Dr. Grace Willer

Dr. Willer is Laurel School’s director of Learning Strategies (Early Childhood - Grade 12).

She earned her doctorate in educational and psychological sciences from Kent State University with an emphasis in developmental cognitive psychology. During this time, she received multiple research grants and awards including the prestigious Reuter Fellowship in Developmental Sciences for her research investigating children’s knowledge development and how it affects informant trustworthiness and misconception formation. She continues to publish and present her peer-reviewed research on topics that bridge the gap between education, cognitive science, and developmental psychology.

In addition to her scholarly work, Dr. Willer also has practical experience in academic/cognitive assessment and behavioral/social-emotional intervention implementation, having earned her master’s degree in school psychology and worked at several non-public schools prior to joining Laurel School. She prides herself on her ability to advocate for underserved populations and students with learning needs, striving to create an educational environment in which all students feel they can belong and thrive.