Reesha M. Adamson

Dr. Reesha M. Adamson serves as Associate Dean in the School of Special Education, Leadership and Professional Studies at Missouri State University, where she holds the academic rank of Assistant Professor in the Department of Counseling, Leadership and Special Education. Her career spans public school roles including District Behavior Support Specialist for Columbia Public Schools and Special Education Teacher, alongside significant contributions to the Center for Adolescent Research in Schools.

Her educational background includes:

• PhD in Special Education, Behavioral Disorders (2013), University of Missouri
• MAE in Special Education, Mild/Moderate Cross Categorical, Elementary Education (2007), Truman State University
• BA in Psychology (2005), Truman State University

Dr. Adamson's research centers on behavioral interventions for students with emotional and behavioral disorders (EBD), with emphasis on classroom-level implementation. She investigates tiered behavior support systems, function-based replacement strategies, and academic-behavioral connections, prioritizing translating research into practical school applications. Her work addresses critical gaps between evidence-based practices and real-world classroom implementation.

Her publication trajectory reveals deepening focus on systematic reviews and evidence-based validation, particularly in function-based interventions and inclusion models for EBD students. Recent work examines teacher characteristics' impact on academic outcomes and advances multi-tiered classroom behavior support frameworks.

Her scientific recognition includes:

• Leadership in Behavior Disorders National Fellowship (University of Missouri)
• Special Education Leadership Fellowship (Truman State University)
• Selection for Summer Research Training Institute (National Center for Special Education Research)
• What Works Clearinghouse Certified Reviewer Training
• Mary James and Phi Delta Kappa Graduate Scholarships
• Community and Youth Action Network Fellowship (Council of Exceptional Children)

Dr. Adamson has secured grant funding through U.S. Department of Education projects as Missouri Site Coordinator for the Center for Adolescent Research in Schools, developing the Classroom-Based Interventions Manual. She mentors graduate students in special education methodologies and serves as expert reviewer for behavioral consultation models, with recent media features in K-12 Dive and KSMU highlighting her de-escalation strategy expertise.

She maintains active collaboration with the Center for Adolescent Research in Schools and Council for Exceptional Children, focusing on scalable implementation of evidence-based behavioral interventions in diverse educational settings.