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Norma Guerra, Ph.D.

Professor, Educational Psychology

Norma Guerra, Ph.D.

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Bio

Norma Guerra is a Professor in the Department of Educational Psychology at the University of Texas at San Antonio. As a senior member of the Department, she contributes to the NASP-approved school psychology graduate programs, as well as, to the other educational psychology courses offered. Dr. Guerra earned a BA degree from Trinity University, a MA degree from the University of Texas at San Antonio, and a PhD in School Psychology from Texas A&M University. She is a Licensed Specialist in School Psychology, Nationally Certified School Psychologist, and Licensed Professional Counselor. Currently, Dr. Guerra's research includes models that explore strength-based problem-solving on identity change and development. Using the LIBRE Model to monitor engagement, her guiding question is how problem-solving approaches impact social, cognitive, and emotional development. Her goal is for inclusive school service delivery that better benefits culturally and linguistic diverse populations. Dr. Guerra’s recent work includes books entitled Student Leadership Model for Hispanic Serving and Emerging Hispanic Serving Institutions and Teacher Candidate Problem-Solving Engagement Styles.

 

Teaching

  • Apply major theoretical perspectives regarding defined issues, to be integrated into theoretical frameworks for use in intended practice.
  • EDP 5033 Human Development course and a case study. The applied learning experience integrates theory, with understanding now ready to be relationally extended to associated disciplines.
  • Students are prepared with human growth and development takeaway skills applicable to future complex situations with others that they will likely encounter as professional practitioners.

Research Interests

  • Research goals link problem-solving to identity development as found in self-awareness and management.
  • Diverse, at-risk, and underrepresented student groups.
  • Strength-based problem solving - LIBRE Model
  • Engagement Style strategic thinking and social-emotional learning
  • Exploring new means and approaches toward inclusive, individual positive change and active community involvement.

 

Degrees

  • Ph.D., Educational Psychology, Texas A&M Univeristy, 1988
  • National Certification, School Psychology, National Association of School Psychology, 1989
  • M.A., Curriculum and Instruction, University of Texas at San Antonio, 1982
  • B.A., Inter-Disciplinary, English/Speech, Trinity University, 1974
  • A.A., Education, San Antonio College, 1972

 

Honors and Awards

Dr. Guerra has received numerous honors and awards, however, those that have been most acclaimed include her work as a member of the Provost's Academy, national rank for scholarly productivity as a school psychologist, and the receipt of the NACUBO Award on behalf of UTSA for her institutional problem-solving and dispute resolution work.

Presentations

  • Guerra, N. S. (2024). HSRU Conference: Enhancing the Community of San Antonio and South Texas in Physical Sciences and Engineering. Supporting The Academic Careers of Hispanic Faculty Forum. Discussion Leader with Dr. Angela Speck.
    • Venue: HSRU Conference
    • Presentation Date: 2024
  • Guerra, N. S. (2023). AHSIE Virtual Student Leadership Workshop: Cultura, Crecimiento y Conexion: Reframing Personal and Professional Development in HSI Student Leadership.
    • Venue: AHSIE Virtual Student Leadership Workshop
    • Presentation Date: 2023
  • Lima, C., & Guerra, N. S. (2021). A Humanizing Approach to Preparing Science Educators. 11th Annual ASHIE Conference, Riverside, California.
    • Venue: 11th Annual ASHIE Conference
    • Presentation Date: 2021
  • Guerra, N. S. (2020 invitation). Responsible Decision-Making: LIBRE Model application. Student Leadership Institute. Alliance of Hispanic Educators Council.
    • Venue: Alliance of Hispanic Educators Council
    • Presentation Date: 2020
  • Guerra, N. S. (2019). Intersectionality of identity within a complex world. Texas Language Education Research Conference (TexLER). San Antonio, Texas.
    • Venue: Texas Language Education Research Conference (TexLER)
    • Presentation Date: 2019
  • Guerra, N. S., & Claeys, L. (2018). Addressing self-efficacy, socio-emotional & problem-solving strategies to facilitate student success: Problem solving with the LIBRE model. Alliance of Hispanic Serving Institution Educators. University of Illinois, Illinois, Chicago.
    • Venue: Alliance of Hispanic Serving Institution Educators
    • Presentation Date: 2018

Grants, Patents and Clinical Trials

  • National Science Foundation ADVANCE Catalyst Grant Heather Shipley, PI Role: Co-PI with Kelly Nash and John Borkoski
  • Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities UTSA Financial Literacy and Entrepreneurial Grant
  • U. S. Department of Education Principal Investigator Collaborative Grant “UTSA Academy for Teacher Excellence in Partnership with Northwest Vista College: Latino Teacher Academy Learning Community (Latino-TALC)” Co-Principal Investigator with L. Claeys, M. Machado-Casas, B. Flores
  • Patent/Copyright Materials – LIBRE Model LIBRE Model Stick Figure Tool Engagement Style and assessment.

Publications

  • Guerra, N. S., Carrillo, C., & Hernandez, A. E. (2019). Latina experience in higher education: Problem-solving to facilitate student success. Journal of Creativity in Mental Health, (14)4, 406-423. https://doi.org/10.1080/15401383.2019.1625838
  • Sass, D., Wilkerson, S., Castro-Villarreal, F., Guerra, N. S., & Sullivan, J. R. (2018). A structural model for predicting student retention. Review of Higher Education. Addressing variables that predict retention with undergraduate students.
  • Guerra, N. S., Hernandez, A.E., Hector, A., & Crosby, S. (2015). Listen-identify-brainstorm-reality-test-encourage (LIBRE) Model: Addressing special education teacher professional development through a cognitive behavioral approach to teacher induction. Action in Teacher Education, 34(4), 334-354. http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/01626620.2015.1078752
  • Castro-Villarreal, F., Rodriguez, B. J., Sullivan, J. R., Guerra, N. S., Garza, S., & Harris, E. M, (2015). Integrating the scientist-practitioner model into specialist level school psychology training. Trainers’ Forum, 33(2), 7-25.
  • Guerra, N. S., Castro-Villarreal, F., Cheatham, N., & Claeys, L. (2014). Problem identification and task engagement using the LIBRE problem solving tool: A case study of three bilingual teacher candidates. Journal of Education and Training Studies, 2(3), 70-81.
  • Castro-Villarreal, F., Guerra, N. S., Sass, D., & Hsieh, P. (2014). Models of pre-service teachers' academic achievement: The influence of cognitive motivational variables, Journal of Scholarship of Teaching and Learning, 14(2), 71 -95.
  • Sanchez, V. S., Rodriguez, B. J., Huerta, M. E., Castro-Villarreal, F., Guerra, N. S., & Flores, B. B. (2013). A case for multidimensional bilingual assessment. Language Assessment Quarterly. http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/15434303.2013.769544#.Vvz048cqR8c
  • Guerra, N. S. & Villarreal, A. (2024, completed and submitted). From Problem-solving to Responsible Decision-making. NC: Information Age Publishing Inc.
  • Guerra, N. S., Loera, D., Encino, M., & Claeys, L. (2024). HSI (Hispanic Serving Institution) Student Leadership Model. NC: Information Age Publishing Inc. Guerra, N. S. (2022). Teacher Candidate Problem-Solving Engagement Styles: LIBRE Model Self-management analysis. NC: Information Age Publishing Inc