Erin Dolan Russell is a special education teacher, children's author, and lifelong advocate for inclusion. She believes that every child deserves to feel seen, valued, and like they truly belong.

Erin earned her Bachelor of Science in Therapeutic Recreation before completing her Master of Arts in Teaching in Elementary and Special Education. Since becoming a teacher in 2014, she has dedicated her career to building inclusive classrooms and school communities where children of all abilities learn, grow, and celebrate one another's strengths.

Throughout her career, Erin has created programs that bring inclusion to life beyond the classroom. She founded Learning A Latte, an inclusive student-run coffee cart; Unified Hedgie Kickball, where students of all abilities play together as teammates; and an inclusive school garden where children grow fresh food for local families while learning teamwork, responsibility, and compassion. These experiences inspired the Unity Springs: Where Everyone Grows series, where kindness, problem-solving, and belonging bloom on every page.

When she's not teaching or writing, Erin is happiest outdoors. She and her husband are raising two wonderful daughters, along with what she jokingly calls their "little farm." Their home is filled with a flock of curious chickens, several beloved cats—including two who were rescued from the school garden—a remarkable three-legged box turtle who has been part of the family for more than 30 years, and plenty of other furry and feathered adventures. At school, her classroom is also home to the ever-popular Guinea Pig Squad, who help teach students about responsibility, empathy, and caring for living things.

Whether she's tending a garden, creating a new inclusion program, or writing the next Unity Springs adventure, Erin's mission remains the same: to help children discover that everyone has unique strengths, everyone has something valuable to contribute, and everyone belongs.

Welcome to Unity Springs—where everyone grows.