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Our team is composed of leading researchers and experts from

the University of Virginia, the American Institutes of Research, and CREATE. 

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Dr. Jennings and her colleagues at UVA's School of Education and Human Development posess extensive expertise in school-based research on teacher development.

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AIR is one of the largest education and social science research organizations in the world and will conduct research for Project ENGAGE

CREATE is exclusively licensed to deliver CARE to school personnel and provides other research-backed, mindfulness-based SEL programs with high degrees of fidelity. 

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The United States Department of Education - Education Innovation Research has generously funded Project ENGAGE under Grant #S411B230020

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University of Virginia

Tish Jennings, Ph.D., has extensive experience in conducting and coordinating school-based research focusing on teacher development. 

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Tish Jennings, M.Ed., Ph.D.

Principal Investigator

Professor, University of Virginia

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Grace Kegley, M.Ed., is a project manager at the University of Virginia. Prior to working in research, she taught elementary school.

Grace Kegley, M.T., M.Ed.

Recruitment Manager,

University of Virginia

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Sara Zielberg is a curriculum and education writer specializing in elementary literacy. Holding a Bachelor and Master of Science in Elementary Education from Indiana University, Sara taught in public schools for 18 years at the elementary level.

Sara Zielberg, M.S.

ENGAGE Education & Outreach Director,

University of Virginia

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Pamela Nicholas-Hoff, Ph.D., holds a Virginia postgraduate professional teaching license and is a certified CARE facilitator. Her research interests focus on using mindfulness-, compassion-, and equity-based practices to reduce implicit bias and discipline disparities.

Pamela Nicholas-Hoff, M.Ed., Ph.D.

Postdoctoral Research Associate,

University of Virginia

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Golda Barrow, Ph.D., is the project manager for Project ENGAGE. She earned a Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of Pennsylvania. Prior to this role, Barrow was a project manager at the University of Virginia Biocomplexity Institute. 

Golda Barrow, Ph.D.

Project Manager,

University of Virginia

American Institutes for Research

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With a PhD in Learning Science and an MS in Applied Developmental Psychology,  Tara Hofkens examines how stress influences children’s engagement, learning, and development in school.

Tara Hofkens, Ph.D.

Visiting Scholar,

University of Virginia

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Dennis Williams II is a doctoral student at the University of Virginia. His research interests include critical paradigms, anti-oppressive education, and contemplative pedagogy. A former special education teacher, he is a research assistant in the Contemplative Teaching and Learning Lab.  

Dennis Williams II, M.A., M.Ed.

Ph.D. Student,

University of Virginia

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With experience and expertise in evaluating school-based student support initiatives, Kim Kendizora, Ph.D., focuses on evaluations of school- and community-based initiatives to promote social and emotional learning among students.  

Kim Kendizora, Ph.D.

Managing Researcher, American Institutes for Research

CREATE for Education

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Mark T. Greenberg, Ph.D., is Emeritus Professor at Penn State and the founding director of the Edna Bennett Pierce Prevention Research Center. Currently, his areas of research include prevention of behavioral health problems, and promotion of wellbeing in youth and their caregivers.

Mark T. Greenberg, Ph.D.

Professor Emeritus,

Pennsylvania State University 

Former Team Members

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Megan Atkinson is a senior in the Blue Ridge Virginia Governor's School program and Orange County High School. She is currently researching a capstone project focused on reducing burnout and increasing productivity in high school students.

Megan Atkinson

Intern,

University of Virginia

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Yibing Li, Ph.D., specializes in research design and advanced quantitative methods. She directs and co-directs large scale research and evaluation projects funded by the Institute for Education Science, Administration for Children & Families, and the Office of Elementary & Secondary Education.

Yibing Li, Ph.D.

Principal Researcher,

American Institutes for Research

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Dorothy Morelli, M.Ed., is a career educator with more than 30 years of experience in elementary and secondary education. Morelli served as CEO of PATHS Education Worldwide and is now a partner in Social Emotional Learning Worldwide

Dorothy Morelli, M.Ed.

Chief Executive Officer, 

CREATE

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Karime Cameron has a master’s in educational psychology and Developmental Applied Science and works as a Project Manager at the University of Virginia. She has worked with numerous researchers on various study designs focusing on topics such as curiosity and creativity, teacher well-being, social and emotional development, and innovative teaching practices.

Karime Cameron, M.Ed.

Project Manager,

University of Virginia

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Pete Rehder, Ph.D., has extensive expertise in social and emotional development, developmental psychopathology, parent-child relationships, psychobiology, program evaluation, research methods, and complex quantitative data analysis. 

Pete Rehder, Ph.D.

Researcher,

American Institutes for Research

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Svenja Hascher is a doctoral student at the University of Potsdam, Germany and member of the Max Planck International Research School LIFE. As a former elementary school teacher, her research interests include social interactions in multidimensionally heterogeneous elementary school classrooms. 

Svenja Hascher

Visiting Scholar,

University of Virginia

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Ava Michael is a former project coordinator for Project ENGAGE. She has an M.Ed. in Educational Psychology and is currently pursuing a PhD in Clinical and School Psychology. Her research interests include helping promote both school staff and student's mental health and well-being.

Ava Michael, M.Ed.

Project Coordinator,

University of Virginia

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Instagram: projectengage_

Funded by the U. S. Department of Education, Education Innovation and Research, #S411B230020

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