AASSA Educators’ Conference 2012

Arnold Spokane

"Rebuilding Motivation for School Following Conflict and Disaster:

Lessons from Liberia and Katrina"

Presenter Name: Arnold Spokane

School/Organization:  Lehigh University 

Presenter Contact Info--Email:    ars1@lehigh.edu  

Website:   

Presentation Description:  Schools close following disaster and conflict---sometimes for a few days or weeks, and in war-torn environments for years.  In the interim, students, families and teachers adapt in ways that may compromise motivation and concentration for learning and attendance.  One moderate-term situation (Katrina) and one long term situation (Liberia) are contrasted, and strategies for addressing mental health concerns that affect student, teacher, and administrator behavior, and specific interventions for improving motivation for learning will be discussed.

Date:  Saturday, March 17, 2012 

Materials and resources: List materials and resources used in your Presentation session...

• aspokane_aassa.pptx 

Presenter Bio:

Arnie is Professor of Counseling Psychology at Lehigh University.  A licensed psychologist and Diplomate of the American Board of Professional Psychology, Arnie’s most recent writing focuses on public health and cross-cultural aspects of community design and restoration following natural and man-made disasters, war, and conflict.  Arnie teaches graduate courses on community design, disaster mental health and counseling interventions. He was Co-PI on a 5.5 million dollar NIH longitudinal Investigation of Hispanic Elders Behavioral Health, served two tours with Department of Health and Human Services following Hurricane Katrina, and continues ongoing work with the American Red Cross in local and national disasters.  Arnie has a forthcoming article on the Role of Counseling Psychologists following disasters.