Check-in, Check-out

Red-chair1768821371-183x250Courtney Pacholski of China, Maine, a Ph.D. candidate in education at the University of Maine, and her adviser, James Artesani, associate professor of special education, are the recipients of the UMaine 2015 President’s Research Impact Award.

The annual award is given to the graduate student and adviser who best exemplify the University of Maine mission of teaching, research and scholarship, and outreach. The $2,000 as part of the award is shared equally between the student and adviser.

Pacholski’s research focuses on PBIS — positive behavior interventions and supports — for rural school districts to help students at risk for behavioral issues that could result in failing at school. She has examined the effects, feasibility and possible adaptations of the Check-In/Check-Out model on the behaviors of elementary and middle school students. The results of the study indicate positive outcomes in addressing students’ behavior problems in the classroom while strengthening the student-teacher relationship.