Bullying Prevention: A Saint Rose Symposium

By ABIGAIL GUENTHER
Staff Writer

On Nov. 22, the School Psychology Association at The College of Saint Rose partnered with the New York Association of School Psychologists (NYASP) Chapter J to host a forum led by Amanda Nickerson. 

The forum was held from nine to three in the Lally School of Education and sought to increase knowledge about bullying prevention and navigate ways to holistically improve school climate. 

Nickerson, a native New Yorker, currently works at the University of Buffalo as a professor and the director of the Dr. Jean M. Alberti Center for the Prevention of Bullying Abuse and School Violence. She is also a fellow of the American Psychology Association and is Coordinator of Research for the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) School Safety and Crisis Prevention Committee. 

The audience was made up of people from several levels of experience; many were licensed school psychologists, school administrators, or counselors, but college students as well. 

The presentation led by Nickerson was engaging for all, with videos showing real examples of abuse of power by schools who simply didn’t react in beneficial ways, and by allowing professionals to share their own advice and experiences. 

With so many professionals available to offer input and trade experiences, the college students in the audience received much more than what they paid for. Not only did students receive professional information, Nickerson’s personal resources, but they also listened to dozens of stories representing schools from around the state.

“Our attention [to bullying] is making a difference,” said Nickerson to her audience, “but we’re all here for a reason. We live in a hierarchical society.” The work isn’t done. 

Nickerson’s presentation first differentiated the difference between bullying and other relationship problems. She began the presentation by focusing her definition of bullying on protection rather than confrontation. 

“It’s about unwanted behavior,” said Nickerson. “I prefer to focus on the fact that the behavior is unwanted by the victim rather than malicious intent of the perpetrator.” 

From the very beginning, Nickerson made it clear that her passion was for the wellbeing of students and those sharing her cause, not to do away with efficiency issues in schools. 

“Some school districts don’t want to know [about bullying incidents], because they don’t have the resources to handle the problem,” said Andrew Shanock, the department chair of the School Psychology Department at Saint Rose. Shanock is also former president of the NASP.

Shanock had invited Nickerson to speak at Touhey Forum. Though it was Nickerson’s first time at Saint Rose, it is not the first opportunity for professional development coordinated by Shanock and the School Psychology Department. The opportunity for professional development, made possible by the interaction of the School Psychology Department and NYASP is an annual one.

Such an opportunity allows professionals, representing many different schools from urban, suburban, and rural areas, to unite under a single vision for children. 

Tammy Sheldon, a school home liaison representing an elementary school in Syracuse, spoke for the audience when she thanked Nickerson and Shanock for the opportunity. 

“We’re looking to improve our skills, improve our practice, and develop the skills that we have,” said Sheldon.

For college students, forums like this one provide insight into both the overall goals and challenges faced by those working in their field, and the dirty details that make opportunities to come together to problem solve so necessary. 

In an interview, Nickerson suggested that college school climate would improve if students took initiative to keep the vulnerabilities of those around them in focus. To prospective professionals, she encouraged students to “keep current by going to trainings and being involved in professional organizations.” 

For students, the forum served two purposes. Certainly, to inform about bullying as a prevalent and relevant problem in schools everywhere, but also to inform students that the pursuit of any goal is in need of constant update and intentionality.

Everyone in the Touhey Forum on Nov. 22 shared the interest of defining and supporting children who cannot defend and support themselves. Nickerson sought to equip those who equip children. 

For students seeking opportunities to change the world around them, growth opportunities are there. But they cannot grow if they don’t seek opportunities to do so.