Welcome Dr. Kerri Knight-Teague - Assistant Professor, Advanced Studies in Education & Counseling

I chose the CED at CSULB because of its excellent reputation for teaching, applied research, and focus on equity. The CED models best practices in education and I am excited to be a part of this community.  

I chose education, and ultimately the field of school psychology because there is positive change in the work we do. School psychologists are trained in several areas that are much needed in schools today: academic and behavior intervention, mental health, and consultation (particularly in helping school teams implement evidence-based practices). I chose my path because I loved using these skills to problem-solve in PK-12 settings. In my new role at CSULB, I am passionate about working with graduate students as future problem-solving school psychologists themselves. 

I am interested in how school psychologists work with teams to collect assessment data that benefit diverse students. Many assessment activities take up a lot of time and do not lend useful information to problem-solving common school concerns. There is good information about what constitutes evidence-based assessment, but there is work to be done bridging training and implementation in schools. 

I see teaching as an opportunity for students to develop critical thinking skills, become consumers of educational research, and develop a new part of their identity as a professional.

I hope my students see someone who is committed to helping them be successful.

Beyond the content that is important for our field, I hope to teach my students to never underestimate the importance of effective collaboration. Best practices are implemented and student outcomes improve when educators work together. 

I hope my students are inspired to be confident in their professional growth and celebrate small successes during graduate school and beyond.