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I’m James R. Hummel, Ed.D., a special education teacher, curriculum designer, and educational technology specialist based in Southern California. My work sits at the intersection of assistive technology, teacher preparation, and immersive learning.
I’ve taught high school students with autism and complex support needs, led special education and LCAP initiatives, and completed a doctorate focused on how we prepare preservice teachers to use AT and learning technologies in equitable, meaningful ways.
At a Glance
Current Roles
Current Roles
• Special Education Case Manager
• LCAP Lead (BEST Academy)
Focus Areas
Focus Areas
• Assistive Technology & Teacher Preparation
• XR & Immersive Learning for students with disabilities
• Data-informed, inclusive curriculum design
• LCAP / equity-focused school improvement
Credentials & Affiliations
Credentials & Affiliations
• Ed.D., Educational Leadership (CSULA)
• M.A., Educational Technology
• California Education Specialist Credential
• Presenter: AERA, DADD
Experience
K-12 Special Education & AT Practice
K-12 Special Education & AT Practice
BEST Academy Charter School; LAUSD and Expatiate Communications
– Special Education Teacher (mild/moderate, extensive support autism, high school)
– Case Manager for students with complex communication and behavioral needs
– Led integration of AT, AAC, and blended-learning tools (Unique Learning System, BrainPOP, Code.org, etc.) into daily instruction
– Developed student-led projects in coding, media production, and digital storytelling
Leadership, Systems, and LCAP/Data Work
Leadership, Systems, and LCAP/Data Work
– LCAP lead
– Designed dashboards and tools to monitor student outcomes and special education indicators
Higher Education & Research
Higher Education & Research
– Ed.D. in Educational Leadership, California State University, Los Angeles
– Dissertation on assistive technology preparation in special education credential programs
– Collaborated with faculty and program leads around AT, UDL, and fieldwork integration
Research, Publications & Presentations
Dissertation
Dissertation
– From Novices to Educators: Unraveling Preservice Teachers' Perceptions of Implementing Assistive Technology for Special Education Students – Doctor of Education, CSULA (2024). Focus: Assistive technology integration in special education credential programs and implications for teacher preparation.
Conference Presentations
Conference Presentations
– DADD Conference (2026) – Teacher Credential Program Reforms Needed to Improve Assistive Technology Training for Special Education Students
– AERA (2025) – session on AT, immersive technologies, and equity in teacher preparation
Selected Projects & Media
Selected Projects & Media
– Featured work with PBS Student Reporting Labs (student voice & media production)
– XR and AR prototypes for social-emotional learning and life skills for students with autism
Current Focus
Right now, my work centers on closing the gap between what we know about inclusive technology and what teachers are actually prepared and supported to do.
I’m especially focused on:
• Designing AT-rich experiences in preservice teacher preparation and induction
• Prototyping XR projects that are accessible and meaningful for students with disabilities
• Building practical PD resources that help teachers integrate AT and learning technologies without feeling overwhelmed
You can explore these areas in more detail in the sections on Assistive Technology & Teacher Preparation, XR & Immersive Learning, and Teacher & PD Resources.
A Bit More About Me
Before and alongside my work in schools, I’ve been deeply involved in filmmaking, digital storytelling, and media production. That background shapes how I think about student voice, narrative, and immersive learning. I’m also a lifelong learner and tinkerer—curious about how emerging tools like spatial audio, VR/AR, and AI can be used to support, not replace, the human relationships at the heart of special education.
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