Karen Weston is an educational psychologist by training and works at the boundaries between education, health and mental health in an effort to improve the lives of children and adolescents. Before coming to ASU, she held a variety of academic and administrative positions, including directing the Center for Advancement of Mental Health Practices in Schools at the University of Missouri, Columbia, and chairing the Education Department at Columbia College, Columbia, Missouri. In her early career she was an instructor of mathematics at Stephens College, Columbia, Missouri, and she still holds a passion for that field. Weston lives in Columbia, Missouri with her husband, Steve, and enjoys spending time with her four adult children and their families.
Education
Ph.D. Educational Psychology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 2002. Dissertation: An Exploration of Attention Functioning in Adults with ADHD with or without Comorbid LD. Advisor: James R. Koller, Ph.D.
M.Ed. Curriculum and Instruction (Mathematics Education), University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 1988
B.A. Mathematics, Stephens College, Columbia, MO 1984
Research Interests
School Mental Health Programs and Practices
Teacher Preparation in Mental Health Promotion
Teacher Wellness
Non-academic Barriers to Learning
Trauma and Post-traumatic Growth in Children and Adolescents
Linkages Between Health, Wellness, and Academic Success
Research Group
The Mental Health and Education Integration Consortium (MHEDIC)
Publications
E. Levine Brown, K. Phillippo, S. Rodger, & K. J. Weston (2017). Editorial. Advances in School Mental Health Promotion, 10(1), 1-4. doi: 10.1080/1754730X.2016.1257035
Maras, M. A., Weston, K. J., Blacksmith, J., & Brophy, C. (2015). Examining state-wide capacity for school health and mental health promotion: A post-hoc application of a capacity-building framework. Health Promotion Practice, 16(2), 176-183.
Markle, R. S., Splett, J. W., Maras, M. A., & Weston, K. J. (2013). Effective school teams: Benefits, barriers, and best practices. In M. D. Weist, N. A. Lever, C. P. Bradshaw, & J. S. Owens (Eds.), Handbook of school mental health. New York, NY: Springer Press.
Maras, M. A., & Weston, K. J. (2011). Onsourcing community psychology to PK-12 teacher preparation programs. The Community Psychologist, 44(2), 24-27.
Weston, K. J. (2008). Leaving no child behind socially and emotionally. PsycCritiques, 53(37), no pagination specified.
Weston, K. J., Anderson-Butcher, D., & Burke, R. W. (2008). Developing a comprehensive framework for teacher preparation in Expanded School Mental Health. Advances in School Mental Health Promotion, 1(4), 25-41.
Whitney, S., Splett, J. W., & Weston, K. J. (2008). An empirical examination of the Resiliency Wheel. Advances in School Mental Health Promotion, 1(2), 41-48.
Weston, K. J. (2006). Closing the science-practice gap for educators through graduate training. Emotional and Behavioral Disorders in Youth, 6(3), 62-63.
Koller, J. R., Osterlind, S., Paris, K., & Weston, K. J. (2004). Differences between novice and expert teachers’ undergraduate preparation and ratings of importance in children’s mental health. International Journal of Mental Health Promotion, 6(2), 40-45.
Weston, K. J., Koller, J. R., & Dunham, M. D. (2002). Vocational rehabilitation counselor perceptions of the General Educational Development test. Journal of Rehabilitation, 68(3), 33-40.