About Me

Committed to supporting student success at every level, Dr. Samantha Bear is thrilled to serve as Seeds of Health’s Special Education & Transition Coordinator. She is honored to work for an urban school community that focuses on helping students build meaningful and successful futures.

Samantha holds a wide range of professional experience in special education, transition planning, and community partnerships, all of which she utilizes daily in her role at Seeds of Health. Her professional experience includes working in urban education in Milwaukee Public Schools; in suburban education as Menomonee Falls’ Transition Program lead teacher; and in higher education as Professor of Independent Living, Campus and Community Life, and STEPS Coordinator at Bethesda College at Concordia University. She has worked internationally in Thailand, Honduras, and Israel in anti-human trafficking training, research and analysis, and teaching, and also served as the former Executive Director of Blossom IDD, a nonprofit that supports families and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. In 2026, she launched her consulting company, The Bear Necessities, LLC.

Outside of professional roles, Dr. Bear is a proud community advocate. She has served on local boards, volunteered with Best Buddies Wisconsin, supported individuals impacted by homelessness and human trafficking, and coordinated local food access initiatives.

Dedicated to professional development, Dr. Bear has pursued extensive education and professional training in special education. She holds a B.A. in Special Education and a Certificate in Autism Spectrum Disorder from UW-Milwaukee. In 2017, she earned her M.Ed. in International Higher Education from Loyola University Chicago, and in 2023, she earned her EdD. Doctorate of Education from Alverno College. 

In her free time, Samantha loves to travel. She lives in Bay View with her partner, two rescue dogs, and two cats.

“My favorite thing about my career path is getting to see people discover what they're capable of. I love helping individuals identify their strengths, overcome barriers, and turn big goals into realistic next steps. Being able to celebrate those moments and long term successes is incredibly rewarding.”