Get to Know Me

I grew up in rural central Ohio where families worked together and gathered for picnics and outdoor activity like sports, hiking, and fishing. I participated in high school and college sports and dreamed of  returning to my hometown as a PE teacher and a football coach. I learned along the way that some kids seemed "stuck" and I wanted to know why and how I could help. My interest shifted from education to psychology. I like to say that I earned my doctoral degree on the playground and in the cafeteria. Studying social skills at Penn State, these were the places I spent hours observing the differences between kids who got along with peers and those who were unpopular and aggressive. I realized that many kids needed coaching in the use of tools and skills they were lacking. When I became a parent I understood that parents often need additional tools and skills too! I never became a football coach, but now I get to coach kids and families every day!

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EDUCATION:

Ohio University, BA, 1979-1983

Penn State University, PhD, 1983-1988

Children's Hospital National Medical Center, Intern, 1987-1988