As part of Austin Voices' work to support the social and emotional learning needs of Austin’s middle school students, Austin Voices is hosting a special evening dedicated to deepening our understanding of positive youth development. Please join us in welcoming Dr. Michael Nakkula of Harvard University and Dr. Eric Toshalis of California State University, Channel Islands to Austin!

Dr. Nakkula and Dr. Toshalis will be holding a presentation/discussion related to their new book, Understanding Youth: Adolescent Development for Educators.

Topics for Discussion will include:

Risk-taking and creativity: How do teachers, counselors, and social workers conceive of risk and risk taking? How do they engage with it, either through interventions, prevention work, or perhaps classroom activities?

Identity development within the particular domains of race, ethnicity, sexuality, and social class: How do student perceptions of their own identities relate to how they perceive adult professionals in schools (and vice versa)? What are some common areas of (mis)understanding between students and adults in schools? What are some practices that might promote greater understanding?

Resistance in/to school: How might our relationships with youth be both the problem and the solution to academic engagement? Why might adolescents resist us for good reasons? How do we prepare ourselves to engage that resistance in ways that promote development and academic achievement?

For a preview of what is to come, please check out this online interview with Dr. Nakkula and Dr. Toshalis as they discuss their new book:

When: 7:00 – 8:00 on Thursday, February 28th
Where: Martin Middle School Cafeteria
1601 Haskell
Austin, TX 78702

Click here for a downloadable version of the invitation.

Please RSVP by email to Anne Webb or 450-1880 so that we have enough seats and light refreshments for everyone.

Questions? Call us at 450-1880.