Mary Louise Hemmeter

Mary Louise Hemmeter, Ph.D., is a professor of special education at Vanderbilt University, where she has taught since 2013 and holds the Nicholas Hobbs Chair in Special Education and Human Development. She earned a Ph.D. from Vanderbilt University in 1991, a master’s degree from Peabody College of Vanderbilt University, and a bachelor’s degree from Auburn University.

Hemmeter’s research focuses on effective instruction, young children’s social-emotional development, challenging behavior, and teacher support. Through her work with the National Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning and other federally funded projects, she contributed to the development of the Pyramid Model and Practice-Based Coaching. She is a co-author of Unpacking the Pyramid Model: A Practical Guide for Preschool Teachers and Unpacking the Infant-Toddler Pyramid Model: A Practical Guide for Preschool Teachers.