Rate My Professor Melissa Tapp

Dr. Melissa Tapp, Ph.D., serves as Assistant Professor of Special Education and Board Certified Behavior Analyst-Doctoral in the Teacher Education Department at Catawba College. She earned her B.S. from St. Bonaventure University, M.Ed. in 2010, and Ph.D. in 2022, both in special education from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Prior to joining Catawba College, Dr. Tapp worked in North Carolina public schools in various capacities, including as a special education teacher, behavior specialist, and Board Certified Behavior Analyst. She integrates behavior-analytic content and practices into all her courses within the School of Education. Dr. Tapp received the BCBA-D® designation in September 2024, recognizing her as an independent practitioner who provides and oversees behavior-analytic services.

Dr. Tapp's academic interests and research focus on increasing engagement of students with extensive support needs in school settings, emphasizing communication and behavioral interventions as well as teacher education. She has led and collaborated on several research studies in these domains. Key publications include 'Paraeducator Training to Support Students' Behavioral Needs: Administrator, Teacher, and Paraeducator Perspectives' (2024), 'Behavior Intervention Plan Implementation During Distance Learning: A Mixed Methods Study of Special Educators’ Perceptions' (2024, Teacher Education and Special Education), 'Effects of Check-In/Check-Out on the Behavior of Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder Who Have Extensive Support Needs' (2023), and 'Paraeducator-Delivered Interventions for Students with Extensive Support Needs in Inclusive School Settings: A Systematic Review' (2021). Her work has garnered 278 citations on ResearchGate, contributing to advancements in special education and applied behavior analysis. Dr. Tapp is a member of Catawba College's Academic Planning and Assessment committee.