Psychology Department
Dr. Michelle Haney
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Office: Cook 332 Phone: 706-238-7903 |
Courses Taught (click for syllabus):
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Dr. Haney’s research interests include psychological assessment, teaching and ethics, developmental learning disorders (i.e., Learning Disabilities, Autism), and early intervention. From her applied work in the schools along with her research experiences, Dr. Haney strongly believes that identifying risk factors as early as possible and making sure support systems are in place to prevent failure is key to ensuring optimal success in life. This philosophy extends to factors such as preventing birth defects, to preventing reading failure, and to preventing poverty. Research and applied work need to go hand-in-hand!
At Berry, Dr. Haney teaches classes in both the Psychology and Education Departments, including Introduction to Psychology, Child Development, Lifespan Development, Psychology of Adulthood and Aging, Psychological Testing, Orientation to Psychology, Freshman Seminar, and The Exceptional Child. Dr. Haney is also interested in exploring early education practices around the world. She led a course with Dr. Pynn, in May 2003, to Italy exploring early education practices with Berry students.
Prior to coming to Berry, Dr. Haney worked as a school psychologist in the public school system (Bartow and Cobb Counties) for eight years. Working with children and adolescents in the public school system was an invaluable experience for Dr. Haney. In fact, she believes that there is no nobler service than teaching in the public schools, an institution that serves all children regardless of ethnicity, socio-economic status, or cognitive ability. Dr. Haney also taught for several years as an adjunct professor at Oglethorpe University and as a graduate teaching assistant at Georgia State University, before coming to Berry College.
Dr. Haney is thankful for the opportunity to teach and continue her research at Berry College. She currently is working on several research projects including Gender Equity in Teaching and Predictors of Early Literacy in Preschool Children. Dr. Haney works with several practica students who are involved with these research projects. Advice to students: Get involved in research at any level. Even if you are not sure you want to go to graduate school, research is a window into the kind of thinking that can solve real-world problems and gives you a glimpse into the backbones of the discipline you are considering as a potential major or even career.