Dr. Raquel Sosa (she/her) is an Assistant Professor in Psychology at The College of New Jersey (TCNJ). She earned her PhD in Counseling Psychology from Lehigh University. Raquel is a daughter of Mexican immigrants, and her career interests are heavily tied to her personal values and life experiences. Her research lab, the Latine Liberation lab, […]
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Tom McHale has taught English and journalism at a large public high school in New Jersey for over 20 years. He is a graduate of Temple University and holds a Master’s degree in English Ed from Arcadia University and a Masters in Journalism Education from Kent State University. Tom is the president of the Garden […]
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Dr. Liz McHugh is a clinical and school psychologist with the New Jersey Pediatric Psychiatry Collaborative (PPC). She is also an Assistant Professor at Hackensack School of Medicine and trains future psychologists in assessment, collaboration, and supporting children in their schools. Dr. McHugh provides thorough neurodevelopmental assessments to children and adolescents as part of the […]
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Julie Starega is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Founder of Healing Hearts, Growing Minds Counseling, LLC. With over 15 years of experience supporting children, adolescents, and families across school, hospital, and private practice settings, Julia specializes in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), parent coaching, play-based and creative child therapy, and strength-based, repair-oriented approaches that make […]
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Jose L. Posos, M.Ed., LPC is the Executive Director of Circle of Care for Families and Children of Passaic County, leading a team that serves nearly 1,000 youth and families each month with complex behavioral health needs. A licensed professional counselor, Jose brings experience across clinical practice, higher education, and public systems. His work focuses […]
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Dr. McNichol has worn many hats throughout her career in educational leadership, including Director of Student Life and Services, Affirmative Action Officer, Liaison to Homeless Families, Peer Leadership Coordinator, and Anti-Bullying Coordinator. Through these roles, she became a dedicated advocate for students and families and developed a deep understanding of the growing challenges of bullying and […]
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Alma A. Godinez is a Senior Attorney at the New Jersey Consortium for Immigrant Children (NJCIC). Alma leads NJCIC’s Rapid Response Initiative, which seeks to provide representation and services to youth at high risk of removal. Before NJCIC, Alma was a Staff Attorney at Kids in Need of Defense (KIND) for two years where she […]
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Darrell DeTample is a high school social studies teacher with 23 years of experience and a part-time lecturer at Rutgers University Graduate School of Education. He is a Teach Asian American Stories Ambassador, having completed a one year Fellowship program with AAPI New Jersey and Fairleigh Dickinson University. Darrell received his EdD from Rutgers University […]
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After decades spearheading groundbreaking initiatives in education, Alisha De Lorenzo has emerged as a guiding force in reshaping the way schools cut through the noise, lean into positive disruption, and solve for the disengagement, disconnection, disparities, and declining morale plaguing our communities. Alisha has come to believe that the only way we fight overwhelm and […]
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Alysia Colón began her role as Policy Analyst at the New Jersey Consortium for Immigrant Children in 2023. In her position, she strives to uplift the voices of immigrant youth through community outreach, youth programming, and coalition-building. Before NJCIC, Colón earned her degree in Public Service from the University of Pittsburgh. In 2021, she was awarded […]
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Anne Gregory is a professor in School Psychology at Rutgers University. She advances research in the area of racial and gender disparities in school discipline and is currently examining school-wide restorative practices and equity-oriented social and emotional learning. Through program development and evaluation, she aims to improve educational settings and reduce differential access to supportive […]
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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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