Shannon Cuttle, a leader in creating safe schools and countering school bullying, is joining Garden State Equality as Managing Director for Anti-Bullying Initiatives. Cuttle directed anti-bullying initiatives for the District of Columbia and led the national advocacy organization Safe Schools Action Network. She also created National Safe Schools Day.
Cuttle is an educator and grassroots organizer with a track record in teaching and empowering youth. She holds certifications in crisis prevention and in emergency management in schools and communities and has spoken widely on bullying across the country.
To welcome Cuttle GSE will hold anti-bullying events in North, Central and South Jersey. The first was held on February 2 in Long Branch followed by another on February 9 in Haddonfield. The next reception will be on Sunday, February 23, at noon in South Orange where GSE’s Youth Caucus members will hold a reception at the home of Hetty Rosenstein. Then on Saturday, April 6, 2013 at noon GSE will hold a Youth Empowerment Summit for South Jersey. At both events training for youth will be provided in school climate, community organizing and leadership development, empowering them to make schools safer for all says GSE. The South Jersey location is at the Universalist Unitarian Church, 401 Kings Highway North, Cherry Hill.
The Youth Empowerment Summit for Central Jersey will be held on Sunday, April 14 at noon at Trinity Church, 503 Asbury Avenue, Asbury Park. Then on Sunday, April 21 noon the training for North Jersey will conclude at Bnai Keshet Synagogue, 99 South Fullerton Avenue, Montclair.
In addition to leading anti-bullying and youth initiatives in the District of Columbia and her native Michigan, Cuttle has modeled legislation similar to New Jersey’s anti-bullying law in both
“Garden State Equality has not only blazed new trails with New Jersey’s Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights,” said Cuttle, “but is also renowned for its commitment to working with youth, whether or not they are LGBT, and other educational stakeholders to ensure the law makes a difference in the real world. What an incredible place to improve young people’s lives.”
Cuttle will work with Troy Stevenson, the organization’s incoming Chair after Steven Goldstein stepped down as CEO when he joined Rutgers University in Newark as an Associate Chancellor. Goldstein will remain ex officio on GSE Board and Executive Committee.
“Shannon’s national experience, along with our expertise in New Jersey,” Stevenson said, “will have a dramatic impact in improving the lives of youth in our state. And we’re thrilled that even as Steven moves onto his new job at Rutgers, he will remain ex officio on our Board and Executive Committee continuing his anti-bullying leadership – for all our youth, regardless of why they are bullied – is a Garden State Equality priority second to none.”
Cuttle is expected to guide the Garden State Equality Youth Caucus, the organization’s platform for youth across New Jersey that empowers them to become leaders at school and in greater society, and has been at the forefront of Garden State Equality’s work.
“Garden State Equality will have one of the best anti-bullying teams anywhere – and having been a youth organizer as well, I’m honored to be a part of the team,” said Troy Stevenson, incoming Chair and CEO at GSE.
For more vist www.GardenStateEquality.org.
Shannon Cuttle, a leader in creating safe schools and countering school bullying, is joining Garden State Equality as Managing Director for Anti-Bullying Initiatives. Cuttle directed anti-bullying initiatives for the District of Columbia and led the national advocacy organization Safe Schools Action Network. She also created National Safe Schools Day.
