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Alexis LeftwichFlorida State UniversityAlexis Leftwich is a doctoral fellow in the Curriculum & Instruction: Special Education program at Florida State University. Broadly, her research interests focus on facilitating language-rich interactions between infants/young toddlers and their caregivers across a variety of contexts and settings. Alexis previously worked as an early childhood educator in Tallahassee, FL in Leon County for six years. She earned both her Master's degree in Early Childhood Special Education and her Bachelor's degree in Psychology at Florida State University.
Connect with Alexis at [email protected] |
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Anam LodhiNorth Carolina State UniversityAnam Lodhi is an OSEP-funded SPARC Scholar and doctoral student at North Carolina State University. Her research and advocacy focus on improving access to and navigation of the U.S. special education system for students and families from marginalized communities, with particular attention to cultural, linguistic, and systemic barriers. Anam has professional experience as a special education teacher and in the nonprofit sector, where she partnered with educators and families to implement evidence-based literacy interventions that improve students’ reading fluency and comprehension. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from North Carolina State University and a Master of Arts in Teaching in Special Education from Meredith College.
Connect with Anam at [email protected] |
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Philip GarzaUniversity of Central Florida Philip Garza is a doctoral student in Special Education at the University of Central Florida and a former district-level support specialist with over 14 years of experience supporting inclusive practices for students with disabilities. in public schools. His work focuses on executive functioning, assistive and emerging technologies, and AI-supported interventions that promote independence, postsecondary success, and employment outcomes. He collaborates with researchers, schools, and community partners to design, implement, and evaluate scalable, technology-driven supports across K–12 and transition settings. His interests include translating research into practice and advancing systems-level solutions that expand access and opportunity for learners with diverse needs.
Connect with Philip at [email protected] |
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Kylie PainterNorth Carolina State University Kylie Painter is a Ph.D. student in Teacher Education and Learning Sciences (Educational Equity) at North Carolina State University and an OSEP-funded SPARC Scholar. A first-generation college graduate, she holds advanced degrees in Special Education and Curriculum and Instruction, along with specialized credentials in Autism Spectrum Disorder. With 14 years of professional experience in public schools across North and South Carolina, she has served as a special education teacher, Autism Specialist, and Exceptional Children’s Facilitator, and has contributed to a European Union–funded project advancing disability advocacy in Central Asia. Her research interests seeks to examine leadership styles and the systemic inequities for students with disabilities in diverse educational contexts.
Connect with Kylie at [email protected] |
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Paula Henderson Texas A&M UniversityPaula Henderson is a doctoral fellow in the Special Education Program at Texas A&M University. Her research focuses on special education teacher retention, with particular emphasis on supporting preservice and early-career teachers who serve individuals with autism and significant communication and behavioral needs. Prior to her doctoral studies, she worked as a special education teacher, behavior specialist, and special education instructional coach for College Station Independent School District in Texas. She earned her Master of Education in Special Education with an emphasis in Applied Behavior Analysis from Texas Tech University and her bachelor’s degree in Special Education from Texas A&M University.
Connect with Paula at [email protected] |
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Colleen M. TroullisUniversity of North Carolina at CharlotteColleen Troullis is a doctoral student in the Special Education and Child Development program at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Her research interests include academic interventions and access to the general curriculum for students with extensive support needs. She previously worked as an adapted curriculum teacher and teacher of the Deaf/hard of hearing in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Colleen earned her Master of Education in special education from North Carolina State University and a Bachelor of Science in Education from Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania.
Connect with Colleen at [email protected] |
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Yeonhee LeeUniversity of North Carolina at CharlotteYeonhee Lee is a doctoral student in the Special Education Program at UNC Charlotte, advised by Dr. Hedda Meadan. She works as a research assistant, and her research interests focus on parent-implemented interventions, early intervention, and Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Interventions for young children and their families. Ms. Lee earned her M.Ed. in Special Education from Penn State with an emphasis in Applied Behavior Analysis.
Connect with Yeonhee at [email protected] |
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Maria SallesTexas A&M UniversityMaria Salles is a doctoral student in the Special Education Program at Texas A&M University. Her research interests center on the retention of special education teachers as key levers for strengthening special education systems and improving outcomes for students with disabilities, with a focus on role transitions from preservice to inservice teaching, evaluation of effective practices, and professional development. She has professional experience teaching in Texas Title I public school setting, as a bilingual educator in College Station, and she actively mentors preservice teachers during their clinical and student-teaching experiences. Ms. Salles earned her Master of Education in Bilingual/ESL Education from Texas A&M University and her bachelor’s degree in Educational Sciences from the University of Buenos Aires.
Connect with Maria at [email protected] |
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Marsha R. CasianoTexas A&M UniversityMarsha R. Casiano is a doctoral fellow in the Special Education Program at Texas A&M University. Her research interests focus on teacher preparation and retention in rural communities, with particular attention to the role of parent–teacher advocacy in strengthening special education outcomes. Mrs. Casiano previously worked as a special education teacher for Northside Independent School District and later served as an educational diagnostician for Somerset Independent School District in Texas. She earned her Master of Education in Reading Literacy from Concordia University and received her bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from The University of Texas at San Antonio.
Connect with Marsha at [email protected] |
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Kailey Galloway-MaysUniversity of North Carolina at CharlotteKailey Galloway-Mays is a doctoral student in the Special Education Program at The University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Her research interests focus on evidence-based practices (EBPs) that support the transition to adulthood for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), including autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Grounded in applied behavior analysis (ABA), her work examines the use of EBPs such as Functional Communication Training (FCT) and Behavioral Skills Training (BST) to increase functional literacy skills, reduce challenging behaviors, and promote greater independence. She previously worked as a special education teacher and received her Master of Education and Bachelor of Arts in Special Education from The University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
Connect with Kailey at [email protected] |
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Kimberly Martinez University of Central FloridaKimberly Martinez is a doctoral student in Exceptional Education at the University of Central Florida. Her research interests center on instructional strategies and behavioral supports for secondary students with emotional and behavioral disorders (EBD), with a particular focus on technology-enhanced and AI-supported frameworks. She brings five years of professional experience as a self-contained special education teacher serving students with EBD and intellectual disabilities. She earned a Master of Arts in Teaching from Montclair State University and holds a bachelor's degree in English with a minor in psychology.
Connect with Kimberly at [email protected] |
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Joshua Silas LevinsUniversity of Central FloridaJoshua Silas Levins is a doctoral candidate in the Exceptional Education program at the University of Central Florida. His research focuses on designing generative instructional frameworks, utilizing artificial intelligence to enhance curriculum structure and teaching efficacy. Mr. Levins currently serves as a Director for an ABA therapy center. He earned his Master’s in Psychology at Capella University and received Bachelor's degrees in Psychology and Crop and Soil Sciences at Auburn University.
Connect with Joshua at [email protected] |
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Erika KramerUniversity of North Carolina at Charlotte Erika Kramer is a doctoral student in the Special Education program at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Her research interests focus on advancing equitable access to augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) and assistive technology for students with complex communication needs (CCN). Specifically, she explores strategies for accurate assessment and the development of inclusive, evidence-based tools that empower both educators and diverse learners. A veteran speech-language pathologist with 16 years of experience, Erika’s professional background includes supporting students within Prince William and Cabarrus County School systems, as well as providing AAC access to teens and adults with acquired or neurodegenerative neurological conditions. She earned her Master of Science in Speech Language Pathology at Duquesne University.
Connect with Erika at [email protected] |
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Jameson MaddoxFlorida State UniversityJameson Maddox is a SPARC scholar and doctoral student in special education at Florida State University. His research interests include professional development strategies and resources for teachers in rural school districts. Previously, Jameson worked as a special education teacher in Florida across different settings, including self-contained classrooms and resource settings. His previous degrees include an M.S. in Autism Spectrum Disorder from Florida State University and a B.A. in History from The Ohio State University.
Connect with Jameson at [email protected] |
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Chanta R. SmithGeorge Mason UniversityChanta R. Smith is an OSEP-funded doctoral fellow in George Mason University's Special Education Program. Her research examines equity-centered approaches to teacher preparation, retention, and support, with an emphasis on anti-racist and decolonizing research methods. Dr. Smith previously served as a special education teacher and instructional leader in K–12 settings across North Carolina and Virginia. She earned a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Liberty University, a Master of Education in Special Education from Virginia Commonwealth University, and a dual bachelor's degree in Sociology and African American and African Studies from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Connect with Chanta at [email protected] |
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Monica WilliamsNorth Carolina State UniversityMonica Williams is a Ph.D. student in the Teacher Education and Learning Sciences: Educational Equity program at North Carolina State University. She received her Master of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders from North Carolina Central University and works as a licensed speech-language pathologist (SLP). Her experience as a Speech-Language Pathologist includes working with children aged 2 to 21 with disabilities in clinical, educational, and home environments. Her areas of focus include the impact of community involvement in the support of families of color with disabled children and expanding the application and knowledge of augmentative and alternative communication devices in education.
Connect with Monica at [email protected] |
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Michelle PierceTexas A&M UniversityMichelle Pierce is a doctoral student in Educational Psychology with a specialization in Special Education at Texas A&M University. Her work centers on inclusive education in rural schools, with particular attention to systems that support students with disabilities in high-need contexts. She is especially interested in alternate and nontraditional pathways into special education that strengthen rural educator pipelines. My research connects policy, preparation, and practice to support sustainable, inclusive schooling.
Connect with Michelle at [email protected] |
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Jessica C. SmithFlorida State UniversityJessica Smith is a doctoral fellow in the Special Education Program at Florida State University. Her research interests focus on studying how participation in sports affects individuals who have visual impairments socially and psychologically. Jessica is a teacher of students who have visual impairments (TSVI) and a certified orientation & mobility specialist (COMS) who has held many roles within the blindness & low vision education field in Florida, including paraprofessional, TSVI/COMS within school districts, and COMS with agencies who serve older individuals as well as children with visual impairments. She earned her Master of Science in Curriculum & Instruction with a focus on Orientation & Mobility and her bachelor's in Blindness & Low Vision Education both at Florida State University.
Connect with Jessica at [email protected] |
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Dina CasabiancaUniversity of Central FloridaDina Casabianca is a doctoral student in the Special Education program at the University of Central Florida. Her research interests include secondary transition programs, higher education, teacher and paraprofessional preparation, and education policy. Ms. Casabianca brings over thirty years of experience as a K–12 special education teacher across a wide range of grade levels and instructional settings. She earned both her Bachelor of Science in Special Education, with a specialization in Emotional/Behavioral Disorders, and her Master of Education in Special Education, with a specialization in Autism, from UCF.
Connect with Dina at [email protected] |