In today�s world � with our youth on the one hand growing older quicker and on the other hand not reaching adulthood until later than years before � challenging students in a supportive environment (ala Arthur Chickering and others) is vitally important.
In the turbulent times of today, we must create a safe community, a safe haven for learning and intellectual discussion, coupled with an environment of personal growth. Safety � and a sense of safety and security � above all.
I bring a unique mix to the table in this realm. I hold master�s degrees in both counseling and national security. I am a certified instructor with the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation and FranklinCovey. I also have a graduate certificate in emergency management. School violence, terrorist attacks, and the United States at war all demand schools develop plans and programs for crisis intervention, traumatic events, and emergency response. And, we need to integrate our students in these plans. As a counselor or dean of students, I would place this as a significant priority.
What would such a program look like? Well, in large measure that would depend on the school, the culture of the school, and current programs and structures. Certainly, such a program would be developmental in nature, would be multi-modal and multi-disciplinary in nature, and would encompass the entire school. In addition, the program would be supportive and in the background, existing only to support the students and the school community.