Dr. Brandy Locchetta is an assistant professor and Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) program coordinator in the Department of Special Education at the University of West Georgia. She graduated from Vanderbilt University with  a Ph.D. in Special Education with a focus on early childhood. Brandy also holds a masters degree in Special Education (early childhood) from Vanderbilt University and an undergraduate degree in Early Childhood Education with a Preschool Special Education Endorsement from Georgia State University. Brandy's career in early childhood education spans more than 20 years and a variety of roles from teacher to center director to state level program management to higher education and everything in between. As an educator and Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Brandy's passions and areas of expertise include: early intervention (IDEA, Part C) and preschool special education (IDEA Part B, Section 619), inclusion, special education law/policy, multi-tiered systems of support, social-emotional and early learning supports for young children, trauma informed, school-based behavioral assessment and intervention, and strengthening the confidence and competence of families as well as the early childhood and special education workforce to support young children with disabilities and interfering behaviors.