Urban Tech Bullying Prevention Program

New York City-based managing director Janina Casey has extensive experience working in research and equity sales at some of the world’s largest financial institutions. In addition to her professional accomplishments, Janina Casey is a long time advocate for social programs for at-risk youth and serves on the board for Urban Tech, a nonprofit curriculum developer.

Urban Tech's Dignity for All (DFA )program is a comprehensive bullying prevention curriculum designed to increase empathy, respect, and other soft skills among adolescents. The program incorporates Common Core standards of grade-relevant English language arts and STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) lessons.

DFA uses a holistic model that supports the development of safe and accepting school environments. Evidence has shown that students are less likely to experience bullying in schools staffed with supportive adults. 

The DFA curriculum is divided into three learning stages and combines readings, digital tools, and interactive activities to inspire discussion around important topics such as the dangers and signs of bullying and the concepts of mindfulness and restorative justice.

Ways to Stand Out When Auditioning for a Commercial

Philanthropist and finance professional Janina Casey graduated from St. John's University and has since led a career in research equity and sales. During her childhood, Janina Casey was involved in the acting world and appeared in several television commercials. as well as the television show The Electric Company.

Standing out during a commercial audition is challenging for actors of any age. Listed below are a few things to help young actors be more memorable during a casting call.

1. Dress appropriately. Casting directors audition young actors because they want actors who look the age they’ll be playing. For this reason, actors should always dress appropriately for an audition and avoid applying too much makeup, wearing provocative clothes, or doing other things that don't suit their age.

2. Make adjustments. During an audition, it’s not uncommon for the director to request that the actor do something differently than the sample script says. For example, directors may try changing which word is emphasized in a line. Directors often do this to figure out how well a young actor takes direction when it comes to their performance. Those who are unable to take direction well are more likely to be passed up for someone with more range.

3. Create a moment. While rehearsing, young actors can craft a scene that happens right before the section they are auditioning for. The creation of some backstory will help the actor get into character and demonstrates to the director that the actor understands the idea that scenes are a slice of life.

UrbanTech's Dignity for All Program

Janina Casey is a New York-based financial professional with over 15 years of experience. She is currently involved in research and equity sales. An active participant in community-based programs, Janina Casey has been supporting fundraisers for Urban Tech, a non-profit organization in which she is a board member. 

Founded in 1995, Urban Tech is a social corporation with a mission of revamping the education scene through several strategies which include digital storytelling, critical thinking, and social-emotional learning. The organization hosts several programs that aim to improve the educational experience, among which is Dignity for All (DFA), a bullying prevention program.

DFA is a part of the Safe and Supportive Schools program aims to build a more compassionate society. The program utilizes storytelling, role-playing, and even popular culture to instigate a collaborative effort towards breaking down the issues that accompany each step of the bullying cycle. DFA helps instill the necessary skills to sustain a safe and supportive culture in schools. 

DFA is divided into three quests:

1. Knowledge acquisition - this is where students are made to understand the foundational elements of bullying, including the roles in the bullying cycle.

2. Attitude shift - during this quest, students are required to critically reflect on their own belief systems and their essential needs.

3. Behavior transformation - after a series of theoretical activities, students complete tasks that entail practical application of what has been learned thus far.

The Financial Education Network from Urban Tech

New York-based financial executive Janina Casey supports a wide range of community efforts. Besides mentoring and sponsoring two underprivileged high school students through private school, Janina Casey serves on the board of the National Urban Technology Center (Urban Tech).

A social enterprise, Urban Tech uses social emotional learning and critical thinking to alter the educational landscape. The organization uses interactive curriculum that includes programs such as the Financial Education Network (FEN).

Formed through collaboration between Urban Tech and Wells Fargo’s Hands on Banking, FEN is an online learning destination being tested through partnerships in Miami, Seattle, Atlanta, and Dallas. The program is available through colleges, organizations, and schools dedicated to building a community around financial education. Once tested in these areas, FEN will expand across the nation.

FEN offers a variety of online modules for students, including money management, buying a home, and banking services. Through each module, individuals learn about everything from the basics of savings and checking accounts to the step-by-step process of purchasing a home as a young adult. They also have the opportunity to learn about dealing with debt problems, creating a spending plan, and reading a credit report.