Phillip S. Strain

Phillip S. Strain, Ph.D., is the James C. Kennedy Endowed Chair in Urban Education at the University of Denver’s Morgridge College of Education and director of the Positive Early Learning Experiences (PELE) Center. His work focuses on inclusive preschool education, services for young children with autism, and the prevention and intervention of challenging behavior.

Strain has authored more than 300 professional publications and has contributed to influential works on the Pyramid Model, including The Teaching Pyramid: A Model for Supporting Social Competence and Preventing Challenging Behavior in Young Children and Preventing-Teach-Reinforce for Young Children. He has worked as a teacher, early-intervention program administrator, and university professor during his career.