April 26, 2006
NSU Experts Weigh in on Bullying
FORT LAUDERDALE-DAVIE, Fla. – As April, the designated Bullying Prevention Month, comes to a close, experts at Nova Southeastern University’s schools of psychology and education provide parents and educators quick steps to curb bullying in their schools and communities.
“In the past, kids could get away from bullies once they reached their own doorsteps. Today, technology, such as text messaging and emails, allow the harassment and victimization to continue around the clock,” said Angela Waguespack, Ph.D., a professor at NSU’s Center for Psychological Studies and the Public Policy & Information Chairperson for the Florida Association of School Psychologists.
Meline Kevorkian, Ed.D., Associate Dean of Master's and Educational Specialist Programs in the Fischler School of Education and Human Services, said: “Time spent in school impacts a great deal of your child’s waking hours and determines a great deal of their personality, confidence, and effort. However, many children do face bullies and teasing on a regular basis and are unprepared to stop or minimize it.”
Kevorkian authored the report, “Bully Busters: 8 Ways to Prevent Our Kids from Becoming the Bully, Victim or Bystander.”
Waguespack authored, “Some Facts on Bullying, and Five Things You Can Do Today to Impact Bullying and its Negative Effects on Children,” on behalf of the Florida Association of School Psychologists.
“The Hidden Cost of Bullying,” was written by Anne Rambo, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Family Therapy, Nova Southeastern University Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences.
For more information on bullying, please contact NSU’s Office of Public Affairs to get in touch with NSU’s experts.
Angela Waguespack, Ph.D., is an assistant professor at NSU’s Center for Psycholgocial Studies. She earned her doctoral degree at Louisiana State University. Her specialties include psychological, psychoeducational and functional behavior assessment; school-based consultation; psychological services within schools; behavioral interventions with children and adolescents.
Anne Hearon Rambo, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Family Therapy in the Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences. She is presently hard at work on SUPERB (Students United with Parents & Educators to Resolve Bullying), a grant funded research project which addresses bullying in schools. Her first book, Practicing Therapy: Exercises for Growing Therapists, came out in 1993, while her second book, I Know My Child Can Do Better: A Frustrated Parent’s Guide to Educational Solutions, came out in 2001. Her research and practice interests involve fostering respect for difference in the practice of psychotherapy, within large institutions like schools, and across cultural and generational boundaries.
Meline Kevorkian, Ed.D., Associate Dean of Master's and Educational Specialist Programs, has been in the field of education since 1989. Her education includes a M.S. in Science Education from Florida International University and the doctorate in Educational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University. Kevorkian’s experience includes teaching and administrative experience in both public and private school from preschool through the university level. She is a columnist for the Broward County edition of the Miami Herald. One of her greater passions in the field of education is to help children through offering easy advice to parents and educators. She is the author of Six Secrets for Parents to Help Their Kids Achieve in School and Preventing Bullying: Helping Kids Form Positive Relationships.
Steven Blinder, Ed.D., University School’s Middle School Director and NSU professor in the Graduate Teachers Education Program. Author of grant-winning project, “The 3 R’s: Respect, Responsibility, and Resiliency—An Anti-Bullying Initiative,” which focuses on creating respect, responsibility, and resiliency through the implementation of a school-wide anti-bullying program. Special attention focuses on the role of bystanders and how to develop a climate of active bystandership.
