October 3, 2013
In an effort to promote respect among school-aged children, more than 100 St. John’s University students and local elementary school educators teamed up to participate in the anti-bullying workshop “One Can Count” as part of Founder’s Week 2013.
The program, based on the award-winning book One by Kathryn Otoshi, was held at the Staten Island campus of the University on September 24. “OneCan Count” focuses on bullying prevention, leadership and mentoring and was co-created by Susan Raisch, Ph.D., founder of the anti-bullying website TangledBall.com.
“Bullying has unfortunately become a very prominent issue in our schools and communities,” said Christopher Cuccia, Ed.D, Academic Assistant Vice President of the Staten Island campus. “I am pleased that we had the opportunity to offer a workshop that informed and empowered local educators to more effectively recognize and address instances of bullying in their schools.”
The workshop was presented by Otoshi, Raisch and, representing New York State Senator Andrew J. Lanza’s office, Deputy Chief of Staff Anthony Reinhart.
“There is strength in numbers and the ‘One Can Count’ leadership workshop gives me hope that the many interested and compassionate educators we have on Staten Island will nurture elementary school children into leaders,” said Raisch during the program. “Leadership is the anti-bully."
Sandra Schamroth Abrams, Ed.D, Assistant Professor of Curriculum and Instruction, led a post-workshop collaborative discussion that afforded participants the opportunity to discuss their own ideas about the program and how they could incorporate its message into their school’s curriculum.
Jennifer Shanks ’14Ed, an adolescence education major who attended the workshop, found the session helpful. “In the future, I would love to incorporate the program into the classroom setting through the use of decorations,” she said. “Kids love to decorate bulletin boards and I see that as a great way to reach them.”
“The program dealt with a very timely issue in a compassionate and compelling way,” added Cuccia. “It was a marvelous reflection of the mission of St. Vincent de Paul during the University’s celebration of Founder’s Week.”
For more information about the One Can Count workshop, please the Office of the Academic Vice President at 718-390-4094 or [email protected].