Amanda has over 15 years of experience working in the field of early childhood special education. She has worked in a local Head Start program, has served as a training and technical assistance provider for early childhood programs across the country, and also completed a National Fellowship at the Office of Head Start in Washington, DC. Amanda received her Ph.D. in Early Childhood Special Education from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2007. Her research interests include young children’s social and emotional development, educators’ professional development, and early childhood policy.