The
Consultant
Newsletter of the
School Psychology Program
Department of Educational and School Psychology
246 Stouffer Hall
Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Indiana, PA 15705
www.iup.edu/edsp
Date: May 2004
Volume: 12
Table of Contents
A Message from
Dr. Hoellein
Master’s/Specialist
Programs
2004 ASPP Conference News
Graduate Student Research
Grant
This
edition of The Consultant was coordinated by Shannon Price, with editorial
assistance from Monica Moore and under the supervision of Dr.
Joseph Kovaleski.
New
Faculty Update
by Edward Levinson
Since The
Consultant was last published, we have welcomed two new faculty members
into our department. Dr. Joseph Kovaleski and Dr. Lynanne Black were
hired to replace Dr. John Quirk and Dr. Bob Hoellein, both of whom
recently retired. While we miss both Drs. Quirk and Hoellein, we are
thrilled to have both Drs. Kovaleski and Black with us.
Dr. Joseph Kovaleski
Dr. Kovaleski
is a graduate of the doctoral program in school psychology
at PennStateUniversity and most recently served as the Director of Pupil
Services for the Cornwall-LebanonSchool District. A Nationally Certified
School Psychologist and Licensed Psychologist, Dr. Kovaleski possesses
certification as a supervisor of psychological services, a principal, and a
superintendent. He has over 25 years of experience working in the public schools,
having served as a school psychologist, director of special services, and
supervisor of clinical services in schools in both Pennsylvania
andNew Jersey. Dr. Kovaleski also served as both
Program Director and Director of Research and Evaluation for the Pennsylvania
Instructional Support team project. A nationally recognized expert in
school-based problem solving, pre-referral intervention, and response to
intervention, he currently serves on the editorial board of School
Psychology Review, is the editor of the Association of School Psychologists
of Pennsylvania newsletter, Insight, and most recently was invited to
testify before Congress on reauthorization of IDEA. Dr. Kovaleski has made
over 65 presentations at state and national meetings, and has published over 15
book chapters and articles, including a chapter in Best Practices in School
Psychology IV on operating prereferral intervention teams. A
sought-after consultant, Dr. Kovaleski has worked with educational
agencies in Illinois,New
York, Virginia,Delaware,
and Mississippi as well
as Pennsylvania.
Dr. Kovaleski would also want you to know that he is a proud graduate
of St. Joseph’s University, which, as of this writing, has the number 2
ranked college basketball team in the country!
Dr. Lynanne Black
Dr. Black is a 2001
graduate of the doctoral program in school psychology at TempleUniversity
and most recently served as an Adjunct Instructor at the University
ofDelaware and at WilmingtonCollege in Delaware. She has six years of
experience as a practicing school psychologist, is certified as a school
psychologist in PennsylvaniaandDelaware, and has completed internships
or practicums in a variety of diverse settings including
the PennsylvaniaSchool for the Deaf, the OverbrookSchool for the
Blind, and the PrincetonChildDevelopmentCenter.Dr. Black’s expertise is in
the areas of assessment, preschool programming, and emergent literacy and she
has published several articles and conducted numerous workshops on these and
other topics. Despite going to school in Philadelphia, we are pleased to
report that Dr. Black is an avid Pittsburgh Steelers fan. Go Black and Gold!
Message from Dr. Quirk
I can use the often,
overused trite phrase--I’m busier now than when I was working.My golf game is still
a great part of my life but seems to be deteriorating, as I grow older;
however, I’ve replaced it with several projects and travel.During the past
year, Kathy and I have been to New Mexico, Florida,Arizona, and this
coming month Hilton Head.In addition, we are trying to start a Center for
Creative Retirement here at IUP in conjunction with the College
of Continuing Education.I’ve also become interested in the family and
personal issues that confront retirees and will be establishing a website to
address these issues(www.retirement-questions.com.)
We’ll be developing this in the next couple of months.
Also, I am keeping
my finger in the professional pot by consulting with Head Start with young
children and teachers.I really enjoy those little buggers!
Finally, I’ve
entered the art world and have been taking painting lessons.
Other than that, I
have been just hanging out.I thank you for the many good years with the program
and I frequently toast you on the 19th hole!
Message
from Dr. Hoellein
Hello to everyone,
During the past 22
months of my retirement, Pat and I have spent nine of those months traveling
South and West, although the ‘honey-do’ list took up much of the first six
months.Also on my plate, was the reading of several books that were put on the
shelf until I had time.
While
in Florida, I took two computer courses to help me stay connected since I
no longer had my computer wiz graduate assistants to help me out.
Right now, I’m not
traveling but you never know when a trip is scheduled next.And I’m even looking
into doing some consulting work and/or teaching on a part-time basis now that
the novelty of retirement has worn off.
Faculty
Updates
Dr. William
Barker:Dr. Barker
has been busy teaching classes and conducting research of his own. In 2003, he
published an article entitled “Web training: Starting early” in the Journal
of American Dietetic Association. Another study published in the Journal
of Employment Counseling is entitled “Differences in career maturity among
adjudicated and nonadjuducated male students with and without
disabilities.”
Dr. Barker also
conducted research in conjunction with two other universities, Clarion
and Edinboro, that studied the effects of infusing technology into teacher
education programs. He is currently working with Dr. Lamberski in the
Communications Department researching the personality characteristics and
learning styles of communication students.
In his free time,
Dr. Barker enjoys golfing, playing with his new tractor, and spending time with
his grandchildren.
Dr.
Roger Briscoe:Dr.
Briscoe has been busy this year, through both the department and the community.
He has resumed teaching Adolescence to undergraduate studentsminoring in
Educational Psychology. He also teaches Educational Psychology and Assessment
of Student Learning.He is involved with the Service to the University Committee
and the Diversity Committee.He recently escaped the blistering cold
of Indiana and participated in the Eastern Education Research Association
conference in Clearwater, Florida.He is on the board of directors of
publicity for the organization and has been working on increasing minority
attendance at conferences.
Dr. Briscoe is also
very active in the community.He is the vice president of the NAACP Indiana
chapter.He has helped to organize numerous events including the Unity March on
Martin Luther King Jr. day and the Freedom Fund Banquet, which helps to raise
funds for the organization.
Personally, Dr.
Briscoe stays involved with his church, The Victory Christian Assembly, where
he acts as an elder.He and his wife, Cheryl, conduct bible study classes on
Friday nights and Dr. Briscoe also conducts workshops. Some workshop topics
include inter/intra personal relations and male depression. The church has a
large IUP population.
Dr. Mary Ann Rafoth:Dr.Rafoth
continues her duties as the chair of the department for her fifth year. She is
involved in helping the college prepare for upcoming NCATE accreditation and is
still involved in managing the Center for Educational and Program
Evaluation.She is also vice president of the faculty union.
Aside from her
departmental responsibilities, Dr. Rafoth is busy with lots of
publications and projects.She recently finished an article for the Encyclopedia
of Applied Psychology on prevention of academic failure. She is currently
revising a chapter for the next edition of Children’s Needs.Her chapter
focuses on learning strategies. Dr. Rafoth is also working in conjunction
with a local superintendent on an article that reviews the impact of
administrators’ roles in pre-referral teams.
Dr. Rafoth will
also be participating in a presentation on program evaluation for school
psychology at the 2004 NASP Conference. Also available at the conference is a
NASP publication regarding helping students at home and at
school.Dr. Rafoth has two articles in this publication. The first explores
factors parents should consider when choosing a preschool and the second is
entitled “Full or Half Day Kindergarten? Suggestions for Parents from
the National Association of School Psychologists.” The latter article was
also published on www.teachersandfamilies.com.
Last Fall Dr. Rafoth also presented at CarnegieMelonUniversity on a
curriculum developed by the CEPE office that promotes safety on the internet
for middle school children.Two school districts have recently purchased and
implemented the curriculum.
Dr. Rafoth is also actively involved with outside agencies.She is acting
as an educational evaluation consultant to The Institute for Justice, which is
evaluating grant-sponsored programs in the justice system. She also testified
on March 18, 2004, at the State Senate regarding research on
early interventions.
In her spare time, Dr. Rafoth continues to be the president of the local
library board.
Dr. Victoria Damiani: Dr. Damiani has been involved with various departmental and
extracurricular activities.She is participating in the second year of a
three-year grant for Project REAL (Rural Education of Accelerated Learners).
Last fall she helped to host the first KidsKonference. Over 400 students
identified as gifted applied to spend a day at IUP and partake in various
educational and creative sessions.There were 145 students in attendance at the
workshops, and thanks to all the effort supplied by professors
and volunteers, the day was a huge success.The second Kids Konference
will be held on June 5, 2004. Parents will have the chance to “Ask the
school psychologist” during a workshop that Dr. Damiani will be presenting.
Anyone interested in volunteering should contact Dr. Damiani.
Dr.Damiani has
also spent a lot of time in the community this past year.She conducted
teacher-training presentations in rural school districts in October.The topic
of the training was working with students with social/emotional needs.She is
also the president of the Association of School Psychologists of Pennsylvania,
and attended NASP’s regional conference in Albany where she talked about the future of school
psychology and how to improve best practices for this region in general.
Speaking of the future of school psychology, Dr. Damiani has also been
urging to the state department to spread the word about school psychology.
During her free time Dr. Damiani is teaching a family clinic course and
working on a garden.
Dr. Gurmal
Rattan: Dr. Gurmal Rattan is currently on sabbatical for
the Spring 2004 semester and working on a manual for his Auditory-Visual
Temporal-Spatial Test (AVI). This measure has been used by several doctoral
students in their dissertation. In addition, Dr. Rattan recently gave a
presentation to the state school psychology association (ASPP) on the topic of
psychopharmacology and the learning process. Sabbatical activities have also
included completing an outstanding dissertation and upgrading course work for
EDSP 604, 753, 766. Dr. Rattan also initiated a research project with
the IndianaGuidanceCenter using his computerized Category Test. He is also
maintaining ongoing publication efforts with former students (Drs.
Baxter, Bilardi, Bowles, and Nulton) whose dissertations Dr. Rattan
chaired.
In the area of
coursework, Dr. Rattan continues to teach Assessment of Student Learning,
Advanced Educational Psychology, Child Neuropsychology, Psychopharmacology
and Research Issues in Child Neuropsychology, and Internship.
Overall, Dr. Rattan
has had a wonderful year, especially during the Spring semester.
Dr.
BeckyKnickelbein:Dr. Knickelbein has been very busy this last
year. She just finished co-authoring a chapter for the Encyclopedia on
Education and Human Development, entitled “Inclusion of Children and
Youth with Severe Disabilities into School Society.”.Dr. Knickelbein
is also waiting for word from the journal, Research and Practice for Persons
with Severe Disabilities, on a submission titled “Descriptions of
Secondary Education Students, Interaction and Relationships with students with
severe disabilities.” Dr. Knickelbein presented at the Association of
Persons with Severe Handicaps in Chicago last December.Her presentation
focused on the state of inclusion of students with severe disabilities
in Pennsylvania.
In
addition to the various projects of the Center for Educational and Program
Evaluation Dr. Knickelbein gave a presentation on Distance Education
Courses at the E-PA Alliance conference in Hershey. The conference focused on
technology in K-12 programs and the Online Course Evaluation Tool (OCET) developed
with Dr. Rafoth as a part of last year’s work with DoDEA was
presented.
Departmentally,
Dr. Knickelbein is on the scholarship committee.She is also working with
Dr. Briscoe in developing a student organization for Educational Psychology
minors that includes volunteering and portfolio development.
Privately,
Dr. Knickelbein continues to work with children after school at her
educational testing and remedial center, Alternatives.
Dr. Edward Levinson:Dr.
Ed Levinson’s edited book Transition from School to Post-School Life:
Assessment from an Educational and School Psychological Perspectivewill be
published soon by Charles C. Thomas Publishers. It may be available by the time
you read this! Aside from the chapter written by Levinson, all chapters are
authored by current or former IUP school psychology doctoral students. All
royalties earned by the sale of the book will be donated to our
department’s ChildStudyCenter and used to support our program and our
students. The book was a project that began in Dr. Levinson’s Doctoral Seminar
in Assessment (EDSP 764) course several summers ago. In addition to publishing
several book chapters and articles and presenting several papers at conferences
this past year, Dr. Levinson is currently preparing a chapter on career
development with his wife, DeniseOhler, for NASP’s forthcoming book Children’s
Needs II. Several students in his EDSP-764 class this past summer including
Brandon Shultz, Joanne Laverty, Diane Dubble, Jill Cieslinski, and
Danielle DeAngelis completed handouts to be published in Helping
Children at Home and at School –II. Dr. Levinson coauthored (with his wife)
handouts on vocational assessment and on career development. He also completed
a handout on Transition for the same book with Tara Seifert and
Matt Ferchalk, current Masters’ students.
Recently, he
prepared an electronic portfolio for his five-year performance review (yes,
believe it or not, us tenured faculty members only undergo a performance
evaluation once every five years! Academia, yagotta love it!). With the
very able assistance of techno all stars, Tara Seifert and Matt Ferchalk
(Dr. L’s aforementioned and over-worked graduate assistants), the e-portfolio
(recorded on a CD) includes Dr. L’s teaching materials (like syllabi, samples
of student work products, PowerPoint presentations, video clips of his
teaching, graphs summarizing student evaluation ratings in almost all of his
courses over the last five years, web-based video productions), and scholarly
products.
He is especially
proud of the graphic presentation of student evaluation ratings (completed by
Matt) and of the inclusion of video clips of his teaching and of .pdf files of
his publications (completed by Tara).Dr. Levinson gives kudos and thanks
to Matt and Tara for their efforts. He is also proud of the web-based video
presentations he produced at home using Visual Communicator (they’re on his
website; check one out at www.coe.iup.edu/emlevins/Holland.wmv).
Lastly, Dr. Levinson thanks Rich VanVoorhis, who graciously included him
in his NASP paper submission this year, based on Rich’s recently completed
dissertation in which Rich completed a meta-analysis on over 20 years of school
psychologist job satisfaction research. Dr. Levinson will be at NASP
in Dallas and very briefly assisting Rich (like doing 5 minutes worth)
with his presentation. And of course, while he’s there, he’ll take in a Dallas Stars
hockey game!
Mrs.
Karen Wolff:Karen is happily welcoming a flurry of changes both in her
professional career and her personal life.She had mixed feelings when Drs.
Quirk and Hoellein retired. She knows they are very happy but has really
missed having them around. A highlight of her day is when they stop by for a
visit. For comfort they often visit and she keeps in mind that they are both
very happy. She is very excited to work with the two new faculty members,
Dr. Kovaleski and Dr. Black.Although these two professors recently came on
board, Karen reported that they have settled in so comfortably it is like they
have been here all along.She is thankful to all of the new graduate assistants
for their work on various projects.
Changes
in her personal life include awaiting the arrival of her precious pink bundle
of joy, her first grandchild, Amelia Elizabeth, in May. Karen’s daughter joined
the IUP community this year as a freshman.
Master’s/Specialist Programs: What’s New?
by
Victoria B. Damiani, Coordinator, Master’s/Specialist Programs
This has been another year of
change and growth for the Master’s and Specialist Programs in School Psychology
at IUP.The nicest thing to happen to us was the arrival of Drs. Black
and Kovaleski. Both were fully involved in the program by fall. This year
Dr. Black taught one of theassessment for intervention courses and both
practicum classes, including clinic which she is doing this spring.Dr. Black is
also advisor of the School Psychology Association Network and represents
the IUPChildStudyCenter on the Indiana County Children’s Advisory
Commission. Dr. Kovaleski taught Introduction to School Psychology and
Behavior Problems, and Assessment of Personality Problems. He also supervised
interns this spring, and I am sure some of you had the chance to meet with him
as he visited our interns both in and out of state.
Speaking of interns,
the number of sites seeking IUP interns has grown considerably and I am pleased
to say most of our students are already committed by early spring. A big
thank you to those of you who support students at your alma mater by taking
them on as interns. The best internship experiences are often provided by our
own graduates.
The Department added
a new center this year. We are pleased to announce the Center for Rural Gifted
Education. The Center will serve children of high ability and those identified
as gifted who attend rural schools throughout the state. In conjunction with
the development of the new center and the grant project, Rural Education for
Accelerated Learners (Project REAL), Center grad assistants Mindy Keefer and
Heather Lehman have been involved in research to assist the state Coordinator
of Gifted Education with program development.
SPAN, the
department’s student professional organization, has been very active this year
under the leadership of Marissa Reed. They have had speakers come to campus and
have engaged in several fund raising activities.Especially exciting is the outreach
the undergraduate committee has done to help high school and local college
students learn more about school psychology.
The activities of
SPAN, as well as several department grants and contracts, especially those
awarded to the Center for Educational Program Evaluation under the direction of
Dr. Rafoth, allowed us to support student travel at a higher level this
year.Many of our students attended the Association of School Psychologists of
PA conference in Harrisburg in March and four even went to NASP
inDallas.We are especially proud of Heidi (Gilham) Rudy, an intern this year,
who presented solo in Dallas!
More changes will be
taking place during 2004-05 as I gradually pass the baton to
Dr. Kovaleski.Next year will be a transition year and by summer of 2005,
Dr. Kovaleski will be coordinating both the doctoral and
master’s/specialist programs. However, I will continue to place interns and
direct the ChildStudyCenter, at least for now. In that capacity, along
with the new Center, I look forward to continuing contact with all of you in
the field.
School psychology is
alive and well in Pennsylvania and at IUP. This year we were able to admit
only about a third of the students who applied to the master’s/specialist
program. Given the shortage in the field and the important work all of you are
doing, we continue to seek ways to expand the program and we will be looking
carefully at that in the coming year. You, our graduates, are the best public
relations tool we have and you are doing a great job!!Visit or contact us when
you can. We always enjoy hearing from you.
Doctoral Program
by Joseph Kovaleski, Director of the School Psychology
Doctoral Program
Everyone is keeping me
busy as the new head of the doctoral program here at IUP. I am working on
gaining re-certification of the program through the National Association of
School Psychologists. This includes implementing a full school year internship
into the doctorial program. I am also exploring a supervisor of pupil services
certification program.
Next year I intend to explore requirements needed to gain
American Psychological Association accreditation. I am also hoping to expand
awareness in cultural diversity throughout the program. I am implementing
course of study meetings that map out courses of study due to constant change
with the program. I would like to welcome the following students to the
Track A Doctoral Program: Jodi Abraham, Joie Cogan, Stacie Ehrenfeld,
Matt Ferchalk, Mindy Keefer, RachelLedney, Nicole Musil, Shannon
Price, Tara Seifert, and Christina Smith. Congratulations to those newly
accepted Track B Doctoral students also: Jessica Haggerty, Amy Maziarz,
David McCullough, Andrea Rodriguez, and Sally Shanahan.
Center for Educational and Program Evaluation (CEPE)
by
Benjamin Stumpf, Graduate Assistant
It has been another busy year for the Center for
Educational and Program Evaluation. Dr. Rafoth continues to hold the helm
for the center, with Dr. Knickelbein serving as Assistant Director, and
Karen Wolff reprises her role as Administrative Assistant. The Center continues
to grow, with grants and contracts totaling over $300,000. Five graduate
students are currently employed by the Center: Joie Cogan, Deborah Dudt,
Christina Smith, Tara Seifert, and Ben Stumpf. Two assistantships are
funded through the Center, with grants covering the remaining graduate
students. Dr. Knickelbein also receives funding from the Center through
her position as Assistant Director.
The Center is currently involved
in a variety of projects. Recently, the Center completed the Year 1 report for
the first cohort in the Parent Child Home Program (PCHP), which seeks to
identify and assist the families of children who are academically at risk.
Baseline data for the second cohort is currently being collected by the Center.
Year 1 pre and post results have been presented to several groups, including
the PCHP regional director, the ARIN Intermediate Unit board members, and the
Children’s Advisory Committee. Dr. Rafoth and Dr. Knickelbein also
testified in Harrisburg before the Health and Human Services Committee on
March 18.
The National Institute for
Correctional Educators (NICE) has held three executive board meetings and has
hosted a SummerAcademy. The Center provided evaluations of the meetings
and the SummerAcademy, as well as completing a final report of NICE.
The Center is also working on
several projects involving school districts. One such project, the
Derry\Latrobe\IUP Early Reading Collaborative is designed to improve reading
performance of kindergarten students in five elementary schools. The
collaborative compares the performance of the students and the parents’
perceptions of the students’ performance, along with the teaching strategies
used by the classroom teachers. In the PittsburghCitySchool District, CEPE
recently provided an in-service workshop for teachers at Martin Luther King,
Jr. Elementary School regarding third grade and fifth grade standardized
testing. The workshop focused on minimizing student test anxiety, following
directions, time management, multiple-choice strategies, and the use of memory
triggers. In addition, participating teachers were provided with resource kits,
which included a strategy game.
In addition to the various
projects of the Center, Dr. Knickelbein gave a presentation on Distance
Education Courses at the e-PA Alliance conference in Hershey. The
conference focused on technology in K-12 programs and the Online Course
Evaluation Tour (OCET) developed as a part of last year’s work with DoDEA
was presented.
Child Study Center Participates in Project to Serve Rural Gifted
Students
by
Marissa Reed, Graduate Assistant
The ChildStudyCenter is currently in the midst of spring clinic.Even
though the spring clinic schedule is full, the CSC is still taking referrals
for the summer clinic, which begins the second week of June.Some of the
services offered by the CSC are assessments for academic and behavioral
problems, including gifted evaluations, counseling, consultation to parents and
schools, and short-term intervention and/or treatment of academic and
behavioral issues.The CSC also provides other services to children and families
who are Project REAL participants, including assessments, individual family
support plans, counseling, and consultation to teachers and schools.If you know
a parent who may be interested in having their child seen at the CSC, please
have them call 724-357-2445.
School Psychology Association Network (SPAN)
by
Marissa Reed, Current President
The School
Psychology Association Network, otherwise known as SPAN, is the graduate
student organization for the department.Currently, SPAN members are busy
attending the ASPP and NASP conferences in Harrisburg
and Dallas, Texas.The undergraduate committee has been busy this year
visiting high schools and undergraduate programs, spreading the word about
school psychology and IUP’s graduate programs.SPAN has also had several
speakers this school year.Members enjoyed a useful stress management workshop
in the fall, and a workshop given by Ray Christner on crisis intervention
and management.One of the program’s current internship students, Brian Buchan,
will be speaking about the internship application process and portfolios this
spring.SPAN is also planning on participating in a softball game fundraiser.Members
will compete on the SPAN team against other student organizations for a charity
contribution that will go to Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh.For
more updates and current pictures, visit SPAN’s website at www.coe.iup.edu/edsp/SPAN/index.htm.
2004 Association of School Psychologists of Pennsylvania Annual
Conference
by
Shannon Price, Graduate Assistant
Congratulations to
all those who presented at the 2004 Annual ASPP Conference.Dr. Lynanne
Black presented “Developing Parent Support Groups for parents of Children
with Disabilities in the Preschool Setting”. Dr. Joseph Kovaleski
presented a workshop entitled “Assessing Response to Intervention”. Dr.
Gurmal Rattan presented “The Principles of Psychopharmacology and the
Learning Process.” Heidi Rudy, M. Ed. and Tina Marianacci, M. Ed.
facilitated a roundtable discussion regarding questions involving internship.
Lastly, master’s students, Stacie Ehrenfeld, Jessica Girts and
Benjamin Stumpf presented a poster titled “Applications of Local Norms
to Preschool Behaviors”.
When Making Charitable Contributions: Remember IUP
When budgeting for charity, do not forget your alma mater. When contributing to
IUP designate contributions to the school psychology program. Contributions
will be used for scholarships and other program improvements. Interested alumni
should contact the department office.
Graduate Student
Research Grant
Congratulations to Mindy
Keefer for being one of ten students selected by the GraduateSchool at IUP
to receive the graduate student research grant.She will be conducting research
that reviews current practices in gifted preschool education.She is currently
contacting 16 states to obtain information regarding identification of
preschool children that are gifted, assessments, program development, and
funding. Her project is entitled “Preschool Gifted Education: An in-depth
look at current practices in the United States.”
Student/Graduate
Updates
Susan
Kreh Beck: Susan, a current
doctoral student, is presently employed at the RichlandSchool District and
has recently taken a new title, Psychologist Coordinator.Her position now
includes extra administrative-type responsibilities along with her preschool
and elementary school assignments.The Beck’s recently welcomed a son, Evan Kreh
Beck on November 24, 2003.He weighed 7 pounds, 8 ounces and was 19 inches
long. Congratulations!
Linda Brewer: Dr. Brewer (‘91) was recently appointed as the
superintendent at the DerryTownshipSchool District in Hershey PA.She was
recently appointed as the permanent superintendent. Her five-year contract
starts July 1, 2004.She is currently serving as Acting Superintendent,
having been named to that position in October 2003.Previously she was Assistant
Superintendent for Personnel and Student Services in the same district.She and
her husband continue to raise and show Morgan horses.Their national champion
mare will have a foal in April and they are excitedly awaiting the arrival.They
are considerably more excited about their first grandchild, which their
daughter will deliver in July. Congratulations!
Dan
Cane: Dan, a current doctoral
student,is presently employed at LIU #12. He conducts neuropsychological evaluations,
autism second level assessment, autism consultations, psychotherapy, and school
crisis response.He passed his comprehensive exams in February. Personally, Dan
and his wife, Susannah, enjoy spending quiet evenings together. Their son and
daughter continue with teenage life, while the oldest son prepares for his
marriage.
ReneeCatanzaro:Renee,
a current doctoral student, is finishing the final chapters of her dissertation
while working for School Psychologists Holy Family Learning Residential Education.
She also recently had a child, Hannah CatanzaroSciulli on June 23,
2003. Congratulations!
JoAnnCoslett:Dr. Coslett
(’93) is currently on sabbatical from the Cumberland valley School District and
taking classes at the University of Missouri’s educational specialist degree
program in Mental Health in the Schools.
BobbieDeBastiani:Dr. DeBastiani (’98)
isexcitedly awaiting the newest addition to her family, Tessa Jing.She was
born on December 14, 2003 in China and will be joining her family
sometime in May. Congratulations, Bobbie.
KellyDumm:Kelly, a current master’s student, is currently a
substitute teacher at CambriaHeights, Central Cambria,
and Northern Cambria school districts.She has moved from Texas where
she taught fourth grade for a year and worked as the director of Education
for SylvanLearningCenter.Kelly has been married to her high school
sweetheart for 3 ½ years and they love to travel.
StacieEhrenfeld:Stacie, a current master’s student, is a graduate assistant
for Dr. Black.In addition, she presented a poster with fellow classmates,
Benjamin Stumpf and Jessica Girts, at the ASPP Conference. Their
presentation focused on developing local norms, which can be used to assess
preschoolers at a local Head Start.
JoelErion: Dr. Erion (’94)
is currently the Coordinator of the School Psychology Certification Program
at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania.He received a promotion to
Associate Professor in 2003.All four of his children are doing well.Three are
in college, one of whom is studying in college.The youngest is a junior in high
school.Having just one more at home, Joel reported that he had to restrain his
happiness.
StevenFeifer:
Steven, a current doctoral student, is currently employed as a school
psychologist in Frederick County, Maryland.He was also a featured presenter at
the NASP conference in Dallas.There will be seven paid workshops
videotaped by NASP and his workshop was chosen as one.The title for his
presentation is The Neuropsychology of Reading Disorders: Diagnosis and
Intervention. The Feifers recently had a baby girl, Brianna
Nicole Feifer, on Jan. 22, 2004.She is their third child.For the
record, their son, Brenden Fifer is 6 and daughter, Madison, is 4.The ages
of he and his wife, Darci, are confidential.
GeorgiaHudy:Georgia,
a current doctoral student, is teaching full time at EdinboroUniversity
and is working part-time as a contracted school psychologist.She is pursuing
her doctoral degree in School Psychology with a Neuropsychology Specialty
at IUP.She is also an EMT and Captain for the Franklin Township Volunteer Fire
Department.
Clint
Kauffman:Dr. Kauffman (’02) is currently working with the
Instructional Support Teams in his district to ensure that MDE referrals are
reduced and that instructional support consistently provides solid,
research-based interventions.Additionally, Clint is working with several
schools on a pilot project to prevent reading failure for the lowest first
graders.One school is utilizing Reading Mastery to intervene with students
through structured phonics and phonemic awareness activities, whereas the other
school is utilizing a less structured reading approach.Clint's hope is that
Reading Mastery will be expanded beyond first grade at all of the elementary
schools in his district for the lowest readers.Clint and his wife and children
are all doing well.
Chris
King: Chris, a current doctoral student, is retired from the
public schools, yet continues to operate his private counseling and assessment
practice.Chris also has the opportunity to teach part-time at his alma mater,
The Citadel.Chris’ family also is doing well.
Joanne
Laverty: Joanne, a current doctoral student, is currently
employed as a school psychologist and elementary counselor in
the CantonAreaSchool District in Canton, Pennsylvania.Joanne has
volunteered to be the administrator of a site that will be using DIBELS to help
determine which students should be recommended for Title I services or
pre-referral intervention. The elementary students in her district continue to
enjoy her guidance class periods that focus on stress prevention through
empathy training, problem solving, and anger management.Her professional
development has brought her to the point where she hopes to soon be identifying
an internship site and beginning to work on a dissertation project. Next year
Joanne will have two children in college. Christina is a junior at Mansfield
University and is studying special education. Charles is a freshman starting at
Slippery Rock University. She and her husband will be adjusting to an empty nest.
Joanne also misses her IUP friends who were there to support her including
Deborah, Maria, and Madhavi.She is wondering if there are any restaurants
that you still haven’t tried.
RachelLedney:Rachel, a current master’s student, is currently employed as
a graduate assistant for Dr. Kaufman in the Principal’s Certification Program
in the Department of Professional Studies in Education at IUP. She presented
work for Dr. Kaufman in a panel session at the GSA conference at IUP on
Continuous Improvement and Technology. She has attended conferences including
the 2003 ASPP Conference and “Stress and Spirituality” at Geneva College. She
also volunteered at the Project REAL conference and is volunteering at the 2004
ASPP conference. Rachel was engaged in November and is planning a May wedding.
DavidLillenstein:Dr. Lillenstein
(‘02) is currently the Director of Psychological Services inDerryTownshipSchool
District located in Hershey, PA. He has been instrumental in
implementing DIBELS for all students in his district K-3.David is also working
with regular and special education to implement research based reading
interventions such as Corrective Reading and Read Naturally.He and his wife,
Dr. JenniferLillensteinhave moved to the Mt.Gretna area of Lebanon.The
built a house and moved at the end of December. In August, Jennifer took a job
with Cornwall-LebanonSchool District.Their daughter, Sadie, is now 2 and
is keeping them very busy.
Monica
Moore: Monica, a current specialist
student, is currently a graduate assistant for Dr. Kovaleski. She recently
had a baby girl, Nya. She was born on February 18, 2004 weighing
6lbs, 6oz and 18 inches long. Monica looks forward to starting her internship
with Calvert County Public Schools in the fall.
AprilMorealli: April, a current
specialist student, is currently in her second semester as a teaching associate
at IUP.She will be fulfilling her internship requirements in the Greater
Latrobe School District.
NicoleMusil: Nicole, a current master’s student, is a graduate
assistant in the ChildStudyCenter.She looks forward to continuing her
studies at IUP.
Eric
Palmer:Eric, a current
mater’s student is currently employed as a Vocational Specialist at Goodwill
Industries of Pittsburgh. He has recently been accepted in the School Psychology
program at IUP. On a personal note, he and his wife took a trip to New
Mexico in May ’03 for their one-year anniversary.During his free time he likes
to play guitar, hike, and bike.
Judy Prescott:
Dr. Prescott (’01) is currently employed by Pennsylvania Counseling
Services.This is a change in jobs for her, as she left public education and is
now working in private practice.She made the change in August 2003.In addition
to providing outpatient therapy, she is also the clinical consultant for Family
Based Therapists, and Clinic Manager for Community Behavioral Health Services.