معرفی
Dr. Melissa Tapp is an Assistant Professor of Special Education at Catawba College. She holds a Ph.D. (2022) and M.Ed. (2010) in Special Education from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, along with a B.S. in Elementary Education from St. Bonaventure University. Prior to academia, she served as a special education teacher, district coach, and adjunct professor at UNC Charlotte and East Tennessee State University.
Her research focuses on behavioral interventions, communication strategies, and inclusive education practices for students with extensive support needs. She has contributed to high-impact journals and co-authored book chapters on autism and disability education. Dr. Tapp is a National Board Certified Teacher and has received accolades including the 2015-2016 C.E. Boger Elementary Teacher of the Year.
Her work emphasizes teacher education, paraeducator training, and adapting instructional methods for remote learning environments. She collaborates with national organizations such as the Council for Exceptional Children and has presented at conferences on autism, inclusive education, and applied behavior analysis.
- Grants: Funded projects on behavioral intervention plans, coaching packages for educators, and paraeducator support systems.
- Service: Serves as a peer reviewer for journals like Rural Special Education Quarterly and chairs professional development committees.
- Labs/Teams: Collaborates with research teams at UNC Charlotte on behavioral strategies and inclusive education initiatives.
