Dr. Charles Peck

Biography

Charles Peck is a Professor in the Department of Special Education at the University of Washington. He began his career working as a classroom aide in a development center for children with severe multiple disabilities, which led to an early interest in teacher education and research related to social relationships between children with severe disabilities and their non-disabled peers. He has worked in inclusive preschools in California and focused his doctoral studies on the social communicative development of children with autism and severe disabilities. With over 15 years in special education, he is passionate about changing the broader education system through innovative field-based graduate programs. Peck has served as the Director of Teacher Education at the University of California, Santa Barbara, and has a keen interest in the uses of evidence in organizational learning and teacher education program renewal. His current work draws on socio-cultural theory to analyze learning processes and he has a considerable interest in the philosophical foundations of diverse research methodologies, including arts-based research and mixed methods research designs. He enjoys spending time with his grandchildren and remains engaged in human development.

Research Interests