Preparing Researchers, Educators, and Parents (PREP): Tools for Autism and Behavior

Jeni Ganz, Ph.D., BCBA-D, is the project director for PREP. She has been a professor of special education at Texas A&M University since 2008 and has provided services for individuals with autism and their families since 1996, as a teacher, consultant, behavior analyst, and project director/principal investigator. Her research focuses on working with natural communication partners to improve communication in individuals with autism.

Language proficiency: English, beginning Spanish

Kaitlyn Stein, M.Ed, provides technical assistance for the PREP project. She is a fourth year counseling psychology doctoral student. While completing her undergraduate degree, Kaitlyn volunteered working with children with ASD at the Brazos Valley Rehabilitation Center. Her main research interests include therapeutic outcomes, therapeutic interventions, and counselor training.

Language proficiency: English

Kimberly Vannest, Ph.D. served as the PREP project director from 2018-2019 and has been teaching and coaching since 1989. Her work includes research supporting students, educators and families in preventing or ameliorating emotional and behavioral challenges. She is now the department chair at the University of Vermont.

Ms. Mitchell was a module developer for PREP. Ms. Mitchell holds a Bachelor of Science in Visualization and is currently pursuing her Master’s of Science in Visualization for User Experience and Interactive Design. She has experience with designing interactive applications as well as rapid prototyping, and is proficient in the following coding languages: Javascript, CSS, and HTML5. In addition, Ms. Mitchell has five years of experience in computer graphics, digital and film editing, and graphic design.

Kristi Morin, Ph.D., BCBA-D, is the previous Project Coordinator for PREP and is currently an assistant professor at Lehigh University. Dr. Morin has over 10 years of experience working with children with autism as a general and special education classroom teacher, behavior therapist, consultant, and researcher. Her research focuses on teaching educators to incorporate evidence-based practices for children with autism into their instruction.

Marcus C. Fuller, M.Ed., is a Special Education doctoral student in the Department of Educational Psychology at Texas A&M University. Hailing from central Pennsylvania, Mr. Fuller holds Bachelors degrees in Psychology and Early Childhood Education from Bloomsburg University, as well as a Masters in Special Education from Shippensburg University. He is a certified general education teacher for pre-kindergarten – 4th and special education teacher kindergarten -8th, with experience in second grade classrooms and students with autism ranging from ages 8-21 years old. His research focuses on empowering families, paraprofessionals, and classroom teachers by helping them increase their implementation skills during interventions with children with behavior disorders, autism, and/or complex communication needs.  Currently, Mr. Fuller is focused on coaching models to improve professional development workshops for teachers.

Shannon Clark, M.Ed., is a coach for the C2C project.  She is a fourth-year doctoral student in the Educational Psychology department with a specialization in School Psychology.  Shannon has four years of experience in working with individuals with ASD.  She has worked in clinics, homes and schools providing ABA therapy, as well as classroom support.  She is particularly interested in working with children and adolescents focusing on internalizing disorders, such as anxiety, depression, self-esteem and body dissatisfaction.

Language proficiency: English

April Haas, M.Ed., BCBA is the project coordinator for PREP and a supervisor for C2C.  She is currently a Special Education doctoral student at Texas A&M and has been serving families and children with autism for 11 years. Her research focuses on working with children with autism and their peers to increase academic and social skills.

Language proficiency: English

Assessment Coordinator/Parent Coach

Daira Rodriguez, MA., LSSP, is a first year doctoral student in the Educational Psychology department with a specialization in School Psychology at Texas A&M University. For the C2C program she will be in charge of coordinating and interpreting all formal assessments of child behavior. Additionally, she will also serve as a coach for C2C. Daira has served as a Licensed Specialist in School Psychology for the last three years conducting formal evaluations for students suspected of having a disability. She has also provided ABA therapy in a clinical and home setting to individuals with ASD. Her main research interest focus on behavioral interventions for children with autism who demonstrate significant challenging behavior.