2023-24 Cohort
Working with NCPMI faculty mentors, they will be involved in a variety of activities including developing NCPMI documents, providing training, reviewing research, collaborating on research activities, and developing policy materials.
Julie Daniel
Developmental Interventionist, Early Intervention Colorado
Doctoral Candidate in Inclusive Early Childhood Education, University of Colorado Denver
Mentor: Dr. Jackie Joseph
Julie Daniel is pursuing her doctorate in Child, Youth and Family studies with a concentration in Inclusive ECE. Prior to starting her doctorate, Julie earned her bachelor’s degree in Unified Early Childhood from University of Kansas and her master’s degree in Educational Equity and Cultural Diversity from University of Colorado- Boulder. Julie has previously held positions as an Early Childhood Special Education teacher in Kansas, Washington= and Colorado. She currently works with Early Intervention in her local community providing intervention to infants and toddlers with delays and disabilities. She is also the project coordinator for CU Denver’s EPIC-ECE grant. The project addresses the critical need for well-prepared associate degree level personnel who use evidence-based practices to support the meaningful inclusion of children with disabilities in early childhood. Julie’s research interests are child and family access to inclusive services, culturally responsive interventions, and early identification of autism.
Raquel Lima
Preschool Assistant Principal, Clifton Public Schools
Doctoral Candidate, EdD Leadership and Adjunct Professor, William Paterson University
Mentor: Dr. Lise Fox
Raquel Lima is a doctoral student in Leadership at William Paterson University’s College of Education. As an assistant principal, adjunct professor, and former preschool teacher and instructional coach, she has worked to support young children, teachers, and families. Her passions include program-wide Pyramid Model implementation, workforce development, and data utilization for early childhood program improvement. Raquel’s current research program focuses on understanding equity and quality in preschool teaching and learning systems from the perspectives of current teachers and leaders. In addition, Raquel is interested in better understanding teachers’ working environments to determine how to meet educators’ needs to facilitate continued school improvement and increase positive student outcomes.
Aniva Lumpkins
Supervisor of School Psychologists, School District of Palm Beach County
Doctoral Candidate in Special Education, Florida International University
Mentor: Dr. Mary Louise Hemmeter
Aniva Lumpkins, Ed.S., is a clinical supervisor of school psychologists and a third-year doctoral student pursuing her PhD in Special Education. As a recipient of the Project INCLUDE fellowship, funded by the U.S. Department of Education Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP), she has centered her research on early intervention efforts that support racially, ethnically, and linguistically diverse (RELD) children with or at risk for disruptive behavior disorders and early learning problems. Her 18 years as a school psychologist have afforded her a wealth of experience supporting students and their families as they navigate the educational system. With her recent work as the first Policy Intern for the Teacher Education Division of the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC), she has leveraged such experiences to explore how policy might best support efforts to shape practices that impact the quality and future of special education in light of the intersection of race, culture, gender, disability, and poverty. Aniva aims to examine how a culturally responsive approach to Pyramid Model implementation within early childhood settings mediates the use of exclusionary discipline practices, enhances home, school, and community engagement, and improves the outcomes for minoritized youth, particularly young Black children.
Crystal Williams
Doctoral Candidate in Special Education, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign
Mentor: Amy Hunter
Crystal Williams is a doctoral student in special education at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. She also serves on the Division for Early Childhood Personnel Preparation Committee. Crystal has worked in various settings, including early intervention, Head Start, crisis care, and childcare. Her research interests center on high-quality birth-to-three services, including pre-service preparation, interdisciplinary practices, and caregiver coaching. Crystal’s research also focuses on understanding the experiences and perspectives of families with infants and toddlers who have significant support needs.
