Dr. Norwalk is currently engaged in two primary lines of research. The first is an extension of her graduate and postdoctoral work, and focuses on the social dynamics of elementary and middle school students, the impact of students’ classroom social dynamics on their social, behavioral, and academic functioning, and ways in which teachers can leverage these naturally occurring dynamics to improve classroom functioning and student outcomes. The goals of this research are to understand the dynamic and reciprocal influences of individual-level characteristics, peer relations, and the classroom context in shaping students’ behavioral and academic adjustment, and ways in which this knowledge can help inform teaching practices and school-based intervention efforts.
Dr. Norwalk's second line of research examines ways to improve educational outcomes for children and youth in the foster care system, particularly those with disabilities. Through this work she has become actively engaged in child welfare advocacy throughout the state of North Carolina. She also serves on the board of the Foster Family Alliance of NC, a non-profit organization that supports children and youth in foster care and the families and professionals that serve them.
