About the Contributors
ANTHONY PARNELL, M.S.W.
Anthony Parnell, M.S.W. is the author and creator of the I LOVE LIFE! I LOVE ME! Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Curriculum. A graduate of Clark Atlanta University’s, Whitney M. Young School of Social Work, he has more than twenty years of experience working with teens and young adults in the human services and nonprofit field as a social worker, mental health therapist and director of community based programs (for youth and adults). He resides in Las Vegas, Nevada (www.AnthonyParnell.com).
PAUL MOREHOUSE, PhD
Dr. Paul Morehouse has been an Early Childhood Music Specialist for over 30 years which includes 11 years as Artist-In-Residence for the California Arts Council and 6 years as Adjunct Professor of Music Education at California State University, Los Angeles. He has composed music for many documentary films for PBS television and currently designs and produces curricular materials for Interdisciplinary (Music/Language) Development in early learning programs. Dr. Morehouse received his Ph.D. in Educational Studies from Claremont Graduate University, Claremont, CA.
MONIQUE EARL-LEWIS, PhD
Dr. Monique Earl-Lewis is an organizational psychologist and multicultural educator. She is an Associate Professor of African American Studies the inaugural Director of the Faculty Development, Teaching and Advising Center at Morehouse College. Serving in that capacity, she also provides direct support for faculty regarding the utilization of effective pedagogies and instructional and research applications involving new and emerging technologies. Dr. Earl-Lewis has over 25 yeas of professional experience in the field of higher education as a professor, program director, evaluator and academic advisor.
She graduated from Auburn University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Speech Communication and subsequently earned the Masters of Science in Behavioral Studies & Counseling from the University of South Alabama and a Ph.D. in Organizational Psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology in Los Angeles.
TOM CZEPIEL
Thomas M. Czepiel, born in Chicago, Illinois, is an educator for the charter school network in Las Vegas, Nevada. After receiving his bachelor’s degree in History and Secondary Education from Saint Joseph’s College in Rensselaer, Indiana, he went on to teach AP United States History at Brother Rice High School for four years. Entering his eighth year in the classroom, Thomas has vowed to get all of his students academically, mentally, and socially prepared for higher levels of education and well beyond each student’s life and career.
DENNIS CORBIN, PhD
Dennis E. Corbin is an Associate Professor in the School of Social Work and Assistant to the Associate Dean of the School of Social Work at Fayetteville State University. His research interest/expertise includes but is not limited to mental health of African Americans, HIV/AIDS prevention, spirituality, adolescent health risk behaviors and topics that pertain to rural communities. He has published in journals such as Health Promotion Practice, Social Science and Medicine, Journal of HIV/AIDS and Social Services and AIDS and Behavior. Dennis Corbin received his Bachelor of Science degree in History from Bowie State University, his Master of Social Work degree in Clinical Social Work from Clark Atlanta University’s, Whitney M. Young School of Social Work, and his Doctor of Philosophy degree in Social Work from Howard University.
STEPHANIE ROBERTS
Stephanie Roberts is enjoying an entertainment career combining travel & performing, often as a Show- and Band Vocalist. She also works as a Musical & Radio Theater performer in south Florida, and considers herself truly honored to be a contributor to the “I LOVE LIFE! I LOVE ME!” Life Skills Development Model.
MARC LA FOUNTAIN, PhD
Marc J LaFountain, born in Massachusetts, grew up on the east end of Long Island. After receiving his PhD in Sociology from the University of Tennessee, he taught at several universities before joining the University of West Georgia in 1977. He retired from there in 2008. He is the author of Dali and Postmodernism: This is Not an Essence (SUNY Press, 1997). His book of poems, Left Wanting More, was published by Vabella Press in 2015.
TALIB Z. ABDULLAH, M.S.W.
Talib Z. Abdullah, M.S.W. is a Master Level Social Worker with over twenty years of supervisory and managerial experience working with teens, young adults, and seniors in a wide range of settings including juvenile detention centers, outpatient, and community based mental health centers. Additionally, as a mental health therapist, he has provided intensive counseling to children, adults, and the elderly who are being treated for a broad spectrum of mental illnesses and clinical diagnosis.
LA SHAWN WELLS, JD, CLC
La Shawn B. Wells is a Parenting Expert who has authored the book “The 7 Principles of Faith-Based Parenting: Tips for Raising Happy and Successful Children in the Twenty- First Century. He also is a Peak Performance Coach and an expert in Goal Setting and Mindset strengthening. In addition to serving as Dean and President of a vocational college, La Shawn has more than twenty years’ experience coaching teens and young adults on the softball field as a co-founder of an elite travel club and in the classroom as an instructor. He holds a JD from John F. Kennedy School of Law and is a Certified Life Coach (www.RightChoiceCoaching.com).
STANLY WILLIAMS
is the Co-Founder and Chairman of the Board of the Fatherhood Support Network a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to help fathers maintain an active role in the lives of their children (www.FatherhoodSupportNetwork. org). Inspired by his love for baseball and teaching youth the fundamentals of the game he offers his insight and more than twenty years of experience working with teens and young adults to reach their full potential, on and off the baseball field.
DANIELLE BRUCH
Danielle Bruch is a K-8 art teacher in Las Vegas, Nevada. Her favorite materials to create with are watercolor paint, graphite, ink, and words. Originally from Buffalo, New York, she holds a Bachelor of Science in Art Education PK-12 from Buffalo State College.