Capitol News

As K-12 students return to the classroom for the 2024-25 school year, Michigan State University experts are available to discuss a variety of topics such as student physical and mental health, academic success, sociopolitical issues, and more.

Jae Puckett is an associate professor in the Department of Psychology. Puckett’s research documents experiences of stigma and marginalization encountered by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer individuals and the negative health outcomes of prejudice using qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods approaches. Puckett’s primary focus is on the lived experiences of transgender and gender diverse individuals.

“Transgender and nonbinary youth, or TNB, are faced with many challenges within school systems that are amplified by ongoing sociopolitical issues. Anti-trans legislation efforts have dramatically increased, including bills that target TNB youth’s rights within school systems or access to key resources like gender affirming medical care. These political issues, along with the rising anti-trans rhetoric have implications for mental health and well-being for TNB people.”

Tara Kilbride is the associate director of the Education Policy Innovation Collaborative in the College of Education at Michigan State University. Kilbride’s research examines the effects of state and local policies on the teacher workforce, student learning and school operations.

“Students experienced a wide range of learning environments, modalities and disruptions during the pandemic and as a result their academic levels and learning needs vary more now than they did in the past. As schools continue their efforts to recover academically it will be important to continually assess and accommodate students’ diverse needs.”

Lucia Cardenas Curiel is an assistant professor in the College of Education. She specializes in the relationship between language and literacy.

“Bilingual language learners or BLLs in schools are mostly students who were born in the U.S. from immigrant parents. A first step in creating a positive environment for BLLs is to make them feel welcomed and comfortable.”

Jungmin Kwon is an assistant professor of language and literacy in the Department of Teacher Education at Michigan State University. Her research centers on immigrant children and families.

“Students from immigrant and bilingual households bring a wealth of linguistic cultural knowledge that spans multiple countries to schools.”

Sarah Reckhow is a professor in the Department of Political Science at Michigan State University. Her research interests include urban politics education policy nonprofits philanthropy.

“The school year is starting with some frustration over the state education budget among public school districts. Although districts are receiving additional funds from retirement savings, the budget reduced a grant program that offered mental health funds.”

Patricia Edwards is a University Distinguished Professor of language literacy in MSU's Department of Teacher Education.

“As a new academic year begins it’s crucial for caregivers to engage actively in their children’s education. This involvement goes beyond attending parent-teacher meetings; it’s about being a daily advocate for your child’s learning growth.”

Charis Lauren Wahman is an assistant professor of special education at MSU's College of Education.

“Suspension expulsion practices in child care environments are troubling indications of what we value as a society."

Kristin Rispoli is an associate professor at MSU's College of Education focusing on mental health promotion for children with developmental disabilities.

“Long-term success for students does not occur in a vacuum but within interconnected systems."

Robert Root is an associate chief medical officer board-certified pediatrician with MSU Health Care specializing in pediatrics vaccines.

“Vaccines are critical tools ensuring safe returns to school protecting individual children entire communities."

Ryan Thomas provides care as a board-certified pediatric pulmonologist at MSU Health Care specializing asthma treatment plans.

“Back-to-school time presents high risks for kids with asthma requiring action plans managing symptoms triggers."

Micah Lissy interim chairperson Department Orthopedics provides care MSU Health Care Sports Medicine orthopedic surgeon team physician MSU Athletics board certified sports medicine injury prevention treatment all athletes levels.

"Returning to school includes returning sports essentials ‘getting back groove,’ avoiding injury having successful season."

Contact information for each expert was provided but omitted here due to space constraints.

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