Melinda Leko

Melinda M. Leko is an assistant professor in the department of special education at the University of Kansas (KU). She teaches courses on reading instruction for students with high-incidence disabilities and collaboration in special education courses. Her research centers on teacher preparation to support students with disabilities in inclusive classrooms, reading instruction, and specific learning disabilities. Her work has appeared in several prominent journals including: Exceptional Children, The Journal of Special Education, Remedial and Special Education, and Learning Disability Quarterly. Prior to joining the faculty at KU, Melinda worked as an assistant professor in the department of rehabilitation psychology and special education at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. She earned her PhD in special education from the University of Florida in 2008. Before earning her doctorate, Melinda taught in inclusive general education classrooms in the state of Florida. During this time she was also trained as an Orton Gillingham tutor and worked with adolescents with reading disabilities.