Krystal Caldwell, M.S., LCDCI

RESEARCH

• Caldwell, K. & Jiang, M. (IP-2027) Understanding trauma’s academic effects: How agency, social support, and resilience buffer adverse childhood experiences.
• Ervin, K. & Lauderdale, S. (2021) Gender differences and attitudes of cyberstalking behaviors on a college campus.
• Caldwell, K. & Reynolds, D. (2017). (NP) Rate of caffeine consumption and its relation to added anxiety among college students.

COURSES TAUGHT

• PY 250 Applied Psychology
• PY 271 Psychological Research I
• PSY 302 Research Methods & Design I
• PSY 305 Research Methods & Design II
• PSY 2306 Psychology of Sexuality
• PSY 316 Abnormal Psychology

EDUCATION/DEGREES

• MS - Clinical Psychology with a specialization in Trauma Informed Care, East Texas A&M University
• BS - Psychology, Southeast Missouri State University

YOUR PHILOSOPHY OF TEACHING

I am a psychology educator dedicated to empowering students through an optimal blend of compassion and academic rigor. By designing a research-backed, multimodal classroom format, I ensure that all learners can effectively process, retain, and apply psychological concepts, ultimately paving the way for their academic and professional success. To bridge the gap between complex cognitive models and real-world understanding, my teaching approach incorporates a variety of evidence-based strategies:

Multimodal Learning: I blend visual case studies, collaborative experiment simulations, and verbal discussions to engage multiple cognitive pathways.

Compassionate Pedagogy: By fostering an environment of psychological safety, I reduce performance anxiety and encourage diverse student perspectives.

Evidence-Based Practices: The course structure leverages cognitive psychology principles, using retrieval practice and spaced repetition to boost long-term memory retention

WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO TEACH?

My decision to teach psychology stems from a deep fascination with human behavior and a desire to foster critical thinking in others. I view the classroom as a living laboratory where theoretical concepts come alive through shared human experiences. By guiding students through the complexities of the mind, I aim to equip them with the analytical tools needed to understand themselves and navigate the world with greater empathy. Ultimately, I teach to inspire the next generation of thinkers, researchers, and practitioners who will use psychology to make a meaningful impact on society.

LICENSE AND CERTIFICATIONS

Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor Intern (Texas)

PROFESSIONAL HIGHLIGHT

I have taught psychology courses and served as an academic advisor and mentor for 5 years, and have been in clinical practice for 8 years. In addition to teaching, advising, and clinical practice, I am a senior Group Facilitator for a virtual intensive outpatient treatment program and serve as an advisor for the National Society of Leadership and Success.

AWARDS/HONOR RECOGNITION

• Recipient of the “Superstar Group Facilitator Award”, 2024
• Recipient of the “Impact Leader Award”, 2022
• Recipient of the “Distinguished Graduate Student Leader Award”, 2021
• Recipient of the “Outstanding Service to Students Award”, 2021

ORGANIZATIONS IN WHICH YOU ARE INVOLVED

•  Advisor for the National Society of Leadership and Success
• Serve on the Group Facilitators Allstar Council for a virtual IOP program

BEST ADVICE FOR STUDENTS

My best advice for students is to treat the discipline of psychology not as a list of facts to memorize, but as a dynamic toolkit for understanding human behavior. Grounded in cognitive science research, my best advice is to ditch exam cramming in favor of multimodal studying—combining visual, auditory, and collaborative learning to build long-term memory retention. Most importantly, active participation requires a foundation of psychological safety, so I encourage students to view the classroom as a collaborative laboratory where asking questions, sharing diverse perspectives, and making mistakes are welcomed as vital steps toward deep learning and real-world application. My favorite quote is one from T.S. Eliot: “Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go”.