‘MTSU On the Record’ examines student’s anti-bullying strategy for schools

An MTSU psychology major who wants to take a different approach to anti-bullying efforts in schools was the guest on a recent edition of “MTSU On the Record” radio program.

Stephanie Carpenter

Host Gina Logue’s interview with Stephanie Carpenter, founder of “Through the Mind and Into the Heart,” first aired Feb. 27 on WMOT-FM Roots Radio 89.5 and www.wmot.org. You can listen to their conversation above.

Carpenter, a senior from Gordonsville, Tennessee, who’s scheduled to graduate in May, is working to obtain official federal nonprofit organization status for her plan.

After attending the annual International Bullying Prevention Association conference in Nashville in November 2017, Carpenter said she learned much more about the available research on the subject.

“In looking for all of the research to start the study, it seemed very limited on what had been done and where the field of bullying was going,” Carpenter said.

“It seemed as though people were still focused on bullying and not what was causing it, but my knowledge of that changed at the conference.”

Carpenter said her approach to the problem is based on social-emotional learning. This discipline focuses on helping students develop five key skills — self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills and responsible decision-making, according to the George Lucas Educational Foundation.