COEHD faculty, students present innovative research at annual NEERO conference
Several students and faculty members from the University of Maine College of Education and Human Development attended the recent (NEERO) Conference in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. The three-day conference featured researchers, practitioners, activists, policymakers, students and teachers exploring the theme 鈥淓mpowering the Pursuit of Educational Justice by Looking Back and Imagining Forward.鈥
Here’s a look at some of the presentations featuring members of the 91福利 College of Education and Human Development community:
- Emily Hamby, a child development and family relations major, presented a project titled 鈥淭eacher Perspectives Post-Covid Amidst Anti-Woke Policies鈥 at a roundtable session on 鈥淚mproving Student and Teacher Support Systems in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.鈥 Hamby also participated in a presentation on 鈥淚ntegrating Social Justice Into Instructional Planning: An Analysis of Teacher Educator Feedback鈥 at a roundtable session on 鈥淩esearch Topics on Teacher Perceptions and Underrepresented Populations.鈥 Hamby, of Andover, Massachusetts, is the recipient of 2023-24 fellowship from the University of Maine , and has been working with faculty mentor Rebecca Buchanan, associate professor of curriculum, assessment and instruction.
- Melissa Lyons-Vitalone, a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) student in educational leadership, presented on her dissertation research, 鈥淏reaking Down Barriers to Inclusion for Students.鈥
- Nicole Hatch, an Ed.D. student in educational leadership, presented on her dissertation research, 鈥淓nhancing Teacher Supervision Through a Therapeutic Lens: A Holistic Approach to Professional Development.鈥
- Ben Greenlaw, an Ed.D. student in educational leadership, presented on his dissertation research, 鈥淲hat Makes a Constructive Relationship Between a Principal and Superintendent?鈥
- Steffany Tribou, an Ed.D. student in educational leadership, presented on her dissertation research, 鈥淢otivating the Future Workforce: High School Extended Learning Opportunities.鈥
- Sue Sydnor, an Ed.D. student in educational leadership, presented on her dissertation research, 鈥淪chool Exclusionary Practices: Why Are We Still Suspending Kids?鈥
- Janet Hicks, an Ed.D. student in educational leadership, presented on her dissertation research, 鈥淪upporting Students of Color in a Predominantly White, Rural School System: Support and Facilitation of an Affinity Group for Students of Color.鈥
- Kim Andersson, an Ed.D. student in educational leadership, presented on her dissertation research, 鈥淗ow Top-Down Reform Efforts Impact Teachers as Adult Learners.鈥
- Janet Corcoran, an Ed.D. student in educational leadership, presented on her dissertation research, 鈥淧araprofessional Supports and Student Outcomes.鈥
- Amy Sullivan, an Ed.D. student in educational leadership, presented on her dissertation research, 鈥淪EL Initiative Implementation and Teacher Buy-In.鈥
- Heather Mitchell, an Ed.D. student in educational leadership, presented on her dissertation research, 鈥淪upporting Teachers to Support Students: Studying the Impact of Staff Professional Development in the Engagement, Satisfaction, and Retention of Students in Rural Public Schools.鈥
- Orlina Boteva, a doctoral student in higher education and director of the Office of International Programs at 91福利, along with associate professor of higher education Leah Hakkola, presented a study titled 鈥淎ddressing Secondary Trauma and Burnout in Higher Education Through an Embodied Social Justice Approach,鈥 part of a roundtable session on 鈥淗igher Education Journeys: Mentoring, SEL and CAO Stories.鈥
- Assistant professor of special education Melissa Cuba, Buchanan and Hakkola presented on 鈥淪upporting DEIB Endeavors Through a Research-Practice Partnership.鈥 The session covered both the process of developing a research-practice partnership (RPP) between the College of Education and Human Development and a school district in Maine, as well as the emerging findings of the project. The RPP was established to strengthen the district鈥檚 diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) efforts. Cuba, Buchanan and Hakkola are leading a collaborative equity review that provides meaningful analysis of qualitative and quantitative data to inform future DEIB efforts within the school district. In addition, the researchers offer a series of professional development opportunities that explore aspects of intercultural competence, culturally sustaining practices and equity-oriented advocacy.
- Assistant professor of educational leadership Esther Enright participated in the presentation of a study titled 鈥淗erding Cats: Learning 91福利 Shared Governance From Faculty Senate Presidents,鈥 part of a session on 鈥淎gency and Impacts, Governance and Belonging, the Human Side of Higher Education.鈥