Each Event is held at Ellen Driscoll Theater, 325 Highland Ave, Piedmont, CA 94611, from 7:30-9pm.
The Education Speaker Series features a mix of local and nationally-known speakers, addressing a range of topics related to raising healthy children and young adults, and promoting collaboration between parents and educators.
THE SERIES WITHIN THE SERIES
This year, the Education Speaker Series received many requests for speakers on teen use of cannabis, alcohol, nicotine, and vaping. This is not surprising, as annual surveys of Piedmont students reveal significant use of these substances, beyond that of surrounding communities with similar demographics. This year’s Series includes a series within the series, addressing: effects of cannabis on the developing brain (Danielle Ramo, PhD); nicotine, vaping, and adolescent health (Bonnie Halpern-Felsher, PhD); and teen drinking (Kristen Anderson, PhD). These speakers will address how these substances affects brain development with short-term and long-term implications, and offer practical strategies for talking with children, teens, and young adults about their use.
Please help sustain the Education Speaker Series with a contribution of $500 and receive two tickets to each of the programs and a thank-you gift from the series. More sponsorship options available. Please contact Info@PiedmontEdFoundation.org for more information.
September 10
“LIKE” A Documentary on the Impacts of Social Media
This documentary film explores the wide-ranging impact of social media on the brain, on our lives, and on society, and offers insights into how we can navigate it more safely. Following the 50-minute film, there will be discussion facilitated by Assistant Superintendent Dr. Cheryl Wozniak.
DEVELOPING EXECUTIVE FUNCTION SKILLS
Sarah Ward, MS
*Note that this is a Wednesday
Children and teens who have trouble with executive function may have challenges in planning ahead, taking initiative, inhibiting impulses, managing time, completing tasks, and seeing “the big picture.” A nationally-recognized expert, Sarah Ward will share strategies and tools for teaching children how to develop independent executive function skills.
ORCHIDS & DANDELIONS: THE SCIENCE OF SENSITIVE KIDS
W. Thomas Boyce, MD
Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Pediatrics and Psychiatry at UCSF, Dr. Thomas Boyce studies and writes about the “dandelion” child -- hardy, resilient, healthy, and able to survive and flourish under most circumstances -- and the “orchid” child -- sensitive, susceptible, fragile. Boyce will explore how genetic make-up and environment together shape behavior and how, with the right support, all children can thrive.
CANNABIS & THE DEVELOPING BRAIN
Danielle Ramo, PhD
During adolescence, the brain undergoes crucial development associated with judgment, critical thinking, problem solving, and memory. A clinical psychologist, Research Director at Hopelab, and Adjunct Associate Professor at UCSF, Dr. Danielle Ramo will explore how cannabis use affects the teen brain and can disrupt brain development with potential long-term implications.
NICOTINE, VAPING & ADOLESCENT HEALTH
Bonnie Halpern-Felsher, PhD
A Professor of Pediatrics and Director of Research in Adolescent Medicine at Stanford University, Dr. Bonnie Halpern-Felsher will address: effects of nicotine on the adolescent brain; youth vulnerability to addiction; health risks of using new pod-based devices like JUUL; why vaping is on the rise; and efforts to reduce youth vaping.
TEEN DRINKING
Kristen G. Anderson, PhD
The Principal Investigator of the Adolescent Health Research Program and a Professor of Psychology at Reed College, Kristen G. Anderson, Ph.D specializes in addictive behaviors relating to substance abuse from late childhood through emerging adulthood. Dr. Anderson will address how teen drinking affects brain development and how to identify and discourage addictive behaviors in adolescents, to help parents develop practical strategies for addressing their teens’ decisions concerning alcohol.
MANAGING ANXIETY AT SCHOOL & HOME
Lynn Lyons, LICSW
With over 28 years of experience as a social worker and psychotherapist specializing in the treatment of anxiety disorders in adults and children, Lynn Lyons offers strategies and techniques for addressing, rather than avoiding, what makes us anxious. She focuses on how to interrupt the worry cycle, and how to change behavioral patterns and cognitive habits that contribute to anxiety and depression.
HOW TO RAISE SUCCESSFUL PEOPLE: HELPING KIDS FIND THEIR OWN PATH
Esther Wojcicki
Esther Wojcicki, an educator, journalist, author, and parent, offers a formula for raising successful people: Trust, Respect, Independence, Collaboration, and Kindness. The opposite of helicopter parenting, she advocates for letting children find their own path. She is the founder of the award-winning Media Arts program at Palo Alto High School, a leader in establishing the Google Teacher Academy, and was California Teacher of the Year in 2002.