John Begeny
Director
Contact information: john_begeny@ncsu.edu
John Begeny is a Professor at North Carolina State University. His primary interests relate to improving educational equity through academic intervention, effective community–university partnerships, enhancing school-based systems, and internationalization. John collaboratively develops comprehensive intervention programs that are feasible for educators to use, easy to access, and effective in supporting students’ learning in areas such as reading, math, and writing. In 2010, he founded Helps Education Fund, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that offers various forms of free and research-based support for educators and caregivers.
Central Reasons for Dr. Begeny’s Work:
Educational inequities are far too prevalent around the world. Such inequities hinder empowerment and opportunities at the individual and community level. For instance, educational inequities foster systems of oppression and poverty.
Through effective and accessible academic support programs, enhancing school-based systems or processes of internationalization, and collaborating with a diverse group of individuals who seek to create positive change, we can help to address many important educational inequities.
Formal Education:
Bachelor’s degree from Western Michigan University (Major areas of study – Psychology and English; Minor: Philosophy)
Ph.D. and M.S. in School Psychology from Syracuse University
Pre-doctoral internship at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, Munroe Meyer Institute
Summary of Professional Experiences:
University researcher and professor, concentration in school psychology
Founder and executive director of an education-based nonprofit organization
Director of programs and research for an education-based nonprofit
Systems-level collaborator and consultant for schools, districts, states, educational nonprofits, etc.
School psychologist in elementary schools and a medical hospital
Classroom teacher for a summer school supporting elementary school students with learning difficulties
Paraprofessional academic interventionist in high-need public schools
The above professional experiences were obtained in a variety of different settings (e.g., urban, suburban, and rural schools in the Northeast, Midwest, Northwest, and Southern United States; rural and urban schools in Latin America, Europe, and Africa) and with a wide range of student populations (e.g., students with learning disabilities or difficulties, English language learners, children with severe behavior disorders, children with developmental disabilities).
Other Interests:
Although John is passionate about his work and efforts toward advancing educational equity, other interests help to keep him balanced and happy. John enjoys music-related activities, photography, improving his Spanish, reading creative literature, and watching documentaries. He also enjoys time with friends and family, and devotes a lot of time to learning more about the world, himself, and others by backpacking through different countries.