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Meet Dr. James Cressey, a professor in the Education Department at Framingham State University who teaches courses in social-emotional learning, special education inclusion practices, and undergraduate internship experiences. This year, he is also serving as a visiting professor in the Counseling Psychology M.A. Program, teaching a course in psychological assessment.
Dr. Cressey is a Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP) and holds Massachusetts DESE licensure as both a special education teacher and school psychologist. His professional background includes work as a special education teacher, school psychologist, and consultant in New Hampshire, Boston Public Schools, and other regions, with a focus on supporting children with emotional and behavioral needs.
EDUC 230: Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)
As part of the Community-Engaged Faculty Institute at Framingham State University, Dr. Cressey created opportunities for students to apply their learning directly in the community. Students enrolled in EDUC 230: Social-Emotional Learning are planning and teaching SEL lessons at Barbieri Elementary School, a nearby Dual Language Bilingual Education school.
Before entering the classroom, FSU students study transformative social-emotional learning, culturally responsive teaching, and trauma-informed practices. In the fall, students also participated in a Zoom meeting with Barbieri Elementary’s “Code and Culture” leadership team—made up of teachers and mental health professionals—to better understand the strengths, interests, and social-emotional needs of the children they would be teaching.
Social-Emotional Learning Resource Project
In an assignment originally developed by Dr. Sue Donnellan and adapted by Dr. Cressey, students curated collections of books, songs, and activities designed to promote social-emotional learning. Each student was assigned a different grade level and specific SEL competency, then contributed resources and descriptions to a shared Canva presentation, Spotify playlist, and Pinterest board.
Students selected materials that could support both classroom teachers and parents or caregivers at home, creating accessible and engaging SEL resources for a variety of learners and settings.
Community Engaged Learning
Students also had the opportunity to extend their learning beyond the classroom through participation in the Science on State Street festival. At a table titled “The Science of Social-Emotional Learning,” students shared printed and digital versions of their SEL resource collections with families and educators while playing the collaborative Spotify playlist they created.
Visitors participated in parachute games on the grass and reflected on their emotions and energy levels using the Zones of Regulation framework before and after activities. The event allowed FSU students to engage directly with community members while promoting the importance of social-emotional learning in fun, interactive, and meaningful ways.
Teacher Spotlight
Third grade teacher Marie Compton shared the following feedback with two FSU students who co-taught a lesson in her classroom:
“You both showed excellent rapport with the students, responding to their ideas thoughtfully and respectfully. Also, making connections with them, giving feedback and remembering their names. It was nice that they could get to know a little about you and they loved the positive attention. I really enjoyed having you in my classroom. Your demo lesson was engaging, thoughtfully structured, and well prepared. I hope that you also enjoyed the experience and the interaction with some wiggly, impulsive, and creatively competitive third graders.”
Dr. Cressey’s work highlights the importance of connecting theory to practice, helping future educators build meaningful relationships with students while developing culturally responsive, socially conscious, and community-centered teaching practices.
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Science on State Street Festival
James and a student at the Science on State Street festival, at a table called "The Science of Social-Emotional Learning."
Science on State Street Festival
Dozens of families and educators visited the table to learn about SEL and play parachute games in the grass.
Science on State Street Festival
Visitors had the chance to check in using the Zones of Regulation framework before and after playing parachute games, to reflect on their feelings and energy levels.