Discussions with the Director
Shileste Overton Morris, chief program officer at the Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit and director at Center for Schools and Communities hosts Discussions with the Director. These discussions share how our core values connect with our work at CSC.
Each month Dr. Overton Morris sit down with a professional who exemplifies one or more of our core values which are service to others, equity in action, passion for excellence and innovation for growth.
Exploring STEM Opportunities for Girls
Tumi Ojo, Pennsylvania’s Million Girls Moonshot Flight Crew member, shares what drew her to STEM—curiosity, creativity, and the chance to solve real-world challenges—and highlights how diversity drives innovation in the field. For young girls aspiring to STEM careers, Tumi offers valuable advice: embrace your curiosity, ask questions fearlessly, and seek mentors who support your growth.
Taking Actions Against Racism
Danielle Hatchimonji and Zumana Noor of Nemours Children Health discuss their Taking Actions Against Racism project, which includes educator training in five anti-racism actions: talking about, recognizing, disrupting, coping with, and healing from racism. Through these skills, they aim to improve student experiences and promote racial equity in education, addressing challenges such as educator discomfort and the need for holistic integration of social and emotional learning with equity efforts.
Celebrating Migrant Education Program Graduate Alanna Ramirez
Anna Ramirez, a recent graduate of Shikellamy High School and the Pennsylvania Migrant Education Program, shares her journey of overcoming language barriers and achieving a 4.0 GPA. Her message to other migrant students emphasizes focusing on long-term goals beyond learning English, and she credits her perseverance to her mother, the Migrant Education Program, and her own determination to succeed.
Expanding the Understanding of Resilience
Dr. Harper Browne shares insights on expanding resilience beyond the individual, focusing on protective factors like social connections, emotional competence, and community support. Our discussion emphasizes the importance of creating supportive environments for all families, advocating for a shift from a deficit-focused model to a strengths-based approach, encouraging collective resilience and post-traumatic growth.
The Power of Youth Mentoring to Transform Lives
Armand King, founder of Walk with Me Impact, discusses his mentorship work with youth and adults from marginalized communities, focusing on leadership, job readiness, and life skills. Through his programs, he has positively transformed many lives, driven by personal loss and the desire to break cycles of violence and incarceration, leaving a lasting legacy of empowerment and resilience.
From Migrant Student to Entrepreneur
Entrepreneur and storyteller Samantha Ramirez-Herrera shares her journey from migrant student to award-winning filmmaker, highlighting the influence of mentors who recognized her potential and the resilience she developed through personal struggles. She encourages students to pursue their own dreams unapologetically, emphasizing the importance of self-reflection, courage, and the power of community support in achieving personal success.
Emotional Intelligence and Workplace Stress
Dr. Sonia Toledo, founder of Dignity of Children, discusses the importance of emotional intelligence in managing workplace stress and its critical role in educational settings. Through insights on self-awareness, self-management, social consciousness, and relationship management, she emphasizes the power of personal growth for effective leadership and improved outcomes in afterschool programs serving low-income communities.
Supporting Mental Health Needs of Educators and Students
Our discussion highlights the Center for Safe Schools’ efforts to address mental health challenges in schools, including decreasing stigma, meeting the growing need for services, and supporting teachers and students through tailored programs like the Self-care Institute. Michelle Kern, Safe Schools Coordinator, emphasizes the importance of resources such as suicide prevention training and data tools to help schools manage mental health demands and navigate evolving educational mandates.
Supporting Expectant and Parenting Students
The Education Leading to Employment and Career Training (ELECT) program, a Pennsylvania initiative, provides young parents with essential resources to support their educational and personal growth, leading to impressive outcomes in graduation rates and reduced repeat pregnancies. Nichole [Fisher] Hartman, ELECT’s Youth Development Coordinator, emphasizes the importance of collaborative community support and advocacy for both the students and the staff who guide them.
National Adoption Month
Our discussion with Jan Scherer, Statewide Adoption Network Helpline Supervisor, highlights the work of the SWAN Helpline in supporting prospective adoptive and foster parents in Pennsylvania, especially in light of National Adoption Month. The team provides essential resources, matching services, and post-adoption support, making Pennsylvania a model state for child welfare initiatives.
Bullying Prevention Month
In a discussion about the evolution of bullying prevention, Leah Galkowski from the Center for Safe Schools emphasized the shift from labeling children as bullies or victims to focusing on behaviors, as well as the increased impact of social media on bullying. She also highlighted the importance of involving parents and caregivers in prevention efforts and the necessity for schools to have effective policies and programs in place to address bullying incidents.
Celebrating CSC’s 35th Anniversary
Our discussion commemorates the 35th anniversary of the Center for Schools and Communities, focusing on its evolution and impact under the leadership of former director Lynn Cromley and current director Shileste Overton Morris. They reflect on key trends from CSC’s history and share their visions for the future, with Cromley highlighting the Center’s growth through data-driven initiatives and partnerships, and underscoring the significance of collaboration in meeting educational needs and adapting to new challenges, particularly in the post-COVID landscape.
Innovating for High Quality Afterschool Programs
Contrell Armor, director of the Pennsylvania Statewide Afterschool Youth Development Network (PSAYDN), discusses the importance of afterschool programs in Pennsylvania, highlighting a 2021 report that shows every dollar invested in such programs saves $6.69 in related youth development costs. He emphasizes PSAYDN’s focus on sustainability, quality, and policy advocacy to enhance access to quality programming, while also addressing issues like summer learning loss and the need for high-quality staff support.
Supporting Migrant Students’ Academic Success
In this conversation, Shileste Overton Morris speaks with Jose Reyes Lua, the statewide recruiter for the Migrant Education Program, about the program’s impact and his personal connection to it. Jose shares his journey from being a participant in the program to now supporting migrant families, emphasizing the importance of identifying and recruiting eligible students to ensure they receive vital educational services and opportunities.
Foster Care Month
Matt Butensky, youth development project manager, discusses his work supporting students in foster care, emphasizing the importance of school stability and equitable access to education. In honor of National Foster Care Month, he highlights a campaign aimed at raising awareness and celebrating the resilience of these students, while advocating for a shift in perspective from identifying problems to understanding the trauma they face.
A Strengths-based Approach to Child Well-being
Karen Shanoski, director of family support and community engagement at Center for Schools and Communities, discusses her work in promoting child well-being through evidence-based programs that empower families and strengthen protective factors. She emphasizes a shift from merely preventing child abuse to fostering a holistic approach to child development, highlighting the importance of community involvement and addressing systemic challenges families face.
Finding Common Ground in Social and Emotional Learning
Dr. Maurice Elias discusses the importance of social and emotional learning (SEL) and its role in fostering essential skills for all students, emphasizing that every child deserves access to quality SEL experiences regardless of their background. He highlights the goals of the SEL4US initiative to advocate for effective SEL practices in schools and encourages collaboration to ensure that educational environments are supportive and nurturing for all children.
Supporting School Resource Officers
Joey Melvin, director of Center for Safe Schools (CSS) discusses the essential role of school resource officers (SROs) in ensuring school safety, emphasizing their multifaceted responsibilities that include law enforcement, education, and counseling. He highlights CSS’ commitment to supporting SROs through training and resources tailored to address the diverse needs of communities across Pennsylvania and beyond, while also recognizing the significance of national collaboration in enhancing school safety initiatives.
CSC’s MLK PEACE Project
In this discussion, Contrell Armor, youth development coordinator [now PSAYDN’s director], highlights the MLK PEACE Project, which fosters community partnerships to promote education, advocacy, and equity for children and families. He shares past initiatives, such as creating resource spaces at local shelters and engaging youth in meaningful service activities, emphasizing the project’s commitment to addressing systemic challenges and empowering organizations that support underserved communities.