Krystle E. Merry, Ph.D. Candidate, NBCT Exceptional Needs Specialist
Biography
Krystle Merry is a Ph.D. candidate and Razorback-Sooner Teaming for Transition OSEP scholar at the University of Arkansas, pursuing her degree in special education curriculum and instruction with a certificate in transition services and autism. Currently, her research interests, presentations, and publications, printed and in-process, focus on special education transition services in online learning environments, online work-based learning experiences for students with and without disabilities, digital community resource mapping, twice-exceptional students, assistive technology case law, inclusive technology systems, and integration of technology in secondary and post-secondary special education programs including the transition of students to post-secondary educational institutions and employment.
Krystle is an intern at the Center for Applied Special Technology (CAST) in the Center for Inclusive Technology and Education Systems (CITES) and a 2023 intern at the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) at the US Department of Education. Krystle is also a National Board-Certified Teacher (NBCT), higher education instructor teaching Inclusive Technology, field supervisor to preservice special education teachers, Graduate Professional Student Congress (GPSC) Secretary, and Chancellors Commission on Women at the University of Arkansas. She also serves as the graduate representative on the Curriculum and Instruction Education hospitality committee, All-University Conduct Board (AUCB), and University Teaching and Education Board (UTEB). She currently serves on the editorial board for the National Association of Special Education Teachers (NASET) for the Journal of the American Academy of Special Education Professionals (JAASEP) and Special Education Research, Policy, and Practice (SERPP) in addition to reviewing for TEACHING Exceptional Children (TEC), Journal of Special Education Technology (JSET), and Career Development and Transition for Exceptional Individuals (CDTEI).
Krystle was recently awarded Ph.D. Student of the Year for Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Arkansas and was nominated by the Northwest Arkansas DX Chapter as the Philanthropic Education Organization (PEO) scholar for women in educational research. She has a master’s degree in Gifted and Talented Education with a bachelor’s degree in Middle Childhood Education with an emphasis in mathematics and science with an endorsement in special education and in English to speakers of other languages (ESOL).