The Health Science Center will host Barbara Coloroso, renowned author of “The Bully, the Bullied and the Bystander,” for a workshop and lecture on Thursday, Jan. 26.
Coloroso is an internationally recognized speaker and author on parenting, teaching, school discipline, nonviolent conflict resolution and reconciliatory justice. She serves as a consultant and contributor to The Today Show (NBC), The Early Show (CBS), CNN and The Oprah Winfrey Show. She is also the recipient of the 1996 Pope John XXIII International Award for Humanitarian Efforts. Her latest book and workshop address the issue of bullying, and provide educators and parents of preschool to high school students with guidance on how to break the cycle of abusive behavior among children in schools.
The workshop for parents, educators and other interested individuals will last from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Jan. 26 at the Health Science Center’s Children’s Cancer Research Institute. Advance registration for the workshop is $85, and includes lunch and continuing professional education credit of 4.75 hours. Day-of registration is $100.
Coloroso will also deliver a free lecture for parents at 6 p.m. the same day in the Health Science Center auditorium. To register for the event, call Maria Peche at the Health Science Center at (210) 567-7036.
“Bullying is one of the most-serious concerns facing students today, regardless of age,” said Kristen Plastino, M.D., assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology and coordinator of the Health Science Center Sex Education Program, which provides young people with medically accurate information about why it is best to delay sexual activity until beyond the teen years. “Kids who are bullied tend to experiment with high-risk behaviors, such as alcohol use and teen sex, as a way of fitting in so as to not be bullied. This is why the Sex Education Program is hosting Ms. Coloroso’s visit to our city.”
Kathleen Schenken, a mother of two school-age children in San Antonio, said, “My hope is that this workshop and parent lecture will help teachers, counselors and parents to assist our children in dealing with adversity in a nonviolent and productive way.” Schenken was instrumental in acquiring funding to bring in Coloroso.
Attendees will have a chance to purchase Coloroso’s books and ask her to sign them.