Elizabeth Brown

PhD Student

Elizabeth (she/her) received her master’s in behavior disorders and positive behavior supports at Texas State University. Prior to beginning her PhD at UT Austin, she led a behavior inclusion program in San Marcos CISD. She aims to conduct research that will improve screening and interventions that target the emotional and academic effects of trauma. Elizabeth is a doctoral scholar with the National Center for Leadership on Intensive Intervention (NCLII-2) and works on the SDLMI-Reading project.

Brennan Chandler

PhD Student

Brennan (he/him) will be a doctoral student in the LD/BD program at The University of Texas at Austin as of summer 2022. He is a doctoral scholar with the National Center for Intensive Intervention (NCLII-2). He holds a B.S. in elementary and early childhood education and a M.S. in special education from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Before pursuing his doctoral studies, Brennan began his teaching career as a general educator in Nebraska. After relocating to New York City, Brennan worked as a special education teacher at a specialized, independent school for students with twice-exceptionalities. His work in the field prompted him to pursue his PhD to study intensive interventions for students with learning disabilities, with a particular focus on dyslexia. 

Beth Feuer

PhD Student

Beth (she/her) received her B.A. in Education and Child Study from Smith College. She graduated from the University of Washington with an M.Ed. with a concentration in Low Incidence Disabilities. She worked for five years as a secondary special education teacher before embarking on her PhD journey. Beth is currently a doctoral student in the Equity and Diversity in Special Education program at UT Austin. She works on both GoKAR! (Kids Against Racism) and Project EXPERT. Her research is focused on culturally responsive and equitable practices within special education.

Erica Fry

PhD Student

Erica (she/her) received her B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies from Texas State University where she studied Special Education. She graduated from New York University with an M.A. in Sociology of Education with a policy concentration. She worked in schools for 23 years as a special education teacher and administrator. Erica is a doctoral student in the LD/BD program at UT Austin. She works on Project EXPERT, and her research is focused on professional development for teachers of students with disabilities.

Emily Hardeman

PhD Student

Emily (she/her) will be a doctoral student in the LD/BD program at The University of Texas at Austin as of fall 2022. Emily received her master’s degree in special education with an emphasis in dyslexia from Midwestern State University. She is also finalizing her certification as a Certified Academic Language Therapist and is trained in Take Flight through the Scottish Rite Hospital. Before joining the PhD program, Emily was a special education teacher and dyslexia interventionist in Austin ISD. She hopes to conduct research on literacy instruction for students identified with both reading disabilities and behavioral disorders. 

Zainab A. Umar

PhD Candidate

Zainab (she/her) graduated with her B.A. in Public Administration from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. She went on to get a post-graduate diploma in education from the Nigerian Teachers' Institute Kaduna, and her master’s in Early Childhood Special Education at UT Austin. Zainab has worked as an elementary teacher and supervised student teachers. Her research is focused on reading instruction and student outcomes in Africa, particularly Nigeria. She currently works as a field supervisor in the special education teacher preparation program.

David Furjanic, PhD

Project Coordinator

Dave (he/him) is the coordinator for Project EXPERT. He graduated from the University of Oregon with a PhD in school psychology and MS in special education in 2021. He completed a predoctoral internship at the University of South Florida where he split his time between analyzing assessment data with the Rightpath Research and Innovation Center and building professional learning resources with Florida’s Problem-Solving/Response to Intervention Project. Dave is a Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP), having completed a master’s at Millersville University and an internship in a Pennsylvania Department of Education-approved MTSS/RTI service model at Derry Township School District in Hershey, PA. His research interests focus on data-based decision-making, coaching, and capacity building.

Mona Maclay

Project Coordinator

Mona (she/her) is the coordinator for the SDLMI-Reading project. She earned her MEd at the University of Illinois at Chicago in Educational Psychology, Youth Development. Mona has previously worked as a tutoring coordinator for America Reads – UIC. She has also worked as a lab manager, research assistant, and teaching assistant.  She is interested in how social and emotional processes can support positive educational and developmental outcomes in youth. 

Harrison

Team Mascot

Harrison (he/him) was born on July 22, 2021 and joined the Toste-Lenartowicz family two months later. He is a Bernedoodle and a certified "good boy." Harrison's likes include treats, squeaky toys, short hikes, dinner time, and his human sister. He does not enjoy hot weather, long hikes, or being left home alone. You can check out his (infrequently updated) TikTok account at @LilBerneDood.