Thriving in the Age of Digital Distraction: Teaching and Supporting Youth for a Healthy and Safe Digital World (Series Begins Jan. 5, 2024)

For this webinar series, participants will automatically be enrolled in all 5 sessions.

SpeakerS

Description

This webinar addresses current issues impacting youth living in today’s digital world. What are the harms? What are the benefits? How do we maximize the positive while mitigating the challenges for our students as well as ourselves? The topics presented focus on the impact of social media on mental health, mindfulness as a strategy for digital wellbeing, the power of youth advocacy, and digital wellness practices to implement with yourself, students and families. 

To receive PDPs and CEUs, participants must attend all 5 sessions and successfully pass a quiz following Session 5. Following the live webinar, registrants will be emailed a link to view the recorded webinar. The recording will be made available for 7 days after each session. If you are not eligible for PDPs and/or CEUs, you may apply for a Certificate of Attendance.

About the Speakers

Wendy P. Bamatter, PhD, is a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) for adolescents and young adults. In addition to working with individuals struggling with pervasive emotion dysregulation and high-risk behaviors, Dr. Bamatter is also committed to providing affirming care to gender and sexual minority individuals. Dr. Bamatter completed post-doctoral fellowships at the Yale School of Medicine and McLean Hospital/Harvard Medical School.

Lisa MacDonald, M.Ed., is the Director of Equity Compliance at MassBay Community College where she serves as the institution’s Title IX Coordinator and Affirmative Action Officer. As a member of the College’s equity leadership team, she provides ongoing education on harassment and discrimination prevention, serves as an investigator for harassment and discrimination complaints, and is currently co-chairing the College’s Review of Policies and Procedures for Systemic Racism. Prior to arriving at MassBay, Lisa was primarily in Student Affairs at small private institutions where she served as the Director of Residence Life at Babson College (2006-2012) and Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs/Director of Student Conduct at Curry College (2012-2018). Passionate about creating positive relationships and fostering confidence in others, Lisa has her own consulting business, Elleminc (pronounced Ell-Em-Ink) where she provides businesses and organizations with training, coaching, and best practices on how to engage in difficult conversations and have confidence in conflict. She resides in Natick, Mass., with her husband and daughter.

Susan Reynolds, M.Ed., has over 20 years of experience in academic technology and digital wellbeing. In 2007 Susan founded ABC Legacy: Atoms to Bits Children’s Legacy which generated the Look Up Foundation, committed to empowering teens and college students to join together to change their relationship to technology. As a teacher whose passion has always been to inspire her students to become change agents, she hopes to empower the next generation to find and implement these solutions. 

Membership Information

Most MPY webinars are available ONLY to current staff from member districts and organizations. Public school memberships include police and fire personnel. Former and retired employees and members of committees, including but not limited to, PTO/PTA, PAC, School Improvement Councils, Health Councils, Drug/Alcohol Councils, and school volunteers, are not considered MPY members.

PDPs and CEUs

MPY is an approved Professional Development Provider through the Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education (Provider No. F20180079). Professional Development Points (PDPs) are offered for most MPY professional development webinars. PDPs are issued in 10 hour increments, per DESE requirements.

Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are available for clinical staff through the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) and the Massachusetts Mental Health Counselors Association, Inc. (MaMHCA). The NASW and the MaMHCA approve each event individually. CEUs may be given in hourly increments.

To receive PDPs and CEUs, participants must pass the quiz following Session 5.

Event Cancellation Policy

If you are unable to attend a MPY webinar you must cancel, through Bonnie Mullen at bonnie@mpyinc.org, one business day before the webinar.

For MPY hybrid conferences, the date in-person registration closes will be posted on MPY’s website. Virtual conference registration will close one business day before the hybrid conference. You cannot cancel or switch your registration from in-person to virtual after in-person registration closes. Please email Bonnie Mullen at bonnie@mpyinc.org with any questions regarding registration.