Profile for Luann Ley Davis | The University of Memphis

Faculty and Staff Profiles

Luann Ley Davis

Office Location:

Office Hours: Tuesdays 10:00 AM -4:00 PM or by Appointment M-F 9-4:00 PM

Profile

Dr. Ley Davis is an Asst. Professor of Special Education at the University of Memphis. She has taught students with moderate/severe/profound disabilities and students with ASD for more than 14 years. She teaches courses in Literacy Methods, Behavioral Management, Assessment, General Curriculum Access (Adapted Curriculum), and Systematic Instruction. Dr. Ley Davis’s research track is teaching academic core content to students with moderate/severe disability and ASD using technology and peer-mediated instruction. Her interests include investigating the use of technology to support and enhance the academic experience for students with support needs. Dr. Ley Davis is currently the TN Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) Children’s Action Network (CAN) Coordinator where she advocates at the local, state, and national level for policy and legislation that promotes positive outcomes for individuals with exceptionalities. She also serves as the Student Advisor for the RSO University of Memphis Student Council for Exceptional Children (UM SCEC) where she supports full student involvement in planning events, fundraisers, and community engagement. Dr. Ley Davis also provides professional development sessions for teachers in the field and advises undergraduates, masters, and doctoral students in conducting research in the special education field. Committed to serving students with disabilities, she also continues to pursue her BCBA-DR. Dr. Ley Davis is a native of Colorado and earned her BS in Psychology at Colorado State University and her MA in Special Education, Severe Needs Cognitive, at the University of Northern Colorado. She earned her Ph.D. in Special Education and Child Development at the University of North Carolina Charlotte under the direction of experts in the field of low incidence disabilities. Dr. Ley Davis presents at notable International/National conferences, such as CEC, ABAI, DADD, TED, and TASH every year. She has been invited to speak at State conferences such as CEC, ABA, Inclusion Across the Lifespan, Down Syndrome Association, and locally at the West TN SPED Conference. Dr. Ley Davis has also provided multiple professional development sessions for LEAs and beyond. Dr. Ley Davis enjoys time with her family, collecting antiques, and traveling.

Honors/Awards

2019 College of Education Service Award - University of Memphis - 2019
First Time PI Award / Recognition - Research Celebration and Reception- University of Memphis - 2019
Teacher of the Year Award Nominee - Council for Exceptional Children - 2011
Teacher of the Year Award - CO Council for Exceptional Children - 2010
9News Teachers Who Care Award - NBC Channel 9 TV Denver, CO - 2009
State Teamwork Award - Social and Rehabilitative Services - 2000

Teaching Experience

SPED 3800 Methods I: Instruction in Literacy for Special Education - University of Memphis
SPED 3802 Educational Assessment in Inclusive Settings - University of Memphis
ICL 4800 Residency II Professional Seminar: Special Education edTPA - University of Memphis
SPED 7000 Introduction to Exceptional Learners - University of Memphis
SPED 7212 Academic Instruction in Special Education Methods - University of Memphis
SPED 7221 Behavior Management in Special Education - University of Memphis
SPED 7201 Educational Programming for Students with Learning Disabilities - University of Memphis
SPED 7001 Special Education Assessment in Inclusive Settings - University of Memphis
SPED 8221 Behavior Management in Special Education - University of Memphis
SPED 8201 Educational Programming for Students with Learning Disabilities - University of Memphis
SPED 8211 Academic Instruction in Special Education Methods - University of Memphis
ICL 8998 Directed Reading for Special Education - University of Memphis
SPED 4271 Systematic Instruction - University of North Carolina Charlotte
SPED 4274 General Curriculum Access and Adaptations - University of North Carolina Charlotte
SPED 5100 Introduction to Special Education - University of North Carolina Charlotte
SPED 5271 Systematic Instruction - University of North Carolina Charlotte

Student Advising/Mentoring

EdD - Adam Poole - 2021
EdD - LaKesha Wilson -
EdD - Memory Schwartz Turner -
EdD - Jessica Minton - 2021
Ed.D. - Jlahna Chatman - 2025
EdD - Monica Bester -
EdD - Charmaine Sego -
Ed.D. - Marco Pavlovic - 2022
EdD - Melissa Miller Benson -
EdD - Alva Thomas -
EdD - Jennifer Graves - 2021
EdD - Mary Brewer - 2020
EdD - Lisa Bryant - 2020
EdD - Jennifer Hogan -
EdD - Mallory Garrett - 2018
MS - Derik Webb -
MS - Jada Ingram -
MS - Lauren Tucker -
MS - Rebecca Kigaita -
MAT - Melanie Leet - 2019
M.S. - Elizabeth Anderson - 2021
M.S. - Krystin Dycus - 2022
M.S. - Simeria Green - 2022
M.S. - Savanna Dodd - 2023
M.S. - Amber Wilkes - 2023
Bachelors (Honors Faculty Mentor) - Meghan Himstead - 2019
M.S. - Kindra Mitchell - 2022
Bachelors (SLP Mentor) - Kaela Jones - 2019
Bachelors (Honors Faculty Mentor) - Molly Sanders - 2020
Bachelors (Honors Faculty Mentor) - Krista Matheny - 2018
Bachelors - Charlotte Griffith - 2020
Bachelors - Taylor Shive - 2021

Creative Activities

2020 Faculty Research Grant-PI - 2020 - College of Education, University of Memphis - COE Sponsored Award
Invited Guest Editor: Education and Training in Autism and Developmental Disabilities (ETADD). - 2019 - International Journal -
Editorial Board: Education and Training in Autism and Developmental Disabilities (ETADD). - 2021 - International Journal -
Selected to attend the Advanced Training Institute on Single-Case Research Methods Single-Case Intervention Research Design and Analysis Summer Training Institute - 06/2018 - Madison, WI - Institute of Educational Sciences (IES) and the University of Oregon.
Memphis Shaping and Transforming Educators Program (MSTEP) Teacher Preparation grant. - 2017-2019 - University of Memphis - Tennessee Higher Education Commission Diversity in Teaching (THEC DIT)

Support

Memphis Shaping and Transforming Educators Program (MSTEP) - Tennessee Higher Education Commission- Diversity in Teaching - 100,000 - 2017-2019

Service

The University of Memphis - Hearing Officer for Title IX cases adjudicated by the OIE Office - 2020-2025
University of Memphis - COE, ICL Workflow Committee - 2020
University of Memphis - COE, ICL, SPED Program Faculty Search Committee - 2020
University of Memphis - Graduate Student SPED Program Coordinator - 2019
University of Kansas - Selected to serve on the Dynamic Learning Maps National Transition Panel as expert/key stakeholder to develop Transition Curriculum. University of Kansas, Kansas City, MO. - 2019
University of Memphis - Invited Guest Editor: Education and Training in Autism and Developmental Disabilities (ETADD). - 2020-2022
Tennessee Council for Exceptional Children Exec Board - TN State Childrens Action Network (CAN) Coordinator - 2017-Present
University of Memphis - University of Memphis Learning Inspired by FedEx (LiFE) Preparatory Academy (Grant); special education expert consultant. - 2018- Present
University of Memphis - Faculty Advisor, Student Council for Exceptional Children - 2017-Present
University of Memphis - Doctoral Dissertation Committee Member - 2017-Present
University of Memphis - Doctoral and Master Student Program Chair/Advisor - 2017-Present
University of Memphis - Co-Coordinator Special Education Program Restructuring Committee. - 2017-Present
University of Memphis - Undergraduate Honors Student Mentor - 2017-Present
University of Memphis - College of Education Strategic Planning Committee: Faculty Focus Group - 2017-Present
University of Memphis - Special Education Course Review Committee Co-Chair, 2017, River City Partnership program - 2017-Present
University of Memphis - Special Education Program Doctoral Student Committee, Student Selection Committee - 2017-Present
University of Memphis - Pre-Residency Teacher Candidate Planning Committee - 2017-Present

Books Published

Root, J. R., Allen-Clark, K., & Ley Davis, L. (2019). Academic skill instruction in adolescent transition education (Invited book chapter). In M. L. Wehmeyer & K. A. Shogren (Eds.), Handbook of Research-Based Practices for Educating Students with Intellectual Disability, 2nd Ed. Routledge Publishing, New York, NY.
Root J.R., Stevenson B., Ley Davis, L. (2018) Computer-Assisted Instruction to Teach Academic Skills. In: Volkmar F. (eds) Encyclopedia of Autism Spectrum Disorders. Springer, New York, NY https://link.springer.com/referenceworkentry/10.1007%2F978- 1-4614-6435-8_102212-1
Book Chapters Root J.R., Stevenson B., Ley Davis, L. (2018) Computer-Assisted Instruction to Teach Academic Skills. In: Volkmar F. (eds) Encyclopedia of Autism Spectrum Disorders. Springer, New York, NY https://link.springer.com/referenceworkentry/10.1007%2F978-1-4614-6435-8_102212-1 Test, D. W., Spooner, F., Holzberg, D., Robertson, C., & Ley Davis, L. (2016). Planning for other educational needs and community-based instruction (Invited book chapter). In M. L. Wehmeyer & K. A. Shogren (Eds.), Handbook of Research-Based Practices for Educating Students with Intellectual Disability. Routledge Publishing, New York, NY.

Journal Articles

Ley Davis, L., & Clark, K. (2021). Identifying effective virtual evidence-based strategies for students with low incidence disability. Conference proceedings Division of Autism and Developmental Disability Online Journal (DOJ). Manuscript in progress).
Ley Davis, L. (2021). The use of technology to deliver EBP-based instruction and promote generalization of academics for students with ID/DD/ASD. Conference proceedings Division of Autism and Developmental Disability Online Journal (DOJ). Manuscript in progress).
Ley Davis, L. & Allen-Clark, K. (2019). Unmasking the potential for adolescent transition through evidence-based academic skills. Teacher Education Division of the Council for Exceptional Children, Conference Proceedings, Vol. 1, p. 23-27.
Ley Davis, L. (2019). Meeting the special education teacher shortage for LEA’s through a collaborative online licensure program. Teacher Education Division of the Council for Exceptional Children, Conference Proceedings, Vol. 1, p. 107-111.
Ley Davis, L., Barnes, K. L., Taylor, A. M., Hunter, W. C., & Baylot Casey, L. (2020: submitted). Responding to COVID-19: Improving collaboration and strengthening the parent-teacher relationship using an orientation package. Children and Youth Services Review, Virtual Special Issue (VSI); digital support service paper.
Hunter, W., Jasper, A., Ley Davis, L., Singleton, J., Davis, K., & Barton-Arwood, S. (2020: submitted) Contributing to educator success: Developing an orientation package to enhance classroom management practices. Intervention in School & Clinic.
Bryant*, L., Hunter, W., Nordstrom, S., Ley Davis, L., & Schiro-Geist, C. (2020: submitted). College experiences for individuals with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities: Stories of our success. Journal of Intellectual Disabilities. JID-20-0100.
Hunter, W., Ley Davis, L., Hsu, S., Williams, M., & Schiro-Geist, C. (2020: submitted). Building the bridge to support students with intellectual disabilities in post-secondary programs. Journal of Forensic Vocational Analysis, Vol. 19(2) pp.29-39.
Ley Davis, L. & Allen-Clark, K. (2019). Unmasking the potential for adolescent transition through evidence-based academic skills. Teacher Education Division of the Council for Exceptional Children, Conference Proceedings, Vol. 1, p. 23-27.
Ley Davis, L. (2019). Meeting the special education teacher shortage for LEA’s through a collaborative online licensure program. Teacher Education Division of the Council for Exceptional Children, Conference Proceedings, Vol. 1, p. 107-111.
McKissick, B. R., Ley Davis, L., Spooner, F., Fisher, L. B., & Graves, C. (2018). Using computer-assisted instruction to teach science vocabulary to students with autism spectrum disorder. Rural Special Education Quarterly. Doi: 10.1177/8756870518784270.
Browder, D. M., Spooner, F., Lo, Y-y. Saunders, A. F., Root, J. R., Ley Davis, L., Brosh, C. (2017). Teaching students with moderate intellectual disability to solve word problems. Journal of Special Education. Doi: 0022466917721236.
Spooner, F., Saunders, A. F., & Ley Davis, L. (2017). Using simulated real-life video modeling to teach mathematical problem solving and generalization. Remedial and Special Education. Doi: 10.1177/0741932517717042.
Ley Davis, L. (2016). Effects of peer-mediated instruction on mathematical problem solving for students with moderate/severe intellectual disability (Doctoral dissertation). The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC.
Root, J. R., Stevenson, B., Ley Davis, L., Geddes, J., & Test, D. W. (2016). Establishing computer-assisted instruction to teach academics to students with Autism as an evidence- based practice. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disability, doi: 10.1007/s10803- 016-2947-6.
Spooner, F., Kemp-Inman, A., Ahlgrim-Delzell, L., Wood, L., & Ley Davis, L. (2015). Generalization of literacy skills through portable technology for students with severe disabilities. Research and Practice for Persons with Severe Disabilities, 40, 52-70. doi:10.1177/1540796915586190.
Root, J., & Ley Davis, L. (2014, September 1). Constant time delay: An evidence-based practice to support instruction. DADD Express Newsletter: The Division on Autism and Developmental Disabilities. Retrieved from http://daddcec.org/Publications/DADDExpress.aspx
Root, J. R., Stevenson, B., & Ley Davis, L. (2017). Computer assisted instruction to teach academics to students with autism. In Fred R. Volkmar (Ed.), Encyclopedia of autism spectrum disorders (2nd ed.). Springer. Retrieved from doi:10.1007/978-1-4614-6435-8_102212-1
Ley Davis, L. & Saunders, A. F. (2016). Building foundational mathematics skills in inclusive settings. Inclusion Across the Lifespan. Conference Proceedings; Digital Commons, Winthrop University.
Root, J. R., Ley Davis, L., Brosch, C. (2015). Strategies for promoting success in inclusive mathematics classrooms. Inclusion Across the Lifespan. Conference Proceedings; Digital Commons, Winthrop University.

Appendix A - Teaching Experience

SPED 7212/8212 - Content Methods II: Academics in Special Education
SPED 7212/8212 - Content Methods II: Academics in Special Education
SPED 3802 - Ed Assessment in Special Education
SPED 6000 - Methods Materials for Moderate Severe Disabilities
ICL 8998 - Directed Reading-Doctoral Studies
SPED 3800 - Methods I: Instruction in Literacy
ICL 8991 - Independent Study-Doctoral Studies
SPED 7221 - Behavior Management in Special Education
SPED 8221 - Behavior Management in Special Education
SPED 5271 - Systematic Instruction
SPED 4274 - General Curriculum Access and Adaptations
SPED 5100 - Introduction to Special Education
SPED 5271 - Systematic Instruction
SPED 4271 - Systematic Instruction

Appendix B - Student Advising/Mentoring

2017-Present Faculty Advisor, Student Council for Exceptional Children, University of Memphis Chapter, Memphis, TN. 2017-Present Doctoral Dissertation Committee Member 2017-Present Doctoral and Master Student Program Chair/Advisor 2017-Present Co-Coordinator Special Education Program Restructuring Committee. April 2017-present. 2017-Present Special Education Program Doctoral Student Committee, Student Selection Interviews, April 2017-Present, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN. 2017-Present Undergraduate Honors Student Mentor. August 2017-present. Fall 2017 ICL 4914 Residency I Practicum: Supported Supervision 2017-Present Pre-Residency Planning Committee. August 2017-present. Fall 2017 SPED edTPA Supervising SPED Students with edTPA.