I am an associate professor (with tenure) of Special Education at Michigan State University and a Board Certified Behavior Analyst-Doctoral licensed to practice in the State of Michigan. I am also affiliated faculty in School Psychology. I also hold an endorsement in Early Childhood Mental Health® as an Early Childhood Family Specialist (ECFS). My work bridges special education, general (early childhood) education, and applied behavioral analysis to address the social, behavioral, and emotional needs of young children. Specifically, my research aims to understand the contextual factors that hinder or enhance children’s social and emotional development and the impact on families, including the successful adoption of evidence-based social emotional practices by early childhood teachers and their effectiveness for young children from marginalized backgrounds.

 

I have supported children, families, and professionals as a teacher, consultant, and behavioral interventionist for over 20 years. My empirical and practitioner-oriented work has been published in journals such as Early Childhood Research Quarterly, Remedial and Special Education, Children and Youth Services Review, Journal of Child and Family Studies, Education and Treatment of Children, Topics in Early Childhood Special Education, Behavior Analysis in Practice, Psychology in the Schools, Early Childhood Education Journal, Young Children, and Young and Exceptional Children.

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I am accepting PhD Students. Prospective PhD students should apply to the Special Education program at Michigan State University. Applications are due December 1st. 

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If you are interested in completing your Master's in Applied Behavior Analysis, please see information here about funding opportunities through Project FOCCUS³.