UNL
CEHS
SECD
Project Staff

Department of Special Education & Communication Disorders

College of Education & Human Sciences

Autism Spectrum Disorders Project Staff

Ellin Siegel, Ph.D. - Director Ellin B. Siegel is an Associate Professor in the Department of Special Education and Communication Disorders at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Her primary roles are to prepare teachers of students with severe disabilities, which include individuals with autism and also those with vision impairments. She directs the teacher certification, masters, and doctoral programs in severe disabilities/autism and vision impairments. Over her career, Ellin has authored a book, journal articles, and book chapters related to assessment, early communication assessment and intervention, and strategies to instruct students with severe disabilities. In partnership with Nebraska Department of Education, Special Populations Office, she works with Nebraska's Statewide Network for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. She served on the advisory board of Project AIM, a multi-state, collaborative project to develop interactive, web-based training modules related to autism spectrum disorders. As the ASD Project Director, Dr. Siegel oversees all aspects of administration, education, and research.
Laura Maddox, M.Ed. - Co-Director Laura L. Maddox, M.Ed. received her Masters Degree in Special Education, with certification in Moderate/Severe/Multiple Disabilities from UNL and certification in Early Childhood Education from Spalding University. She is currently working on her Ph.D. in Special Education. Within the field of education, Laura has served as a teacher, administrator, special education coordinator and consultant. Laura's experience with individuals with ASDs spans more than 15 years, including serving as the State Coordinator of the Nebraska ASD Network until 2008. As the ASD Project Co-director, Laura oversees the implementation of Project objectives and assists with research efforts.
Jill Martin, M.S. - Special Education Master Teacher Jill provides individualized and inclusive programming for children participating in Project EXCEED. Jill received her Masters Degree in Special Education, with certification in Early Childhood Special Education from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Ms. Martin has had experience teaching ECSE in all different types of environments, which include inclusive, natural and segregated programs for the Lincoln Public Schools and Clark County Public School in Las Vegas, NV. Ms. Martin has worked with many preschoolers on the ASD spectrum during her 15 years of teaching and has additional training in the ABLLS and TEACCH curriculum, PRT and PECS.
Teresa Schultz, M.A. CCC - Speech Language Pathologist Teresa provides communication and AAC intervention for children participating in Project EXCEED. Ms Schultz received a B.S. and M.A. in Speech/Language Pathology with an endorsement in Early Childhood Special Education. She was a speech pathologist for 33 years in Lincoln Public Schools, with the majority of those years in an Early Childhood Special Education classroom. Ms. Schultz has worked with many students with autism in the classroom and in natural environments, such as daycares, homes, and inclusive classrooms. Ms. Schultz received and provided a variety of trainings in areas such PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System), TEACCH (Structured Teaching), and Teaching Language and Designing ABA Classrooms using Verbal Behavior Strategies.
Torri Smith Tejral - Board Certified Behavior Analyst Torri provides supervision of behavioral programming to ensure quality and fidelity of implementation. Torri earned her Masters Degree from the University of Nebraska at Omaha and trained with faculty in several disciplines at the Munroe-Meyer Institute at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Torri is also a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. She has many years experience working with children on the autism spectrum in the home, school and community based settings. Torri has also provided intensive training on Autism Spectrum Disorders for Parents and Professionals in several locations across central Nebraska. She services on the Nebraska Department of Education Standing Committee for Autism, Nebraska Act Early Autism Team and is an advisory board member for the Munroe-Meyer Autism Leadership Academy.	photo
Megan Misegadis - Family Liaison Megan provides support, resources and a link for families to educational opportunities and related services in their communities. Megan has been involved in the autism community for many years and is a current board member for the Autism Society of Nebraska as well as a member of the Autism Family Network. Megan has a Bachelors degree in Social Work and has a son on the autism spectrum.
Ashley Peterson & Tina Welty - Graduate Students These graduate students provide daily support working closely the children, receiving ongoing feedback and guidance from Project EXCEED and Ruth Staples Staff. Both Ashley and Tina are working on their teacher certification and masters degree in severe disabilities-autism.