Meet Dr. Clarissa Willis

 Clarissa (Chrissy) Willis was raised in Little Rock, Arkansas, and has lived all over the United States. Clarissa has an extensive background in early childhood education. She taught kindergarten, special education, and higher education settings. In addition, she often refers to herself as a recovering speech-language pathologist. Formerly, the Associate Director of the Center of Excellence in Early Childhood Learning and Development at East Tennessee State University, she directed such projects as Tennessee's Early Intervention System Technical Assistance Project, The East Tennessee Autism Training Project, and Expanding Horizons Early Intervention Program to name a few. She was a senior vice president at Kaplan Early Learning Company for five years, overseeing intellectual property and curriculum development. In 2013, she returned to her first love, teaching, and retired in 2023 as a  Professor of Teacher Education at the University of Southern Indiana.  She earned her PhD from the University of Southern Mississippi in Early Childhood Special Education.

She continues to provide keynote addresses and workshops for teachers. Clarissa has trained teachers in all fifty states and twelve foreign countries. 

Other Publications:

Clarissa has written three early picture books for Frog Street Press and is the author of the Inclusion Strategies Guide (Frog Street Press, 2024). In addition, she has published over 19 teacher resource books and written curriculum for Frog Street Press, Kaplan Early Learning Company, and the Scholastic Red Professional Development Project.

  Award-winning author Clarissa Willis believes every child is unique, and that nurturing environments encourage growth, confidence, and success. As a special educator, I know all children learn best in natural environments, including those with special needs. By using a strength-based approach, children thrive and grow. Early childhood education is her life's work, and she believes a child should see the world around them as an exciting place, filled with wonderful things to explore and discover. As teachers, parents, and grandparents, it is our job to make that experience joyful! 

 Clarissa (Chrissy) Willis, a lively spirit with a creative flair, is the daughter of a minister and a drama teacher. Her rich imagination has fueled her passion for speaking and writing. Having called nine states home, she boasts a successful career as a senior vice president of publishing at a major corporation and has dedicated over 40 years to education. Growing up in Little Rock, Arkansas, her childhood was filled with adventurous stories and misadventures, from the humorous attempt on her brother's life—which she insists was not her fault—to mischievous antics like robbing the church collection plate. Her vibrant personality and colorful past make her a truly fun and inspiring figure.