Thriving Schools: Preventing Bullying & Promoting Well-Being with Prof. Jonathan Cohen
In a timely and thought-provoking lecture hosted by Columbia Global Center Istanbul, Dr. Jonathan Cohen—Adjunct Professor at Columbia University’s Teachers College and co-president of the International Observatory for School Climate and Violence Prevention—offered powerful insights into how to build strong and caring school communities that foster student engagement, well-being, and lifelong learning.
Bringing together parents, educators, and school administrators, this interactive webinar examined the essential elements of safe, inclusive, and thriving school environments. Dr. Cohen drew on decades of clinical, educational, and research experience to explore how emotional safety, social responsibility, and authentic community engagement shape the future of education.
Speaker:
— Dr. Jonathan Cohen, Adjunct Professor of Psychology and Education, Teachers College, Columbia University
Presented by Columbia Global Center Istanbul in collaboration with Anchor Schools
00:00 – Opening remarks: Framing the need for caring school communities
01:24 – Introducing Dr. Jonathan Cohen and his global work in education
03:36 – What makes a “thriving school”? Insights from ChatGPT and student perspectives
06:02 – The science of student learning: Social, emotional, and academic dimensions
08:03 – Teaching by example: Parents and teachers as emotional educators
10:01 – The hidden curriculum: Confusion, vulnerability, and emotional safety
11:13 – The role of school climate in student success and well-being
13:03 – Three dimensions of school climate: System-wide, instructional, and relational
14:49 – Building social responsibility: Responding when others are being hurt
16:04 – A vision for change: What kind of school do we want to be?
18:05 – From vision to action: Understanding strengths and challenges
20:04 – Inclusive goal setting: Why collaboration matters
22:05 – The power of student voice in school improvement
23:00 – Why “bullying” is the wrong frame: Broader safety challenges in schools
25:35 – From conflict to mental health: The spectrum of safety issues
27:29 – Gender, consent, and harassment: Gray zones and difficult conversations
28:59 – Tools for schools: Free resources for climate assessment and improvement
30:05 – Upstanders vs. bystanders: Fostering a culture of responsibility
31:01 – School climate and learning standards: Benchmarks for growth
32:05 – From reactivity to strategy: Proactive school leadership
33:17 – Creating a learning community: Continuous reflection and renewal
34:00 – Final thoughts and transition to audience Q&A
34:04 – Transition to audience Q&A
34:11 – Philanthropy and self-identification in late Ottoman Egypt
36:27 – School culture and community in diverse societies
38:16 – How educators can respond to national trauma in schools
40:12 – Addressing violence in schools: Reactive or preventative?
41:37 – Managing parental anxiety and academic stress
44:10 – Equity in practice: School resources and marginalized students
47:06 – Turkish context: Education challenges in public vs. private schools
49:11 – The role of empathy in teaching difficult histories
52:02 – Cultural change in schools: What drives real transformation?
54:31 – Strategies for engaging teachers in community-building
57:05 – Closing thoughts: The lifelong ripple effect of school climate
59:04 – Final audience questions and reflections
1:01:11 – Moderator thanks and event close
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