Dewey G. Cornell, a national expert in the prevention of youth violence and bullying, will be the keynote speaker at the third annual Safe and Welcoming Schools Conference hosted by the College of Education on Feb. 28.
The one-day conference is designed to help education administrators, counselors and teachers prevent and respond to childhood bullying. The theme of the conference is “Reducing Risk Through Safe and Welcoming Schools.” UGA researchers and practitioners from education, counseling, law and public health will address:
• How safe are students?
• What steps can schools take to improve school climate, prevent bullying and reduce risk?
• How are bullying and suicide related, and what can be done to prevent them?
• What are the connections between school safety, school climate and academic achievement?
• What should educators know about crisis management?
• What are the legal considerations for creating safe schools?
• What policies can help protect all students?
Cornell, a forensic clinical psychologist and Bunker Professor of Education at the University of Virginia, studies and teaches about the prevention of youth violence and bullying, as well as healthy student development and achievement through a supportive and structured school climate.
In addition, Garry McGiboney, associate superintendent of the Georgia Department of Education, will speak on crisis management in schools.
Speakers from UGA include John Dayton, professor, lifelong education, administration and policy, College of Education; Andy Horne, dean emeritus, College of Education; Pamela Orpinas, professor, health promotion and behavior, College of Public Health; Kat Raczynski, director, Safe and Welcoming Schools Project, College of Education; and Anneliese Singh, associate professor, counseling and human development, College of Education.
The conference will be held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn in Athens. The $149 registration fee includes conference materials, lunch and two refreshment breaks. Registration deadline is Feb. 14. For more details and to register, see http://bit.ly/1aKUjst.
