In an upcoming free Web seminar, Kevin Jennings of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) will speak to pupil transportation professionals on bullying and harassment.

The online event is scheduled Wednesday, May 19, at 2 p.m. EST.

Jennings, the assistant deputy secretary of the DOE’s Office of Safe and Drug Free Schools, will explain the importance of eliminating bullying and harassment, because they detract from a student’s ability to focus on learning.

He will also discuss how the Obama administration plans to create safer schools — where all students feel they belong — as part of the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.

Jennings is the first career educator to hold the position he was appointed to at the DOE, bringing 25 years’ experience as a teacher and writer. He taught high school history for 10 years, has authored six books, and wrote and produced the documentary Out of the Past.

Jennings also founded the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network in 1990 and served as its executive director until 2008.

More details and registration for the Web seminar are available on the National Association for Pupil Transportation (NAPT) Website. The event is free and doesn’t require NAPT membership, but it is limited to the first 200 people who sign up.

The seminar is sponsored by NAPT, the National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services and the Public School Risk Institute.