NEW WILMINGTON, Pa. - Dr. Alison DuBois, Westminster College assistant professor of education and counseling, and Tina Keller, lecturer of education, presented research at the National Student Teacher and Supervision Conference in April at Slippery Rock University.

DuBois and Keller presented "Smoke Detectors: Listening to the Voices of Pre-Service Teachers in Identifying Burnout and Vicarious Trauma." The session was geared towards teacher educators and cooperating teachers. Using current technology, the participants were engaged in group activities that fostered discussion and a more in depth understanding of causes contributing to burnout and vicarious trauma in pre-service teachers, and the criteria used to properly identify both. Additionally, supervisors and cooperating teachers identified and discussed ways to implement various interventions that are effective in mitigating the effects of burnout and vicarious trauma.  

According to the National Student Teacher and Supervision website, "The purpose of the conference was to showcase the capstone event in teacher candidate preparation by providing professional educators with the opportunity to demonstrate best practices as they relate to the student teaching experience and the enhancement of knowledge, skills and dispositions of teacher candidates, cooperating teachers, administrators and university supervisors."

DuBois, who joined the faculty in 2011, earned an undergraduate degree from John Carroll University, master's degree from Westminster College, and Ph.D. from Duquesne University.

Keller, who joined the faculty in 2012, earned an undergraduate degree in elementary education from Messiah College and a master's in curriculum and instruction with an emphasis in children's literature from Pennsylvania State University.

Contact DuBois at (724) 946-6039 or email for additional information on the program.

Dr. Alison DuBois, assistant professor of education and counseling

Tina Keller, lecturer of education