TAMIU Faculty Member Presents School Violence Research at National Educational Leadership Conference
Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) assistant professor of educational programs Dr. Stephen Benigno recently presented his research on school violence and shootings at The Collaborative Educational Programs for the Americas Leadership Conference in San Antonio.
This year’s conference theme, “Addressing the Challenges of Education: Bringing Back Civil Discussion, Debate, and the Conflict of Ideas,” invited scholars from a select number of universities to discuss educational leadership challenges.
Dr. Benigno co-presented alongside Dr. Elisabeth Krimbill, assistant professor in the department of educator and leadership preparation at Texas A&M University-San Antonio.
Their research, “Fear and Evaluating Threat, School Shootings, and Violence in the U.S.,” focused on administrative roles, responsibilities, and their implementation regarding school safety procedures.
The presentation also discussed the role that fear played in the decision-making process and how decisions can be redirected toward active supervision, community outreach, inclusive student opportunities and much more.
The research is critical to the development in schools to create cohesive and sustainable strategies to address all issues that may be detrimental to student academic success. Both fear and high levels of anxiety in the aftermath of a school shooting impact school leaders around the nation, explained Benigno.
Ultimately, the researchers concluded that more inclusive learning environments that focus on positive behavior interventions, counseling, support and preventing bullying create a more caring school environment, noted Benigno.
He maintains that research is a critical component to developing mindful educators and looks to motivate students to become better researchers.
“Scholarly research is the impetus in the development of sound practitioner strategies. Through research, students can develop critical thinking skills and use those skills to make transformational changes in the way we live and coexist in our society,” Benigno explained.
Student opportunities for research are paramount at TAMIU’s College of Education. This year, student-led research accounted for 10 academic articles that are either published, in-press, or in-review.
Research has focused on global service-learning, developing intercultural competence, academic achievements, identifying exceptional students and much more. To view a full list of student-led research projects at the College of Education, visit https://www.tamiu.edu/coedu/facultystudentcholarships.shtml.
Currently, the University’s College of Education is participating in the Texas A&M University’s state-wide campaign, “We Teach Texas,” which focuses on encouraging teaching careers.
TAMIU and the 11 universities of the A&M System produce more fully certified teachers than any other university system in Texas.
For information about TAMIU’s College of Education programs, please call 956.326-2420, email coeinformation@tamiu.edu or visit offices located in the Sue and Radcliffe Killam Library, room 429.
For more about The Texas A&M University System’s “We Teach Texas” Campaign, visit, https://weteachtexas.org.
For information about TAMIU’s College of Education programs, please contact TAMIU’s Graduate School at 956.326-3020, email graduateschool@tamiu.edu or visit offices located in the Senator Judith Zaffirini Student Success Center, room 206.
For more on the University’s story, visit tamiu.edu or its social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter and YouTube.
For more about The Texas A&M University System’s “We Teach Texas” Campaign, visit, https://weteachtexas.org.
