Hey friends,
I'm Maria, a behavior analyst, podcaster, data based decision maker, and lover of all things with sprinkles.
I have big goals to provide teachers with strategies to use in their classroom for behavioral and social emotional learning so they love the classroom they go to each day!
Let's be friends!
I WANNA BE FRIENDS
10 years in the making...
Over 10 years ago, I took a random single subject research design class (sounds super fun, I know) to fulfill a credit requirement in undergrad....in that course I found my passion.
During the second class session, my professor approached me as I was eating some goldfish (picky eater over here, so yes I was a grown adult eating goldfish as a snack) and said, "I think you really understand this, you need to stay in this program."
From there, I dove into the deep end and immersed myself in the field every chance I was given. I took every class I could, did a lot of research projects, and found a love for doing research in schools.
I decided as a 19 year old undergraduate student that I was going to get my PhD in special education and applied behavior analysis and one day I would be a behavior specialist in schools.
I worked so hard to do as much research as I could so I would have a competitive resume to get into a PhD program. I published my first research study during my senior year and was off to get my Master's.
The next 3 years
I decided to get my Master's and Specialist degree in school psychology. I wanted to understand the field of special education but knew being a teacher was not my career path, so this seemed like a good fit.
I took 20 credit hours each semester so I could also take the behavior analysis classes that would allow me to sit for the board exam. I worked three jobs so I wouldn't drown in debt when I was done in school and hustled for those three years.
During my third year, I sat and passed my board exam and started applying to PhD. programs.
A PhD at 28...
I got into the PhD program of my dreams, moved two and half hours away from my family to pursue the dream I had six years earlier.
To say the next three years were hard would be an understatement...
Getting your PhD is no joke. Not that I thought it would be some fun activity, but I did not realize the amount of pressure that is placed on you. You are expected to publish articles, do endless amounts of research, teach classes, write textbook chapters, and play the political game that is academia.
I hustled those three years, I worked three jobs so I wouldn't have to take out a loan, stayed up late nights working so I could maintain a 4.0 GPA and kept my eye on the goal...to be a behavior specialist is schools.
It wasn't all hard, I met some of my best friends, I got to live my dream. How many people can say they had a dream or a goal that they got to live? I am grateful I had that experience.
At the end of those three years, I walked across the stage and was officially a doctor at 28 years old. More importantly I learned everything I could so I would be able to maximize student success!
Living My Dream
After I graduated I landed my dream job. I literally get to wake up everyday and do exactly what I love doing.
I love helping teachers maximize the success of their students through behavioral and social emotional learning interventions.
I love it so much, I created this little corner of the internet to help any teacher that needs behavioral and social emotional learning support for their classroom.
If you are here, you have found that corner, and I could not be happier to made it. I am here to support you in any way I can, check out the free resources I created for teachers just like you and get started on your journey to becoming an expert in behavioral interventions!
I NEED THE FREEBIESA Peek Into My Life...
When I'm not being stopped for a hall pass...
My Person
My best friend, number one cheerleader, provider of all the sprinkle donuts (seriously, if I even hint about wanting a donut...he gets the donut). My personal Crossfit coach, a supportive hand to hold, and my favorite laughing buddy.
My Self-Care
I love being outside and going on long walks as much as possible. I could go on a walk each and every day if I did not live in a place where it snowed (I hate being cold!)
My Outlet
I started Crossfit because I needed something to do with my time one summer. I met my person (see above). He was one of the coaches and had some nice abs ladies. I went to class each day because of him, I stayed because we love doing it together!
Grab My Free Resources to Get Started On Your Behavior Change Journey Today
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Behavior Intervention Guide
A comprehensive guide to classroom based interventions.
Classroom Behavior Intervention Checklist
A complete checklist to optimize your classroom for behavioral success.
Intervention Implementation Toolkit
A guide to determine the feasibility of interventions in your classroom.
Want to from overwhelmed and frustrated to an expert behavior interventionist and love the classroom you go to each day?
Let me help you, let's do this together! If you are ready to transform you classroom and end the tearful rides home over feeling frustrated with classroom behavior, join me in The School Based Behavior Strategies Course. You won't regret it!
JOIN THE WAITLIST
Let's stay in touch
Each week I send out emails jam packed with new content ready for you to dive into. I also send out monthly FREEBIES and reminders when new and exciting content is coming.
If you want to stay in the know...sign up now!
The Teaching Behavior Together Podcast
If you are looking for some bite sized behavioral and social emotional strategies that are directly related to your classroom, you found your place....listen today and start changing behavior tomorrow!
