Doctoral Work Brings Credentials to Teresa Nesman and Understanding to Latino Communities
Obtaining a PhD is a full time job, but Teresa Nesman has accomplished it while maintaining her dedication to her job as an assistant faculty member. Teresa successfully defended her doctoral dissertation and received her PhD in Applied Anthropology with a concentration in Educational Anthropology in October. Teresa can now focus on her primary interest: helping to improve the supports and services for Latino children and families in the Tampa Bay area.In her doctoral dissertation, Nesman took an in-depth look at the findings of the CFS Latino Student Drop-Out Study, which she helped to conduct in 2000. The study was exploratory in nature, and designed to look at the perspectives other have of participants for gaining an understanding of factors that may contribute to the high attrition rate of Latino students in Hillsborough County.
In her review of the study’s focus group transcripts – conducted with over 150 Latino students, parents and teachers from four local high schools and middle schools – Teresa looked for underlying issues that lead to students being identified as achievers, low achievers, and drop outs.
“The most interesting thing to me was taking a step back and looking at what was common to all of the students who drop out, and to compare this information with what is common to all students who do well.
Teresa identifies human influences on the students as their “social capital,” meaning those who support or discourage students. She found that the drop-outs go through a process of distancing themselves from teachers and family. They often begin to act out more. They tend to have fewer good relationships with adults, and they feel discriminated against. “There is a kind of subtle buildup,” added Teresa. “A major factor is that they do not see that they are making progress – so, they think, ‘why stay in school?’”
As for the characteristics of students who do achieve, Teresa found that they are motivated to succeed, have supportive parents and teachers, and try to join groups at school or church where they may be the only Mexican or Latino in the group. In doing this, they hope to improve the perspectives viewed upon their culture. This thinking is called a “Transformation Perspective.” Teresa also found that achievers often return to their high schools to talk to students. “Those connections make a big difference,” added Teresa. “They can share what college is like, and describe the necessary steps to get there. It’s important for students to see someone of their own culture having success in school.”
While Teresa was working on her dissertation, she helped secure funding for a new project based on the same foundation of cultural awareness. The RAICES project targets young Latino students in rural areas and uses trained community members to help link wrap-around mental health services for children in grades K-5.
“There needs to be an emphasis on all ages of students, added Teresa. “But there also needs to be an increase in the understanding of Latino needs. I would like to see an infusion of resources for existing projects offering supports – not just new ones created– that really target families. The best way to do that is to get Latino families involved and trained to be able to identify supports available within their communities. The RAICES project is doing this, and in return, will help build capacity within communities. As more jobs are made available to those who are trained as natural helpers, more families can receive help. Families will be more willing to connect with someone who has “lived it” and can “speak it.”
CFS continues to benefit from the dedication Teresa’s doctoral studies; she has recently submitted an article for publication on “Issues and Strategies for Studying Latino Student Dropout at the Local Level”, and has helped to develop a plan for starting the first-ever Spanish Federation of Families Chapter.
For additional information on her work in the Latino communities, contact Dr. Teresa Nesman at 813-974-7417 or nesman@fmhi.usf.edu.
The Department of Child and Family Studies (CFS) is a department of the Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute, University of South Florida. The faculty and staff of CFS are committed to enhancing the development, mental health and well-being of children and families through leadership in integrating research, theory & practice.