Melissa Tapp, Ph.D.

• Associate Professor of Special Education
• Faculty Advisor for the Student North Carolina Association of Educators
• National Board Certified Teacher
• B.S., Saint Bonaventure University
• M.Ed., Ph.D., University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Dr. Melissa Tapp completed her Ph.D. (2022) and M.Ed. (2010) in special education at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. She has been a classroom teacher, lead teacher, and district coach in North Carolina public schools and has served as an adjunct professor at both the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and East Tennessee State University.

Dr. Tapp has led and collaborated on several research studies. Her research interests include increasing engagement of students with extensive support needs within school settings with a focus on communication and behavioral interventions and teacher education. She has several publications in high quality education journals including Research and Practice for Persons with Severe Disabilities (2022, 2021), TEACHING Exceptional Children (2021), Education and Training in Autism and Developmental Disabilities (2021), Teacher Education and Special Education (2020), Rural Special Education Quarterly (2020), and Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities (in press). She also has coauthored two book chapters on behavioral strategies for students with disabilities and serves as a guest reviewer for two special education journals.

Dr. Tapp is a member of several national organizations and has presented at national and state conferences including the Council for Exceptional Children’s Annual Conference, the International Conference on Autism, Intellectual, and Developmental Disabilities, the Association for Behavior Analysis International Annual Convention, and the International Conference on Positive Behavior Support. In addition, she has presented at state conferences including the North Carolina Council for Exceptional Children’s Annual Conference, the North Carolina Association for Applied Behavior Analysis Annual Conference, and Ocalicon; The Premier Autism and Disabilities Conference.

CURRICULUM VITA

LICENSURES/CERTIFICATIONS

National Board Certification:

Exceptional Needs Specialist, Early Childhood through Young Adulthood State of North Carolina Professional Educators License:

Elementary Education, Grades K-6 Cross Categorical, Grades K-12

Special Education, Adapted Curriculum EC Language Arts, Grades K-6

EC Math, Grades K-6 EC Science, Grades K-6

EC Social Studies, Grades K-6

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Catawba College                                                                                 August 2022-

Assistant Professor of Special Education

Research Associate- UNC Charlotte                                                  January 2022- August 2022 Evaluation of Transition Supports for Youth with Disabilities

Graduate Assistant- UNC Charlotte                                                   August 2019 - December 2021 Lake and Edward J. Snyder, Jr. Fellow

Cabarrus County Schools                                                                   August 2018 - June 2019 Special Education Coach- District

Cabarrus County Schools                                                                   November 2016 - June 2018 Lead Special Education Teacher- Odell Primary School, Pitts School Road Elementary, Patriots Elementary

Charles E. Boger Elementary, Cabarrus County Schools                   August 2015 - November 2016 Special Education Teacher of Children with Autism- Grades K-2

Charles E. Boger Elementary, Cabarrus County Schools                   August 2010 - June 2015 Special Education Resource Teacher- Grades K-5

Charles E. Boger Elementary, Cabarrus County Schools                   August 2008 - June 2010 Special Education Teacher of Children with Autism- Grades 3-5

North Rowan Elementary, Rowan County Schools                           August 2005 - June 2008 Special Education Teacher of Children with Autism- Grades K-5

PUBLICATIONS

Pennington, R. C., Tapp, M. C., & Enriquez, J. S. (2022). Provide positive and constructive feedback to guide students’ learning and behavior. In R. C. Pennington, M. Ault, G. Courtade, J. M. Jameson, & A. Ruppar (Eds.), High leverage practices for students with extensive support needs. (1st ed., pp. 95–106). Routledge.

Tapp, M. C. (2022). Effects of a coaching package on teacher delivery of supported opportunities to respond [University of North Carolina at Charlotte]. ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global.

Thompson, J. R., Walker, V. L., Wehmeyer, M. L., Edyburn, D. L. Snodgrass, M. R., Carlson, S. R., Carpenter, M. E., Nelson, J. A., Lyon, K. J., Dinaro, A. P., Shogren, K. A., Palmer, S. B., Michalak, N., Layden, S. L., & Tapp, M. (2022). Planning for the Success of Students with IEPs: A Support-Based Approach to Inclusive Education. W.W. Norton & Company, Inc. https://wwnorton.com/books/9781324016410

Walker, V. L., Pennington, R. C., Andzik, N. R., Tapp, M. C., & Werner, A. M. (2022). Pre-service teachers’ preparation in communication instruction for students with extensive support needs. Research and Practice for Persons with Severe Disabilities. https://doi.org/10.1177/15407969221074720

Walker, V. L., Carpenter, M. E., Kurth, J. A., Tapp, M. C., Clausen, A. M., & Tuner, E. L. (2021). Paraprofessional supports for students with extensive support needs in inclusive settings: A systematic review. Research and Practice for Persons with Severe Disabilities, 46(4), 278– 295. https://doi.org/10.1177/15407969211055127

Pennington, R. C., Tapp, M. C., Enriquez, J. S., & Sanchez, F. (2021). Mask up! Supporting mask wearing of children with extensive support needs. TEACHING Exceptional Children.

Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1177/00400599211046277

Agran, M., Spooner, F., Clausen, A., & Tapp, M. (2020). Severe disabilities. In A. Hynds (Ed.), Oxford bibliographies in education (3rd ed.). Oxford University Press.

Tapp, M. C., Pennington, R. C., Clausen, A. M, & Carpenter, M. E. (2021). A systematic review of mand training parameters for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities in school settings. Education and Training in Autism and Developmental Disabilities, 56(4), 437–453.

Clausen, A. M., Tapp, M. C., Pennington, R. C., Spooner, F., & Teasdell, A. (2021). A systematic review of modified schema-based instruction for teaching students with moderate and severe disabilities to solve mathematical word problems. Research and Practice for Persons with Severe Disabilities, 46(2), 94–107. https://doi.org/10.1177/15407969211007561

Carpenter, M. E., Tapp, M. C., & Werner, A. M. (2021). Student life- a year into COVID-19: Student corner. DADD Express, 32(2), 5–7.

Pennington, R. C., Walker, V. L., & Tapp, M. C. (2020). Teacher preparation in communication instruction for students with extensive support needs. Teacher Education and Special Education, 44(3), 239–254. https://doi.org/10.1177/0888406420978606

Stenhoff, D. M., Pennington, R. C., & Tapp, M. C. (2020). Distance education support for students with autism spectrum disorder and complex needs during COVID-19 and school

closures. Rural Special Education Quarterly 39(4), 211–219. https://doi.org/10.1177/8756870520959658

Tapp, M. C, Clausen, A., & Pennington, R. C. (2020). Functional communication training: Evidence-based practice brief. DADD Express, 31(4), 3–4.

Under Review

Pennington, R. C., Stenhoff, D. M., & Tapp, M. C. (in press). How to manage behavior in a virtual environment. In B. Collins (Ed.), No one ever told me I would have to teach like that!

Guidelines for special education teachers working with remote students. [Manuscript submitted for publication]. Department of Special Education and Child Development, University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

Ogden, N., Walker, V. L., Tapp, M. C., & Carpenter, M. E. (2021). Teacher-delivered training to support paraprofessionals in functional communication training implementation. [In press]. Department of Special Education and Child Development, University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

Carpenter, M. E., Lo, Y., Walker, V. L., Werner, A. M., & Tapp, M. C. (2021) Effects of check- in/check-out on the behavior of students with autism spectrum disorder who have extensive support needs. [In press]. Department of Special Education and Child Development, University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

Walker, V. L., Mickelson, A., & Tapp, M. C., Muharib, R. (2021). Behavior intervention plan implementation during remote instruction: Perspectives of parents. [Manuscript submitted for publication]. Department of Special Education and Child Development, University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

Andzik, N., Walker, V. L., Pennington, R. C., Tapp, M. C., & Werner, A. M. Teacher preparation in communication instruction for students with extensive support needs: Expert perspectives. [Manuscript submitted for publication].

In Preparation

Tapp, M. C., Pennington, R. C., & Werner, A. M. (2022). Effects of a coaching package on teacher delivery of supported opportunities to respond. [Manuscript in preparation].

PRESENTATIONS

Carpenter, M. E., Walker, V. L., Tapp, M. C., & Ogden, N. (June, 2022). Training paraprofessionals to implement FCT with young children with ASD. Research presented at the 146th Annual Meeting of the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, Jacksonville, FL.

Walker, V. L., Kurth, J. A., Carpenter, M. E., Tapp, M. C., Clausen, A., & Lockman Turner, E. (June, 2022). Paraprofessional-delivered interventions in inclusive school settings for students with ESN. Research presented at the 146th Annual Meeting of the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, Jacksonville, FL.

Ogden, N., Walker, V. L., Tapp, M. C., Carpenter, M. E. (2022, April 15). Teacher-Delivered Training to Support Paraprofessionals in Functional Communication Training Implementation. [Ignite session]. Association for Positive Behavior Support Conference. San Diego, CA, United States.

Tapp, M. C. (2022, February 24). Increasing Intervals of Mask Wearing for a Child with Autism in School. [Virtual student symposium]. North Carolina Association for Behavior Conference, United States.

Ogden, N., Walker, V. L., Tapp, M. C., Carpenter, M. E. (2022, January). Special Educator Implemented Training with Paraprofessionals to Implement FCT for Students with Autism. [Poster presentation]. Division on Autism and Developmental Disabilities Conference, Clearwater, FL, United States.

Pennington, R. C., Tapp, M. C., Enriquez, J. (2022, January 28). MASK Up! Practices to Support Mask Wearing for Students with Extensive Support Needs. [Poster presentation]. Division on Autism and Developmental Disabilities Conference, Clearwater, FL, United States.

Pennington, R. C., Walker, V. L., Tapp, M. C. (2022, January 27). Preparing New Educators to Support Students with Complex Communication Needs. [Conference session]. Division on Autism and Developmental Disabilities Conference, Clearwater, FL, United States.

Ogden, N., Walker, V. L., Tapp, M. C., Carpenter, M. E. (2022, January). The Effects of Special Educator-Delivered Training on Paraprofessional Implementation of Functional Communication Training for Preschool Students with Disabilities. [Virtual poster presentation]. Council for Exceptional Children Conference, United States.

Carpenter, M. E., Lo, Y., Walker, V. L., Werner, A. M., & Tapp, M. C. (2021, November 18).

Effects of check-in/check-out on the behavior of students with autism spectrum disorder who have extensive support needs. [Virtual presentation]. OCALI Conference, United States.

Pennington, R. C., Walker, V. L., Bross, L. A., Tapp, M. C. (2021, November 19). Addressing challenges to improving programming for learners with complex communication needs. [Virtual presentation]. OCALI Conference, United States.

Tapp, M. C., & Enriquez, J. S. (2021, November 17). Mask up! Supporting mask wearing of children with extensive support needs. [Virtual poster presentation]. OCALI Conference, United States.

Walker, V. L., Kurth, J., Carpenter, M. E., Tapp, M. C., Clausen, A., & Turner, E. L. (June, 2021). Paraprofessional support for students with extensive supports needs in inclusive school settings: A research synthesis. [Virtual presentation]. 145th Annual Meeting of the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, United States.

Walker, V. L., Tapp, M. C., Muharib, R., & Mickelson, A. (June, 2021). Parent perspectives of behavior intervention plan implementation in online learning environments. [Virtual presentation]. 145th Annual Meeting of the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, United States.

Pennington, R. C., Walker, V., & Tapp, M. C. (2021, May 30). Teaching academic content and communication skills to students with intellectual disabilities. [Virtual presentation]. ABAI Annual Convention, United States.

Walker, V. L., Muharib, R., Mickelson, A., & Tapp, M. C. (2021, March 19). Behavior intervention plan implementation during remote instruction: Perspectives of parents [Virtual presentation]. APBS Conference, United States.

Tapp, M. C. Pennington, R. C., Clausen, A., Carpenter, M. (2021, March 11). A systematic review of mand training parameters for students with developmental disabilities in school settings [Poster presentation]. CEC Conference, United States.

Tapp, M. C., Clausen, A. M., Carpenter, M. C. (2021, March 3). Using time delay in the classroom

[Virtual presentation]. NC CEC Conference, North Carolina.

Pennington, R. C., Tapp, M. C., & Enriquez, J. S. (2021, March 3). Practices to support mask wearing of children with extensive support needs [Virtual presentation]. NC CEC Conference, North Carolina

Pennington, R. C., Walker, V. L., Bross, L. A., Tapp, M. C. (2021, January 21). Communicative intervention for students with extensive support needs: State of practice and a call to arms [Virtual presentation]. DADD Conference, United States.

Pennington, R. C., Carpenter, M., Tapp, M. C. (2021, January 20). An instructional approach to challenging behavior: A workshop for building teacher’s confidence and competence in providing behavior supports [Pre-conference Training Institute]. DADD Conference, United States

Enriquez, J., Tapp, M. C., Williams, P. (2021, January 20). Fostering positive collaboration between home, school, and community [Virtual presentation]. DADD Conference, United States

Tapp, M. C. Pennington, R. C., Clausen, A., Carpenter, M. (2020, December 3). A systematic review of mand training parameters for students with developmental disabilities in school settings [Poster presentation]. TASH Conference, United States.

Carpenter, M., Walker, V., & Tapp, M. C. (2020, December 5). Inclusion of students with ESN in SWPBIS tier 2 [Virtual presentation]. TASH Conference, United States.

Clausen, A., Tapp, M. C., & Spooner, F. (2020, December 3). Investigating mathematics interventions for students with extensive support needs [Virtual presentation]. TASH Conference, United States.

Tapp, M. C. (2020, August 1). Behavior 101: Students with extensive support needs [Virtual presentation]. North Carolina Division on Autism and Developmental Disabilities Mini Conference, North Carolina, United States.

Tapp, M. C., & Clausen, A. (2020, July 14). Behavior 101: Students with extensive support needs [Virtual presentation]. North Carolina Council for Exceptional Children Professional Development, North Carolina, United States.

Tapp, M. C., Pennington, R. C., Clausen, A., Carpenter, M. (2020, May 23-25). A systematic review of mand training parameters for students with developmental disabilities in school settings [Virtual poster presentation]. ABAI Annual Convention, United States.

Pennington, R. C., Tapp, M. C., Wood, C. L. (2020, March 26-31). The effects of student delivered feedback on teacher instructional behaviors [Poster presentation]. Cato College of Education Research Symposium, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, United States

Tapp, M. C. (2020, February 19-21). A systematic review of mand training parameters for students with developmental disabilities in school settings. [Student symposium]. North Carolina Association for Behavior Analysis 31st Annual Conference, Raleigh, NC, United States.

Johnson, H., Carpenter, M., & Tapp, M. C. (2020, February 27-28). Check-In/Check-Out: Targeted support for students with extensive support needs [Conference session]. North Carolina Council for Exceptional Children, Greensboro, NC, United States.

Overcash, C. & Tapp, M. C. (2018-2019). Autism 101 [Presentation]. Cabarrus County Schools: Odell Primary School staff; Kids Plus: Before and After School Program staff. Concord, NC, United States.

Cleeland, A., & Tapp, M. C. (2019, May & June). Strategies for working with children with disabilities [Presentation]. YMCA after school and summer camp staff. Concord, NC, United States.

UNIVERSITY COURSES TAUGHT/ASSISTED

Catawba College

EDUC3100 (In person), Fall 2022 Theories of Teaching and Learning

EDUC3110 (In person), Fall 2022

Management and Critical Issues in Special Education

East Tennessee State University

SPED3445 (Asynchronous), Spring 2022                              Adjunct Professor

Medical Aspects and Assistive Technology

SPED5445 (Asynchronous), Spring 2022                              Adjunct Professor

Medical Aspects and Assistive Technology

University of North Carolina at Charlotte

SPED 4280 (In person), Fall 2021                                         Adjunct Professor

Instruction and Support for Learners with Extensive Support Needs

SPED 6335 (Synchronous), Spring 2021                               College Teaching with Dr. Leslie Bross

Evidence-Based Practices for Learners with Autism Spectrum Disorder

SPED 5200 (Synchronous), Fall 2020                                    Co-Teaching with Dr. Robert

Concepts and Principles of Behavior Analysis                       Pennington

SPED 4270 (In person), Fall 2019                                         Co-Teaching with Dr. Robert

Classroom Management                                                         Pennington

FELLOWSHIPS and GRANTS

Tapp, M. C., Pennington, R. C., Werner, A., Enriquez, J., Pinczynski, M. (2021). Effects of a coaching package on teacher delivery of supported opportunities to respond. Submitted to the Department of Special Education and Child Development Research Fund Program. [Funded, $500.00]

Walker, V. L., & Tapp, M. C. (2021). Examining paraprofessionals’ experience and training in addressing challenging behavior: A mixed methods study. Submitted to the Department of Special Education and Child Development Research Fund Program. [Funded, $500.00]

Tapp, M. C., Enriquez, J., & Pennington, R. C. (2020). An Examination of Teacher and Student Behaviors During Virtual Instruction in Classrooms of Students with Extensive Support Needs. Submitted to the UNC Charlotte Department of Special Education and Child Development Research Fund Program. [Funded, $500]

Walker, V. L., Muharib, R., Mickelson, A. M., & Tapp, M. (2020). Behavior intervention plan (BIP) implementation during remote instruction. Submitted to the UNC Charlotte Department of Special Education and Child Development Research Fund Program. [Funded,

$500]

Leadership Grant Scholar, OSERS, U.S. Department of Education, under the direction of PIs Charles Wood & Ya-yu Lo UNC Charlotte’s Ph.D. Program in Special Education with a specialty in multi-tiered interventions. 2020-2022.

Lake and Edward J. Snyder Fellow, Graduate Assistantship UNC Charlotte’s Ph.D. Program in Special Education. 2019-present.

HONORS AND AWARDS

C.E. Boger Elementary Teacher of the Year                                      2015-2016

C.E. Boger Elementary Boger Beacon of the Month                         December 2015

Spencer Jaycees Outstanding Young Educator                               2006-2007

SERVICE/OUTREACH/ENGAGEMENT

Service to the University

Guest Lecture- Consultation in School Counseling CSLG 7140       March 22, 2022

Doctoral Student Representative- UNC Charlotte Doctoral               September 2020-May 2021

Committee

Reviewer for the Undergraduate Research Conference,                    February-April 2020 UNC Charlotte

Doctoral Program Interview Host                                                      February 2020

Service to the Profession

Guest Reviewer, Review Journal of Autism and Developmental       October 2023

Disabilities

Guest Reviewer, Rural Special Education Quarterly                         October 2023 Proposal Review for APBS 2023 Conference                                    September 2023

Proposal Reviewer for CEC 2023 Conference                                   July 2022

Proposal Reviewer for DADD 2023 Conference                               July 2022 Guest Reviewer, Rural Special Education Quarterly                                   December 2021

Proposal Reviewer for APBS 2022 Conference                                 September 2021 Guest Reviewer, Rural Special Education Quarterly                                   August 2021 Proposal Reviewer for CEC 2022 Conference                                                  June 2021

Proposal Reviewer for DADD 2022 Conference                               June 2021

Mentor for Graduate Level Student- Research Project                       January – August 2021 Association for Positive Behavior Support Annual                            March 2021 Conference Volunteer

North Carolina Council for Exceptional Children’s Annual              February 2021 Conference Volunteer

Survey Content Reviewer                                                                   February 2021

Guest Reviewer, Rural Special Education Quarterly                         January 2021 Proposal Reviewer for CEC 2021 Conference                                   June 2020

Proposal Reviewer for DADD 2021 Conference                               June 2020 North Carolina CEC DADD Mini Conference Volunteer                            April 2020 Proposal Reviewer for OCALICON 2020 Conference                                     April 2020 Autism After 18 Workshop (Cancelled)                                                          March 2020 Guest Reviewer, Rural Special Education Quarterly                                   March 2020 North Carolina Association for Behavior Analysis                                      February 2020 Conference Volunteer

Council for Exceptional Children Annual Conference Volunteer      February 2020 North Carolina Council for Exceptional Children Professional                   2020-2021

Development Committee Co-Chair

North Carolina Council for Exceptional Children: Region 5             2020-2021

Representative

North Carolina Division on Autism and Developmental                    2020-2021

Disabilities: Region 5 Representative

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

Council for Exceptional Children

Division on Autism and Developmental Disabilities

Teacher Education Division of the Council for Exceptional Children

Association for Behavior Analysis International Association for Positive Behavior Support

American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities North Carolina Association for Behavior Analysis

North Carolina Council for Exceptional Children

North Carolina Division on Autism and Developmental Disabilities North Carolina Division on Teacher Education