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.
.
In Memoriam of Dr. Joyce Epstein
A cherished mentor, colleague, and friend whose scholarship of over 50 years established the importance of K-12 school, family, and community partnerships in the world.
Dr. Epstein was the first speaker for this conference in 2017 and subsequent keynote for two additional conferences, committee member for our students' doctoral dissertations, and guest speaker for numerous classes.
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
Poster Sessions
The Fork in the Road: Making High School Choice Accessible for Every Family
Heath Lettich-Ruley, Director of Curriculum, Instruction, & Student Affairs, Infinity Charter School
Family Engagement: Multiple Ways to Engage
Doreen Garvey, K-4 STEM Teacher, Collegium Charter School
Bridging Parent/Teacher Communication Difficulties and
Bringing All Families and Cultures Together - All are Welcome
Jessica Barber, French and Spanish Teacher, Centerville Middle School and Hempfield High School
Hempfield School District
"Ready for 6th": Using School Data and Stakeholder Voice to Strengthen the Transition from Elementary to Middle School
Jose Anzules, Home School Visitor, Student Services, the School District of Lancaster
Comets Connect- More Than a Game
Janna M. Ames, Science Teacher, Penn Manor High School, Penn Manor School District
Brittany Hamlett
The Connected Parent Showcase
Brittany Hamlett, 7th Grade Math Teacher, Red Lion Area Junior High, Red Lion Area School District
Master's Students in Educational Leadership
11:30 a.m. BREAK
11:40 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Session 3
Room A: Dr. Gaudino, Moderator
Utilization of Specialized Literacy Professionals in Pennsylvania Title I Elementary Schools: A Quantitative Research Study
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
1:00 p.m. POST CONFERENCE
DISSERTATION DEFENSE
Room B: Dr. Wright, Chair
and in-person in Stayer Hall Room 100
Understanding Chronic Absenteeism Through the Lived Experiences of Students and Families:
A Qualitative Exploration
Jassinya Alvarado Padilla, Director of Educational Access & Student Services, School District of Lancaster
Doctoral Candidate, Millersville/Shippensburg Ed.D. in Educational Leadership