Dr. Aimee Massafra
Aimee has always demonstrated a passion for teaching and after receiving her master’s degree in special education in 2008, she developed an autism support program at an elementary school in a small rural school district in Southwestern Pennsylvania. She also has experience in family-based counseling, teaching elementary and middle school learning support, and working with middle school students with significant needs. She passed her Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) certificate exam in May 2018 and has maintained her certification through continuing education and teaching applied behavior analysis (ABA) courses throughout the last 6 years.
Since graduating with her Ph.D. in 2019, Aimee has had experience working in a facility school serving students with autism and as a clinician providing services to children and adolescents with autism and other developmental disabilities. She also has experience teaching undergraduate and graduate level courses in special education and applied behavior analysis. She has presented at several local and national conferences and has published in peer-reviewed journals. Additionally, she has experience supervising trainees seeking their BCBA certification, as well as providing professional development and training to schools and other organizations.
Her areas of interest are applied behavior analysis, autism spectrum disorders, evidence-based practices, preservice teacher education, and paraeducator development and training. Most recently, Aimee has begun volunteering with her local school district by serving on leadership, policy, and district accountability committees.
Education History
2019 — Ph.D. in Special Education, University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO
Dissertation: "A Qualitative Investigation of Pre-service Special Education Teacher Programs' Preparation of Preservice Special Education Teacher to Work with Paraprofessionals."
2008 — M.Ed. in Special Education, Pennsylvania West University, California, PA
2003 — Minors in Sociology and Human Development and Family Studies, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA
Scholarly Activities
2024
- District Accountability Committee (DAC), Adams 12 Five Star Schools, Thornton, CO
- Adams 12 Five Star Leadership Academy, Adams 12 Five Star Schools, Thornton, CO
- Conference Presentation, Coaching for Community: Supporting Rural Schools in Developing 2024 Autism Intervention, American Council on Rural Special Education, Las Vegas, NV
Professional Experience
2023 — Adjunct Faculty, University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO
Taught courses in the Special Education MA Intervention Specialist Program. This included teaching courses in the ABA concentration, autism certificate, and the Educational Leadership and Special Education Administration program.
2022 — Grant Coordinator, University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO
Developed a sustainable supervision practicum model, a protocol for BCBA supervision and training, and a practicum course for students enrolled in a MA Intervention Specialist program with an emphasis on Applied Behavior Analysis for a state grant.
2020 — Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Trumpet Behavioral Health, Northglenn, CO
Provided ABA services for individuals with autism, including assessment, program development, supervising RBTs, family training, and community support.
Education History
2019 — Ph.D. in Special Education, University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO
Dissertation: "A Qualitative Investigation of Pre-service Special Education Teacher Programs' Preparation of Preservice Special Education Teacher to Work with Paraprofessionals."
2008 — M.Ed. in Special Education, Pennsylvania West University, California, PA
2003 — Minors in Sociology and Human Development and Family Studies, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA
Scholarly Activities
2024
- District Accountability Committee (DAC), Adams 12 Five Star Schools, Thornton, CO
- Adams 12 Five Star Leadership Academy, Adams 12 Five Star Schools, Thornton, CO
- Conference Presentation, Coaching for Community: Supporting Rural Schools in Developing 2024 Autism Intervention, American Council on Rural Special Education, Las Vegas, NV
Professional Experience
2023 — Adjunct Faculty, University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO
Taught courses in the Special Education MA Intervention Specialist Program. This included teaching courses in the ABA concentration, autism certificate, and the Educational Leadership and Special Education Administration program.
2022 — Grant Coordinator, University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO
Developed a sustainable supervision practicum model, a protocol for BCBA supervision and training, and a practicum course for students enrolled in a MA Intervention Specialist program with an emphasis on Applied Behavior Analysis for a state grant.
2020 — Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Trumpet Behavioral Health, Northglenn, CO
Provided ABA services for individuals with autism, including assessment, program development, supervising RBTs, family training, and community support.
Related Programs
Extensive Support Needs, Education Specialist Credential
Mild to Moderate Support Needs, Education Specialist Credential
Special Education (Applied Behavioral Analyst), MA
Special Education (Teaching & Learning), MA
Special Education (Autism), MA
Applied Behavioral Analysis, Certificate
