Graciela Elizalde-Utnick

Education:

Advanced Certificate, Brooklyn College - 1992 (School Psychology)

M.S., Brooklyn College - 1992 (Education)

Ph.D., CUNY Graduate School and University Center - 1990 (Psychology)

M.A., Brooklyn College - 1987 (Psychology)

B.A., Brooklyn College - 1987 (Psychology)

Areas of Expertise:

Elizalde-Utnick coordinates the Bilingual Specializations in School Psychology and School Counseling. She is a New York State certified bilingual school psychologist with expertise in English language learners and selective mutism. Her interests include selective mutism, bilingual assessment and counseling, and home-school collaboration.

Books and Publications

"Bilingualism and Disability." The Praeger Handbook of Special Education. Ed. A. Bursztyn. Westport, Conn.: Praeger. 15-17. (Books and Publications: Chapter) 2007

"Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Preschool Children." Handbook of Multicultural School Psychology. Eds. G.B. Esquivel, E.C. Lopez and S. Nahari. New York: Erlbaum Publishers. 497-525. (Books and Publications: Chapter) 2007

"Young Selectively Mute English Language Learners: School-Based Intervention Strategies." Journal of Early Childhood and Infant Psychology 3: 143-63. (Books and Publications: Peer Reviewed Article) 2007

Lopez, E., G. Elizalde-Utnick and S. Nahari. "Working with Interpreters to Communicate with Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Families: A Handout for School Personnel." Helping Children at Home and School II: Handouts for Families and Educators. Eds. A.S. Canter, L.Z. Paige, M.D. Roth, I. Romero and S.A. Carroll. Washington, D.C.: National Association for School Psychologists. Also in CD-ROM format. (Books and Publications: Other Article) 2004

Elizalde-Utnick, G., E. Lopez and S. Nahari. "Language Proficiency Assessment: Assessing Limited English Proficient, Learners of English as a Second Language, and Bilingual Students." New York State Education Department (VESID). (Books and Publications: Other Article) 2003

"Best Practices in Building Partnerships with Families." Best Practices in School Psychology IV. Eds. A. Thomas and J. Grimes. Washington, D.C.: National Association of School Psychologists. (Books and Publications: Chapter) 2002

"Growing Up with Two Languages: Understanding Childhood Bilingualism and Its Implications for Assessment and Learning." AECIP (NYAECIP) Newsletter 1.2, Fall. Available at: http://www.aecip.org/newsletters/fall01childbilingual.html. (Books and Publications: Other Article) 2001

Gopaul-McNicol, S., G. Elizalde-Utnick, S. Nahari and D. Louden, editors. A Test Review Guide for Bilingual Children: Cognitive Assessment, Volume 1. Lincoln University, Pa.: Lincoln University Press. (Books and Publications: Edited Book) 1999

Awards, Honors and Fellowships

Continuation of two New York City Department of Education Bilingual Scholarship (School Psychology/Guidance & Counseling) contracts that provide tuition waivers to participating students. 2005-10. (Grants and Fellowships) 2008

Speak Up/Speak Out, Diversity Projects Development Fund. In response to the recent hate crimes occurring in our communities (including higher education and New York City school settings), the School Counseling Program faculty (María R. Scharrón-del Río, Graciela Elizalde-Utnick, Delida Sanchez and Lynda Sarnoff) submitted a proposal to the Diversity Projects Development Fund during the fall 2007 semester. The main purpose of our proposal, entitled Speak Up/Speak Out, is to fund and develop a series of training, didactic and networking activities to increase awareness, knowledge and skills around racial, ethnic and cultural diversity issues in school and higher education. Our objective falls within a "train the trainer" model: We intend to increase the skills in our faculty, students and DOE school personnel (teachers, principals and administrators) around addressing diversity issues in a multicultural competent way. (Grants and Fellowships) 2008

Continuation of two New York City Department of Education Bilingual Scholarship (School Psychology/Guidance & Counseling) contracts that provide tuition waivers to participating students. 2005-10. (Grants and Fellowships) 2007

Sloan Grant to develop an online research course; 6 credits of reassigned time for Fall 2006. (Grants and Fellowships) 2007

Speak Up/Speak Out, Diversity Projects Development Fund. In response to the recent hate crimes occurring in our communities (including higher education and New York City school settings),the School Counseling Program faculty (María R. Scharrón-del Río, Graciela Elizalde-Utnick, Delida Sanchez and Lynda Sarnoff) submitted a proposal to the Diversity Projects Development Fund during the fall 2007 semester. The main purpose of our proposal, entitled Speak Up/Speak Out, is to fund and develop a series of training, didactic and networking activities to increase awareness, knowledge and skills around racial, ethnic and cultural diversity issues in school and higher education. Our objective falls within a "train the trainer" model: We intend to increase the skills in our faculty, students and DOE school personnel (teachers, principals and administrators) around addressing diversity issues in a multicultural competent way. (Grants and Fellowships) 2007

Three credits of reassigned time from Provost's Office for scholarly work. (Grants and Fellowships) 2007

Continuation of two New York City Department of Education Bilingual Scholarship (School Psychology/Guidance & Counseling) contracts that provide tuition waivers to participating students. 2005-10. (Grants and Fellowships) 2006

Sloan Grant, to develop an online research course; 6 credits of reassigned time for Fall 2006. (Grants and Fellowships) 2006

Two New York City Department of Education Bilingual Scholarship (School Psychology/Guidance & Counseling) contracts that provide tuition waivers to participating students. 2005-10. (Grants and Fellowships) 2005

PSC-CUNY Research Award, for "Identity, Self, and Individualism in a Multicultural Perspective: A National Survey Study." (Grants and Fellowships) 2004

PSC-CUNY Research Award, for "Identity, Self, and Individualism in a Multicultural Perspective: A National Survey Study." (Grants and Fellowships) 2003

Recipient of grants and awards honored by Brooklyn College. (Awards and Honors) 2000

Bilingual School Psychology Support Center (New York State Education Department--collaboration with Professor Emilia Lopez, Queens College (CUNY)). The center was a collaborative endeavor of the Bilingual School Psychology Programs of Brooklyn College and Queens College, and the New York State Education Department, Office of Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities (VESID). Under the grant, the center provided training and technical assistance through the Lifelong Services Training Networks. This support was available to schools, school districts, university programs and professional organizations involved in delivering assessment services to culturally and linguistically diverse students. $225,000 ($75,000 per year for three years, April 1998-Dec. 31, 2001). (Grants and Fellowships) 1998

Research Activities

School-Based Behavioral Treatment of Selectively Mute Children: A Consultation Approach. 2008

School-Based Behavioral Treatment of Selectively Mute Children: A Consultation Approach. 2007

School-Based Behavioral Treatment of Selectively Mute Children: A Consultation Approach. 2006

School-Based Behavioral Treatment of Selectively Mute Children: A Consultation Approach. 2005

Identity, Self, and Individualism in a Multicultural Perspective: A National Survey Study. 2004

Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums

"Behavioral Interventions with Selectively Mute Students: Strategies and Symptom Severity." National Association of School Psychologists Conference. New Orleans, Feb. 6. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Conference Presentation) 2008

"The Response-to-Intervention Framework and English Language Learners." Ten-hour workshop series for Island Park School District staff. February/March. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2008

"Training Socially Just School Psychologists: Faculty Perspectives and Lessons Learned" panel discussion with D. Shriberg, P. McCabe, F. Rubinson, P. Fenning, L. Golomb, M.E. Wynne, V. Cook-Morales, C. Ingraham, C. Robinson-Zaňartu and A. Miranda. Trainers of School Psychology Annual Meeting at the NASP Conference. New Orleans, Feb. 6. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Conference Presentation) 2008

"Behavioral Instructional Interventions with Selectively Mute Students: A Longitudinal Study." National Association of School Psychologists Conference. New York, March 29. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Conference Presentation) 2007

"Helping Anxious Children Learn at School." Five-hour workshop series for Island Park School District staff. July. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2007

"Pre-Referral Intervention Strategies with English Language Learners." National Association of School Psychologists Conference. New York, March 27. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Conference Presentation) 2007

"School-Based Interventions with Selectively Mute English Language Learners" poster. Faculty Day. Brooklyn College. May. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Conference Presentation) 2007

"Differentiating between Learning Differences and Learning Disorders in English Language Learners." Presented to Oceanside School District staff, January. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2006

"Effective Learning Environments for English Language Learners: Pre-Referral Considerations and Strategies for Differentiating Instruction." Five-hour workshop series for Island Park School District staff. July. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2006

"School-Based Behavioral Treatment of Selectively Mute Children: An Ongoing Research Study" poster. Faculty Day. Brooklyn College, May. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Conference Presentation) 2006

"School-Based Interventions with Selectively Mute English Language Learners." American Psychological Association Conference. New Orleans, August. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Conference Presentation) 2006

"Understanding Selective Mutism in Young Children." Presented to Oceanside School District staff. October. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2006

"Best Practices in the Assessment of English Language Learners." Presented to Oceanside School District staff. Jan. 11. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2005

"BICS and CALP. The Two Faces of Language Proficiency: Accelerating Academic Language Learning in English Language Learners." Presented to Oceanside School District staff. Oct. 3. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2005

"Differentiated Instruction for English Language Learners." Presented to Oceanside School District staff. Jan. 3. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2005

"English Language Learners (ELLs): Implications for Learning and Assessment." Ten-hour workshop series for Island Park School District staff. July. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2005

"Understanding Selective Mutism: Assessment and Intervention Strategies." Ten-hour workshop series for Island Park School District staff. July. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2005

"Growing Up with Two Languages: Understanding Childhood Bilingualism and Its Implications for Assessment and Learning." Presented to Oceanside School District staff. Jan. 7 and 21. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2004

Elizalde-Utnick, G. and A. Bursztyn. "Families in Cultural Transitions." Brooklyn College, May 7. (Conferences, Seminars and Symposiums: Invited Talk) 2004

Professional Leadership

Chairwoman, Search Committee for Full-Time Faculty in School Psychology, School of Education. (Professional Leadership: Committee Service) 2008

Middle States Self-Study - Faculty Group. (Professional Leadership: Committee Service) 2008

School of Education Personnel and Budget Committee. (Professional Leadership: Committee Service) 2008

Chairwoman, Search Committee for Full-Time Faculty in School Psychology, School of Education. (Professional Leadership: Committee Service) 2007

Diversity Committee. (Professional Leadership: Committee Service) 2007

Middle States Self-Study - Faculty Group. (Professional Leadership: Committee Service) 2007

School of Education Personnel and Budget Committee. (Professional Leadership: Committee Service) 2007

School of Education Personnel and Budget Committee. (Professional Leadership: Committee Service) 2006

Site-Based Management Team, Oceanside School District. (Professional Leadership: Public Service) 2006

School of Education Personnel and Budget Committee. (Professional Leadership: Committee Service) 2005

Site-Based Management Team, Oceanside School District. (Professional Leadership: Public Service) 2005

Curriculum Committee, Oceanside School District. (Professional Leadership: Public Service) 2004

School of Education Personnel and Budget Committee. (Professional Leadership: Committee Service) 2004

Search Committee for Full-Time Faculty in School Psychology, School of Education. (Professional Leadership: Committee Service) 2004

School of Education Personnel and Budget Committee. (Professional Leadership: Committee Service) 2003

Search Committee for Full-Time Faculty in School Psychology, School of Education. (Professional Leadership: Committee Service) 2003

Other Professional Activities

Coordinator, Bilingual Specializations in School Psychology & School Counseling, 1995-present.

2008

NASP Social Justice Special Interest Group. 2008

National Network of Bilingual School Psychologists. 2008

Curriculum Development & Revision: Graduate Program in School Psychology (with Professors Rubinson and McCabe). 2007

NASP Social Justice Special Interest Group. 2007

National Network of Bilingual School Psychologists. 2007