Directory

Kara A. Lasater
Assistant Professor
College of Education and Health Professions
(CIED)-Curriculum & Instruction
Phone: 479-575-5565
Email: klasater@uark.edu
Kara A. Lasater is an Assistant Professor in Educational Leadership at the University of Arkansas. Dr. Lasater has a Master’s in Counseling, Specialist in Counseling, school counseling certification, and doctorate in Educational Leadership. Prior to working in higher education, Dr. Lasater served as a professional school counselor and the director of a truancy diversion program. Her research interests include the establishment of family-school partnerships and creating meaningful learning experiences for practitioners in educational leadership.
Establishment of effective family-school partnerships
Educators' use of data
Creating meaningful learning experiences for educational practitioners
Post-Secondary Education:
EDLE 5033, Psychology of Learning, University of Arkansas
EDLE 5093, Effective Leadership for School Improvement, University of Arkansas
EDLE 5053, School Law, University of Arkansas
EDLE 699V, Doctoral Seminar, University of Arkansas
EDLE 6553, Advanced Qualitative Methods in Educational Research, University of Arkansas
EDLE 6563, Advanced Data Collection in Educational Research, University of Arkansas
EDLE 6503, Topics in Educational Research for School Administration, University of Arkansas
PSYCH 845, Practice in Family Counseling, Pittsburg State University
PSYCH 150, General Psychology, Pittsburg State University
UGS 100, The Freshman Experience (Teaching Assistant), Pittsburg State University
Elementary and Secondary Education:
K-8 Guidance and Counseling
Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership, 2013
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas
School Counseling Certification, 2012
Evangel University, Springfield, Missouri
Educational Specialist in Counseling, 2009
Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg, Kansas
Master of Science in Counseling, 2008
Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg, Kansas
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Sociology, 2006
Drury University, Springfield, Missouri
Bengtson, E., Lasater, K. A., Murphy-Lee, M. (in progress, 2014). The experiences of doctoral students enrolled in a changing doctoral program.
Hurford, D. P., Lasater, K. A., Erickson, S. E., & Kiesling, N. E. (2013). Examination of the
diurnal assumptions of the Test of Variables of Attention for elementary students. Journal of Attention Disorders, 17, 208-214, doi: 10.1177/1087054711429790
Hurford, D. P., Neidhardt, K., Lasater, K. A., McMahon, A. B., Kiesling, N. E., Carter, M. L., & Hurford, T. E. (2013). The results of a scripted linguistic phonics reading curriculum implemented by kindergarten teachers. Journal of Educational Research and Policy Studies, 13(3), 33-50.
Lasater, K. A. (in progress, 2014). Establishing family-school partnerships in the presence of parent-teacher conflict: Insights from students, parents, and teachers
Lasater, K. A., Bengtson, E., & Murphy-Lee, M. (in progress, 2014). Student experiences in an online Educational Leadership doctoral program.
Visiting Assistant Professor, 2014-2015
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas
Contact: John Pijanowski, Educational Leadership, (479) 575-7019, jpijanow@uark.edu
Taught graduate courses to students pursuing K-12 building-level certification in administration. Served on student dissertation committees. Served on panels evaluating students’ culminating portfolios. Assisted in the development of doctoral program changes that reflect the principles of the Carnegie Project on the Education Doctorate (CPED). Participated in research projects related to research courses in CPED programs and the experiences of students in online doctoral programs.
Visiting Research Assistant, 2013-2014
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas
Contact: John Pijanowski, Educational Leadership, (479) 575-7019, jpijanow@uark.edu
Taught qualitative research courses to doctoral students in educational leadership. Served on student dissertation committees. Assisted students with the development of academic writing skills. Initiated research projects related to family-school partnerships and counseling ethics.
Elementary and Middle School Counselor, 2011-2013
Lockwood R-1 School District, Lockwood, Missouri
Contact: Bill Rogers, Superintendent, (417) 232-4513, brogers@lockwood.k12.mo.us
Developed and implemented district comprehensive mental health program. Wrote and incorporated comprehensive guidance curriculum. Provided responsive services to students and families. Taught guidance lessons to promote the personal, social, academic, and career development of students. Taught lessons related to personal health and safety, healthy decision-making, personal growth and development, goal-setting, peer and family relationships, personal finance, and career exploration. Collaborated services with local agencies. Assisted in developing and implementing plans for school and district improvement. Analyzed district performance data. Coordinated district testing. Coordinated 504 program. Coordinated district ESL program. Implemented positive behavioral interventions and support (PBIS).
Director, 2012-2013
Truancy Diversion Program (TDP), Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg, Kansas
Contact: David P. Hurford, Department of Psychology and Counseling Chair, (620) 235-4521,
dhurford@pittstate.edu
Taught and supervised clinical mental health and school psychology students during family and group counseling sessions. Assisted in case coordination and treatment planning of families. Coordinated services between the families, court, and local school systems. Supervised TDP graduate assistants. Collaborated with local authorities to reduce truancy in Crawford County.
Graduate Research Assistant, 2011-2013
University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas
Assisted in research related to counseling ethics and the ethical decision-making process. Reviewed and provided feedback for students on doctoral-level writing assignments. Prepared information and materials for professional presentations.
Non-profit Director of Operations, 2008-2011
Center for the Assessment and Remediation of Reading Difficulties (CARRD), Pittsburg, Kansas
Organized and supervised the After School & Summer Program (ASSP). Organized and supervised the Identification & Intervention Program (IIP). Trained administrators, teachers, and paraprofessionals on reading assessment and training procedures. Provided ongoing consultation to school systems using the CARRD reading strategies. Supervised graduate assistants. Hired and trained college students as paraprofessional tutors. Conducted and reviewed comprehensive evaluations related to clients’ reading and attention abilities and intellectual, behavioral, and social/emotional functioning. Presented at state, national, and international conferences regarding reading and attention difficulties. Conducted research related to reading and attention disorders.
Counseling Supervisor, 2008-2010
Truancy Diversion Program (TDP), Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg, Kansas
Supervised Master’s level counseling students during family counseling sessions with K-12 students and families reported to court for truancy. Provided input and feedback to facilitate counseling sessions. Aided in treatment planning and progress report writing. Assisted in the development of strategies and interventions that promote school attendance and performance and improve familial relationships. Assisted student-counselors in development of counseling skills needed to become successful professionals.
General Psychology Lecturer, 2009-2010
Pittsburg State University Department of Psychology and Counseling, Pittsburg, Kansas
Taught basic concepts and theories related to introductory psychology. Provided foundational knowledge for students related to learning, human development, memory, cognition and intelligence, health, stress, coping, motivation, emotion, social behavior, sensation and perception, consciousness, personality, psychological disorders, and the treatment of psychological disorders.
Behavioral Health Interning Counselor, 2007-2008
TFI Family Services, Pittsburg, Kansas
Completed psychosocial assessments. Provided individual, couples, family, and group counseling for individuals of all ages. Co-leader of the Strengthening Families Program.
Kids Learning About Social Skills (KLASS) Intern, 2005
Burrell Behavioral Health, Springfield, Missouri
Taught social skills to children with severe emotional disturbances. Aided in KLASS curriculum development. Completed weekly progress notes on clients.
Dept. of Educational Leadership Excellent Doctoral Student Award, University of Arkansas
George W. & Aileen J. Blincoe Scholarship Recipient
Psychology and Counseling Excellent Graduate Scholarship Award, Pittsburg State University
Psychology and Counseling Excellent Graduate Research Award, Pittsburg State University
Drury University Athletic Hall-of-Fame
Drury University Honors Program
Drury University Women’s Basketball Scholarship
NCAA Division II Women’s Basketball Academic and Athletic All-American