Leah Cohen Marks poses with award-winners

Leah Cohen Marks, far left, with NASP President Todd Savage, far right, and the other award recipients.

Leah Cohen Marks, a fourth-year doctoral student in the Illinois State University school psychology program, was one of three recipients of a National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) dissertation award.

The award was presented at the NASP 2016 Annual Convention in New Orleans, Louisiana, which took place February 10–13.

Marks’ dissertation study examines the relation between young children’s socioeconomic status, self-regulation, and readiness for kindergarten. Particularly, the study will examine how the teacher-child relationship may moderate these processes. She hopes to continue to help support teachers of young children to ensure children’s academic and social-emotional development as they move into kindergarten.