Speaker Series 10
Recording
The tenth DevSCA Speaker Series presentation was live-streamed in October 2025. View the live stream recording via the video embedded above.
Abstract
As climate-related disruptions increasingly impact school communities, the need for resilient PK–12 systems has never been more urgent. This presentation introduces the Network for Resilient PK–12 Schools, a national coalition of 12 leading associations across education, health, and environmental sectors. The Network was formed to leverage the collective expertise and advocacy power of its members to help schools prepare for, respond to, and recover from extreme weather events—while advancing long-term population health. Dr. Nicole Barnes will share the origin story of the Network, its guiding principles, and how it fosters cross-sector collaboration to support student and educator wellbeing in the face of climate stressors. The session will spotlight two upcoming initiatives: a Health Advisory Report that synthesizes evidence-based recommendations for school climate resilience, and a national grant competition designed to fund innovative, community-driven solutions. Attendees will gain insight into how the Network is building infrastructure for sustainable change, elevating the role of psychology in climate adaptation, and positioning schools as critical partners in public health and environmental resilience.
Speaker
Nicole Barnes
Dr. Nicole Barnes, PhD. is the Senior Director for Child and Adolescent Learning and Well-being at the American Psychological Association (APA), the leading non-profit organization for psychology in the United States with over 160,000 members. In this role, Dr. Barnes spearheads APA’s initiatives to advance cutting-edge applied research to inform educational practices and policies, translate it into accessible formats for educators, and champion evidence-based approaches alongside APA’s Advocacy team to support policies that help educators and students thrive. As a result, APA is an authoritative voice in the integration of psychology to advance teaching and learning worldwide. With over two decades of dedication to advancing education, Dr. Barnes earned her PhD in Educational Psychology from Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, with concentrations in cognition, learning, development, and educational measurement. She began her career as a fifth-grade teacher in Elizabeth, NJ, where she grew up, igniting her passion for teaching and educational practices. Dr. Barnes later transitioned to higher education, serving as a professor of educational psychology and a senior doctoral faculty member in the Teacher Education, Teacher Development Program at Montclair State University in New Jersey for 13 years.