Assistant Professor, Director of the Social-Emotional and Behavioral Learning Research Lab
Biography
Jun Ai is an Assistant Professor of Early Childhood Education/Early Childhood Special Education and the Director of the Social-Emotional and Behavioral Learning Research Lab. Her research focuses on three lines of inquiry. First, utilize coaching to support teachers’ implementation of evidence-based practices to promote young children's social-emotional and behavioral health. Second, explore the processes and factors related to the implementation of multi-tiered positive behavior support in early care and education settings via the lenses of health equity and implementation science. Third, investigate the links among teacher social-emotional competence and wellbeing, teacher practices, and child social-emotional outcomes. Jun’s research primarily involves quantitative analyses (e.g., single case research design, multilevel structural equation modeling) and mixed methods research designs. She is a board-certified behavior analyst and worked as a preschool teacher and early interventionist for seven years before joining academia.
(Currently accepting new graduate students)
Research
- Social-Emotional Learning and Challenging Behavior Prevention
- ECE/ECSE Teacher Preparation
- Implementation of Evidence-based Practice in Multi-Tiered System of Supports
- Early Intervention and Inclusive Education
Education
Ph.D., Special Education, University of Kansas, 2019
- Specialization: Early Childhood Education/Early Childhood Special Education (ECE/ECSE)
Awards and Recognitions
Implementation and Sustainability of Positive-behavior-support in Real Early-care (InSPIRE). Early Care and Education Research Scholars Grant, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, (PI, $24,984.86)
Publications
Ai, J., Horn, E.M., & Bigelow, K. (2022) Examining implementation and sustainability of positive behavior support in child care centers. Child & Youth Care Forum. 51 (2), 267-290 10.1007/s10566-021-09627-z
Ai, J., Zhang, J., Horn, E.M., Liu, H., Huang, J., & Ma, Y. (2022). Examination of Chinese teachers’ attitudes towards inclusive education. Journal of International Special Needs Education. https://doi.org/10.9782/JISNE-D-21-00004
Oh-Young, C., Buchter, J., Krasch, D., Chiappe, J., Ai, J., Silver, S., Bae, H., & Nguyen, N. N. (2022). Diversifying the workforce: Increasing the number of Asian Americans in early childhood education. Young Children. 77 (1), 52-59. https://www.naeyc.org/resources/pubs/yc/spring2022/diversifying-workforce
Evmenova, A., Regan, K., Schladant, M., Sudduth, C., Buzhardt, J., Ai, J., Hall, T., Erickson, K., & Jackson, T. (2022). Stepping-up technology implementation – How does it happen? Journal of Special Education Technology. 10.1177/01626434221074357
Buzhardt, J., Leonard, J., Ai, J., Higgins, S., Greenwood, C., Consolver, K., Walker, D., & Carta, J. (2022) Implementation of a standardized progress monitoring system by infant-toddler child care providers: Comparison of implementation rates across ten community-based agencies. Journal of Special Education Technology
Zhong, M., Zhao, H., Ai, J., & Zeng, S. (2022). Bullying and victimization in Chinese affordable kindergarten: A latent profile analysis. Early Childhood Education Journal. 50 (5), 773-783. 10.1007/s10643-021-01185-2
Zhao, M., Fu, W., & Ai, J. (2021). The mediating role of social support in the relationship between parenting stress and resilience among Chinese parents of children with disabilities. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. 51 (10), 3412-3422. 10.1007/s10803-020-04806-8
An, Z., Martinez, J. R., & Ai, J. (2021). Trial-based functional analysis to understand children's behaviors. Young Exceptional Children. 24 (4), 200-212. 10.1177/1096250620928331
Greenwood, C. R., Higgins, S., McKenna M., Buzhardt, J., Walker D., Ai, J., Irvin, D., & Grasley-Boy, N. (2021) Using Individual Growth and Development Indicators (IGDIs) for Infants and Toddlers Remotely. Journal of Early Intervention. 10.1177/10538151211057552