She obtained her Ph.D. from Columbia University in New York City after receiving three Masters from the same institution. Her areas of research include teacher quality and dispositions, special education, ethics of caring, self-determination, empowerment, and transformational leadership. Dr. Hong has been working with students with and without disabilities for over 25 years. She has been a national and international speaker and consultant throughout her career and has worked with students from Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan, the Philippines, Myanmar, Hong Kong, Korea, Japan, New York, Texas, and Pennsylvania. Dr. Hong is a certified special educator, school principal, and district administrator.