Pamela Cantor, M.D. is guest lecturer at Columbia University’s SIPA

Pamela Cantor, M.D., Lisa Belzberg, Ph.D. and students at Columbia’s SIPA

Turnaround for Children Founder and Senior Science Advisor Pamela Cantor, M.D. was a guest lecturer at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA). Dr. Cantor was invited by Adjunct Professor of International and Public Affairs Lisa Belzberg, Ph.D. to address and speak with students in her course: “Public Education: The Innovators.” In her presentation, “The Impact of Trauma on Learning,” Dr. Cantor discussed her background as a child psychiatrist, the founding of Turnaround, the Science of Learning and Development Initiative and her work to translate science into practice and policy.

Dr. Cantor painted a picture of the promise of the work ahead:

“We’re working on a project intended to transform 21^st century education into the design that we can cook up in this classroom. That initiative is called the Science of Learning and Development Initiative. Turnaround’s part is very much focused on questions like, what does R&D look like for a 21^st century system? Where are the gaps? What do we need to do that we don’t know how to do? And some of the answers might be with people sitting around this table.”

Dr. Cantor’s talk was followed by an engaging Q&A session, where Dr. Belzberg and her students asked in-depth questions about diversity in education, whole child learning, teacher preparedness and education reform.