FIRST, Family to Family Network, 2006 - 2010

Program Coordinator, Texas Partners in Policymaking Program, 2001 - 2006

Program Coordinator, Texas Partners in Policymaking Program, 1998 - 2000

Self-employed Consultant/Trainer for Partners in Policymaking program, member of Partners in Policymaking National Faculty.  State programs include Utah, Nevada, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Delaware, Florida, North Dakota, North Carolina, Indiana, and Kentucky.

Trainer, Texas Parent to Parent Conference, August 2006.

Trainer at Inclusion Works! Conference, February 2003, 2005, 2006, and 2007.

Trainer for Community Leadership Development Project, 2001 - 2002.  

Conference Coordinator, Texas Partners in Policymaking Summer Institute, 1999.

LPC, Women's Center of East Texas, Longview, Texas (a non-profit organization serving victims of family violence and/or sexual abuse), March 1993 - May 1996

LPC, LeTourneau University, Longview, Texas, October 1994 - August 1995

Special Education Teacher, Spring Hill Junior High School, Longview, Texas, August 1987 - June 1993.

Parent of teenager with significant developmental disabilities and health issues.

Professional Services/Activities

Member, Board of Directors, The Learning Community for Person Centered Practices,

2013 - 2019

Member, Supporting MINDDS Culture Change Work Group, fall 2015 - 2018

Member, Participant, The Learning Community for Essential Lifestyle Planning

Gathering, July 2005 - Present

Frequent invited keynote and conference breakout presenter, state and national levels.

Member, Comprehensive System of Personnel Development Leadership Council, Texas Education Agency, 2006 - 2009. 

Participant, Texas State Policy Team on Self-Determination, 2006 - 2010 .              

Member, Board of Directors, Arc of Gregg County, 1996 - 1999.

Awards

Greater Texas Chapter of NAPNAP (National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners) "Child Advocate of the Year," May 1998.

Publications and Papers

 A series of disability awareness articles published in "East Texas People Magazine", 1996, Longview, Texas.

"Dear Parent," "SpecialEDucation" (Advocacy, Inc). newsletter and Family to Family Network Newsletter, 1997.

"A Mom with a Mission", "TS Connection Newsletter", Scottish Rite Hospital for Children, 1999.

"Run Your Race!," TS Alliance "Perspective", Spring 2004.  Also published in Family to Family Network newsletter, Summer 2004.           

Biographical Information

For the past 26 years, Ms. Buckner  has worked with individuals, families, and professionals providing training and technical assistance in the areas of child development, effective communication, the history of the disability movement and people first language, family violence & sexual assault, person-centered planning, and inclusive community and education practices for people with developmental disabilities and their families. She received the Child Advocate of the Year award from the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners.  Ms. Buckner has provided training in many locations across Texas and nationally to diverse audiences.  Most importantly, she is the parent of David Buckner, a 18-year old who receives services from the state of Texas and has enjoyed an inclusive education his entire school career.