The Scholar–Practitioner in Residence (SPiR) Program is designed to bring together researcher-practitioners who are deeply committed to improving outcomes for neurodiverse children and the staff who provide intervention through applied research, professional mentorship, and precision teaching. We intentionally partner with scholar–practitioners whose work bridges theory and practice and whose expertise contributes to systems-level improvement in educational and clinical settings.
As a Scholar–Practitioner in Residence, invited participants are asked to engage in the following core activities:
- Provide program-level consultative support aligned with a defined area of expertise
- Deliver onsite coaching within one specialty area to support implementation and capacity building
- Facilitate one community-facing presentation, such as a professional learning session, parent workshop, or applied research talk
Residencies (at least three full days) are designed to be collaborative and practice-embedded, with ExcelPrep serving as the applied setting for shared learning and innovation. For scholars interested in deeper collaboration, this role may extend into a continuous supportive engagement that includes ongoing consultation, applied research collaboration, mentorship, or dissemination.
Participation in the SPiR Program offers an opportunity to:
- Engage in meaningful, real-world application of research and practice
- Contribute to workforce development and professional mentorship
- Collaborate with a mission-driven program committed to equity and implementation fidelity
- Influence systems that directly serve neurodiverse learners and their families
Our First Scholar in Residence, Dr. Beryl Irene Bailey, CCC-SLP
