Michelle Gaither serves as a Research Associate III for the ECHO for Early Childhood Professionals and ECHO for Families of Young Children projects.  Additionally, she assists on the CDA Scholarship program and Project ECHO of Childcare Providers.  From 2019-2022, Ms. Gaither was an elementary education advisor for distance students and the online coordinator in the College of Education at Mississippi State University.  Prior to her career at MSU, Ms. Gaither served as an educator in public schools for more than 20 years.  She earned a B.S. degree in elementary education from Murray State University and a Master of Education from Mississippi State University.