Education
University of Florida — Gainesville, FL
- Doctor of Philosophy in Special Education with a concentration in Early Childhood Studies (2022)
University of New Mexico — Albuquerque, NM
- Master of Arts in Special Education (2014)
- Bachelor of Science in Elementary and Special Education (2012)
Dr. Jen completed her doctoral degree at the University of Florida in Special Education with a concentration in Early Childhood Studies. Prior to attending the University of Florida, she was a special education teacher in Albuquerque, NM. She worked with students in prekindergarten, elementary, middle, and high school. She has extensive experience working with individuals with autism, intellectual disabilities, behavior disorders and other developmental delays/disorders.
In addition to her teaching responsibilities, Dr. Jen supported her students’ parents in implementing evidence-based strategies in the home in order to provide continuity of service and maximize child outcomes. Although, she knew she was making an impact at the classroom and school levels, she had a desire to further her knowledge and experience in order to make a more global impact. This led her to pursue a doctorate degree.
Dr. Jen was selected to participate in a grant entitled Preparing Leaders in Early Childhood Studies and Implementation Science (PLECSIS). This opportunity was housed at the Anita Zucker Center for Excellence in Early Childhood Studies at the University of Florida. The purpose of the grant was to provide doctoral scholars with expertise in special education, early childhood studies, research and evaluation methods, and implementation science.
As a participant in this grant, Dr. Jen was afforded the opportunity to work on several research and community projects designed to support adults (early childhood teachers, early intervention providers, parents and caregivers) to implement evidence-based practices with young children (ages birth to 5 years, with and without disabilities). Through these experiences, she learned to critically examine research, data and strategies for supporting children and families. Since completing her doctoral program, she founded the Early Childhood Group as a means of supporting individuals who work with young children.
Dr. Jen has a passion for ensuring that parents, caregivers, and educators have access to cutting edge evidence-based strategies for supporting child development. While research has been done, it is not always shared with individuals who can benefit from the information obtained. The support that Dr. Jen’s team provides is based on the latest research shown to help your child reach their fullest potential.