Dissertation in Practice Defense for Shannon Keating

Date: Thursday, May 21, 2026

Time: 5 - 6:30 p.m. ET

Zoom Link: Available upon request. Contact Shannon Keating at smk146@pitt.edu

Dissertation Title: "Assessing the Impact of a Mindfulness-Based Peer Support Group for School Staff Facilitated by a School Social Worker"

Dissertation Description: Student mental health and behavior are major challenges in U.S. public schools, prompting increased use of trauma-informed and restorative practices alongside a focus on effective teaching and classroom management. The success of these approaches depends on school staff’s ability to emotionally regulate during sustained stress and burnout, which can undermine implementation, particularly in schools serving marginalized populations.

This study examines the impact of a mindfulness-based peer support group on school staff well-being and professional experiences. Using a qualitative design, data were collected through session observations, participant journals, and post-intervention interviews, alongside pre- and post-administration of the Professional Quality of Life Scale (ProQOL). Findings indicated shifts in participants’ relationships with stress, from control and avoidance toward greater awareness and acceptance. These internal changes were associated with changes in how participants interpreted student behavior and enacted their professional roles, with increased emphasis on relational presence in instruction and classroom management. While ProQOL scores remained relatively stable, qualitative data suggested meaningful changes in participants’ experiences and practices.

These findings suggest that supporting staff well-being through relational and reflective structures may be critical to sustaining effective teaching, classroom management, and school-wide practices that support student success.

Dissertation Committee:

Chair: Josh Bleiberg, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Educational Foundations, Organizations, and Policy at University of Pittsburgh

Kevin Crowley, PhD, Professor, Department of Health and Human Development at University of Pittsburgh

Crystal Vogtsberger, EdD, Training and Consultation Coordinator, Allegheny Intermediate Unit