Sireen Sawalha is a high school Social studies teacher who teaches United States History, AP Human Geography, CP Human Geography, and Genocide studies. Her education includes a Master Of Arts in Teaching and a Bachelor of Liberal Arts and Social Studies from Rider University. She has provided professional development sessions with NJHEART addressing anti-Muslim discrimination […]
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Carol Watchler is a retired high school teacher who has worked extensively with local, state, and national LGBTQIA+ advocacy organizations including the National Education Association, NJEA, GLSEN, and the Bayard Rustin Center for Social justice., establishing supportive policy, guiding the development over more than a decade for New Jersey’s statewide GSA Forum and offering empowering […]
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Chris Budin, In collaboration with national and local LGBTQIA+ organizations in the fight for LGBTQIA+ justice and equality, Chris has lead community workshops on anti-bullying, suicide prevention, workplace safety, mental health, disability justice, racial, religious & cultural competency awareness, utilizing moments of social and cultural change as educational opportunities. Chris is on the 501c3 Board […]
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Dr. Phyllis Alongi, Ph.D., LPC, ACS, is a Licensed Professional Counselor and has numerous years of counseling experience with children, adolescents, and adults in both Partial Care and Intensive outpatient, and school settings. She is a former educator with over 15 years of teaching experience. Dr. Phyl obtained her doctoral degree in Integral and Transpersonal […]
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Dr. Patricia (Trish) Heindel is a professor of psychology and Dean of the School of Professional Studies at Saint Elizabeth University (SEU). She is director of the University’s Center for Human and Social Development and the co-director of SEU’s School Culture and Climate Initiative with Elizabeth Warner. In addition, she and Maurice Elias, Ph.D., professor […]
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Christopher Donoghue is a Professor of Sociology at Montclair State University where he also directs the Master’s in Social Research and Analysis. He earned his Ph.D. in Sociology at Fordham University. He is the Editor of The Sociology of Bullying: Power, Status and Aggression Among Adolescents. Dr. Donoghue recently served on an international panel for UNESCO […]
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Jill Marie Kuppel is the School Climate State Coordinator with the New Jersey Department of Education serving as a resource to parents, students, and educators in the areas of school climate and the Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act. Prior joining the NJDOE, Mrs. Kuppel served as a school counselor for 22 years in a K-8 […]
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Jeanette Torruella is a Licensed Associate Counselor and has over two decades of expertise as a seasoned New York City school counselor. She played a pivotal role as a member of the city-wide crisis team and spearheaded arts-and-counseling workshops for both counselors and high school students. As a teaching artist, Jeanette has empowered incarcerated teens through writing […]
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Dr. Lindsay Warren is a high school social studies teacher and adjunct instructor who teaches courses on gender studies, the Holocaust and genocide studies, and United States history. Dr. Warren’s education includes The College of New Jersey (BA), Drew University (MLitt & DLitt), and Rutgers University (Master Teacher Institute on Holocaust Education). For nearly two […]
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Ellen S. Bass is Of Counsel to the Busch Law Group. She is the Retired Acting Director of the New Jersey Office of Administrative Law and served as an Administrative Law Judge for thirteen years. Prior to her appointment to the bench, Ellen was In-House Counsel to the South Orange-Maplewood Board of Education, represented local […]
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Scott Hirschfeld is the Lead Curriculum Specialist for DCR’s Education and Training Unit, where he develops educational programs on civil rights and anti-bias topics. Previously, Scott served as Senior Director of Education and Youth Engagement for UNICEF USA, Director of Curriculum and Training for the Anti-Defamation League, and Director of Education for GLSEN (Gay, Lesbian and […]
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Kalisha Smith (she/hers) is a New Jersey licensed clinical social worker, a NJ certified social work clinical supervisor, and a licensed minister. She is committed to helping people be empowered to live in their place of spiritual, physical, and emotional purpose. Kalisha has been privileged to work in the social service profession for the past […]
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Susan Tellone is a Certified School Nurse and health educator with a Masters degree in nursing and a Bachelor’s degree in mental health and rehabilitation. She has been working as a psychiatric nurse for the past 40 years with an emphasis on suicide prevention. She worked in the Emergency rooms of Monmouth Medical as one […]
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Lorraine Gehrig Mullins, LCSW is the Vice President for Care Plus NJ’s School Based Services. She holds a Masters in Social Work from New York University. Additionally, she is certified by the National Academy of Sports Medicine as a personal trainer. Her 25+ years of experience includes the provision of direct clinical services for youth […]
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Mercy Villa is a queer non-binary teaching artist, facilitator and community organizer from Hudson County, NJ. For the past 4 years, Mercy’s community-healing work has been rooted in creating in-person and virtual programming that supports the holistic wellness, protection and empowerment of Queer & Trans youth locally and nationally. Mercy collaborates with high schools, universities […]
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Jane Webber, Ph.D., LPC is a Fellow of the American Counseling Association, a Licensed Professional Counselor and an international advocate for disaster and trauma counseling. She recently retired from Kean University where she led the development of the trauma-informed Ph.D. in Counseling and Supervision program. Jane is a cofounder of the International Association for Resilience […]
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Randy Nathan (aka) Coach Randy is an international expert on Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying. He is the New Jersey State Representative of the Olweus Anti-Bullying Program of Clemson University and an Adjunct Professor within the Rutgers University School of Social Work. He travels the country focusing on Diversity, Inclusion and Equity, while simultaneously addressing bullying […]
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Jose Luis is a licensed counselor who brings significant years of experience in the areas of trauma-informed care, intimate partner violence, crisis intervention, and diversity, equity, and inclusion training within higher education. Jose received his Masters of Education from William Paterson University of New Jersey with a specialization in mental health.
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