The teaching associates for the Educational and School Psychology Department teach one section of Educational Psychology (EDSP 102) each semester.
Teaching associate positions are awarded in the Spring of each academic year. Students admitted to the doctoral program in school psychology may request consideration for this position. Applicants whose grades and academic progress are satisfactory are given the opportunity to present a lesson to a committee of faculty members. The committee judges the presentations and awards the teaching associate positions accordingly.
Teaching Associates for the 2012–2013 academic year:
Michael Boneshefski, M.Ed.
Mike is a doctoral student in the School Psychology program at IUP. He is currently completing his certification coursework. Before attending IUP, Mike earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology at Pennsylvania State University. Mike’s research interests include curriculum-based measurements and schoolwide initiatives such as School-Wide Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports and Response to Intervention.
Kevin O'Donnell, M.Ed., M.P.P.
Kevin is in his third year as a student in the School Psychology program at IUP and his first year in the doctoral program. Currently, Kevin is working as a school psychology intern to complete certification requirements for becoming a school psychologist. He completed a Master of Public Policy degree at Georgetown University in May 1997 and completed his Master of Education degree in December 2011. From January 2011 through August 2011, Kevin worked as a graduate assistant for Dr. Timothy Runge and Dr. Mark Staszkiewicz in the conducting of an evaluation of a statewide implementation of School-Wide Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports by select K-12 schools throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Kevin has worked as a researcher within the Division of Consumer and Community Affairs at the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and as researcher for a federal government contractor working on a number of national studies for various agencies within the U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The culmination of these experiences led Kevin to blend his interests in research, data-based decision-making, and educational policy-making for the express purpose of becoming a certified school psychologist, and, ultimately, a high-level policy-maker working for a state department of education or the U.S. Department of Education. A main area of research focus for Kevin includes the use of research to promote the development and dissemination of evidence-based practices designed to address issues of disproportionately in special education placements and disciplinary practices.
Kara Yagle, M.Ed.
Kara is a doctoral student in the Educational and School Psychology program at IUP. She earned her Master of Education degree in August 2012 and is currently working towards her certification to become a school psychologist. Prior to beginning her graduate work at IUP, Kara earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology degree from Pennsylvania State University. She currently resides in Indiana with her husband and daughter. Her research interests include family-school relationships, student motivation, and work/family conflict.
