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

5th Anniversary 

SCHEDULE / 2021

Thursday, November 18

Evidenced-Based Reform in Education
Film and Discussion
Free and Open to the Public:  PLEASE WEAR A FACIAL COVERING
Lombardo Center
6:30 p.m.- 8:00 p.m
 

Opening Comments (via Zoom):

Dr. Christopher Morphew, Dean, Johns Hopkins School of Education

 
Panelists:
Dr. Ollie Dreon, Professor, Education Foundations
Dr. Laurie Hanich, Professor, Education Foundations
Dr. Ann Marie Licata, Asst. Professor, Education Foundations
Dr. Nanette Marcum Dietrich, Professor, Education Foundations

In Memoriam of Robert Slavin, Ph.D., 1950-2021
The first keynote speaker of this conference
Pioneer researcher in evidence based reform in education
Distinguished Professor, Johns Hopkins University
Director, Center for Research and Reform in Education
Founder, Success for All Foundation

**Program subject to change at the discretion of the conference committee**

Friday, November 19

MU faculty and staff convene to discuss agendas.

8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. 

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Saturday, November 20

**PLEASE WEAR A MASK**

8:00 a.m. Registration, Posters, & Breakfast

Hallway outside of Student Memorial Center, Reighard Multipurpose Room 114

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Please visit these posters while you enjoy breakfast!

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School Funding and Student Achievement

Presenter: Samantha Bechtel, BSE English Major

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Increasing Teacher Technology Competence

Presenter: Jesse Rice, BSE English Major

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Implementing Restorative Discipline in K-12 Schools

Presenter: Kathryn Shaffer, BSE English Major

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Faculty Instructor:  Dr. Miriam Witmer

8:30 a.m. Opening Welcome and Keynote

Reighard Multipurpose Room 114

Dr. Ann Gaudino, Introductions

Keynote:

Dr. Persida Himmele & Dr. Bill Himmele

Positive Alternatives to Problematic Practices

for Students in Poverty

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9:30 a.m.- 9:40 a.m. Break

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9:40 a.m.-10:25 a.m.  Concurrent Session 1

SMC Room 118

Supporting Social Presence: A Phenomenological Study of Intermediate Elementary

Online Classroom Environments

Dissertation Prospectus Defense

Presenter:  Nicole Reinking, Principal, Brecht Elementary School, Manheim Twp.

Doctoral Candidate, Millersville-Shippensburg Universities, Educational Leadership

Faculty Committee Members:  Dr. Rhonda Brunner, Dr. Ann Gaudino, Dr. Persida Himmele

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Reighard Multipurpose Room 114

School/Family/Community Partnership Poster Session

Prepared for Success: Dawn Eby, Assistant Principal, Conestoga Valley SD

PBIS at Home: Theresa Ferry, Special Education Teacher, Wallingford-Swarthmore School District

Exploration Science: Colin Greenawalt, Biology Teacher, York County School of Technology

Piano Salon: Huixian Li, Piano Instructor, International Student

Community Careers Day: Mikaela Masser, Elementary Life Skills Teacher, Solanco SD

Building STEM Identity at Home: Patrick Munech, Principal Resident, School District of Lancaster

Parent Academic Academy: Jenna Philo, 3rd/4th grade teacher, School District of the City of York

Family Literacy Night: Amanda Richards, Kindergarten Teacher, Manheim Twp. SD

Extended Day Explorers: Melinda Vazquez-Markley, Principal Resident, School District of Lancaster

Master's Students in Educational Leadership, Millersville University

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SMC Room 204

Equity Minded Leadership in Action: Exploring Tenets of Transformative Leadership in One School Leader Who is Bridging the Opportunity Gap for Historically Underrepresented Students

Presenter:  Alex Smith, Director of Student Services, South Middleton School District

Doctoral Candidate, Millersville-Shippensburg Universities, Educational Leadership

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New Teacher Indution and Mentoring

Presenter: Tommy Henley, Director of High Schools, Hartford Public Schools, CT

Doctoral Candidate, Millersville-Shippensburg Universities, Educational Leadership

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SMC Room 202

Virtual and In-Person Achievement During the COVID-19 Pandemic

John Franzen, Supervisor of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment, Souderton School District

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Community Schools Impact on Students and Families

Amber Abreu, Director of ELD, Lebanon School District

Paul Casseri, Superintendent, Lewiston-Porter Central School District

Jennifer Chamberlin, Student Services Teacher, South Middleton School District

Samantha Neidlinger, Asst. Principal, Steelton-Highspire School District

Doctoral Students, Millersville-Shippensburg Universities, Educational Leadership

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10:25-10:35 Break

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10:35-11:20 a.m. Concurrent Session 2

Reighard Multipurpose Room 114

Steps Towards Achieving Equity in Curriculum Implementation

Presenters:

Samantha Armstrong, 4th Grade ELA/Social Studies Teacher, Muhlenberg School District

Amy Gattone, 4th Grade STEM Teacher, Muhlenberg School District

Tommy Henley, Director of High Schools, Harford Public Schools, CT

Steven Lied, 11th grade English Teacher, Hempfield HS, Hempfield SD

Lauren Lister, Graduate Student, Millersville University

Benjamin Mitchell, Social Studies Teacher, Hempfield HS, Hempfield SD

Patrick Muench, Principal Resident, School District of Lancaster

Stephanie Sfrisi, Special Education/Emotional Support, Lancaster-Lebanon IU13

Melinda Vasquez-Markley, Principal Resident, School District of Lancaster

Laura Zaharakis, Elementary School Counselor, Allentown School District

Master's Students in Educational Leadership

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SMC Room 24

Family and Central Office Adminsitrator Perceptions of School-Family Engagement

in a High Poverty, Urban School District

Presenter:  Camille Hopkins, Director of Schools, School District of Lancaster

Doctoral Candidate, Millersville-Shippensburg Universities, Educational Leadership

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Inspiring Action: The Power of Stories

Presenter: Chris Telesco, Teacher, Penn Manor Middle School

Master's Student in Educational Leadership

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SMC Room 118

Champions for Teens Pilot Intervention:  Increasing the Social Capital of Homeless Youth

Presenter:  Christina Helfrick, MSW, LSW, Social Worker, Donegal School District

Doctoral Candidate, Millersville-Kutztown Universities, Social Work

Tonya Eberhart, Ph.D, University of Kansas Research on Learning

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SMC Room 204

Examining the State of Poverty in a Rural School District

Chris Keeler, Director of Special Education, Solanco Public Schools

Doctoral Student, Millersville-Shippensburg Universities, Educational Leadership

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Examining the State of Poverty in an Urban Fringe School District

Amanda M Pressley, Asst. Principal. Susquehanna Twp. School District

Doctoral Student, Millersville-Shippensburg Universities, Educational Leadership

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SMC Room 202

A Comparative View of Poverty in Public vs Private School

Dawnmarie Ezzo, Elementary ELA Curriculum and Instruction Supervisor, Baltimore City Schools

Vincent Harper, Principal, Roman Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg/Bishop McDevitt High School

Trisha Reed, Principal, South Middleton School District

Doctoral Student, Millersville-Shippensburg Universities, Educational Leadership

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The State of Poverty in the West Shore School District

Brian Granger, Principal, Allen MS, West Shore School District

Doctoral Student, Millersville-Shippensburg Universities, Educational Leadership

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11:20 -11:30 Break

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11:30 - 12:15 p.m.  Panel Discussion:

Positive Alternatives to Problematic Practices for Schools Serving Students in Poverty:

What We've Learned Since COVID

Reighard Multipurpose Room 114

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Moderator: Dr. Tiffany Wright

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Panelists:

Dr. David Christopher, Superintendent, Cumberland Valley School District, Alumnus of the Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership, Millersville & Shippensburg Universities

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Dr. Dan Jurman, Executive Director, of Pennsylvania Office of Advocacy and Reform

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Dr. Travis Waters, Assoc. Professor, Shippensburg University, Alumnus of the Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership, Millersville & Shippensburg Universities

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END OF CONFERENCE

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12:45 p.m. Dissertation Defense.

Room 204

The Relationship Between Teacher Emotional Intelligence and Classroom Climate in 4th Grade Elementary Classrooms

Presenter:  Maria Miller, Principal, Green Ridge Elementary School, Cumberland Valley School District

Doctoral Candidate, Millersville-Shippensburg Universities, Educational Leadership

Faculty Committee Members:  Dr. Rhonda Brunner, Dr. Sandra Deemer, Dr. Ann Gaudino

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THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS AND PARTNERS!

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Millersville University 

 President’s Commission on Cultural Diversity & Inclusion

Department of Early, Middle & Exceptional Education

Department of Educational Foundations

Department of Social Work

Millersville/Shippensburg Educational Leadership Programs

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Instructors of Student Presenters:

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Dr. Rhonda Brunner, Shippensburg University

Dr. Sandra Deemer, Millersville University

Dr. Ann Gaudino, Millersville University

Dr. Persida Himmele, Millersville University

Dr. Wendy Kubasko, Shipensburg University

Dr. Ann Marie Licata, Millersville University

Dr. Karen Rice, Millersville University

Dr. Miriam Witmer, Millersville University

Dr. Tiffany Wright, Millersville University

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Save the Date:

6th Annual Symposium on Educational Leadership

Saturday, April 30, 2022

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Key Note Speakers

Persida Himmele, Ph.D.
Bill Himmele, Ph.D. 

Authors of ASCD books:

Total Participation Techniques and
Why Are We Still Doing That? Positive Alternatives to Problematic Practices