Media mentions: Abraham explores research, creativity; Bhattacharya discusses importance of wearing a mask; Jones highlights complexities of schooling
Abraham featured on Inspire North’s Behind Greatness podcast series
Anna Abraham, director of the College’s Torrance Center for Creativity and Talent Development, recently discussed what led her to study the field of creativity and human imagination on Inspire North, a vehicle for mentorship and inspiration for the next generation.
Inspire North’s Behind Greatness podcast is a series that explores the journeys and personal insights of successful leaders in various industries.
“I think of creativity as being fundamental to the way we think and behave,” said Abraham. “I’ve always been in love with creativity as a subject.”
Listen to the full podcast on Inspire North’s website.
Bhattacharya discusses the importance of wearing a mask with CNN, AJC, ABC
Usree Bhattacharya, an associate professor in the Department of Language and Literacy Education, recently discussed the importance of wearing a mask with CNN, the AJC, and ABC News (beginning at the 2:35 mark).
Bhattacharya’s 5-year-old daughter has Rett syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that affects about one in every 15,000 live births, primarily girls. The disorder leads to limited functional hand use, mobility issues, breathing problems, sleep disruptions, and seizures.
“This is not a time for politics or ideology, it is time for compassion,” she said in an interview with CNN. “My husband and I live hostage to a disease called Rett syndrome every single day, and we cannot live hostage to yet another that is preventable. All it takes is a few inches of face covering to do the right thing and that is all that stands between my daughter and COVID-19.”
Watch the full interview on CNN’s website.
Jones highlights dangers, complexities of schooling in AJC column
In a recent column for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Stephanie Jones, a professor in the College, highlighted the dangers and complexities of schooling during not only the pandemic, but the recent tornado warning in Georgia.
During the tornado warning, many children and adults were hunkered down in small, poorly ventilated places—many not wearing masks. According to Jones, little precautions have been implemented in schools to protect against COVID-19.
“We know that a sense of security, safety, consistency, and predictability are important for positive learning to take place,” she said. “Unfortunately, we will be faced again this fall with many disruptions, quarantines, grade-level and school-level and maybe even district-level shut-downs that will create a chaotic and disjointed social and learning environment for students.”