Do you feel like keeping up with your kids’ social media is a full-time job? You’re not alone. Parents today have it hard. We’re all playing catch up with the social media world and often feel overwhelmed by how to parent through it. Our first Town Hall on Social Media Parenting was a huge success, and now we’re back excited to host our second Town Hall on Social Media Parenting (we call it 2.0) where parents and experts in our community can come together to discuss kids and social media. This time around you’ll have plenty of time for small group discussion that will be relevant to your family’s needs – whether you’re holding off on social media and devices or all-in. We’ve got local experts for everyone.
Charlotte Smarty Pants is partnering with Charlotte Latin School on October 29th at Charlotte Latin School for this event. All parents from preschool to high school and from any school are welcome to join in on the conversation. Our goal is to bring knowledge, relief, and empowerment to navigate the iGeneration. And guest what? It’s FREE.
We hope you join us because let’s face it: what happens in my kid’s school affects what happens in yours thanks to social media. Meet the panelists here.
Event Details:
When:
Sunday, October 29 from 2-4pm
Where:
Charlotte Latin School
Thies Auditorium
9502 Providence Rd, Charlotte, NC 28277
What to expect:
We’ll start out as one big group then (2) 30-minute breakout session blocks, (4) breakout panels. Panels will repeat for the 2nd session block. When you register, you’ll be prompted to tell us what (2) breakout session topics you plan to attend.
Register here now. Hope to see you there!
Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Our panelists include:
Jen Plym, Founder, Charlotte Smarty Pants
Jen Plym is the mom of four active kids from elementary school to high school. She and her best friend started Charlotte Smarty Pants as a daily blog in 2007 before social media even existed. With Jen’s leadership and vision, CSP now engages thousands of Charlotte parents each month and has become the ultimate parenting resource for our community.
Jen’s passion is connecting Charlotte parents with each other. She is committed to opening the communication lines between all parents and truly believes that when everyone is talking to each other, big things can happen.
Originally from Vero Beach, Florida, Jen graduated from the University of Florida with a BSBA in Marketing. She loves spending time with her family on the beach – especially during sea turtle season – and can be found at any number of Charlotte sporting events cheering on her kids.
Jen has been featured on Charlotte Today, WCNC, Fox News Rising and 107.9 The Link’s Matt & Ramona Show.
Alan Becker, K-12 Educational Technology Dept. Chair., Charlotte Latin School
Alan Becker coordinates K-12 Educational Technology at CLS, where he has been teaching various forms of “digital citizenship” and “media literacy” for the last seventeen years. His specialty is developing and delivering the School’s Digital Citizenship curriculum for students in grades 3-8. In addition, he makes presentations to CLS parents and CLS Upper School students on issues like screen time, digital safety and health, and guidelines for family tech use. Alan is also an Upper School English teacher and cross-country coach, and he serves on the CLS Families & Technology Task Force and the School’s Goal One Strategic Planning Committee.
Lauran Godwin, Charlotte Latin parent
Lauran, a Charlotte Latin parent, sits on the Parent Council and leads the Family Technology Committee where she works closely with parents and the school to promote balanced technology use at Charlotte Latin and in the community. She and her husband have three children – a daughter in 9th grade, a son in 6th grade, and a son in 4th grade – and have experienced the issues many parents face as they try to balance technology within their own homes and families. In the last year, the Family Technology Committee has partnered with Charlotte Latin faculty and administration to enlist multiple experts who have empowered parents and faculty members to engage in dialogue around technology use. A Charlotte native, Lauran graduated from South Mecklenburg High School and received a BA in health promotion from Appalachian State University.
The Fletcher School Technology Department – More details coming soon.
Gwendolyn Henshaw, 6th grade teacher, Holy Trinity Catholic Middle School
Gwendolyn Henshaw is a born and raised Charlottean, who lives out her passion for education as a 6th grade teacher at Holy Trinity Catholic Middle School. She graduated from Charlotte Catholic High School, received her B.A. in Elementary Education from The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, and is back as a Forty-Niner, pursuing a Master’s Degree in School Administration.
Gwendolyn has experienced all types of social media from the beginnings of Myspace to the accessibility of Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and more with the touch of a finger. On a daily basis, she sees the importance to educate about social media, how to use social media, and the effects of it on her students.
When she is not teaching, you can find her cheering her students on at their sporting events and extracurricular activities, or traveling around the world to explore new cultures. Are you curious about what goes on in her classroom?! Follow her on Instagram: @TeachingWithA6thSense!
Joe Hernick, Director of Educational Technology, Charlotte Country Day School
Joe joined Country Day as Director of Educational Technology in 2014. He is a Navy veteran and “second career educator” after working as a technology exec in financial services and publishing sectors. His past roles have included Director of Academic Technology and Dorm Head at Suffield Academy and Director of IT/Computer Studies Chair at the Loomis Chaffee School, both in Connecticut. Joe holds a BA in economics and an MS in information management from Syracuse University. Joe and his wife have two daughters who attend Country Day.
Kaylah Holland, Middle School Technology Facilitator, Google Certified Trainer and Innovator, Charlotte Christian School
Kaylah Holland is the Middle School Instructional Technology Facilitator at Charlotte Christian School as well as a Google Certified Innovator and Google Certified Trainer. In addition to teaching design-based classes of Robotics and Live Broadcasting, she has a vital role of assisting teachers with the integration of technology into the classroom through ample research, lesson planning, and training. Ms. Holland has been at Charlotte Christian for three years and oversees the 1:1 iPad program in the middle school including device management, division protocols, and student training.
Ms. Holland holds a master’s degree in English Literature and in Instructional Design and Technology. She is currently completing her doctoral degree in the field of Instructional Design and Technology at the University of Memphis and is passionate about building an innovative culture for learning.
Gale Osborne, Advancement Director, Charlotte Jewish Day School
Gale Osborne is currently the Advancement Director of the Charlotte Jewish Day School in Charlotte, NC where she has worked since 2010, originally as Development Director. She also serves as Director of Joined in Education, an educational initiative bringing quality professional development and parenting opportunities to the greater Charlotte community. Gale has served on various Boards in the Jewish community, and as President of the Charlotte Jewish Day School. Prior to her work at CJDS, she managed the direct sales division of Scholastic Books from 2000 until 2009. Gales previous work experience is in publishing and merchandising.
Kevin Parks, Principal, Holy Trinity Catholic Middle School
Kevin Parks’ passion for working with middle school students began in 1995 at Holy Trinity Catholic Middle School. He has witnessed the transformation of students with little technology exposure into an age where every student carries a powerful wallet-sized personal computer. This technology transformation has changed the what, when, how and why of schools. As an educator, and parent, he understands the importance of educating youth on responsibly utilizing technological devices in order to become globally productive citizens. He looks forward to openly sharing his experiences as well as listening to parents’ experiences and questions.
Cheryl Perry, Vice President, Charlotte Smarty Pants
Cheryl Perry is a mom of four school-aged children and Vice President of Charlotte Smarty Pants. Cheryl started with CSP in 2011 as a writer and now not only writes about life as a Charlotte mom, but works closely with CSP’s education, health, fitness, and all other partners to develop and implement collaborative, targeted messages on the CSP site and social media.
A Charlotte native, Cheryl graduated from Charlotte Catholic High School and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a B.A. in Journalism and Mass Communication.
Cheryl has been featured on Charlotte Today, WCNC, and 107.9 The Link’s Matt & Ramona show.
Melissa Puno, Academic Dean and Middle School Humanities Teacher, Palisades Episcopal School
Melissa Puno, Academic Dean and Middle School Humanities Teacher at Palisades Episcopal School holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Education from Dickinson College in Pennsylvania, and a Master of Arts degree in Educational Administration from Rider University in New Jersey. Melissa has more than 20 years of experience working with elementary and middle school students as both a teacher and an administrator. In addition to teaching English and elementary gifted and talented students, she has worked as a staff development specialist, educational consultant, academic dean, and assistant principal. Melissa is a passionate educator who has taught at all grade levels to foster an inspiring learning culture for children.
Dr. Rhonda Patt, Pediatrician, Charlotte Pediatric Clinic
Dr. Rhonda Patt is a pediatrician at Charlotte Pediatric Clinic, part of Carolinas HealthCare System, and has been a practicing pediatrician in the Charlotte area for almost 15 years. She is currently serving as Chief of Staff for pediatrics at Levine Children’s Hospital, a regional medical director and chair for social media. Dr. Patt is a contributor for the Charlotte Observer’s MomsCharlotte blog site, and a mother of three herself. She attended UNC- Chapel Hill for undergrad, West Virginia University for medical school and completed her pediatrics residency at Carolinas Medical Center.
Carrie Query, Charlotte Latin Parent
Carrie is a speech pathologist and Charlotte Latin parent. She has a daughter, age 11, and a son, age 7. She believes that by delaying handheld devices until her children are more emotionally and socially mature, many negative issues associated with social media and group texting can be avoided. Carrie received a BS in Communications and Sciences and Disorders from the University of Georgia and a Master {of Science} in Speech Language Pathology from Baylor University. She owns Talk it Up Pediatric Speech and Language Services.
Scotty Sells, Sells Consulting
Scotty Sells taught in Charlotte-Mecklenburg schools for 15 years before moving to Apple. He then started his own consulting business working both in homes and businesses around Charlotte as well as remotely over the Internet. When he’s not sailing in the Pamlico Sound, He also tours the US playing steel drums for various groups. For more than 12 years Scotty has been helping both new and experienced users with technology as well as parenting best practices. For more info or to schedule a session you can visit www.sellsconsulting.com.
Jennifer Stoltz, Charlotte Preparatory School – More details coming soon.
Anne Willette, Charlotte Latin parent
Anne, a Charlotte Latin parent, is a mother to two girls, ages 7 and 10, with a thirst for knowledge and direction about the hardest and most important job she’ll ever have, parenting. Currently, Anne is trying to navigate the world of a rising tween in a space where “everyone” has iPhones and social media accounts. Anne and other moms with the same concerns have created a community in which parents can meet and talk to each other about delaying smart phones, delaying social media access and promoting communication skills, creativity and just being a kid. The group hopes to minimize the excess pressures that smartphones can present to the adolescent child. She is a proponent of screen time vigilance in children and in ourselves. Anne received a BA in psychology and English from Clemson University. She is a lifestyle photographer in Charlotte. Find her at www.annewillettephotography.com.
1 comment
Look forward to being enlightened