Translating Student Voice into Student Action
We often hear that a key purpose of schooling is to prepare students for informed and active citizenship. But what does this look like in practice? How do teachers pursue this goal amid other pressing priorities, including student mastery of both academic content and social-emotional competencies? Students Taking Action Together (STAT), is aninstructional strategy teachers and mental health professionals (e.g., school psychologist, social worker, counselor) can use within existing content that builds students’ SEL skills in empathy, perspective taking, emotion regulation, problem-solving, and respectful, effective communication. STAT is based on a program of the same name developed at Rutgers University, and clarifies that the way to prepare young people for life in a democracy is by intentionally rehearsing democratic behaviors in the classroom. This is a field-tested program.
Learning Objectives
As a result of attending this presentation, participants will be able to:
- Discuss five scaffolded research-based SEL strategies to facilitate lessons on contentious issues/problems, while engaging social-emotional learning, civic discourse, and social justice topics and meeting the curricular standards.
- Integrate professional knowledge into the one of the five STAT strategies.
- Plan and create a sample lesson (plan) for one of the STAT strategies.
- Assess and analyze the STAT sample lesson (plan) developed.
Instructor Bio
Dr. Crystal Molyneaux, Psy.D., NCSP, is an undergraduate and graduate alumnus of Rutgers University and a Counseling Psychologist at CAPS-Rutgers University. Her passion lies in using psychology to empower others, decrease systemic racism and oppression, and amplify student voice. Dr. Molyneaux works with students in group and individual settings to assist in self-awareness, self-efficacy, and self-management in hostile/adverse situations. To further the efforts of creating systems in which students can thrive, Dr. Molyneaux co-authored a book titled "Students Taking Action Together: 5 Teaching Techniques to Cultivate SEL, Civic Engagement, and a Healthy Democracy." Dr. Molyneaux has a strong desire keep youth who are disproportionately represented in justice systems off the school-to-prison pipeline; therefore, Dr. Molyneaux aids youth of minority backgrounds in discovering new and more adaptive ways to cope and express themselves. Not only does Dr. Molyneaux work with youth to prevent entry into the school-to-prison pipeline, but she also provides therapeutic services to adult individuals who were formerly incarcerated. Outside of her work, you can find Dr. Molyneaux enjoying activities with family and friends such as painting, attending basketball games, hosting movie nights, or attending concerts and the theater.
Clinical Interests: Dr. Molyneaux’s clinical interests are depression, anxiety, trauma, personal growth, multiculturalism, women’s empowerment, social-emotional learning, restorative justice, and life transitions.
Disclosure statement: Dr. Molyneaux serves as a consultant for Students Taking Action Together and is co-author of the book "Students Taking Action Together"
Contact Us
For questions, please contact: ce@gsapp.rutgers.edu
Continuing Education Information
Rutgers Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology (GSAPP) is approved by the National Association of School Psychologists to offer professional development for school psychologists. Rutgers Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology (GSAPP) maintains responsibility for the program.
LMFT/MFT and LPC/LAC Licensed in New Jersey: Programs approved by the American Psychological Association are acceptable sources of continuing education credits. Please see https://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/regulations/Chapter-34-Subchapters-10-31-Professional-Counselors.pdf, Section: 13:34-15.4 APPROVAL OF COURSES OR PROGRAMS on page 27. For all other professional licenses and certifications, please reference your issuing state board regulations regarding reciprocity of continuing education credits.
Rutgers Graduate School of Applied & Professional Psychology is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Rutgers Graduate School of Applied & Professional Psychology maintains responsibility for this program and its content.