Past Members

Dr. Stacey E. Hardin, who’s pronouns are she, her, hers, is the program leader of and faculty in the Special Education Teaching program at Florida State University. Prior to working in higher education, Dr. Hardin provided special education services to students in elementary, middle, and high schools. Dr. Hardin has worked in inclusive, resource, and separate setting classrooms and in two different K-12 school districts in the United States. Dr. Hardin currently teaches multiple higher education courses around an array of special education areas. Within each course, Dr. Hardin infuses culturally responsive strategies and discussion throughout each semester to prepare candidates to work with diverse populations. Dr. Hardin’s research interests include females with emotional and behavioral disabilities (EBD), culturally responsive teaching, anti-racist education, and STEM education for minorities and students with disabilities.

Cara Bryan earned her Masters degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Florida State University (2022). Prior to entering her graduate studies, Cara earned her B.S. in Special Education Teaching from Florida State University (2021). She is currently working towards her endorsement in Autism Spectrum Disorders, Reading, and ESOL. Cara currently works in a Florida public school as a Special Education teacher.

Tyler Chin-Lenn is currently an undergraduate student in Criminology at Florida State University. Tyler is currently participating in Florida State University’s Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program focusing on the mathematical studies in General Curriculum Access Lab. Prior to this, Tyler attended The King’s Academy in West Palm Beach Florida, where he graduated with distinctions in Vocal Music and Pre-Law Studies. Following his undergraduate studies, Tyler hopes to complete his master’s in criminology at FSU and attend a preeminent law school in the United States.

Kimeisha Cummings is currently a graduate student in the Autism Spectrum Disorders program at Florida State University. She is originally from Miami, FL and relocated to Tallahassee, FL., where she obtained her Bachelors in Psychology at Florida A&M Univeristy. Currently, Kimeisha works full time as a Director of Operations at an Intermediate Care Facility (ICF), for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She previously served as a Qualified Intellectual Disability Professional (QIDP), creating individualized plans and analyzing data for people with extensive support needs. Kimeisha’s research interests include developing strategies to support collaborative relationships between communities and schools of students with Autism Spectrum Disorders and varying disabilities. In her free time, Kimeisha likes to “Netflix & Chill” with her husband and daughter.

Skylar Ruffner is currently an undergraduate student in Cell and Molecular Neuroscience at Florida State University. Skylar is currently participating in Florida State University's Undergraduate Research Program focusing on teaching math vocabulary in the context of a shared reading routing to preschool children at risk for language delays under Taryn Wade. Additionally, Skylar is a member of the Florida State University Honors Program, as well as a platform diver fo the FSU Women's Swimming and Diving Team. Prior to this, Skylar attended San Clemente High School in San Clemente, California where she graduated as a Valedictorian and California Scholarship Foundation Gold Seal Bearer. Following her undergraduate studies, Skylar hopes to pursue a Ph.D. in Neurobiology in the context of Human and Family Sciences, as well as pursue research within her field at a preeminent graduate university.

Bianca is a student at Florida State University majoring in Biology with minors in Psychology and Child Development. She became a lab member through the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP) and is assisting doctoral student Deidre Gilley with her research regarding mathematical problem solving for students with extensive support needs. Bianca plans to become a Speech Pathologist with a focus on autism spectrum disorders. She also hopes to conduct research related to improving communication techniques for those with language disorders.

Lily is currently a student at Florida State University majoring in Psychology. She became involved with the GCA Lab this year via the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP) and is working with doctoral student Deidre Gilley on her project dealing with peer-mediated intervention targeting mathematics for students with disabilities. Lily enjoys working with children in all capacities and devotes her time to pursuing this interest, volunteering with local organizations and becoming involved with related academic study through programs like UROP.

Amanda is a student at Florida State University and is double majoring in Psychology and Spanish. She is involved in the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program this year, and is working with doctoral student Deidre Gilley on her research project regarding peer-meditated mathematical problem solving for students with disabilities. Amanda loves working with children and hopes to one day work in the field of education. Her goal is to work with Elementary or Special Needs students and to conduct research in this area.

Emily is a student at Florida State University majoring in Communication Science and Disorders. She is a participant in the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program. Emily plans on attending graduate school and obtaining a Ph.D. in Speech Pathology. She hopes to become a college professor and conduct research relating to cognitive communication or Autism, with the goal of creating better outcomes for people with disabilities. She started working with the General Curriculum Access lab in September of 2021, helping doctoral student Deidre Gilley with her research on mathematical problem-solving among students with extensive support needs.

Kat is a graduate of the BS/MS Special Education Teaching program at FSU and a RBT. She joined the GCA team as a graduate assistant to Dr. Root in hopes of furthering her experience with educational research. During her time with the lab, Kat was involved in several single-case studies, including using augmented reality to support math and social skill development as well as a systematic replication to teach middle school students how to solve discount problems. Kathryn is originally from Tampa, Florida. She currently teaches high school special education at Hough High School outside of Charlotte, NC.

Sarah is a graduate of the BS/MS Special Education Teaching program at FSU. Sarah joined the GCA lab as a sophomore through the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) at FSU. She then went on to major in special education and continued to work with the lab as a graduate research assistant on projects related to using augmented reality to teach math and social problem solving. Sarah is from San Antonio, Texas and returned there after her graduation to teach elementary special education at Clear Spring Elementary.

Grace was a lab member during her junior and senior years at Florida State. She became involved in special education research as a sophomore during the 2017-2018 academic year through the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) at FSU. This program gave her the opportunity to assist Dr. Root with her research on UDL , which helped grow her grow in her knowledge of special education and sparked her interest to add it on as one of her majors.

Dr. Nanette Hammons was a doctoral student in Special Education at Florida State University (FSU) during her time with the GCA lab and was supported by ASD-STEM, an OSEP leadership grant. Dr. Hammons is a 3 times alumna of FSU, earning her BS, MS, and PhD in Special Education. Prior to returning to FSU to work on her PhD she accumulated 30 years of experience as a classroom teacher in special education (K-12), general education (K-5), and adult education. Additionally she has experience in educational consulting for various early childhood programs across the state of Florida. Presently, she is an adjunct instructor for the special education teaching program and online curriculum and instruction program.

Kiersten worked for the GCA Lab as a junior at Florida State University during the 2018-2019 academic year. Her major is Communication Science and Disorders with a minor in Family and Child Sciences. She originally became involved in the GCA lab through the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP) as a sophomore with Sarah Cox and is continuing with her projects as a volunteer. She is interested in pursuing a career as a Speech Pathologist with an emphasis on autism spectrum disorders.

Kaley was a lab member during her freshman year at Florida State University majoring in Elementary Education with a minor in Psychology. She became involved in the GCA lab through the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP) and worked with Sarah Cox in her research on improving mathematical practices for students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Kaley is passionate about working with children, and in her free time she also enjoys helping teach English to local children from recently immigrated or refugee families.

Ambady K. G., was a Fulbright Visiting Scholar from India in the School of Teacher Education at FSU during the 2018-2019 academic year. He is a doctoral candidate in Special Education under the supervision of Professor P. S. Sukumaran in the School of Behavioural Sciences, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kerala, India. Through the Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral Research Fellowship, Ambady examined the ongoing strategies used by teachers in differentiating curricula for students with intellectual disabilities in their classrooms. This research will enhance the preparation of functional curricula for students with intellectual disabilities in an inclusive education system in India

Nicky worked for the GCA Lab during her Sophomore year at Florida State University during the 2018-2019 academic year through the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP). She is in the Interdisciplinary Medical Sciences (IMS) B.S. Degree Program with the goal of attending Medical School She is interested in studying pediatrics with an emphasis on children with disabilities. She spends free time volunteering with children in the rural Tallahassee community. Nicky has volunteered in half a dozen childhood assistance programs throughout Central Florida.

Victoria Rivera worked for the GAC Lab her freshman year at Florida State University during the 2018-2019 academic year through the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP). She majored in Social Work with a minor in Spanish. Victoria plans on working with children in the foster system and hopes to go into law as a Child Advocate.

Lensey Charles was involved with the GCA Lab as a Freshman during the 2018-2019 academic year through the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP) as a first generation college student attending Florida State University. She majored in Media Communication Studies and Business Marketing with a minor in Psychology. Lensey is from Miami, Florida and plans to attend law school after completing her education at FSU.

Dr. Bonnie Henning worked with the GCA lab from 2016-2018 when she was a doctoral student at Florida State University, funded by the OSEP ASD-STEM leadership grant. She is currently an Assistant Professor of Special Education at University of St. Thomas in Minnessota. While with the GCA Lab, she contributed to several single-case design studies to teach early numeracy and math problem solving to students with autism. Her research currently focuses on supporting early number sense skills of students with autism and other developmental disabilities.

Tom was a lab member during his sophomore year at FSU during the 2017-2018 academic year through the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program. He contributed to several projects during his time with the GCA Lab, including filming and editing video anchors to be used in single-case studies on using UDL and MSBI.

Cara was a lab member during her sophomore year at FSU through the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program. She assisted with a single-case study to teach early number sense to Kindergarten students with autism. She also assisted with IOA for Dr. Henning’s dissertation on using number talks with preschool students with autism. Cara was the recipient of the 2019 President’s Humanitarian of the year Award for the College of Human Sciences. Check out this video of Cara talking about how being involved in research with the GCA lab shaped her experience at Florida State! Cara graduated from FSU in spring of 2020 with a B.S. in Family and Child Sciences and is currently in graduate school at the University of Florida for Occupational Therapy.

Stephanie was a lab member during her graduate studies at FSU as a graduate research assistant for Dr. Root. She assisted with developing materials and implementing several interventions to teach math to students with autism in single-case studies, including teaching data-analysis and early numeracy. She is currently a special education teacher at Santa Clara elementary in Miami.