Brianna Miller, Ed.D., NCTS
Instructor
College of Education
Special Education | Academy for Community Inclusion
Boca Raton Campus | ED 47 - 431
Brianna Miller
Dr. Brianna Miller received her EdD in special education from 麻豆精品视频 (FAU). Dr. Miller is a faculty member in the Department of Special Education and the Academy for Community Inclusion (ACI) at FAU. The ACI program is a comprehensive transition postsecondary education program tailored to students 18 and older with intellectual and developmental disabilities, supporting their development toward independence and employment.
Dr. Miller teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in the Department of Special Education, with a particular emphasis on inclusive education and strategies for supporting students with diverse abilities. She also teaches specialized courses for ACI students, focusing on fostering accessible, meaningful learning experiences through quality-of-life outcomes such as self-care and daily living skills, social and interpersonal skills, health and fitness, and financial literacy.
Dr. Miller鈥檚 research focuses on critical issues impacting adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, particularly those aging with moderate to severe disabilities. Her research areas include fitness, emotional well-being, and sex education, emphasizing the promotion of healthy lifestyles and emotional resilience. She is dedicated to addressing the needs of aging adults with disabilities, ensuring they have the resources and support necessary for continued well-being and quality of life.
Dr. Miller is a certified nutrition coach through the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) and a Certified Adaptive & Inclusive Fitness Trainer through Adaptive Training Academy (ATA). She is also a trained sexuality educator for individuals with developmental disabilities, having completed her certification through Elevatus Training. These certifications reflect her commitment to inclusive health and education, contributing to her holistic approach to supporting individuals with disabilities across the lifespan.
Key Words: Adaptive fitness, sex education, aging
Courses and Syllabi
The Department of Special Education and the Academy for Community Inclusion (ACI) prioritize innovative, evidence-based approaches to teaching that emphasize inclusivity, collaboration, and individualized support to prepare diverse learners for academic, personal, and professional success. Across courses, Dr. Miller implements strategies grounded in Universal Design for Learning (UDL), explicit instruction, and culturally responsive practices to foster critical thinking, self-advocacy, and practical skills.
In special education courses, Dr. Miller focuses on equipping educators with the knowledge and tools to build effective partnerships with families, schools, and communities, manage inclusive classrooms, and design targeted interventions to support students with diverse needs, including those with moderate to severe disabilities. She emphasizes cognitive and metacognitive learning strategies, behavior change techniques, and the development of individualized education plans to ensure student growth and success.
ACI courses are designed to provide students with intellectual and developmental disabilities with meaningful, accessible learning experiences that promote independence, self-determination, and life readiness. Dr. Miller focuses on teaching essential life skills, career exploration, personal safety, health and fitness, financial literacy, and technology integration. Through a collaborative and supportive learning environment, these courses empower students to achieve their personal and professional goals while fostering an inclusive postsecondary experience.
Name/code for each course
Department of Special Education courses:
- EEX 3754 Building Family, Community, and School Partnerships
- EEX 4070 Inclusive Education for General Educators
- EEX 4472 Instructional Practices for Students with Moderate / Severe Disabilities
- EEX 4601 Behavior Change Strategies
- EEX 4751 Collaboration and Partnerships
- EEX 4932 Developing Individualized Education Plan
- EEX 6259 Cognitive and Meta-Cognitive Learning Strategies
- EDG 4419 Classroom Management
- EDG 6408 Managing Inclusive Classroom: Effective Discipline
Academy for Community Inclusion courses:
- EEX 4937 Real-World Financial Literacy
- HSC 2100 Health and Fitness for Life
- RED 1105 Reading for Life
- SLS 1102 College Experience
- SLS 1304 Career Exploration
- SLS 1354 Workplace Relationships
- SLS 1505 Critical Thinking
- SLS 1571 Learning with Technology 2
- SLS 1601 Be Safe, Stay Safe
- SLS 1602 Living with Roommates
- SLS 1605 Personal Finances
- SLS 2604 Effective Living
Grant Activities
Postsecondary Transition Programs:
Dr. Miller has been involved in several grants supporting comprehensive transition programs (CTPs) for students with intellectual disabilities. These grants aim to improve students' access to higher education, vocational training, and independent living skills as they transition to adulthood.
Project I Squared Grant Summary (January 2017鈥揇ecember 2018)
Dr. Brianna Miller served as the Project Supervisor for the Project I Squared grant at 麻豆精品视频, a $1.2 million initiative aimed at supporting in-service teachers in developing skills and knowledge to effectively instruct students with autism spectrum disorders. Her key responsibilities included:
- Managing data entry and documentation for all student participants in the grant database.
- Mentoring students on navigating their program and implementing self-regulation strategies.
- Assisting in the design of a two-year induction program for student completers.
- Conducting classroom observations and providing constructive feedback, resources, and guidance to improve student learning outcomes.
This project underscores Dr. Miller's commitment to enhancing teacher preparedness and supporting educators in working with students with autism.
Select Publications
- Carey G., Kearney, K., Downey, A., &聽Miller, B. J.聽(2024). Getting around the community: qualitatively exploring the transportation experiences of adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities. Career Development and Transition for Exceptional Individuals.聽
- Miller, J. B., Berlingo, L., & Kearney, K. (2024). Experience fitness anywhere! Developing an at-home virtual fitness program for young adults with intellectual disabilities. Strategies: A Journal for Physical and Sport Educators. 37(5), 13-21.聽
- Miller, J. B.聽& Berlingo (2023). Perspectives and experiences on engaging in physical activity for adults with intellectual disabilities. Global Journal of Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities, 11(5), 1-11.聽
- Kearney, K. B., Brady, M. P., Bennett, K. D.,聽Joseph, B., & Dukes, C. (2022). Using covert audio coaching to teach 鈥渟mall talk鈥 to a college student with autism and intellectual disability. Journal of Inclusive Postsecondary Education.聽
- Carey, G. C.,聽Miller, B. J., & Finnegan, L. A. (2021). Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on college students with intellectual disability. Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, 55(3), 271-281.聽
- Joseph B, Kearney, K. B., Brady, M. P., Downey, A., & Torres, A. (2021). Teaching small talk: increasing on-topic conversational exchanges in college students with intellectual and developmental disabilities using remote audio coaching. Behavior Modification, 45(2), 251-271.聽
- Joseph, B. (2020). Teacher-directed behavioral interventions. In B. L., Hott, K. M., Randolph, & L., Raymond (2020). Teaching students with emotional and behavioral disabilities (pp.195-218). Plural Publishing.
- Kearney, K. 叠.,听闯辞蝉别辫丑, B., Finnegan, L., & Wood, J. (2020). Using a peer-mediated instructional package to teach college students with intellectual and developmental disabilities to navigate an inclusive university campus. The Journal of Special Education. 1-10.聽
- Joseph, B., Kearney, K. B., & Wilson, C. L. (2019). The role of educational leaders: a case for inclusion in institutions of higher education. Journal of Cases in Educational Leadership, 22(3), 3-15. JCEL-18-0041.R1.聽
- Wilson, C. L., Randolph, K., &聽Joseph, B.聽(2017). Promoting inclusion for students of all abilities. In K. A. Waldon & T. P. Baxley (Eds.), Equity pedagogy: Teaching diverse student populations (pp. 91-100). Kendall-Hunt.
Research
Research Interests for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities
- Health and fitness
- Emotional well-being and mental health support
- Sex education
- Sexuality
- Supports for aging adults with moderate to severe disabilities
- Promoting quality-of-life outcomes
Service
Dr. Brianna Miller has been highly active in the academic and professional community, with a notable focus on peer review, conference presentations, consulting, and community engagement. Below is a summary of her service activities:
Editorial Service:
- Peer Reviewer for multiple respected academic journals:
- American Journal of Sexuality Education (May 2024鈥損resent)
- Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities (January 2022鈥損resent)
- Behavior Modification (October 2020鈥損resent)
- Journal of International Special Needs Education (August 2016鈥損resent)
- IGI Global E-Editorial Discovery (August 2016鈥損resent)
International Presentations:
- Dr. Miller has presented at several prestigious international conferences, showcasing her expertise in fitness, community engagement, and transportation accessibility for individuals with disabilities. Some of her most notable presentations include:
- 2025 Sport and Society Conference in Melbourne, Australia.
- 2024 International Conference on Autism, Intellectual Disability & Developmental Disabilities in Waikiki Beach, Hawaii.
- Various virtual and in-person presentations at the Council for Exceptional Children, showcasing her work on transitioning students with intellectual disabilities to e-learning platforms.
National Presentations:
- Dr. Miller has made significant contributions at numerous national conferences, including:
- The Division on Career Development and Transition Conference in Nevada and South Carolina.
- Teacher Education Division conferences in New Orleans and Las Vegas.
- The American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education Conference in Baltimore.
Keynotes and Invited Presentations:
- Dr. Miller has been invited to give keynote addresses and lectures on topics such as fitness for individuals with disabilities, transition skills for students with disabilities, and resume-building workshops for undergraduates in the Department of Special Education.
Consulting:
- Dr. Miller is well-positioned to offer consulting services for the Broward County school districts transition programs in the following areas:
- Development of inclusive fitness programs for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
- Training educators and support staff in culturally responsive practices and inclusive strategies.
- Designing transition programs for postsecondary students with disabilities.
Community Engagement:
- Dr. Miller has been involved in community outreach programs aimed at promoting health, fitness, and educational opportunities for individuals with disabilities. She has collaborated with schools, universities, and professional organizations to foster inclusivity and professional development for educators and service providers.
Dr. Brianna Miller is an active member of several professional organizations that reflect her diverse expertise in education, health, and disability advocacy. Her memberships include:
- The American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (2024鈥揚resent)
- SHAPE America (2024鈥揚resent)
- Southeast Postsecondary Education Alliance (2021鈥揚resent)
- American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (2017鈥揚resent)
- Council for Exceptional Children, 麻豆精品视频Chapter (2016鈥揚resent)
- Society of Health and Physical Education (2016鈥揚resent)
- International Honor Society in Education, Kappa Delta Pi (2015鈥揚resent)
- Council for Exceptional Children (2012鈥揚resent), with active involvement in divisions such as:
- Division of Culturally Linguistically Diverse Learners (2017鈥揚resent)
- Division of International Special Education and Services (2015鈥揚resent)
- Teacher Education Division (2014鈥揚resent)
- Division on Career Development and Transition (2014鈥揚resent)
This comprehensive overview of Dr. Miller's service activities reflects her dedication to advancing the field of special education, supporting individuals with disabilities, and contributing to the professional and academic communities through research, presentations, and peer review.
Professional Service Summary:
Dr. Brianna Miller has actively contributed to the academic community through her involvement in conference planning, professional development, and advocacy. Below is a summary of her professional service activities:
- AACTE Holmes Preconference (March 2018):
- Served on the conference planning committee, developing a pre-conference agenda relevant to historical and current events.
- Assisted in constructing sessions tailored to the needs of doctoral education students and other participants, including cadets, honors students, and alumni.
- Professional Development Workshops (Charter School, October 2017鈥損resent):
- Facilitated weekly sessions for 47 participants (faculty and staff) at a charter school in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
- Designed and implemented professional development workshops focused on Response to Intervention (RtI) and classroom behavior management.
- Provided instruction on analyzing and interpreting data to deliver evidence-based interventions for students, including using applied behavior analysis principles.
- AACTE Holmes Policy Institute Washington Week (June 2017):
- Participated in Advocacy Day on Capitol Hill, engaging with Florida constituents to discuss teacher preparation programs and grants as part of a larger advocacy effort.
- Professional Development Workshops (Charter School, February 2016):
- Led professional development sessions for 45 faculty and staff at a charter school, focusing on the CHAMPs behavior management system.
- Supported school-wide implementation of CHAMPs to reduce undesirable behaviors and encourage student self-responsibility.
- Professional Development Seminars (Public School, August 2015鈥揓anuary 2016):
- Conducted seven professional development sessions at a Title 1 elementary school for 40 participants.
- Designed seminars based on teacher and administrator needs surveys, aligning curriculum and standards for students with and without disabilities.
This professional service portfolio demonstrates Dr. Miller's commitment to enhancing educational practices, supporting professional growth, and advocating for inclusive education at both local and national levels.