Research

My research investigates how adult social and emotional learning (SEL), educator well-being, and collaborative school culture shape more inclusive and equitable learning environments. I focus on the systems and relationships that support educators in meeting the needs of all students — particularly those who are historically underserved, including students of color and students with disabilities. My work bridges scholarship and practice through applied studies, intervention design, and research-practice partnerships that inform both policy and professional learning.

Look below for samples of my work....

Adult SEL and Educator Well-Being

Barnes, T. N., Cipriano, C., & Xia, Y. (2021). Cultivating effective teacher-paraprofessional collaboration in the self-contained classroom. Beyond Behavior, 30(2), 107-115. https://doi.org/10.1177/10742956211021858

Equity and Culturally Responsive SEL

Early Childhood SEL and Intervention

Inclusive Classrooms

Stoffers, M., Barnes, T. N., Strickland, L., Jung, J., Branch, K., Perry, D., & Hatchimonji, D. (2025). Pilot study of an anti-racist professional development: Effects on educators’ multicultural attitudes and efficacy. Journal for Multicultural Education, 19(1), 14-27. https://doi.org/10.1108/JME-06-2024-0064

Pic, A., Han, M., Whitaker, A., & Barnes, T. N. (2023). Early childhood educators' perspectives on the impact of COVID-19 on child care. Social Education Research, 194-208. https://doi.org/10.37256/ser.422023252

Hatchimonji, D. R., Branch, K., Perry, D., & Barnes, T. N. (2022). Actions against racism: Bringing together trauma-informed practices, social-emotional learning, and racial socialization to combat racism in schools. Delaware Journal of Public Health, 8(2), 40–45. https://doi.org/10.32481/djph.2022.05.005

Stoffers, M., Barnes, T. N., Xia, Y., & Jackson, J. (2022). A scoping review of school-based sexuality education for children with disabilities. The Journal of Special Education 57(2), 94-105. https://doi.org/10.1177/00224669221134532

Cipriano, C. & Barnes, T. N. (2021). The observation of special education classrooms by school personnel. Journal of Learning Environments Research, 25, 235-253. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10984-021-09359-w

Barnes, T. N. (2019). Changing the landscape of social emotional learning in urban schools: What are we currently focusing on and where do we go from here? Urban Review, 51, 599–637. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11256-019-00534-1

Stoffers, M., Kelly, C., Whitaker, A., & Barnes, T. N. (2024). Long-term association between parental warmth and social-emotional well-being for children with disabilities. Merrill Palmer Quarterly, 69(4), 368-416. https://dx.doi.org/10.1353/mpq.2023.a939862