Faculty and Staff
Dr. Pam Guess
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Dr. Guess serves as the coordinator of the UTC school psychology program. She began her career as an early childhood educator, working in classrooms with 4-and 5-year old children. This teaching experience that lasted for several years influenced her ongoing interest in social-emotional development, behavioral challenges, and the key role adults play in facilitating resilience and supporting the mental health of children and adolescents.
Dr. Guess' professional experiences and undergraduate training in psychology further focused her interest in child and youth development and she pursued a Master's degree in Clinical Psychology. Following completion of this degree, she continued working in a school setting located within a rehabilitation center for individuals of all ages with a variety of disabilities. This experience solidified her interest in coping strategies and variation in responses in individuals with disabilities and their families. This topic later became the focus of her dissertation for completion of a Ph.D. in School Psychology. Other professional experiences that have paralleled her research interests have included working as a school psychologist and behavior specialist in p-12 schools, consulting with school systems regarding system level interventions, and working with individuals with autism and their families. Dr. Guess has taught full-time at UTC since 2000. In addition to teaching courses in the School Psychology Program, she has been involved with the Summer Institute for special education teachers, the Osborne Fellows program for teachers in urban school settings, and the Alternative Certification program for regular and special education teachers.
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Dr. Sara Bowlingsara-bowling@utc.edu |
Dr. Sara Bowling is a Licensed Psychologist, HSP working as an Assistant Professor in the School Psychology Program at the University of Tennessee, Chattanooga. Dr. Bowling earned her Ph.D. from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville’s School Psychology Program in 2007 and began working as a school psychologist for a public school system. In this role, Dr. Bowling conducted psychoeducational evaluations, consulted with teachers regarding academic and behavioral interventions, and assisted in program evaluation research and systems-change initiatives. She then began working as an educational consultant through the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. As a consultant, Dr. Bowling provided technical assistance and professional development training in school-wide positive behavior support, classroom management, and inclusive educational practices. Her current research interests include issues related to school-wide positive behavior support, response to intervention, curriculum-based measurements, and school-based academic and behavioral interventions. |
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Dr. George Heltongeorge-helton@utc.edu |
Dr. Helton recently retired from the full-time faculty at UTC. He was a full-time member of the faculty from 1975-2010 and served as coordinator or co-coordinator of the school psychology program for most of those years. Prior to coming to UTC, he served as a school psychologist and central office administrator in several Texas school systems. He earned his doctorate in school psychology from the University of Texas at Austin. During the 2011-2012 year, Dr. Helton is teaching EDS 6050 (reflective leadership) and EPSY 6140 (Historical, Legal, & Ethical Foundations of School Psychology). Both are required courses in the school psychology program. Dr. Helton has published and presented on assessment of students experiencing school difficulties, on behavior change strategies useful with these students, and on professional ethics. |
Dr. Ted Millerted-miller@utc.edu |
Dr. Ted Miller teaches in the School Psychology and Special Education programs at UTC. He also teaches in the Doctoral Program in Educational Leadership. In the School Psychology program Dr. Miller teaches assessment of mild disabilities (5160) as well as online coursework in Learning Theory (6130) and in Program Evaluation (6100). His research interests include alternative measurement practices and action research procedures of improving classroom effectiveness. He is also interested in procedures that improve online instruction and in teacher effectiveness. Prior to joining UTC, Dr. Miller was a professor at Northern Illinois University. Dr. Miller is a UC Foundation Professor; he holds a doctorate in Educational/School Psychology from Indiana University.
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Dr. James Tuckerjim-tucker@utc.edu |
James A. Tucker, Ph.D. Currently Dr. Tucker holds the McKee Chair of Excellence in Learning at UTC. He is a member of the faculty in the school learning and leadership program as well as being a member of the school-psychology program. Dr. Tucker teaches two courses in the school-psychology program: EPSY 6140 Historical, Legal, and Ethical Foundations of School Psychology; and EPSY 6450 Psychological Foundations of School Psychology. Prior to arriving at UTC in 2001, Dr. Tucker was Professor of Educational Psychology at Andrews University. Formerly, Dr. Tucker served as Director of the Bureau of Special Education, Pennsylvania Department of Education, Director of Federal Programs for the Department of Special Education, Texas Education Agency, and perhaps most importantly, High School and Elementary School Teacher in Florida. Dr. Tucker’s doctoral training in school psychology at the University of Texas emphasized mental-health consultation as the intervention strategy of choice. Dr. Tucker is one of the leading authorities in America on the subject of integrated educational program-development for at-risk students, including students with disabilities. He has served as a Consultant/trainer to hundreds of school systems, both public and private in more than 40 states and provinces in North America, as well as to school systems in Brazil, Canada, Japan, Lithuania, Norway, and the West Indies. |
