Special Education (Penn State University)
Background: I received my B.S. in Elementary Education and Special Education from The University of Nebraska – Lincoln and my M.S. in Special Education with an endorsement in Autism Spectrum Disorders from Saint Joseph’s University. Prior to beginning my doctoral studies, I taught in Elkhorn, Nebraska and Athens, Ohio where I worked with individuals with varying developmental disabilities. The students I worked with had significant difficulties with communication and challenging behavior. Throughout my experiences, I discovered the power of communication for individuals with complex communication needs and the importance of being able to generalize those skills across settings.
Current Interests: I am interested in increasing communication skills through the use of literacy interventions for individuals with complex communication needs. Other areas of interest include integration/inclusion of individuals with complex communication needs within general education classrooms/with typical peers, and the generalizability of skills across environments (e.g., home).
Dissertation Chairs: Dr. David McNaughton and Dr. Tracy Raulston