Who are you and what are your practitioner sites?
Lauren Colwell, MA, LMHC. I work in WPS as a SEL Focused Instructional Coach in the Office of Culture and Climate, supporting district wide mental health, social emotional, wellness, trauma-informed, and restorative practices to our city’s public K-12 schools. I also work as an outpatient mental health clinician at Gentles Counseling, and teach a graduate course for school counselors at Assumption University, Consultation and Collaboration.
What inspired you to join the Doctoral Program in Transformative Education?
I’ve been inspired by many factors, including my previous connections to Clark, ambition to support growth in WPS, and calling to do more for equity during dangerous times. I first studied at Clark to earn my Bachelor’s in Psychology and Spanish; coming back home to again study at the University means a lot to me. My career in WPS has also opened my eyes to areas of significant success and progress, but also areas in which I’d like to learn more about how we can do better for the children and families that we serve. And finally the current political climate is more divided than ever, and our country’s most vulnerable populations are at risk. I want to be a part of learning ways to use education as a lever of positive change and hope.
What do you hope to accomplish in the future?
I hope that this program will help me find the right tools, knowledge, and research to support the well being of students, families, and staff in WPS but also my own personal growth. Education is key!