PRE-CONFERENCE SESSION
The following are pre-conference sessions which will be held June 24, 2010. These sessions require an additional fee of $50 each or $90 for both if you sign up before 5/30/10.
Girls - Challenges of Bipolar and Other Mood & Mental Health Issues
Pre-Conference Session Description: Mental and Behavioral health issues impact approximately 20% of the population. Many students who experience the challenges of these issues have not been identified, but they face the challenges none-the–less.
This workshop will look at practical and useful strategies for recognizing and addressing many of the learning, social, behavioral, and personal issues girls with mental and behavioral health issues face. The discussion will cover bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, and other common issues.
Pre-Conference Speaker: Mike Paget, M.Ed.
Education Associate for Students with Emotional Disabilities Office of Exceptional Children
South Carolina
Educating Bystanders and Empowering Victims
Pre-Conference Session Description: For the busy teacher, counselor, parent, or social worker: this workshop will offer proven and ready to use activities and lessons to eliminate relational aggression. You will take away from this workshop:
- Evidence-based materials to use with pre-K through sixth grade
- Ideas to develop common language for students and school staff
- Activities to educate and empower bystanders
- Strategies to engage student imagination while learning new skills
- School-wide harassment program
Copy ready lesson plans to use in your school immediately
Pre-Conference Speaker: Sandy Ragona, M.S.Ed.
Elementary School Counselor / Speaker / Author
Iowa
GENERAL SESSIONS
The following is a list of general sessions presented by our keynote speakers. Dates and times are subject to change.
Research Findings Regarding How Girls Accommodate Bullying
General Session Description: This insightful, emotionally-charged multi-media presentation addresses the psychological and cognitive path taken by girls who are bullied: hurt, fear, anxiety, overwhelming anxiety, anger, hate rage to self-harm, suicide and/or revenge. It is important for professionals and parents to understand this path and to identify where students are on this path. This presentation is based on the life of Dr. Beane’s son and interviews with bullied students who have self-mutilated, have attempted suicide, and/or have retaliated. Dr. Beane’s illustrations and true heart-breaking stories are unforgettable.
Keynote Speaker: Dr. Allan Beane
Educational Consultant / Author
Kentucky
Cyberbullying Among Adolescent Girls
General Session Description: Research has consistently noted that adolescent girls tend to participate in more indirect, less visible forms of bullying, including psychological and emotional harassment (e.g., rumor spreading and other forms of relational aggression). Given the fact that the vast majority of cyberbullying behaviors involve these indirect forms of harassment, it makes sense that most research suggests that girls appear equally as likely to be active participants in cyberbullying. I will discuss the ways, reasons, and contexts in which girls engage in online cruelty towards others based on quantitative and qualitative data collected from thousands of randomly-selected middle-schoolers.
Keynote Speaker: Dr. Sameer Hinduja
Educational Speaker / Author
Florida
Transforming the Difficult into the Delightful
General Session Description: This session deals with the seriousness of bullying and violence in our schools. Even though it is serious, it is presented in an upbeat fashion by a versatile motivational speaker who inspires her participants. A youth behavior checklist may be shared with the group. She shares evidence-based strategies and techniques for breaking through the bullying mindset. Through case studies, intervention strategies, and interactive exercises she will demonstrate the power of these techniques to transform the difficult into the delightful. This session promises to inspire participants to see that they can create new destinies for girls trapped in the maze of bullying. Participants will see how the techniques and tools, interactions and strategies shared can be used to transform lives. Kathy's work experience as a mediator, motivator, alcohol and drug counselor, character educator and intervention specialist provides a versatility that impacts the students she has served. This presenter is dynamic and she shares her material with passion and enthusiasm. She promises to leave participants encouraged and empowered to take new action.
Keynote Speaker: Kathy Hess-Reneau, LPC
Motivational Speaker
Texas
BREAK-OUT SESSIONS
The following is a list of all of our confirmed break-out sessions (subject to change) for the entire conference. We will be updating this section as more sessions are added. Please check back often for updated information.
A Comparison of Bullying Experiences and Observations of Girls versus Boys: Is There a Difference?
Breakout Session Description: This enlightening session includes a discussion of new research regarding the differences in girl and boy bullying experiences. The presentation answers the following research questions and more: Are girls more or less likely to be forced to do things they don’t want to do? Are girls more or less likely to be bullied? Are girls more or less likely to be bullied by a group of students? Are girls more or less likely to view bystanders as being willing to prevent and stop bullying? Are girls more or less likely to feel safe at school? Are girls more or less likely to feel safe at home? Are girls more or less likely to feel safe in their neighborhood? Are girls more or less likely to feel upset when they see someone bullied at school? Are girls more or less likely to be fearful because they see students bullied? Are girls more or less likely to stay home because of bullying at school? Are girls more or less likely to tell an adult when they are bullied? Are girls more or less likely to tell an adult when they see someone bullied? Are girls more or less likely to think their friends would help them if they are bullied? Are girl more or less likely to be bullied by an adult at school? Are girls more or less likely to view adults as people who will take action to help them without making the bullying worse?
Grade Level: K-12
Session Speaker: Allan Beane, Ph.D.
Educational Consultant / Author
Kentucky
Safe Social Networking and Adolescent Girls: Best and Worst Practices
Breakout Session Description: Research has noted that there are clear benefits to Internet-based social networking, despite what some sensationalistic news stories would have us believe. These benefits provide youth with the ability to learn more about themselves, others, and the world, provided the technology is used wisely. That said – and notwithstanding the threat of sexual predators - many girls are rendering themselves vulnerable to cyberbullying and online harassment based on what they post on their Facebook and MySpace profile pages. Through the presentation of case studies and examples, we will discuss how best to encourage adolescent girls to protect themselves, their reputation, and their content while interacting with others in cyberspace.
Grade Level: K-12
Session Speaker: Sameer Hinduja, Ph.D.
Dept. of Criminology and Criminal Justice
Florida
Counseling Mean Girls
Breakout Session Description: This workshop will explore anger and how to disengage. Participants will learn techniques to assist girls to change dysfunctional relationships.
You will take away from this workshop:
- Counseling strategies to work with girls
- Lesson plans to teach students about emotional intelligence
Grade Level: K-6
Session Speaker: Sandy Ragona, M.S.Ed.
Speaker / Author
Iowa
Motivating the Unmotivated, Educating in the 21st Century
Breakout Session Description: Have you ever wondered what motivates girls? Do you work with young girls who drive adults up the wall with their drama queen antics? Do some of the young girls you deal with seem to stay stuck in their bullying, target, or bystander behaviors? If you answered yes to any of these questions and you like to have fun interacting while you learn, this is the session for you. Areas covered are positive styles of interacting that build bridges between youth and adults, character education related to bullying, communication that enhances the accountability and personal responsibility, a process that helps to complete the past so that it doesn’t impact the present and future. The presenter brings a high level of energy and enthusiasm to her work that has been called contagious. This session promises to be valuable leaving you recharged and ready for action.
Grade Level: K-12
Session Speaker: Kathy Hess-Reneau, LPC, CART
Motivational Speaker
Texas
U R What U Eat
Breakout Session Description: Most girls spend more money per month on what goes on the outside of their bodies than they do on what goes inside their bodies. We can trade or sell our cars but our body has to last us a lifetime. Given that, doesn’t it make sense to teach girls who to take care of the beautiful, miraculous machines they were given? Girls need to learn to value and appreciate what is on the inside as much as what is on the outside. This session covers some research about food and glamour additives that can, over time, contribute to many facets of an unhealthy lifestyle. Healthy alternatives will be explored as well. Prepare to be shocked as you learn, have fun and enjoy the wisdom you’ll take away from this session. The information may be as valuable for the participants as it is for the youth they with whom they choose to share it.
Grade Level: K-12
Session Speaker: Kathy Hess-Reneau, LPC, CART
Motivational Speaker
Texas
Mean Chicks in Cyberspace
Breakout Session Description: The first wave of bullying brought with it mean cliques, snobs, teasing, gossip, backstabbing, name-calling and showing off, and the in-crowds and “outsiders.” The problem was so pervasive that the book “Mean Chicks, Clicks, and Dirty Tricks,” that details the hurtful experience of a 1000 girls, demanded to be written. It quickly became a bestseller and recently came out in Russian. But now society is in the throes of a second wave of bullying that has taken the tormenting of girls to an even more vicious level, and it goes on 24/7. That’s why the updated version of “Mean Chicks...” is now being released. This session details the latest, heartbreaking horror stories, straight from the mouths of the victims, and offers many practical solutions, as well as quizzes and quotes.
Grade Level: 6-12
Session Speaker: Erika Shearin Karres, Ed.D.
International Author, Speaker and Researcher
North Carolina
Kicky the Mean Chick & Other Tails/Tales
Breakout Session Description: Sad to say, relational aggression begins very early, often as early as pre-kindergarten. But fortunately, humor is a great weapon in dealing with this problem. In fact, research shows that rules and lessons taught in a way that make us laugh out loud stick much better. In this lively, interactive, and yes—funny!—session, you will meet Kicky the Mean Chick who has to straighten up, or else.
You will also meet Krowell the Pit Bully who terrorizes everyone. But by using your experience and creativity, you will help him give the boot to bullytude and at the same time end up with a much more positive outlook and numerous new teaching tools.
Grade Level: K-5
Session Speaker: Erika Shearin Karres, Ed.D.
International Author, Speaker and Researcher
North Carolina
Separating Fact and Fiction: Bullying on the High School Campus
Breakout Session Description: This presentation is a comparative study of bullying at three comprehensive high schools. Schools were selected for their location and state test ranking. This session will focus on the targets, types of bullying, where these activities take place, and the toll of bullying on the victims.
Grade Level: 6-12
Session Speaker: Dr. David Karell
Assistant Professor in the School of Education at National University
Adapting the Salvaging Sisterhood Curriculum for the Deaf and Hearing Impaired
Breakout Session Description: To target relational aggression issues within the academic and residential areas, the South Carolina School for the Deaf and Blind established ‘Salvaging Sisterhood’ groups based on the popular program. This program examines the challenges with modifying the curriculum for the disabled and progress is reviewed.
Grade Level: K-12
Session Speaker: Christie Rogers-Larke, Ed.D.
Counselor at a School for the Deaf and Blind
How Do I Let People Know I am Angry? Counseling in the World of Silence
Breakout Session Description: Counselors are sometimes called upon to assist with students who have low- to no-language skills – either due to ESL, hearing issues or developmental issues. Currently used therapeutic approaches will be examined for their applicability to these types of students. Counselors and other educators will gain an understanding of the unique factors that come into play when working with low- or no-language students. Modifications of programs will be explored.
Grade Level: K-12
Session Speaker: Christie Rogers-Larke, Ed.D.
Counselor at a School for the Deaf and Blind
Drama Teen: An Inside Look of the Drama & Trauma of An Everyday Teen
Breakout Session Description: Drama Teen takes you through the eyes of a contemporary teen, illustrating the sources of drama that they deal with on a regular basis. The interactive presentation will include real life examples of stress submitted by members of the CONTACT Crisis Line "Teen Board" members - it will provide attendees with additional insight into the often confusing and overwhelming issues of teen life today. Resources, group challenge activities, and ideas will be presented and handed out during this session. The presentation is divided into four main topic areas: The Teen Brain; From Happy to Angry; Relationships, Stress, & Life Junk and Cyberbullying, Bullycide, & Sexting.
Grade Level: 6-12
Session Speaker: Missy Wall, MSW, M.Div
Director of Teen CONTACT
School-Wide Positive Behavior Supports
Breakout Session Description: When School-Wide Positive Behavior Supports (SW-PBS) is implemented successfully in a school building, there is a climate change. The same expectations are for all students. Appropriate behavior is recognized for all students – target, bystander and bullying behavior. SW- PBS offers support for both students and staff while presenting a proactive approach to inappropriate behaviors including as relational aggression.
Grade Level: K-12
Session Speakers: Betty Ennis, M.S. & Susana Hill, M.S.
My Name is not B.......,
RA/Bullying and the Impact it has on African American Girls
Breakout Session Description: Young girls have experienced relational aggression/bullying in one way or another. However, African American girls in particular experience relational aggression/bullying in additional ways and from many different sources, because there are additional variables which can be and are used against them to launch hurtful attacks. They are in many cases caught in situations where regardless to how they are perceived in within their own race, there can be cause for attacks. This workshop will explore what relational aggression/bullying is, why it is becoming more prevalent, what additional variables African American girls face, and what can be done to help all girls but particularly African American girls form healthy friend relationships.
Grade Level: K-12
Session Speaker: Betty (Irby) Maceo
School Counselor
"Sticks & Stones"
A Contemporary New Play that Meets the Challenges of Bullying
Breakout Session Description: Lyle was commissioned by Tilles Center For The Arts and the US Dept. of Justice to create "Sticks and Stones" a musical about bullying, inspiring self reflection and dialogue. Lyle will perform excerpts of the show. Betsy will present some history of the development of the program and its effectiveness.
Grade Level: 4-8
Session Speakers: Lyle Cogen & Betsy DuBois
Artist / Performer
OMG my BFF H8S me! Tackling Relational Aggression From the Inside Out
Breakout Session Description: In any campaign tackling relational aggression, educators must extend beyond the lens of bullying to actually facilitate ownership and cultural change among young women. Presented by the founder of PROJECT ROCKIT (Australia’s youth-led anti-bullying movement), this workshop presents REAL student stories and strategies to empower young women to confront girl bullying in all forms.
Grade Level: 6-8
Session Speaker: Lucy Thomas
Founder of PROJECT ROCKIT, International Presenter, Consultant
Sibling Bullying: “Bully on the Bottom Bunk”
Breakout Session Description: As counselors, sibling bullying is one of the most frustrating concerns that students report to us - because they are reporting bullying in the home....and, often, the parents know about it...and are either ignoring it or are ineffective in stopping it. The entire family can be frustrated. The ramifications of sibling bullying can be long term resentment and hurt. It is one of the last unfortunate myths of bullying...that all brothers and sisters fight..and it is "normal."
Grade Level: K-12
Session Speaker: Deb Wilson, M.Ed.
School Counselor
Can She Be Saved? Testimonies of Girl Aggression
Breakout Session Description: Youth program facilitator and filmmaker, Yasmin discusses peer to peer conflict resolution strategies and shares portions of her film “Can She Be Saved” which documents the testimonies of 8th grade girls who fight and have been labeled aggressive by their guidance counselors and teachers.
Grade Level: K-12
Session Speaker: Yasmin Shiraz
President of The Signals Agency
Sexting, Texting, and Facebook?!
What's Really Going on Behind Closed Doors
Breakout Session Description: For adolescent girls, their “technological world” contributes to a decline in self-esteem and a rise in risky behavior. The only outlet many adolescent girls have is though technology; they are inundated with new ways to express themselves, most of which are counter-productive to developing their true selves. This workshop is geared towards educating attendees on current risky behaviors such as sexting, cyber bullying, compulsive text messaging, and Facebook. Strategies for implementing change within young women, how to communicate in “their language,” and how to effectively educate parents on these issues, without breaking confidentiality, will be discussed.
Grade Level: 6-12
Session Speaker: Emily Roberts, MA, LPC
Adolescent Therapist / Parenting Consultant
Young Women's Leadership Forum: Changing School Climate One Queen Bee at a Time
Breakout Session Description: Lean how to start a Young Women's (or Young Men's ) Leadership Forum at your school! Gain a scope and sequence, curriculum ideas, how to select your leaders and everything in between. This successful forum has been changing school culture at a Metro Middle School for the past 5 years.
Grade Level: K-8
Session Speakers: Jennie Berglund, MA & Rebecca Brower, MS
Young Women's Leadership Forum Facilitator
Ready from the Start: Young Bullies
Breakout Session Description: The seeds of girl bullying start early. This presentation is from the public health perspective on bullying. Research has shown that girls as young as 3 years old use social aggression to hurt others. Intervention and prevention strategies will be discussed.
Grade Level: K-6
Session Speaker: Sherry Williams
Health Educator
"Bullying Hurts":
An Exploration into the Neurological and Emotional Effects of Bullying on Developing Brains in Young Children and Adolescents
Breakout Session Description: Using SPECT imaging, the presenter has identified a common pattern of neural activity in the limbic system and prefrontal cortex in clients who report bullying. The pattern resembles the neural patterns of clients with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and suggests that bullying is changing the brain activity of bullied children.
Grade Level: K-12 / Agency / Private Practice
Session Speaker: Michael DeVine, M.S., LPC
Counselor with the Clements Clinic
Dignity Rocks! The Somebody/Nobody Dynamic
Breakout Session Description: This session explores the responses from students on the inquiry of what makes us feel like “nobodies and somebodies” and then uses LIFESKILL* a lifelong guideline application for non-violent responses and resolution to challenging scenarios. Her “Be the Arrow,” an exploration of revenge to resolution, was presented in Oslo, Norway last year at the Human Dignity and Humiliations organization’s prestigious conference.
Grade Level: K-12
Session Speaker: Stephanie Heuer
Inspirational Speaker
Bystanders: Problem or Solution in the World of Relational Aggression
Breakout Session Description: In an age where bystanders’ behaviors have dramatically increased, bullying behaviors and interventions for subtle behaviors must be recognized by educators. Be a part of the solution by attending this workshop which will explore the history of bystanders, bystanders’ behaviors and bystanders’ effects on bullying circumstances. This workshop will address school based interventions to reduce bystanders’ behaviors within the school environment and how these interventions will affect future behaviors and reactions.
Grade Level: K-12
Session Speaker: Dawn Lloyd-Matthews
School Social Worker
The Redemption Approach: 5 Timeless Principles for Re-Engaging Difficult Students
Breakout Session Description: This presentation highlights the powers of a redemption approach that engages even the most difficult students in school. Detailed explanations of the redemptive forces of forgiveness, restitution, recovery, humor, and inspiration are based on proven, time tested and research-based techniques that lead to immediate impact and influence on student performance.
Grade Level: K-12
Session Speaker: Ed Orszulak, Ph.D.
Public School Administrator, Special/Alternative Education
Real Talk 4 Girls: Using Restorative Circles to Address RA Among Adolescent Girls
Breakout Session Description: Imagine providing girls with a psychologically safe place to speak without fear of judgment, criticism or rejection, a place where they can take down their “tough walls,” work through conflict and build positive relationships with other girls. Learn how restorative circles can teach social problem solving skills and address relational aggression.
Grade Level: K-12
Session Speaker: Tonya Featherston, M.Ed.
Educational Consultant
Bullying by Girls in Tribal Communities
Breakout Session Description: This workshop will describe how girls bullying girls affects the entire Tribal community and how the use of Tribal Justice initiatives can play a significant role in combating bullying. This workshop describes how concerned individuals from Tribal Communities formed the “Gang Disempowerment and Reduction Committee of the Dakota Ojibway Tribal Council” to reduce and suppress the encroachment of gangs and related criminal activity and how, by bringing together the appropriate people in those communities, a strong network and sharing of resources helps to disempower gangs. Separate conferences were held for the youth and care providers as they addressed different resource requirements and networks.
Grade Level: K-12
Session Speaker: Lorraine Pompana, M.Ed.
Former Counselor Educator, Member of the Sioux Nation
Cyberbullying Prevention in At-Risk Secondary Schools
Breakout Session Description: In this session you will learn about CyberBullyingStopsNow.com, an informative website amide at guiding secondary students, schools and parents in prevention methods for cyberbullying and general internet safety. Her training workshops include helping school administrators understand trends of at-risk students’ online behavior and ways that social networking sites are aiding in the prevention of online harassment.
Grade Level: 6-12 / Agency
Session Speaker: Akilah Willery, M.Ed.
Cyberbullying / Internet Safety Expert
I H8 U! Implications and Effects of Cyber Bullying and Relational Aggression
Breakout Session Description: Participants will gain a better understanding of what cyber bullying and relational aggression are, discover who typical targets are, and learn methods on how to stop it. Victims suffer from a multitude of side effects and participants will learn how to recognize these symptoms and offer support to those who were victimized.
Grade Level: K-12
Session Speaker: Emily Scheinberg-Powell, M.Ed.
Teacher
THEATRE AND SOCIAL ISSUES: Creating awareness of Bullying and School Violence through Theatre
Breakout Session Description: This workshop is designed to instruct school educators and students on how social issues can be brought to the forefront by using theatre as a vehicle to create awareness and tolerance. The workshop demonstrates "up on your feet" activities for educators and students that can be used in the classroom. Implementation of role playing exercises, improvisations, real life stories of BULLYING turned into monologues, and research of BULLYING and SCHOOL VIOLENCE turned into scripted scenes are introduced. Educators with all backgrounds find this teachable tool of theatre productive and relatable to students of all ages.
Grade Level: K-12
Session Speaker: Lori Thompson
High School Theatre and Social Issues Teacher
Fenton, MI
News From the Front: A School Attorney’s Perspective on the Challenges of CyberBullying
Breakout Session Description: Charles Leitch, a former prosecutor and attorney who currently represents school districts on bullying and social media response, will report on what schools are presently doing to respond to cyberbullying and electronic boundary invasion, with emphasis on female students. Mr. Leitch's session will include an overview of student privacy laws, limits of school authority, effective coalition building, and strategies for prevention.
Grade Level: K-12
Session Speaker: Charles Leitch, J.D., CDR
School Attorney
Mean Girls Aren’t Cool
Breakout Session Description: This session, lead by a young girl who was a former victim of bullying herself and knows firsthand how devastating it can be. This program focuses on increasing awareness of bullying among girls, educating about how, when and why it occurs and understanding the difference between teasing and bullying. In this session you will learn techniques and tactics of bullies, how to empower the victims and how to get others involved (school officials, teachers, parents). Participants will take away insights, strategies and ideas to help girls stop female bullying.
Grade Level: K-12
Session Speaker: Kelsey Ann Jackson
National Speaker
Be Friendship Focused: Imparting Group Exercises that Create/Restore Healthy Peer Connections
Breakout Session Description: Provides teachers or group facilitators easy and engaging strategies that serve to shift children's perceptions toward creating a much better sense of self and instill positive regard for others. This session includes shared group processes that teach children compassionate communication and to realize self-defeating behaviors. Session participants will receive actual step-by-step recipes to effect positive change. Children find this to be fun, creative, insightful, and most healing. These skill-building group exercises cause children to formulate healthy rewarding social bonds with others.
Grade Level: K-8
Session Speaker: Kristine Grant
Family Therapist
San Diego, CA
“Be The One” Sharing Healthy Experiences
Breakout Session Description: Award winning author Rosalind Wiseman calls it “creating a culture of dignity”. SHE and its team members call it “Be the One.” In this interactive, hands on session, the SHE team will highlight and outline the damaging effects of relational aggression in one real life community with special attention to the bystander role. Workshop participants will be transfixed as they watch one community’s proactive approach to relational aggression and the amazing transformation through relationship building. Workshop participants will leave with next step information and ready-set -go manipulatives about how you can “Be The One” to transform your community and begin your own RA awareness campaign and forum that will unite students, parents, and staff to take a stand and truly transform a school culture and community at-large.
Grade Level: K-12
Session Speaker: Katey McPherson
Administrator/Founder of SHE (Sharing Healthy Experiences)
Empowering Bystander Students to Reduce and Prevent Bullying & Violence
Breakout Session Description: Electronic and relational aggression, harassment, rumors, gossip, exclusion, bullying and violence prevent effective teaching and learning. Utilizing an effective, student-centered approach improves school climate and safety. Learn how to engage, equip and empower bystander student leaders with nonviolent communication and intervention skills to prevent and reduce bullying and violence.
Grade Level: 9-12
Session Speaker: John Linney, MA
Director, Impact Coaching & Speaking
Girls and Special Education: Teaching to All Learning Abilities
Breakout Session Description: This session will focus on the unique learning styles and educational issues for girls receiving special education services in schools.
In this session I will discuss learning styles and issues specific to girls, and some of the challenges faced in special education.
Grade Level: K-12
Session Speaker: Mike Paget, M.Ed.
Education Associate for Students with Emotional Disabilities Office of Exceptional Children
