Parents Association | Special Guest Speaker
Founders Hall - Robert Jay Theater - RJTheatre
Parent Association Meeting 6:30 - 7:00
Speaker 7:00 - 8:30
Communicating with Boys
An interactive workshop where we’ll practice active listening and learn how to better communicate with our adolescent sons
This special workshop is offered by the Parents Association to parents of Saint John's students.
Facilitator: Dr. Ellen Porter Honnet
Stanley H. King Counseling Institute for Independent Secondary Schools
- Ellen Porter Honnet, Ed.D., is the Institute Director and a psychologist with expertise in cross-cultural issues, adolescent sexuality and listening skills. Working with teens and young adults, her training was at the Harvard and Wellesley College Health Services. She was for several years a residential dean and Assistant Dean for Co-education/Sexual Harassment Hearing Officer at Harvard College.
- Stanley H. King Counseling Institute - Started in 1963 by clinicians from the Harvard University Mental Health Service, the Stanley H. King Counseling Institute summer workshops (formerly at Northfield, now at the Brooks School MA and Fountain Valley School CO) focus on adolescent development and a form of counseling students that we call “counseling on the run.” The Institute faculty (psychologists and social workers) are committed to working with independent schools and believe that teachers have the innate capacity to listen to young people. This model of listening is not therapy, although it is therapeutic. It helps all students clarify feelings; develop emotional resilience and relational skills. It deepens their connection with teachers and promotes their own emotional and intellectual growth. It serves to support the entire social/emotional program in independent schools, working in conjunction with the counseling staff. It is not intended to meet the needs of deeply troubled youth although participants gain the ability to recognize serious problems and refer struggling students for help. Therefore it strongly reinforces and supports school counseling programs by getting kids to the help they need in the most caring way.
To register, please contact Parent Association Co-Chairs Paula Curran Hayeck and Lisa Genatossio by Monday, October 3.
Library Director Stephanie O’Donnell can answer all questions about this speaker and program content, and can be reached at sodonnell@stjohnshigh.org.
