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Hemmeter Lab

Meet the Data Collectors

Maria Sanin

Maria is a second year Masters student in the Human Development Counseling program (Clinical Mental Health Counseling track) at Vanderbilt University. In Dr. Hemmeter’s lab, Maria is a data collector for various projects, including the Group Coaching Approach and Education, Innovation, and Research. Prior to Vanderbilt, Maria received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Neuroscience from the University of Pittsburgh. Since then, she has held several research positions looking at both treatment of anxiety-related disorders and the interaction between anxiety and physical health in adolescents and adults. Her experience includes working with individuals who have anxiety, OCD, and eating disorders. Maria is interested in learning how early intervention such as using the Pyramid Model in childhood education can serve to prevent anxiety and related disorders later in life.

Education

  • B.S. in Psychology and Neuroscience form the University of Pittsburgh

 

Kelsey Rose

Kelsey is a second-year master’s student in the Child Studies program (Applied track) at Vanderbilt University. In Dr. Hemmeter’s lab, Kelsey is a data collector for various projects including the Group Coaching Approach and Education, Innovation, and Research. Prior to Vanderbilt, Kelsey received her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Mississippi. In her time at Vanderbilt, she has participated with Dr. Jessika Boles on her research studies looking at legacy for parents who have lost a child or infant. She has particular interests in pediatric healthcare, autonomy and decision-making for children, and adolescents transitioning to adult care. Her experiences have included working with children in non-profit, hospital, and medical camp environments.

Education

  • B.A. in Psychology from University of Mississippi

 

Frances Takemoto

Frances began the M.Ed program in English Language Learners at Vanderbilt University in August of 2020. In Dr. Hemmeter’s lab, Frances conducts TPOT and CLASS observations on the Group Coaching Approach project. As an undergraduate student at the University of Maryland, College Park, Frances has worked as a student aide in a kindergarten class. After graduating, Frances taught 1st to 6th grade English in rural Japan through the JET Program (Japan Teaching and Exchange) for two years. She continued her journey as an international educator in Bangkok, Thailand as a 3rd grade teacher at an American international school for two years. At Vanderbilt, Frances supports The Language and Literacy Development of Culturally, Linguistically, and Economically Diverse Learners (LLD-CLED) Research Group in writing a literature review on disproportionality of English Learners in special education programs in the US. She is interested in creating meaningful curriculum and develop effective teaching practices to support English learners and special education students.

Education

  • B.S. in Elementary Education from University of Maryland, College Park

Certifications

  • Elementary K-5 Practitioner Teaching License: State of Maryland
  • Elementary K-5 Practitioner Teaching License: State of Tennessee

 

Lila Buchanan

Lila is currently a first-year Child Studies master’s study at Vanderbilt’s Peabody College of Education and Human Development. In Dr. Hemmeter’s lab, she serves as one of the data collectors for the Group Coaching Approach project. ​ While at Vanderbilt, Lila has served as a research intern at the Behavioral Analysis Clinic at which she helped collect data for doctoral studies focusing on equivalence training and progressive ratio functional analyses. Prior to pursuing a Master’s of Education at Vanderbilt, Lila gained several different experiences working with children with special needs. She has worked as a volunteer for I CAN! Dance, an organization that has designed dance classes and other recreational activities for children with disabilities. She has also worked as a volunteer camp counselor at Camp Aldersgate, a summer and year-round camp for children with varying special needs. Lastly, she has worked as an assistant teacher for a summer school day camp organized by Pediatrics Plus, a developmental preschool and therapy clinic with multiple site locations. Lila is interested in the overlapping fields of psychology and education, specifically behavioral analysis and how it is used to improve classroom settings and strengthen educational programs. She has the goal to become a BCBA and is excited to gain more learning and work experience in her time at Vanderbilt.

Education

  • B.A. in Psychology from Ouachita Baptist University