USF and Windesheim University of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands begin International Partnership
For almost 20 years, Dr. Heather Peshak George has provided training and technical assistance in Positive Behavior Support (PBS) and Response to Intervention to address students with problem behaviors across individual, classroom, targeted group, and school-wide levels within elementary, middle, high, center, and alternative schools. (USF is one of the leading universities for the application of School Wide Positive Behavior Support (SWPBS) in schools, communities and families.)
Not only has Dr. George put mileage around the state of Florida, she has travelled outside the state – as well as the country – to share and collaborate on PBS intervention programs.
In November 2014, Dr. George was invited to the Netherlands to visit schools, provide observational data, presentations, workshops, and served as an invited keynote speaker for the 6th Annual Dutch School Wide Positive Behavior Support Conference.
Her work there led to a return trip in August 2015 to finalize details of a formal international partnership with Netherland's Windesheim University of Applied Sciences and USF World. This partnership will provide an opportunity to strengthen collaborations, identify other potential collaborators in both the USA and The Netherlands, gain experience in the application of SWPBS across different environments within and across different cultures, and allow for the expansion of research, evaluation, and materials development across another part of the world.
“This partnership will provide an excellent opportunity for faculty exchange regarding teaching, research and organizational purposes on multi-tiered support systems for learning and behavior in education and sports,” said Dr. George. “We will also be collaborating on web based education for Master students and relevant webinars. This ability to provide and receive coaching and technical assistance will help improve systems and expand knowledge about support systems developed in the USA and flexibility of implementation of those interventions in other countries.
Photo above: CFS Associate Professor Dr. Heather George (center), works with Jan Doelman (left) , Chair, Research Centre and Master programs Human Movement and Education, and Harry Frantzen, Dean, Division of Human Movement and Education from Windesheim University of Applied Sciences, on the contract for the international partnership.