Elisa Garcia

Elisa Garcia Bio:

Elisa Garcia, Ph.D., has broad expertise in early childhood education and child development. In particular, her research interests focus on language and literacy development of dual language learners, and the relation between the classroom context and academic and socioemotional outcomes among children from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds.

Effects of the Tools for Getting Along Curriculum on teachers’ reports of elementary students’ executive functions, social-emotional skills, and behavior problems

Authors : Elisa Garcia , Michelle Woodbridge , Carl Sumi

In this study, we examined the effectiveness of Tools for Getting Along (TFGA) on teachers’ reports of executive functioning (EF), social-emotional, and behavioral skills of elementary school students. TFGA is a classroom-level prevention curriculum that teaches students problem-solving steps to apply in emotionally charged situations.

Promises and Pitfalls of PBIS Part 3: Strategies for educators to reduce implicit bias when responding to challenging behaviors

Authors : Jennifer Nakamura , Elisa Garcia , Daniel Cohen , Kirby Chow

We highlight strategies educators can use to reduce implicit bias when responding to challenging behaviors, which is one of the five key components to reduce disproportionality in school discipline when implementing a PBIS approach.

How empowered do multilingual students with disabilities feel to make their own choices?

Authors : Elisa Garcia

In a recent descriptive study of high school students who are multilingual learners (MLs) with disabilities, SRI researchers found that these students attribute fewer self-determination behaviors to themselves than MLs without disabilities or students who are not MLs.

Promises and Pitfalls of PBIS Part 2: Engaging Students and Families in Equity-Focused PBIS

Authors : Jennifer Nakamura , Elisa Garcia , Kirby Chow

In this second post in this series, we will discuss how to elevate the voices of students and families – one aspect of implementing a positive behavior framework that is preventive, multi-tiered, and culturally responsive.

Promises and pitfalls of PBIS Part 1: Importance of an equity-centered approach

Authors : Elisa Garcia , Kirby Chow , Jennifer Nakamura

Students who are Black, Latinx, and Native American are more likely than White students to be suspended or expelled – even when comparing consequences for the same infractions.

Missing the mark or moving the needle? Reflections on how to center equity in research

Authors : Elisa Garcia , Lauren Jackson

Issues of race are deeply ingrained in every facet of our history and society. As researchers, we strive to promote children’s development and opportunities to succeed both in and out of school, but our work is not immune from a legacy of racism.

Want to build an equitable classroom? Start with social-emotional learning (SEL)

Authors : Kerry Friedman , Elisa Garcia

We expect teachers to handle a lot: create engaging learning experiences, differentiate instruction based on student needs, manage behavior, motivate students to learn, and tackle persistent gaps and inequities. More and more, teachers are meeting this challenge by embracing social-emotional learning (SEL), which can support academic learning, teach and reinforce positive behavior, motivate students to … Continue reading Want to build an equitable classroom? Start with social-emotional learning (SEL)

When you really want to focus on social-emotional learning (SEL): Selecting a standalone SEL program

Authors : Jennifer Nakamura , Elisa Garcia

Standalone social-emotional learning (SEL) programs are helpful tools for teachers who want to build students’ social-emotional skills in the classroom setting. However, it can be challenging to select an appropriate, practical, and effective classroom-wide curriculum that will work for all students. We have simplified the process to help teachers and other practitioners make a well-informed decision.

Helping students help themselves

Authors : Jennifer Nakamura , Elisa Garcia

To successfully navigate their school and home lives, students need more than just academic skills. Learning social-emotional skills can benefit all students. Social problem-solving is one social-emotional skill that can help all students in a classroom learn to better manage their emotions and behaviors, cooperate and communicate with peers, and make safer, more responsible decisions.