Jessica’s focus in the TA Center is overseeing the professional learning provided by the MiMTSS TA Center. Prior to coming to the TA Center, Jessica worked as a school psychologist, a PBIS district coach, and a state-wide TA provider within the state of Colorado. Most recently, she was the training team lead for PBIS Applications through the University of Oregon and continues to serve as a national trainer for the SWIS Suite.

Jennifer’s focus in the TA center is on content development and training in the area of literacy. Prior to working with the TA center, Jennifer worked as a special education consultant providing professional development in the areas of structured literacy and explicit instruction. Jennifer is a speech-language pathologist; she was a self-contained SLI educator teaching speech, language and literacy kindergarten through 2nd grade.

Leisa Gallagher is a liaison between Michigan Department of Education (MDE) and the TA Center as the lead for the Interconnected Systems Framework (ISF) Model Demonstration effort to integrate mental health within the PBIS system. For MDE, she is the lead for Social & Emotional Learning. Leisa helped develop the MiPHY survey of youth risk and protective factors. Leisa was a high school English teacher and is a counseling psychologist.

Anna's focus in the TA Center is internal program evaluation and research projects, the MiMTSS Data System, and supports for MTSS assessments. Anna is trained as a school psychologist and has experience providing reading intervention to early elementary learners.

Matt’s focus in the TA center is working with District Implementation Teams to develop the capacity to support the installation and implementation of MTSS. Prior to coming to the TA Center, Matt was an Assistant Professor of Special Education at Western Michigan University, a District Behavioral Consultant, and a classroom teacher.

Lara’s focus is on developing content and supporting District Implementation Teams in the installation, implementation, and sustainability of an MTSS framework. Lara is a school psychologist, an approved special education supervisor, and taught at the university level. Lara has provided professional learning to educators in the areas of reading instruction, intervention, explicit instruction, and assessment at the ISD.

Michelle’s focus is to provide guidance to ISDs and district leadership for MTSS implementation. Additionally, she supports the exploration of scaling up MTSS in early childhood.  Michelle was a classroom teacher, central administrator, and ISD coordinator in a large urban district.

Tami’s focus in the TA Center is working with District Implementation Teams to develop the capacity to implement, use, and sustain an integrated behavior and reading MTSS model. Prior to coming to the TA center, Tami practiced as an outpatient mental health clinician as well as a social worker/behavioral consultant at Genesee ISD. Tami also worked at her ISD as a coach and trainer assisting school and district teams in setting up systems and practices to support their PBIS/MTSS infrastructure and implementation.

Melissa's focus in the TA Center overseeing the professional learning as well as the MTSS universal and technical assistance provided by the MiMTSS TA Center. Prior to joining the TA Center, Melissa worked as a school psychologist, educational consultant, and university professor.

Allison’s focus in the TA Center is on content development and training in the area of positive behavior supports at Tiers 1, 2, and 3. Prior to coming to the TA Center, Allison worked as a School Psychologist, including coaching MTSS in elementary and secondary buildings.

Sam's focus in the TA Center is on program evaluation, survey development, and data analysis. Prior to coming to the TA Center, Sam was a project coordinator and research associate working with a research group to develop intensive reading and comprehension interventions.

Kate Smith's focus in the TA Center is on intensifying literacy instruction within a Multi-Tiered System of Supports framework. Prior to coming to the TA Center, Kate was a K-12 special education teacher in Oakland and Kalamazoo Counties, with her most recent objective to implement and support reading intervention instruction.

Kelly’s focus within the TA Center is overseeing the model demonstration and research grant projects as well as aligning support from the TA Center with MTSS specific priorities of MDE. Prior to working with the TA Center, Kelly was a school psychologist, MTSS coordinator, reading instructional coach and an elementary classroom teacher.

Valerie’s focus in the TA Center is on content development and training in the area of behavior. Prior to coming to the TA Center, Valerie was a special educator (K-5)  and teacher consultant (K-12).

Meagan’s focus within the TA Center is on supporting the implementation of data-based individualization and the development of training content to support intensive intervention. Prior to working with the TA center, Meagan worked as an elementary special education teacher and was a member of a research group developing and testing intensive reading interventions.

Sheila’s focus in the TA Center is on the development of District Teams to install Interconnected System Framework (ISF). Prior to coming to the TA Center, Sheila worked at DPS(CD) as a school psychologist, special education coordinator, and behavior specialist.