Anders Pettersson is originally from Sweden and has lived in the United States since 2004. He is married, has two children and a dog, and enjoys ice hockey, golf, and hiking in his free time.

Early in his career in Sweden, Anders worked as an educational assistant in special education classrooms, a child psychiatric clinic, and juvenile detention. After moving to the United States, he lived in Seattle and Minneapolis before relocating to Eugene, Oregon, where he earned a Master’s degree in Special Education from the University of Oregon.

For the past 17 years, Anders has worked as a special education teacher in the 4J School District, supporting transition-age students (18–21). He is particularly committed to community-based instruction and helping students develop the skills and confidence to safely access a variety of community settings.

Since graduating from the University of Oregon, Anders has maintained strong connections with faculty and professionals there, seeking opportunities for himself and his students to engage in research, social, recreational, and employment experiences. He was excited to learn about Dr. Knowles’ project as an opportunity both to share his experience and to continue refining his practice.