Saint Rose to host panel for educators on helping students navigate events in the news

Adults aren’t the only ones contemplating the issues facing the nation and finding navigating them more difficult in the face of political polarization, the rise of social media as a source of information, and the backlash to recent discourse about criminal justice and racism.

The Thelma P. Lally School of Education at The College of Saint Rose will host “The Role of the Teacher: Passion, Power, and Positivity During Turmoil,” a panel discussion for educators on how to help students navigate all of the issues dominating the news, on February 4 at 5:30 p.m. via Zoom.

Moderated by Dr. Kristi Fragnoli, professor of education at Saint Rose, the panel of teachers, who are either Saint Rose graduates or who teach courses at Saint Rose, will discuss how educators – and those pursuing careers in education – can help students feel safe, make sense out of chaos, and realize they have agency. The talk will focus on students in grades three through 12.

Although the event is free, pre-registration is required via Eventbrite in order to receive the Zoom link. The event is open to not just educators, but anyone interested in this topic.

“We know that teachers are responsible for more than delivering curriculum and meeting student learning needs. As much as we try to focus students on the work before them, the walls of a classroom do not keep out what’s going on in the world,” said Dr. Terri Ward, interim dean of the Thelma P. Lally School of Education. “Part of the educational process is learning how to digest complex topics and navigate various viewpoints, and the issues facing the nation and the world today leave no shortage of opportunities for students to practice these skills. Teachers, however, must be equipped to be students’ guides when those discussions inevitably enter the classroom.”

The panelists are:

Bryan Mattice, history and geography teacher, Niskayuna High School
Tierney Crone ’19, G’19, special education/social studies teacher, Schalmont High School
Sophia Paljevic ’12, G’13, third-grade teacher, New York City Public Schools, District 9, P.S. 204 Morris Heights
Kewsi Burgess, sixth-grade teacher, Thomas O’Brien Academy of Science and Technology, City School District of Albany

“The Role of the Teacher: Passion, Power, and Positivity During Turmoil” is the first in a series of panel discussions aimed at helping those who work with children and youth. The next panel, “Supporting Youth Mental Health in Challenging Times,” will be held February 11 at 6 p.m. via Zoom.