Skip Repetitive Navigation Links

Elizabeth Holtzman

Elizabeth Holtzman Adams Library (AL) 119
(401) 456-8051
eholtzman@ric.edu

Academic Background

Ph.D. 2000 University of Texas-Austin Educational Psychology-School Psychology

Internship 1999-2000 Houston Independent School District Psychological Services in the Schools

BA 1992 Colgate University Philosophy, Psychology

Courses Taught

CEP 605 School Psychology Practicum
CEP 603 Professional School Psychology
CEP 602 Social-Emotional Assessment and Intervention
CEP 538 Clinical Practicum 1
CEP 552 Psychological Perspectives on Teaching and Learning
CEP 537 Introduction to Group Counseling
CEP 531 Human Development across Cultures
FYS 100 Pay Attention! Mindfulness and Education

Teaching Collaborations

Interdisciplinary School Leadership Development Seminar

3 session inter departmental series---School culture is, in part, comprised of the beliefs shared by education professionals, including principals, school counselors and school psychologists. This series examines beliefs of pre-service graduate students in Counseling, Educational Leadership and School Psychology regarding the roles and functions of each specific discipline in addressing challenging student behavior. This process will utilize “crucial conservations” (Patterson, Grenny, McMillan & Switzler, 2002) to unpack underlying assumptions of school discipline systems and their responsiveness to students with different emotional and behavioral needs. The impact of interdisciplinary collaboration on graduate student development will be examined through theoretical discussion, experiential learning and case based training.

Leadership

Co-director Graduate Programs-Feinstein School of Education and Human Development 2018-present

RIC-Teach for America Liaison 2018-present

Research Interests

Educator dispositions to promote culturally responsive practice and cultural humility

Supervision in school psychology

Mindfulness in schools

Trauma informed schools

Teacher wellness

Role of leadership in systems change: Focus on RTI and Professional Learning Communities

Co-Principal Investigator (with Andrew Snyder, RIC) of a 3-year Title II grant, a partnership with RIHOE and Central Falls, “An Integrated Model of Professional Development.” Through cooperative work with the Rhode Island Association of School Principals, the grant seeks to develop professional learning communities whose members are highly knowledgeable and able to use assessment and RTI to guide quality instruction that positively and directly impacts achievement in literacy and mathematics.

Addressing anxiety in the schools

This project is a collaboration with a 3rd grade teacher at Henry Barnard School, Ms. Barbra Ondis and the Guidance Counselor, Ms. Janet Fraatz is continuing. This project addresses anxiety in students in a 3rd grade classroom. Consistent with best practice in mental health service delivery in the schools, a three tier RTI (Response to Intervention) framework guides curriculum and intervention choices supported by data. A unique aspect of this project is the integration of research based work on relaxation techniques with promising development of new curriculum using yoga to reduce stress. This is supplemented with evidence based cognitive behavioral interventions addressing anxiety for those individuals identified as at risk. 

Feinstein School Faculty-Student Collaboration Grant received by Elizabeth Gibbons Holtzman, Gretchen Conn, Barbra Ondis and Janet Fraatz. January, 2009

Holtzman, E. (March, 2010). From yoga to group counseling: Addressing one classroom’s anxiety needs. Paper to be presented at National Association of School Psychologist Annual Convention, Chicago, IL.

Holtzman, E., Ondis B. & Fraatz, J. (November, 2009). From yoga to group counseling: Differentiating to combat anxiety and promote positive coping with everyday stress in the classroom. Presented at Promising Practice Conference, 12th Annual Multicultural Conference and Annual Research Fair.

Teen dating violence

Kalina Brabeck (CEP Department, RIC)and I are collaborating on a project with a group of amazing graduate students to promote pre-service teacher candidates’ awareness of dating violence and increase self efficacy in how to recognize early warning signs and respond within own community of practice. This project is linked to a strong community effort to promote quality training related to this important topic consistent with recent RI legislation (Lindsey Anne Burke Act) requiring that all middle and high school students, teachers and administrators be educated in the area of dating violence prevention. 

Holtzman, E., Lebeouf, L, & Piccirillo, A. (March, 2010). Education professionals and teen dating violence: Roles, responsibility and opportunity. Paper to be presented at National Association of School Psychologist Annual Convention, Chicago, IL.

Brabeck, K.M. Gibbons-Holtzman, E., Metro, S., Leboef, L., & Piccirillo A. (February, 2010). Education professionals and teen dating violence: Roles, responsibility and opportunity. Poster accepted to the National Summit on Interpersonal Violence and Abuse across the Lifespan. Dallas, TX.

Holtzman, E. G.& Piccirillo, A. (April, 2009). Promoting RI Teacher Candidate Knowledge and Self Efficacy to Respond to Adolescent Dating Violence. Paper presented at National Association of School Psychologist Annual Convention, Boston, MA.

Piccirillo, A., Lebeouf, L., Metro, S., Holtzman, E. & Brabeck, K. (May, 2009). Increasing Pre‐Service Teachers’ Self‐Efficacy to Respond to Teen Dating Violence. Presentation at the Rhode Island College Student Convocation of Scholars. Providence, RI.

Selected Publications

Holtzman, E. & Obel-Omia, C. (2017). Mindfulness and Student Teaching: Practice Makes Perfect (Just As You Are!). In K. Byrnes, J. E. Dalton, & E. Dorman (Eds.) Contemplative Approaches in Pre-Service Teacher Education, Rowman & Littlefield. 

Tortolani, C., Malatino, K., Kene, P., Kunkel, C., Holtzman, E., & Brabeck, K. (2018). The Integration of Mindfulness into Training Graduates in School Psychology, Counseling and Leadership: A Rationale and Sample Curriculum. Journal of Human Services: Training, Research and Practice. 

Eagle, J., Eagle, S., Holtzman, E. & Synder, A. (2014). Implementing a Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS): Collaboration between School Psychologists and Administrators to Promote Systems Level Change. Journal of Educational and Psychological Consultation. 

Holtzman, E., Dukes, T.W & Page, T. (2012). Interdisciplinary school leadership development for pre-service graduate students. International Journal of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education. 

Selected Presentations

Holtzman, E. (November 2019). Shifting from novel approach to essential practice: Rethinking teacher training so support trauma-informed classroom management. Critical Questions in Education Symposium, Chicago, IL. 

Richmond, M., Calzada, J., Feragne, R., Furtado, K., & Holtzman, E. (February 2019). Applications of the DEP Model: Adding Peer Supervision. National Association of School Psychologists Annual Convention, Atlanta, GA. 

Furey, J., Holtzman, E. Dowd-Eagle, S. & Eagle, J. (February, 2019). Assessing Competency- Based Field Experiences in School Psychology. National Association of School Psychologists Annual Convention, Atlanta, GA. 

Holtzman E., Richmond, M. Linhares, T. & Ferraioli, A. (February, 2018). From the Mouths of Practicum Students: Effective Supervision---DEP Model. National Association of School Psychologists Annual Convention, Chicago, IL. 

Richardson, J., Holtzman, E., Furtado, K. & Feragne, R. (February, 2018). Trauma-sensitive classrooms: Training pre-service providers to respond not react. National Association of School Psychologists Annual Convention, Chicago, IL. 

Holtzman, E. (2017, February). Practicing From the Inside Out: Cultivating Teacher Wellness through Mindfulness. Mini skills workshop presented at National Association of School Psychologists Annual Convention, San Antonio, TX. 

Holtzman, E. & Richardson, J. (2016, February). Secular Mindfulness Within a PBIS frame: Pre K- 5th. Presented at the National Association of School Psychologists Annual Convention, New Orleans, LA. 

Holtzman, E. (2016, October). Cultivating Self Compassion within Mindfulness Practice to Combat Perfectionism in Students and Teachers Alike. Presented at Critical Questions in Education Symposium, Salt Lake City, Utah. 

Malatino, K., Tortoloni, C., Holtzman, E., Keene, P. & Brabeck, K. (2014, September). 
Integrating Mindfulness Into Counselor Professional Identity. Paper presented at NARACES Regional Conference, Boston, MA. 

Kraus, R., August, G. & Holtzman, E. (2012, August). Mt Pleasant High School Teacher Academy: Recruiting and Retaining Diverse Teacher Candidates. Paper presented at ATE. Boston, MA. 

Eagle, J., Eagle S. & Holtzman, E. (2012, February). Evaluating Intern Service Delivery: Accountability in School Psychology Training Programs. Paper presented at National Association of School Psychologist Annual Convention. Philadelphia, PA. 

Holtzman, E., Dukes, T. & Page, T. (2011, February). Interdisciplinary School Leadership Development for Pre-Service Graduate Students. Paper presented at National Association of School Psychologist Annual Convention. San Francisco. CA. 

Holtzman, E. (2011, February). A Class Wide Holistic Program for Reducing Anxiety in Youth. Paper to be presented at National Association of School Psychologist Annual Convention. San Francisco, CA. 

Holtzman, E., Lebeouf, L, & Piccirillo, A. (2010, March). Education professionals and teen dating violence: Roles, responsibility and opportunity. Paper presented at National Association of School Psychologist Annual Convention, Chicago, IL. 

Holtzman, E. (2010, March). From yoga to group counseling: Addressing one classroom’s anxiety needs. Paper presented at National Association of School Psychology Annual Convention, Chicago, IL. 

Brabeck, K.M., Holtzman, E., Metro, S., Leboeuf, L. & Piccirillo, A. (2010, February). Education professionals and teen dating violence: Roles, responsibility, opportunity. Poster presented at the National Summit on Interpersonal Violence & Abuse across the Lifespan, Dallas, Texas. 

Holtzman, E.G., Darcy, M.G., Dukes, T.W., Eagle, J., Page T., Synder, A.M. & Dowd-Eagle, S. E. (2010, February). Enabling shared leadership: Cross-disciplinary graduate training and practice. Symposium presented at the 42nd Annual New England Education Research Association Conference, Portsmouth, NH. 

Holtzman, E.G. & Piccirillo, A. (2009, April). Promoting RI Teacher Candidate Knowledge and Self Efficacy to Respond to Adolescent Dating Violence. Paper presented at National Association of School Psychologist Annual Convention, Boston, MA. 

Grants

Holtzman, E. (2014-15) Mindfulness and Teacher Wellness. Feinstein School of Education and Human Development (RIC) Faculty-Student Collaboration Grant. ($960.00) 

Holtzman, E. (2013-14) Promoting school success for all students: The power of early emotional and behavioral screening paired with tiered supports for the development of executive functioning skills at Henry Barnard School. RIC Innovation Lab ($832.75) 

Rossi-D’entremont, K., Gunning, M., Lambert, C., Holtzman, E. & Rancout, C. (2013) Self-Advocates in Learning (SAIL) Project. Learning Disabilities Foundation of America. ($13, 690.00) 

Holtzman, E. & Snyder, A. (2007-2010). An Integrated Model of Professional Development. Partnership with Rhode Island Association of School Principals and Central Falls School District. Title II Rhode Island Higher Education Partnership Grant. ($138,000.00). 

Holtzman, E., Conn, G., Ondis, B. & Fraatz, J. (2009). Using yoga to address stress in the classroom. Feinstein School of Education and Human Development (RIC) Faculty-Student Collaboration Grant. ($1001.59) 

Dowd-Eagle, S., Eagle, J. & Holtzman, E.G. (2009). School psychology interns’ outcome evaluations of field based interventions. Feinstein School of Education and Human Development (RIC) Faculty-Student Collaboration Grant. ($1000.00) 

Holtzman, E. & Brabeck, K. (2008-2009). Raising teacher self efficacy to respond to teen dating violence. Rhode Island College Faculty Research Grant. ($1370.00) 

Community Involvement

Advisory Board, Mount Pleasant Teacher Academy

Board member, Rhode Island School Psychology Association

RI School Psychology Leadership Coalition

Professional Experience

Licensed Psychologist (2000-present) Clinical interests include child, adolescent and family counseling for emotional and social challenges; teacher stress and school adjustment.

Consultant (2000-present) Provide professional development training and support to schools, professional groups and organizations concerning topics related to social and emotional functioning at individual, classroom and system levels.

Teach for America (1992-1994)​​

Page last updated: October 08, 2020