CRISTIN MONTALBANO Recipient of the James B. and Susan H. Pittleman Fellowship Ph.D. in School Psychology Class of 2016 Cliffside Park, New Jersey
My background Prior to enrolling in the School of Education’s School Psychology program, I was a special education teacher in New York City for six years where I had the pleasure of teaching first, second and third graders the necessary skills to achieve positive academic, social and emotional outcomes. I earned a B.S. in psychology and political science from Richard Stockton College of New Jersey and an M.S.Ed. in childhood special education from Hunter College of the City University of New York.
My experience My experience at the UNC School of Education has been amazing. Within my first year of studies, I have had the opportunity to work with experts in the field of school psychology, data analysis and psychometrics. Each of these experiences has challenged me intellectually and provided me with opportunities to develop the skills necessary to be an effective school psychologist.
How the James B. and Susan H. Pittleman Fellowship has benefited me I am truly honored to be the recipient of the James B. and Susan H. Pittleman Fellowship. This opportunity has helped me pursue my goals in the field of special education. Due to the generosity of James B. and Susan H. Pittleman, I have joined the LEARN NC team where I am currently developing classroom-ready resources for early elementary teachers. These resources span several content areas and integrate special education approaches and I am truly grateful for this opportunity to help teachers meet the needs of students in their classrooms.
My career goals After I graduate, I aspire to become a leader in the field of education. I aim to be involved in many endeavors geared toward ensuring that students receive the accommodations they need to bolster their academic, social and emotional functioning. As a result, I not only want to become a school psychologist in a school system, but I also aspire to contribute to the knowledge base of the field through research.
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