Peg McCormick

Job Titles

Highlight

Peg McCormick's interests and areas of specialization include Behavioral Theory, interventions for the EBD classroom, resilient health and occupational longevity for teachers, and best practices for the support of international student teachers.

Started at Bethel

2009

Education

  • Metropolitan State University - B.A. in Liberal Arts, 1994
  • University of Minnesota - M.A. in Special Education, 1996
  • University of Minnesota - Ph.D., 2009

Biography

Peg McCormick began her 20-year career in special education teaching primarily in Setting III EBD classrooms. Peg is fascinated by the science of information processing and behavior change and how this knowledge can be used to influence and shape the environment and the delivery of instruction in Special Education classrooms. She has been successful in the practical use of this knowledge and now teaches the science and application of these principles to emergent teachers at the academic level.

Unique to the Special Education classroom are a variety of known variables that contribute to teacher burnout. In 2004, Peg began her doctoral work at the University of Minnesota with the intent to research burnout, resilience, and occupational longevity among special education teachers. Her work is now situated in the graduate and undergraduate departments of education at Bethel and includes the research and application of Hope Theory to restore and sustain teachers' mental health.

Courses Taught

  • SPED 613 Interventions for Moderate to Severe Emotional and Behavioral Disabilities
  • EDUC 624 Introduction to Theories and Practices of Teaching and Learning
  • SPED 608 Introduction to Academic Instruction and Behavior Management for Exceptional Learners
  • EDUC 750 General Education Teaching Seminar
  • SPED 751 Special Education Teacher Seminar
  • SPED442/342 Introduction to Student Mental Health and Systems of Comprehensive Support
  • EDU472 Educational Psychology
  • TEAC524 Educational Psychology

Presentations

McCormick, P., Von Grey, G. (2024) Camp Hope: A promising model of mentoring and retreat for educators. 17th Annual Mentoring Conference. University of New Mexico. Oct. 2024

McCormick, P. (2024) Mental Health/Mental Illness in the Classroom. Professional development for Bethel Advance Career Education Event.

McCormick, P. (2023) Hope Theory as a Promising Path Toward Teachers’ Wellbeing. Webinar for University of Wisconsin – Stout. (invited)

McCormick, P., Von Grey, G., Lavery-Wanat, E. (2023) Camp Hope: A promising model of retreat fo teachers' emotional and spiritual restoration. AACTE 75th Annual Convention. St. Louis, Mo            

McCormick, P. & Von Grey, G. (2023, October) Camp Hope: A promising model of retreat for teachers' emotional and spiritual restoration. Poster presentation at the Bethel University             Research Showcase.

McCormick, P. & Von Grey, G. (2023, October) Exploring the Occupational Health and Longevity of New General and Special Education Teachers: A five-year study of novice teachers prepared by Bethel University. Poster presentation at the Bethel University Research Showcase.

McCormick, P., Von Grey, G., Lavery-Wanat, E. (2022) Hope theory: A promising path for teacher retention and mental health. MACTE Conference, Plymouth, Mn. 

McCormick, P. (2021) Resilience Isn’t Enough. Education Advisory Board presentation Oct. 2021.

McCormick, P. (2021) The neuroscience of implicit bias. Faculty presentation, Bethel University professional development.

McCormick, P. (2020) A pedagogy of self-care: Implications for teacher preparation. Presentation to the IHE Forum, Minnesota Department of Education.

Lindell, M., McCormick, P., von Grey, G. (2018) Prayer, patience, and persistence: Accessing open doors for intercultural exchange in rural Nigeria. Primetime Presentation, Bethel University Library, Apr. 24 www.youtube.com/watch?v=3P7OyclmSt

Thorson, M. McCormick, P. (2017) But What Do You Want?:Bethel University nursing faculty expectations for student writing. Bethel University Faculty Development

McCormick, P., (2016) Strategies to Promote Personal and Professional Resilience. Continuing Education Event. Behavioral Dimensions, St. Louis Park, MN. Jan. 22, 2016

McCormick, P. (2015) Strategies to Promote Personal and Professional Resilience. Professional development workshop presentation, Behavioral Dimensions, Nov. 16, 2015, St Louis Park, MN

McCormick, P. (2015) Blessed are those who grieve. Sermon delivered to Bethel Christian Fellowship, Feb 8, 2016

McCormick, P., (2015) Recruiting and Supporting Teacher Candidates of Diverse Origin. Paper presented at Council for Exceptional Children – TED Division, Tempe, AZ.

McCormick, P., (2014) Occupational Burnout: Predictors, Indicators, and Prevention of Field Exhaustion. Continuing Education Event. Behavioral Dimensions, St. Louis Park, MN.

Gaitan-McCormick, P., Johnson L., McComas, J., Wehby, J., (2008) Teacher Burnout Factors as Predictors Of Adherence to Behavioral Interventions. Paper presented at the International Convention for Applied Behavior Analysis, Chicago, IL

Gaitan-McCormick, P., McComas, J., Goodman, D., (2007) Creating a Modified Industrial Arts Program for EBD Students in the Self-Contained Classroom. Poster presented at the Annual Convention of the Council for Exceptional Children, Louisville, KY.

Certificates and Licenses

Special Education, Emotional and Behavioral Disorders, K-12. State of Minnesota, file #365409

Professional Organizations, Committees, and Boards

Promotion and Tenure Committee, Chair

Inclusive Excellence Committee, Co-chair

Co-founder, Facilitator, Camp Hope

ERG Committee

Hobbies and Interests

Peg plays cello on the worship team at Sojourn Campus Church. She is a summer gardener, a leader in her home church, and an advocate for immigrant and international students. Peg enjoys painting and adventures with her husband, Brian, and their ten grandchildren.

Areas of expertise

Peg McCormick's interests and areas of specialization include Trauma-informed classroom practices, student mental health, interventions for the EBD classroom, and the science of Hope Theory.

Quote

"A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out." - Isaiah 42:3