I am a Full Professor in the Department of Special Education at Monmouth University, where I coordinate the Master’s in Education–Autism and Applied Behavior Analysis track and serve as the Verified Course Sequence Coordinator for the ABA program. In these roles, I prepare future teachers and behavior analysts to use evidence-based practices to support individuals with autism in educational settings. Before entering higher education, I spent six years as an elementary school teacher for children with autism in Los Angeles. I then earned my Ph.D. in Special Education from the University of California, Riverside (UCR) and completed a post-doctoral fellowship at the Douglass Developmental Disabilities Center at Rutgers University, where I focused on skill acquisition and behavior reduction in classroom settings. In addition to my academic work, I consult with school districts to evaluate and strengthen autism program quality, develop systems-level plans to support organizational capacity, and train teachers and staff to better meet the needs of learners with autism. I also provide training to law enforcement officers through the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) across the South Carolina Lowcountry on interacting safely and effectively with individuals with ASD and also serve on the board of the South Carolina Infant and Mental Health. In my free time, you can find me reading a book, traveling with my family, or on the sidelines watching one of my children play sports.
In my ABA practice, I really focus on building strong, collaborative relationships with families because I they are such an essential part of meaningful and lasting progress. I prioritize ongoing assessment so that we are always responsive to the learner’s needs, and I rely on data to guide decisions. At the same time, I make sure that ethical decision making is at the center of everything we do, and that we are truly listening to and understanding the goals of key stakeholders, especially the learner and their family. I also value collaboration across team members (teachers, therapists, and other providers) so that everyone is working together in a consistent and supportive way. Overall, my goal is to create a thoughtful, compassionate, and individualized approach that genuinely improves quality of life.
It is honestly so hard to choose just one favorite experience because I have had the opportunity to work with so many incredible families and have been part of so many meaningful moments throughout my career. However, if I had to choose, I would go back to when I first started working at The Help Group in Los Angeles as a paraprofessional. At that time, I had no background knowledge of autism and had never worked with individuals with ASD or their families. Very quickly, I realized that this was exactly what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. It was such a pivotal moment for me, both personally and professionally, and from that point on, I never looked back.
I truly love what I do because of the relationships I get to build and the impact this work can have on people’s lives. Developing strong, meaningful connections with families is one of the most rewarding parts of my work, and I value being someone they can trust and collaborate with throughout the process. I also love seeing clients gain new skills and become more independent; it is incredibly meaningful to watch their growth and know you played a role in that progress. Another part of this work that I really enjoy is supporting new professionals entering the field. Helping them develop their skills, build confidence, and truly understand how important and impactful this work is makes the experience even more fulfilling.
People can expect me to be supportive, collaborative, and fully invested in the work we are doing together. I prioritize open communication and want families and team members to feel heard, respected, and included in decision making. I approach each situation thoughtfully, using ongoing assessment and data to guide decisions while always keeping the individual’s needs and quality of life at the center. I also hold myself to high ethical standards and value consistency, follow-through, and honesty. Above all, people can expect that I genuinely care. I am committed to doing meaningful, effective work and to supporting everyone involved every step of the way.