Coping Power Project Director, Professor, and Primary Investigator

Catherine has been conducting research related to Coping Power for nearly 20 years. She and her colleagues have adapted and evaluated the program in various school and community contexts as well as at different developmental levels, including elementary, middle, and high school settings.

For more information about Catherine, visit https://education.virginia.edu/about/directory/catherine-p-bradshaw

Contact: cpb8g@virginia.edu

Program Coordinator & Implementation Specialist, Virginia Site Lead

Katelyn is a former 8th grade special education teacher with a passion for positive behavior supports , school climate, and student mental health. She holds Bachelor’s degrees in Psychology & Elementary Education, a Master’s degree in Special Education, and additional certifications in Autism and Teaching ESL.

For more information about Katelyn, visit https://education.virginia.edu/about/directory/katelyn-birchfield

Contact: katelynb@virginia.edu

Classroom Coach & North Carolina Site Lead

Jackie is a clinical child psychologist who contributed to the development of our Coping Power program and has been a trainer and supervisor/coach for counselors working with youth since 2014. She has trained over 100 staff working in community clinics and schools on how to teach youth coping skills like those included in our program. Her research focuses on adapting evidence-based programs for use in community and school settings.

For more information about Jackie, visit https://psych.appstate.edu/faculty-staff/jacqueline-hersh

Contact: hershjr@appstate.edu

Classroom Coach & South Carolina Site Lead

Lydia was a special education teacher in West Virginia for eight years before becoming a board-certified behavior analyst (BCBA) and earning her PhD. Her research focuses on improving the feasibility of evidence-based practices for classroom and behavior management, analysis of social validity in behavioral research, developing high-quality online support for educators, and implementing social-emotional learning curriculums in the classroom.

For more information about Lydia, visit https://www.clemson.edu/education/about/directory/profile.html?userid=lbeahm

Contact: lbeahm@g.clemson.edu

Curriculum Specialist

Courtney previously worked in a public school district in Virginia, where she introduced and managed behavior-focused special education programs at the elementary and middle school levels. She is currently pursuing a doctorate in Clinical and School Psychology at the University of Virginia, with research interests in teacher occupational health, effective methods of parent engagement, and culturally responsive and sustaining practices. 

Contact: cgn4kg@virginia.edu

Classroom Coach

Candra is a former middle school science teacher who is passionate about educational justice and youth mental health and well-being. She is a licensed social worker and has a Master of Social Work degree as well as her PhD in Social Welfare.

For more information about Candra, visit https://education.virginia.edu/about/directory/candra-skrzypek

Contact: rdnzh7@viginia.edu

Classroom Coach

Skylar is a Clinical and School Psychology PhD student at the University of Virginia whose research interests involve promoting social-emotional well-being and academic success in children and adolescents. She holds a Master's degree in Experimental Psychology and a Bachelor's degree in Psychology.

Contact: zje5wu@virginia.edu

Research Associate & Mexico Site Lead

Paloma is a former school psychologist with previous experience supporting students and families in California and Kansas. She specializes in evidence-based practices to promote social-emotional and behavioral skills, with a focus on cultural and contextual adaptations. At the University of Virginia, she currently works on projects aimed at improving adolescent mental and behavioral health and advancing culturally responsive practices for educators and families.