10th Annual
Conference on
Education and Poverty
ONLINE
Saturday, November 14, 2026
Ann C. Gaudino, Ed.D., Director
Conference Committee:
Dr. Wendy Kubasko, Dr. Tiffany Wright
Dr. Camille Hopkins
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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Keynote: Dr. Lori Stollar
The Practice of Resilience:
Leading the Conditions That Matter
Organizational resilience isn't created in a crisis—it is built in the quiet, everyday habits of leadership. Drawing on concepts from Leading Resilient Schools, this keynote translates resilience research into a clear, achievable roadmap for educational leaders operating in complex environments.
SCHEDULE
9:00 a.m. Welcome and Keynote
Room A: Dr. Gaudino, Moderator
9:30 a.m. BREAK
9:40 a.m.-10:10 a.m. Session 1
Room A: Dr. Gaudino, Moderator
Training the Teacher, Not the Tool: A Quantitative Study of AI Professional Learning and Self-Efficacy
Danielle Alric, Learning Solutions Specialist & Adjunct, McDaniel College
Student Attendance in Synchronous Online Check-Ins as a Predictor of Academic Achievement in K-12 Online Learning Programs
Mike Rashid, Director of Instructional Technology and Online Learning, Palmyra Area School District
Doctoral Students, Millersville/Shippensburg Ed.D. in Educational Leadership
Room B: Dr. Wright, Moderator
Leaving a Legacy: Senior Student Perceptions of Effective Teachers
Doug Knepp, AP- New Cumberland Middle School, West Shore School District
The Impact of Teacher Diversity on Student Outcomes
Chantell Howard, Teacher, Carroll County Public Schools
Doctoral Students, Millersville/Shippensburg Ed.D. in Educational Leadership
10:10 a.m. BREAK
10:20 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Session 2
Room A: Dr. Gaudino, Moderator
Examining Leadership Resiliency as a Predictor of Advancement to Superintendent Positions Among Female Educational Leaders
Erica Fabie, Asst. Principal, Central York School District, Stony Brook Elementary
Virtual Work-Integrated Learning & Career Readiness: Exploring Perceived Skill Development Through an Equity Lens
Victoria Kerr, Executive Director, Career Center, Shippensburg University
Doctoral Students, Millersville/Shippensburg Ed.D. in Educational Leadership
Room B: Dr. Wright, Moderator
EP Communication Goals for Nonspeaking Autistic Students: Bill of Rights Alignment and District Income Sarah Wenger, Teacher, Eastern York School District
Burnout Among Learning Support Teachers: The Relationship Between Caseload Size and Perceived Principal Support
April Freeman, Director of Special Education, Palmyra Area School District
Special Education Funding Adequacy and Providing Required Student Services in Pennsylvania Public School Districts
Lindsay Kint, Assistant Business Manager, South Middleton School District
Doctoral Students, Millersville/Shippensburg Ed.D. in Educational Leadership
Room C: Dr. Hopkins, Moderator
11:30 a.m. BREAK
11:40 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Session 3
Room A: Dr. Gaudino, Moderator
Utilization of Reading Specialists in Pennsylvania Title I Elementary Schools Serving Varying Levels of Poverty
Meg Rishel, Title 1 Reading Specialist, Eastern York School District
Exploring the Connection of Poverty and Achievement
Karen Ward, Principal, Mount Rock Elementary, Big Spring School Disctrict
Doctoral Students, Millersville/Shippensburg Ed.D. in Educational Leadership
Room B: Dr. Wright, Moderator
Athletic Mentorship and Student Athlete Academic Achievment
Domineak Commodore, Assistant Principal, Harrisburg School District
Implementation Fidelity of a New High School PBIS Program and Teacher Referral Data: A Quantitative Study
Josh Barnas, Assistant Principal, Warwick High School/Warwick School District
Predicting PSSA Performance from Attendance and Office Discipline Referrals Among Middle-Level Students
Clarissa Nace, Middle School Principal, Big Spring School District
Doctoral Students, Millersville/Shippensburg Ed.D. in Educational Leadership
END OF CONFERENCE