About 100 students from Temple’s College of Education will be joined by Temple University’s President Ann Weaver Hart, College of Education Dean C. Kent McGuire, current teachers and school administrators to discuss the impact of violence on education from the point of view of both the teacher and the child.

To help him illustrate the perspective of the child, Cosby will be joined by Dr. Robert Johnson, interim dean, professor of pediatrics and psychiatry, and director of the Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine at the Newark, New Jersey-based University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey – New Jersey Medical School.

Recognized as a spokesperson on adolescent issues, including adolescent violence, Johnson will offer statistical data, commentary and advice on helping children who are trying to negotiate violent neighborhoods and their education while simultaneously coping with their circumstances.

“Youth violence is a serious public health problem that has far-reaching ramifications for our communities,” Johnson said. “I am honored to have been invited by Dr. Cosby to take part in this important discussion. I am hopeful that our conversation will clear the path to an understanding of how we, as a society, can help to curtail and prevent violence so our youth can learn and thrive in nurturing environments.”

Also joining the discussion will be Dr. Trish Jones, a professor in Temple’s College of Education. Jones has conducted extensive research on conflict resolution and will provide valuable insights to the education students, teachers and administrators in attendance.

There will also be a discussion on how teachers are affected by the violence their students see, especially the anxiety teachers feel as these children leave what’s possibly the safest place they’ll be all day.

A question-and-answer session moderated by McGuire will follow, giving the students, teachers and administrators a chance to further expand on the topics covered in the discussion.