The College of Education & Human Development has created a faculty development speaker series entitled, “Mental Health in University and K-12 Settings.” Each month during the 2019-2020 academic year, speakers from both Georgia State and other universities will discuss topics related to mental health. Information on these presentations will be added as it’s confirmed.
Spring 2020 Theme: Mental Health in K-12 Settings
Understanding a Threat Assessment
Hosted by the Center for Research on School Safety, School Climate and Classroom Management
Wednesday, Jan. 29
12-1:30 p.m.
CEHD room 1030
Moderator: CEHD Professor Joel Meyers
The facilitators will present research findings, court cases and current events to examine school shootings from an ethical, legal and practical perspective while achieving four learning objectives. First, the facilitators will provide brief descriptions of high-profiled school shootings in the U.S. and their aftermaths. Second, the facilitators will discuss an overview of gun violence research, gun laws and controversies surrounding first, second and fourteenth amendment rights, research on the effectiveness of zero-tolerance policies and the influence of student led walk-outs on gun control legislation. Third, current events and research findings will be presented about school security measures, including metal detectors, school resources officers, school lockdown drills and active shooter drills. The last topic of the presentation will be about threat assessment and the implications for school personnel in promoting school safety.
School Climate – Building a New System
Hosted by the Center for Research on School Safety, School Climate and Classroom Management
Garry McGiboney, Deputy Superintendent, Georgia Department of Education’s Office of School Safety and Climate
Thursday, March 12
1-2:30 p.m.
CEHD room 1030
About the Speaker
Dr. McGiboney has more than 30 years of experience in public education, including work in elementary, middle, high and alternative schools. He has served on several committees as an appointee of the Governor’s Office and serves by appointment on the Georgia Supreme Court’s Justice for Children Committee, the Mental Health America Advisory Committee and others. Dr. McGiboney has more than 30 professional publications on several topics and is the author of eight books, including “The Psychology of School Climate” and “Leadership Research and Case Studies: An Epidemiological Perspective.” He has been interviewed by CNN, NBC, CBS, ABC and many regional and local television and radio affiliates. He is recipient of several awards, including the NAACP Educator of the Year, the National Association of School Psychologists National Friend of Children Award, the Georgia School Counselors Advocate of the Year Award, the Georgia Association of School Nurses Hero Award and others. Recently, Dr. McGiboney was inducted into the Georgia Board of Regents’ Alumni Hall of Fame for his career-long efforts on behalf of children.
About the Presentation
In this session, Dr. McGiboney will discuss the connections between school climate, school-based mental health and academic performance.
The Importance of Self-Care and Stress Regulation Among Teachers and School Officials
Brandi Ansley (Ph.D. ’18), Assistant Professor, Central Michigan University
Wednesday, April 1
12-1:30 p.m.
CEHD room 150
About the Speaker
Brandi Ansley is a College of Education & Human Development alumnus and an assistant professor of special education at Central Michigan University. She teaches courses related to methods for teaching students with high-incidence disabilities, post-secondary transition and teaching diverse students. She emphasizes promotion of healthy learning environments, stress management for education and human services professionals and empowerment of all human beings. In addition to preparing aspiring educators, she conducts relevant research, writes practitioner-focused papers and delivers workshops to school and community-based professionals.
About the Presentation
Teachers, administrators and other school personnel are subject to high levels of stress related to physically, mentally and emotionally intense job demands that include heavy workloads and high expectations for meeting the complex needs of their students. Chronically high stress levels are associated with burnout, physical illness, anxiety and depression and are linked to job dissatisfaction, low teacher efficacy, negative school climate and poor student outcomes. While these concepts have been widely understood for decades, educator preparation programs rarely address stress-regulation skills and effective coping. In addition, many educators report a tendency to put their needs last, which further perpetuates high stress levels. The purpose of this presentation is to a.) describe research pertaining to educator stress, b.) share details of a stress-regulation training program for pre-service and current teachers and c.) recommend ways higher educators can promote these skills and habits in aspiring school personnel.
Parking on Campus
For its Mental Health Series presentations, the College of Education & Human Development recommends visitors park in G Deck, which has entrances on Courtland St., Collins Street and Central Ave. Visitors may park in this deck for an entry fee of $10 Monday through Friday.
To see G Deck on Georgia State’s campus map, click here.
For more information about visitor parking at Georgia State, click here; questions about directions and parking can be addressed to [email protected].