Melody Tankersley, PhD, Associate Professor of Special Education, completed her doctorate work at the University of Virginia and a post doctoral fellowship at the University of Kansas, Juniper Gardens Children’s Project. Her work has focused on children and youth with emotional and behavioral disorders, first as a classroom teacher and now as a teacher educator and researcher.  Her research interests include prevention and early intervention for young children with emotional and behavioral disorders, direct academic and social interventions, and issues related to bringing research to bear upon practice.