Amanda M. Marcotte, Ph.D.
Dr. Marcotte studies school-based practices that promote equal access for all children to high-quality, evidence-based instruction that meets their specific needs. Models of prevention empower school-based professionals to support all children they serve. Dr. Marcotte studies the components of effective academic prevention and intervention programs that include evidence-based instructional strategies for both typical developing students and those experiencing academic deficits using a multi-tiered system of supports, screening measurements to identify struggling learners, and progress monitoring technologies such as curriculum-based measurement, data-based decision making and response-to-instruction.
Her primary line of research is in the area of developmental reading theory for assessment and instruction, with research priorities extending to reading comprehension and early vocabulary assessment. However, her research endeavors span the breadth of prevention methods for improving academic outcomes for children in schools through data-based decision-making to improve academic, behavioral and social-emotional outcomes in school settings as indicated by the expansive endeavors of her research team, PAART.
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MEET OUR CURRENT GRADUATE STUDENTS
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Anna Habib
I am a doctoral candidate in the School Psychology program. I began my academic career at The Ohio State University where I competed my B.A. in Psychology. Upon graduating from Ohio State, I served with City Year, a school-based AmeriCorps program focused on addressing the national dropout crisis. Inspired by the intersection of psychology and education, I decided to pursue my PhD in school psychology at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. My current research interests center on the relationship between motivation, self-regulation, and academic outcomes.
Lauren R. Erickson
I am a doctoral candidate in the School Psychology program. Although originally from Connecticut, I completed my undergraduate education at the University of Rhode Island where I earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Development and Family Studies (with a concentration in Family & Community Settings). My research interests center around consultation, instructional support teams, and systems-level supports. Upon completion of my degree at UMass Amherst, I aspire to work in a public school setting, collaborating alongside teachers, administrators, and families to promote successful student outcomes and efficient system functioning.
Colleen D. Boyle
I am a doctoral candidate in the School Psychology program. My research interests include assessment and decision-making practices that aid in the prevention of reading problems and support the development of strong reading skills for all students. I hope to become a practicing school psychologist, and to work to implement systems-level practices that will support vulnerable students.
Matthew Checrallah
My name is Matthew Checrallah and I am a School Psychology student pursuing an Education Specialist degree at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. I completed my undergraduate studies at the University of Rhode Island where I earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education with Middle Level Certification. Upon completion of my undergraduate studies I taught at a Middle School in Rhode Island for three years before beginning my pursuit of an Ed.S. Degree at UMass Amherst. Upon completion of my degree my goal is to return to my career in public education as a School Psychologist in order to better support the needs of students.
Madeline Berkowitz
I am originally from Michigan (Go Blue!) and am a PhD student in the school psychology program. I eared a BA is psychology from Bryn Mawr College and a MS/CAGS in school psychology from Northeastern University. Before beginning my studies at UMASS, I worked as school psychologist for four years. My research interests include measurement of student risk and growth in academic areas. Currently, I am excited to be collaborating on a project applying PATH analysis to a large set of reading data.
Zoe Roberts
My name is Zoe Roberts, I’m originally from Western Massachusetts and I’m a doctoral student at UMass. I earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Mental Health Rehabilitation at the University of New England. My research as an undergraduate student was based in reading comprehension and cognition with a focus on technology. As a graduate student I am still interested in reading comprehension, but with a focus on early intervention and the prevention of reading problems. In the future I hope to also pursue research related to technology based reading interventions or preventive strategies. Once I’ve completed my degree I hope to work as a practicing school psychologist, and later hold a faculty position at a university.
Carolyn Hall
I am a student in the School Psychology, Education Specialist program at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. I completed my undergraduate degree at Keene State College where I studied Community Health Education and Addictions. This began my journey towards a career that supports my interest in behavioral health, education, and human services. I have worked both as a mental health and substance abuse counselor, and then as an elementary education ESL paraprofessional. My time with PAART has resulted in contributions to our understanding of reading fluency interventions and further developing our understanding of academic supports that help all learners. My diverse professional background has solidified my research interests in areas such as early intervention and prevention strategies to support high risk students. Upon graduation, my goal is to become a practicing school psychologist.
Stephanie Lewia
I am a first-year doctoral student in the School Psychology program. I am originally from Maine and completed an undergraduate degree at Fairfield University in Connecticut where I earned Bachelor of Arts degrees in Psychology and Music. Prior to pursuing graduate study at UMass Amherst, I spent two years as a research assistant at Dartmouth College working on projects focusing on the development, evaluation, and implementation of technology-based interventions for behavioral and mental health.
Claire McIntyre
Coming soon!
MEET OUR ALUMNI
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William (Mac) Furey, Ph.D.
William earned his doctoral degree from the UMass Amherst School Psychology program in 2017 and now teaches at Manhattan College. William specializes in supporting early career teachers with classroom and instructional management through consultation. Additionally, William has experience providing systems-level school consultation and providing therapy to children with autism spectrum disorder and training for their families. William's research focuses on assessment and instructional practices.
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Caroline (Carrie) Shackett, Ph.D.
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Amanda M. Kern, Ph.D.
I am a 2017 graduate from the Special Education program. I am currently an Assistant Professor of Special Education at the University of Nebraska Omaha. Inspired by my time as a special education teacher, my research is focused on the assessment of reading skills. My research projects are focused on improving reading test efficiency, accuracy, and utility for teachers.
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Amadee Meyer, Ph.D.
As a former teacher, a desire to learn more about how to identify and support struggling readers led me to the field of school psychology. In my doctoral studies, I have continued to study reading assessment and intervention, focusing on the critical years of early elementary school. After graduation, I look forward to practicing as a school psychologist in the local area.
Laura Findlay
Coming Soon!
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