Dec. 1, 2021

Michelle Mathews

Dr. Michelle Mathews received her PhD from the University of Missouri in Human Environmental Sciences in 2006. She has over 25 years of experience in early childhood education as a teacher, administrator, advocate, trainer, consultant, grant writer, college instructor, researcher, evaluator, curriculum developer, and assessment coordinator, including eight years as the Director of the MU Child Development Lab (2014-2022). As an instructor, Dr. Mathews courses focus on issues of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in early childhood; early childhood technology; and she coordinates the infant toddler and preschool practicum courses.

Aug. 29, 2021

Louis Manfra

Dr. Louis Manfra received a Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology from George Mason University in 2006. His research broadly focuses on children’s cognitive development, learning, and school success during the early childhood years, especially as it relates to school readiness, self-regulation, motivation, and self-directed speech. He is currently exploring the impact of these constructs on long-term achievement in elementary school and identifying early skills and environmental factors that increase school success among at-risk and vulnerable children and children from diverse populations.

July 20, 2021

Rachel Thibodeau-Nielsen

Dr. Rachel Thibodeau-Nielsen earned her PhD in Developmental Science and Cognitive Psychology with a minor in statistics from the University of Alabama in 2017.  Dr. Thibodeau-Nielsen’s research focuses on enhancing children’s school readiness and overall well-being by identifying mechanisms and developing interventions to improve cognitive and socio-emotional skills among preschoolers, particularly those who experience adversity in early childhood. Her primary interest is to examine play as a mechanism for development in early childhood. Her work shows that imaginative or pretend play — which involves cooperation, flexible thinking, shared emotions and support among peers and adults — can lay the foundation…

Aug. 18, 2015

Jena Morgan

Dr. Jena Morgan is an Associate Professor at the University of Missouri in the Special Education Department and the Director of Online Graduate programs. Prior to this she served as the Director of Training and Education at the Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment.  She has over 25 years of experience working with individuals with autism throughout the lifespan across home, clinical and school settings. Her experience has a focus on neurodiversity, collaborative and coordinated care, emergent communication development, and supporting the implementation of evidence-based practices in schools.

July 15, 2015

Melissa Stormont

Dr. Melissa Stormont is a Professor in Special Education at MU. Dr. Stormont has published extensive research (over 80 peer-reviewed articles and 5 books and 10 book chapters) on the educational and social needs of children at risk for failure in school.  Dr. Stormont teaches undergraduate and graduate students in special education.  She has had extensive grant experience including serving as a Co-PI on personnel preparation and research grants and is currently a co-PI with Drs. Reinke and Herman on an efficacy trial of the STARS intervention funded by IES (Thompson, PI).  Currently she is an associate editor for the…