WHO WE ARE | Camp Kita

Steven Karaiskos, Ph.D.

Steven is a survivor of suicide loss, a social and emotional learning expert, and a veteran educator with over 22 years of experience in education. Steven has developed a depth and breadth of  knowledge built through active roles in school district leadership, school administration, community organizations, direct classroom teaching, and social justice advocacy.

Steven has taught for public and independent schools teaching and, over his career, he has taught Pre-Kindergarten/Kindergarten, middle school & high school as well as college and adult learners. He has trained and mentored educators in social and emotional learning, well-being, behavior management, classroom management, and support of students with learning differences. Steven currently serves as the Senior Director of Community Education & Outreach with Samaritans – a Boston-based suicide prevention and grief support organization. Additionally, through Coping After Suicide®, Steven facilitates peer support groups for Teens, Twentysomethings, and members of the LGBTQIA+ community who have had a loss to suicide.

Steven volunteers and is on the board for Camp Kita – a non-profit summer camp providing support for young people, ages 8-17, who have lost a loved one to suicide.  Steven also mentors and trains educators in their own well-being and self-efficacy through consulting support with Millennium Forum and Sea Change Mentoring. After the loss of his partner, David, to suicide in 2009, Steven earned his Ph.D. in Psychology with a research focus on positive psychological approaches to suicidal ideation.