On Monday, June 8, English teachers from both Athens College and Psychico College Junior High and High Schools came together for a deeply impactful professional development workshop titled "Understanding Today's Adolescents: Looking Beneath Behavior." This collaborative event was organized by the Interschool English Department in conjunction with the Interschool Psychoeducational Department, highlighting the School's holistic approach to student development and academic excellence.

A Developmental Lens on Classroom Dynamics

The workshop was facilitated by Ms. Alexia Kazakakou, Psychologist-Special Educator and the College Psychoeducational Department Coordinator. Ms. Kazakakou invited participants to explore adolescent behavior through a developmental lens, encouraging a crucial shift from simply managing classroom behavior to understanding the underlying needs and psychological processes driving it.

• Drawing on contemporary research, teachers reflected on critical topics shaping today's classrooms, including:
• Identity Formation: How adolescents navigate self-discovery and how it impacts their school presence.
• Emotional Regulation: Understanding the neurological and emotional shifts that influence student reactions.
• Basic Psychological Needs: Identifying the core needs that directly shape students’ engagement, motivation, and relationships with peers and educators.

Collaboration and the "Notice – Reflect – Respond" Framework

The second part of the workshop shifted to interactive, collaborative discussion. Working with case scenarios inspired by everyday classroom experiences, faculty members from both campuses exchanged perspectives, recognized shared challenges, and strengthened their professional community.

At the heart of the session was the Notice – Reflect – Respond framework. This model encourages educators to approach unexpected or challenging behavior with curiosity and empathy rather than immediate frustration, leading to more thoughtful, effective responses.

A Shared Commitment

The complex challenges faced in today's classrooms cannot be solved in isolation. This workshop served as a vital reminder that teachers do not face these hurdles alone; meaningful conversations and interdepartmental collaboration remain the most valuable resources within the College community.

The event beautifully highlighted our School’s ongoing commitment to supporting its faculty and fostering an institution-wide culture of reflection, connection, and lifelong learning.