John Hellwich, Curriculum Director, Peninsula School District, WA
Brandon Bakke, Director of Secondary Education, CharacterStrong
Colton Moore, Junior Curriculum Specialist, CharacterStrong
Grade Band: 6-12
Audience: All Educators
Tier: Tier 1
Room: 318, Session 2
Districts nationwide are grappling with the growing impact of technology on student mental health. This session explores how to address this urgent issue through a collaborative, community-wide approach. Using Jonathan Haidt’s An Anxious Generation as a foundation, Gig Harbor/Key Peninsula’s “A Thriving Generation” campaign offers a real-world case study. Learn how to engage families, educators, and local partners to build a unified response. Objectives include understanding technology’s mental health effects, recognizing the power of school-community partnerships, and developing an action plan. Participants will receive a step-by-step launch guide and a ready-to-use CharacterStrong digital well-being lesson.
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