I am interested in examining ways to improve communication outcomes for children in the environments in which they typically participate, such as school, family, and community activities.
Professor and Director of Graduate Studies
I teach because I love learning and the impact that acquiring new knowledge and skills can have on personal development, communities, and the individuals we interact with and serve. I consider it a great privilege and responsibility to engage in the teaching and learning process with students.
My teaching philosophy is centered on empowering students to engage in the learning process in a way that they know what they are learning, focus on how they are learning, remember why they are learning, and understand the impact their learning will have on others.
My foundational values of teaching and learning are: 1) teaching and learning is an interconnected shared experience; 2) problem-solving and critical thinking should be explicitly taught, scaffolded, and incorporated throughout learning opportunities; and 3) motivating and respectful learning environments are critical for meaningful learning.
I am passionate about students finding connections between research and practice to expand high quality services for individuals with communication disorders.
My research is focused on improving communication outcomes for children in natural environments (i.e., home, school, community) through collaborative practices. To do this, I study (a) parent-implemented communication interventions and caregiver-coaching for young children with developmental delays and disorders, including autism; (b) interventions that support the connection between spoken language, literacy, and multimodal communication in preschool and elementary classrooms; and (c) the processes, professional development, and implementation of evidence-based practices within early intervention, preschool, and school settings. I also collaborate as a research associate with the Communication and Early Childhood Research and Practice Center at Florida State University.
I am interested in the ways the clinical practice informs research and how research informs clinical practice. I am particularly interested in examining ways to improve communication outcomes for children in the environments in which they typically participate, such as school, family, and community activities. Collaboration with professionals and families is central to providing relevant and meaningful supports for children with language disorders and developmental disabilities.
I hope students in my classes will gain an excitement for learning and integrate knowledge and skills from communication science, evidence-based practice, and student/family-centered practice to provide meaningful assessment and intervention services in the settings in which they will or currently work.
I enjoy spending time with my family in the community – we love attending UGA sporting events and other activities.