Assistant Professor-Special Education
Academic Degrees
Melissa C. Jenkins, PhD is an Assistant Professor and director of special education programs in the College of Education at the University of Mary Washington. She teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in special education and educational foundations. Dr. Jenkins brings over 18 years of public school experience to her role as a teacher educator. Prior to coming to the University of Mary Washington, she worked in Virginia public schools as a special education teacher, instructional coach, and central office administrator. Dr. Jenkins' instructional practices and research are focused on ensuring high-quality, inclusive educational experiences for learners with disabilities. She is co-author of Connecting High-Leverage Practices to Student Success: Collaboration in Inclusive Classrooms and has been invited to speak about collaboration and inclusion with educators across the United States. Dr. Jenkins has published articles in peer-reviewed journals such as The Teacher Educators' Journal, Intervention in School & Clinic, International Journal of Inclusive Education, and Journal of Science Teacher Education, as well as chapters in books focused on foundations of education, special education research, and response to intervention.