Pamela Cantor, M.D. Presents at NASBE Webinar

Photo Credit: NASBE

Turnaround for Children Founder and Senior Science Advisor, Pamela Cantor, M.D.  presented at the National Association of State Boards of Education (NASBE) webinar, “Promoting Whole Child Development amid Pandemic Recovery.”

Cantor joined a panel of experts which included Philip Fisher of the University of Oregon and John B. King Jr. of The Education Trust to discuss how education systems can be designed today, and in the future, to address the needs of all children. Robert Hull, CEO and President of NASBE moderated the panel.

During the webinar, Cantor shared insights on how policy leaders and practitioners can leverage insights from the science of learning and development to create educational settings that support whole-child development. She spoke about the physical and economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic, how the nationwide unrest in the wake of the killing of George Floyd can be traumatic for students, and how these events particularly impacted students of Color. Cantor shared The Three Rs: Relationships, Routines and Resilience which offer ways to protect adults and children from the stress of the times.

Fisher discussed findings from the Rapid Assessment of Pandemic Impact on Development – Early Childhood (RAPID – EC), a weekly survey he created to evaluate the social-emotional impact that the pandemic on young children and their families.

King Jr. shared the policy implications of what Cantor and Fisher had discussed and made a call for greater investment in social, emotional support for young people and a more diverse teaching workforce. Hull urged state board members to take an active role in advocacy within their own states.

The webinar was attended by state board members, leaders, teachers, principals, administrators and health education professionals from across the country.

Watch the webinar here.