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DR.MICHELLE HARPER
BIO

With more than 30 years of experience working with children and families and 20 years of teaching adults in a variety of higher educational settings, Dr. Michelle Harper has the expertise  to help educators and parents develop fresh skills to support children.

 

Michelle has taught at many colleges and universities since 1999 teaching Child Development, Education and Psychology courses.  Currently, Michelle is an Associate Professor at Mt San Jacinto College and adjunct at several other California colleges.  Michelle’s instructional focus is curriculum, diversity and special needs populations including children with disabilities and children experiencing trauma. 

 

Michelle has worked with a wide array of organizations such as, Sunny Days Early Intervention, Riverside Community College- Foster Youth Program, Moorpark/ Simi Valley Neighborhood for Learning, Devereaux, and Aspira Raising Hope. Her work within these organizations includes Behavior Analyst, Social Worker, Clinical Case Manager and Early Interventionist.

 

Michelle’s goal is to unify her passion of mental health, child development and adult learning to improve the lives of children.

EDUCATION
EDUCATION

2010 - 2015 • Ed.D Counseling Psychology | Argosy University

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DISSERTATION + RESEARCH
  • Dissertation - Determining the Relationship Between Exposure to Adverse Experiences in Childhood and Later Parenting Style

​​1994-1996 • M.S. Clinical Psychology| California Polytechnic State University

1990-1992 • B.S. Human Development | California Polytechnic State University

CONSULTING
Developmental Specialist - Sunny Days Early Intervention  2005- Present
 
  • Conduct assessment to determine eligibility for infants and toddler with disabilities and their families for statewide family-centered system using developmental assessments such as the DAY-C, ELAP, REEL-2, ASQ, MCHAT-R and Denver.
  • Work with families and the other professionals in evaluating children and planning intervention services that meet the developmental needs of each child.
  • Support, teach and scaffold children as they learn skills for positive outcomes.
  • Coach parents on the utilization behavioral support. 
  • Teach and guide parents on appropriate play-based activities.
  • Recommend and refer children to ongoing treatment and support services.

 

TEACHING
TEACHING
​Mt. San Jacinto College
  • Associate Professor  Teacher Education and Developmental Studies Department
  • Department Chair  2015- 2018
  • Child Development and Education Student Group Adviser 2013-2018

  • Child Development Training Consortium Campus Coordinator  2006 to Present

INSTRUCTIONAL FOCUS

  • Principles of Early Childhood

  • Developmentally Appropriate Curriculum

  • Child Family and Community

  • Child Growth

  • Teaching in a Diverse Society

  • Introduction of Children with Exceptional Need

  • Supervised Fieldwork in Special Education

  • Online and Accerlerated Course Learning Modalities

CONSULTING
​Cerro Coso Community College
Adjunct Professor  Child Development Department
INSTRUCTIONAL FOCUS

  • Principles of Early Childhood

  • Curriculum

  • Child Family and Community

  • Child Growth

  • Teaching in a Diverse Society

  • Language and Literacy

  • Observation and Assessment

Past Adjunct Faculty Positions

Instructing in the departments of Child Development, Education, and Psychology for:

  • Porterville Community College

  • Valley Community College

  • Riverside  Community College

  • Palomar Community College

  • Norco Community College

  • Oxnard Community College

  • Ventura Community College

  • Moorpark Community College

  • University Of Phoenix

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For more detailed information find Dr. Harper on Linkedin

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CONTACT
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