Brandy M. Locchetta, Ph.D., BCBA-D

Dr. Brandy Locchetta is an assistant professor and Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) program coordinator in the Department of Special Education at the University of West Georgia. She graduated from Vanderbilt University with  a Ph.D. in Special Education with a focus on early childhood. Brandy also holds a masters degree in Special Education (early childhood) from Vanderbilt University and an undergraduate degree in Early Childhood Education with a Preschool Special Education Endorsement from Georgia State University. Brandy's career in early childhood education spans more than 20 years and a variety of roles from teacher to center director to state level program management to higher education and everything in between. As an educator and Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Brandy's passions and areas of expertise include: early intervention (IDEA, Part C) and preschool special education (IDEA Part B, Section 619), inclusion, special education law/policy, multi-tiered systems of support, social-emotional and early learning supports for young children, trauma informed, school-based behavioral assessment and intervention, and strengthening the confidence and competence of families as well as the early childhood and special education workforce to support young children with disabilities and interfering behaviors.

  • A.S., Early Childhood Care and Education, Gwinnett Technical College, 2010
  • BS Ed., Early Childhood Education (B-5), Preschool Special Education Endorsement, Georgia State University, 2012
  • M.Ed., Special Education, Vanderbilt University, 2014
  • Ph.D., Special Education, Vanderbilt University, 2023

Spring 2024 Sections

Fall 2023 Sections

Fettig, A., Meyer, L. E., Locchetta, B. M., & Barton, E. E. (2021). Using DEC-recommended practices to support virtual classrooms and remote learning. Young Exceptional Children, 10962506211028573. [View Publication External Resource]

Gomez, L., Barton, E. E., Winchester, C., & Locchetta, B. M. (2020). The effects of email performance feedback on teachers’ use of play expansions. Journal of Early Intervention. https://doi.org/10.1177/105381520969821 [View Publication External Resource]

Locchetta, B. M., Domingo, M., & Barton, E. E. (2019). Family Style Dining: Making the Most of Your Meals!. Young Exceptional Children, 1096250619858676. [View Publication External Resource]

Locchetta, B. M., Barton, E. E., & Kaiser, A. (2017). Using Family Style Dining to Increase Social Interactions in Young Children. Topics in Early Childhood Special Education, 37(1), 54-64. [View Publication External Resource]