9th Annual
Conference on
Education and Poverty
@
Millersville University
Saturday, November 15, 2025
Ann C. Gaudino, Ed.D., Director
Conference Committee:
Dr. Wendy Kubasko, Dr. Miriam Witmer,
Dr. Camille Hopkins, Dr. Tiffany Wright
The purpose of the Conference on Education and Poverty is to share information, practices, policies, and research pertaining to working with students in poverty.
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Welcome to the 2nd Conference on Poverty and Education.
We are pleased to share that our first conference in 2017 attracted over 300 participants and included 2 nationally renowned key note speakers, 2 panel sessions, a documentary film, and over 30 concurrent sessions! (Click HERE for 2017 program).
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This conference brings together both scholars and practitioners in a multi-disciplinary research platform and forum for discussion to promote the well-being and education of children living in poverty.
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This conference is a venue for those interested in an exchange of ideas focused to helping promote the education and lives of children living in poverty. University faculty, teachers, administrators, psychologists, social workers, other professionals, and community members are welcome to come together to focus on research and practice.
Proposals for sessions from scholars, practitioners, and stakeholders in all areas are sought. Proposals are double blind, peer-reviewed.
The conference features key note addresses from nationally renown experts, panel discussions, documentary film and discussion, concurrent sessions, and opportunities for networking.
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We look forward to having you join us at the conference!
Sincerely,
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Ann C. Gaudino, Ed.D., Conference Coordinator
Conference Committee:
Dr. Laura Granruth, Social Work
Dr. Hadi Halawa, Wellness & Sports Science
Dr. Ojama Edeh Herr, Special Education
Dr. Nakeiha Primus Smith, Educational Foundations
Dr. Rita Smith-Wade-El, Psychology
Conference on
Education & Poverty
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SCHEDULE / 2025
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Saturday, November 15
8:30 a.m. Registration, Posters, & Breakfast
Gordinier Hall, Lehr Dining Room
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Please visit posters by Master's in Education and Educational Leadership
and Undergraduate Education Major Students
while you enjoy breakfast!
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9:00 a.m.-9:45 a.m. Opening Welcome and Celebration!
Gordinier Hall, Lehr Dining Room
Opening Welcome!
Dr. Gail E. Gasparich, Ph.D., Provost
Celebrating 10 years of the Millersville/Shippensburg
Doctorate in Educational Leadership Program
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Keynote: Inclusive Leadership in a Multicultural Context
Alessandra Landini, Ph.D., Visiting Fulbright Professor
Reggio Emilia, Italy
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10:00 a.m.-10:45 a.m. Concurrent Sessions 1
Gordinier/Lehr Dining Room
​Undergraduate & Master's Student Poster Sessions
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Undergraduate Student Posters:
Should We Arm Teachers in Public Schools, Owen Yost
Saving Our Youth: Supporting Your Transgender Students, Richie Daszkiewicz
How Curriculum Restrictions are Affecting Students Education, Ainsley Voshell
Gap and Proposals for Reproductive Health Education for Women and LGBTQ+, Evangelia Karagiannis
Standardized Testing and its Effects on Teachers, Matthew Schouten
Performance and Food Disparity, Aidan Jenkins
Anti-Immigration Policy On Students, Rachael Wertz
Examining the Effects of Structural Forces on School Funding, Joey Owsley
Creating Critical Thinkers: Diverse Literature in Today's Clasrooms, Wendy Stump
Community Schools for Wellbeing, Savanah Stahl
How the New DEI Will Affect Teaching in Public Schools, Ava Kahley
Unequal Resources, Unequal Opportunities: School Funding and Student Access to Sports, Carlee Collier
From Computer Screens to In-Person Learning...The Struggle is Real!, Maryanne Horne
The Harm of Hold-Harmless, Connor Robovitsky
Art Therapy in the Classroom, Faith Elia
Aggression in the Classroom, Maggie Young
Legal Obligations, Unequal Outcomes: IEPs and 504 Plans in Poverty Contexts, Mackenzie Janski
Politics in the Classroom, Trevor Winter
Fostering Recruitment and Retention of Educators in Hard-to-Staff Subjects, Eric Yazemboski
Importance of STEM Education, Emily Wildasin
Training Gaps: Preparing General Educators for Students with Special Needs, Ashleigh Kyle
What Effects do Shooter Drills Have on Student and Teacher Mental Health?, Sarah D'Angelo
Sexism in Education, Jersey Parker & Jaiden Brooks
Negative Impacts of Arming Teachers, Tessa Andrews & Madison Burke
Screen Time Vs. Attention Span, Riley Milbrand
Bullying, Merie Collazo
Promoting Readiness, Brooklyne Davis and Lizzy Newton
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Graduate Student Posters:
Family Fall Fest, Alicia DeMille
Fast Math, Big Laughs, and Fun Learning with Kindergarten Families, Katharine Donnan
Glow Night at the Bright: See Our Students Shine in Math and Reading, Brian Plumbo
Empowering Educators for Family Engagement, Helga Mendez
PHS College Funding Workshop, Beci Pope
Community Partner Fair, Ashley Loney
Redefining Conferences, Linda Raymond
Building Unbreakable Family Connections, Amber Strother
Cultural Literacy, Krista Falatovich-Kyle
Social Sip and Treats, Jessica Sharpe
Connecting Home and School at Back to School Night, Christina N. Bracken
Attracting and Retaining Science Education Majors at Colleges and Universities, Emily L Wilson
Artificial Intelligence and The Future of Education, Rana Saffouri
Integrating Art Based Emotional Regulation Practices into Schools, Arielle Kidhardt
How Does Teacher Preparedness Affect English Language Learners in Classrooms? Chelyann Perez-Irizarry
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SMC 118
The Impact of Mentorship on New Teachers' Persistence in their Careers in Education
Cara Klinger, Director of Curriculum, Susquehanna Twp. School District
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An Examination of the Potential Relationship Between Local Teacher Union Leader – Superintendent Trust and District Achievement, Matt Stern, Principal, East Pennsboro School District
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Doctoral Students in Educational Leadership, Millersville/Shippensburg Universities
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SMC 24​
Exploring the Relationship Between IXL Usage Frequency and 8th Grade Student Performance on the PSSA in Mathematics, Christine Miller, Math Teacher, Lebanon School District
A Comparison Of High School Mental Health and Access to Personal Devices at School,
Riley Baer, Principal, Kindergarten Academy
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Doctoral Students in Educational Leadership, Millersville/Shippensburg Universities
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SMC 202
Transitional Services for Students with IEPs: A Correlational Study of its Impact on Long Term Success,
Sara Iachini, Asst. Director of Special Education, York Suburban School District
Doctoral Student in Educational Leadership, Millersville/Shippensburg Universities
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Meeting the Demand for Special Education Paraprofessionals
Jennifer Chamberlin, Special Education Supervisor, Big Spring School District
Doctoral Candidate in Educational Leadership, Millersville/Shippensburg Universities
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11:00-11:45 a.m. noon Concurrent Sessions 2
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SMC 118​​
​Instructional Methods and Student Achievement: A Quantitative Research Project
Erica Baylor, Teacher, Harrisburg School District
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Doctoral Student in Educational Leadership, Millersville/Shippensburg Universities​​​
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Self-Regulated Learning and Academic Achievement of Low SES Learners in the Cyber School Setting,
Teresa Black, Academic Team Member, Central Pennsylvania Digital Learning Foundation
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Doctoral Candidate in Educational Leadership, Millersville/Shippensburg Universities
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SMC 202​
School Entry Age and its Impact on Black Male Placement in Special Education or Gifted Education,
Jason Rawls, Elementary Principal, Harrisburg School District
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PBIS Tier I Middle Schools and Fidelity of Implementation and its Relationship to Attendance and Academic Performance, Eugene Spells, Director of Schools, Harrisburg School District
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Doctoral Students in Educational Leadership, Millersville/Shippensburg Universities
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SMC 204
Student Leadership and Self-Concept: A Correlational Study,
Joyce Cal, Principal, Northern York School District
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Doctoral Student in Educational Leadership, Millersville/Shippensburg Universities
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SMC 24, 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Perception of Leadership Style: The Connection to Teacher Job Satisfaction in Title I Elementary Schools,
Dissertation Defense, Chris Barry, Director of Special Education, Red Lion School District
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Doctoral Candidate in Educational Leadership, Millersville/Shippensburg Universities
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​12:00 p.m. END OF CONFERENCE
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THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS AND PARTNERS!
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