The Loneliness Epidemic and Secondary Education

MSAA Professional Development Workshop for Building Administrators, Department Heads, and Teachers 

The Loneliness Epidemic and Secondary Education

According to the World Health Organization (2023), 5-15% of adolescents experience loneliness. As reported in Ed Week (2023), this is something that experts warn may be connected to an increased risk of mental health concerns, such as depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideations. What is more, once these adolescents become young adults, the loneliness rate jumps further. In fact, in 2024, Harvard’s Making Caring Common reported that 24% of adults ages 18-29 reported serious feelings of loneliness. This number is staggering if we are to consider public schools as a community hub, and as places vital to the strength, connectivity, and economic development of a location (Jacobson, 2016).
It is for these reasons that loneliness is a concept that should be at the forefront of school and district discussions, as addressing this concern can help improve academic, social, and community outcomes; all the while, helping students become more invested in their communities, connected to their peers, and resilient overall.

Participants will be able to:

·         Articulate the impact of the global loneliness epidemic upon students 

·         Identify strategies that can be used in a classroom setting to enhance a culture of collaboration and connectedness within a smaller setting 

·         Identify ways in which to address loneliness and build community and connection within school and district plans. If time permits, school/district specific goals will be written

·         Identify funding sources to support these initiatives

When: Friday, October 17, 2025, from 8:30 am to 11:30 am

Delivery Method: In-Person Workshop

Location: The MSAA Office, 33 Forge Parkway, Franklin, MA

Presenters: Dr. Elvio Ferreira, Brockton Public Schools

                        Dr. Katie Warren, Diman Regional Vocational Technical High School

PD Hours: 3 in Content Area Leadership and Administration
 

Fees: Member $ 150 / Non-Member $205

MSAA Contact: Ethel Kawesa, ekawesa@msaa.net

Dr. Elvio Ferreira | Brockton Public Schools

Dr. Elvio Ferreira is an accomplished educational leader with over twenty-three years of experience in teaching, administration, and district-level leadership. His extensive career has provided him with the expertise to guide schools toward sustained success through instructional leadership, curriculum development, data-driven decision-making, and school improvement planning. His commitment to professional growth and educational excellence has positioned him as a highly respected leader in the field of career and technical education (CTE).

Throughout his career, Dr. Ferreira has played a pivotal role in shaping academic and vocational curricula, aligning them with evolving educational standards such as the Common Core State Standards. His experience in data analysis—including MCAS, Accuplacer, SAT, Dual Enrollment, and Advanced Placement testing—has allowed him to support teachers in identifying student strengths and addressing learning gaps effectively. 

Dr. Ferreira has also been instrumental in professional development, having led training on the Educator Evaluation System, SMART Goal writing, and the Five-Step Cycle of Evaluation. As a principal and superintendent in Fall River, he collaborated with the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) to plan a new regional technical high school, demonstrating his ability to navigate complex educational initiatives and facilities planning.

Dr. Ferreira holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Management and a Bachelor of Arts in Portuguese with a minor in Spanish from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. He earned a Master of Arts in Teaching and completed his Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University.