Hi I'm Joe,
I enjoy researching, mentoring, teaching, and discovering, andj have the pleasure of teaching psychology to high school students at the University of California, Los Angeles. There we study the criminal mind and general psychology. Furthermore, I am collaborating with a mentor and his team, The Heroic Imagination Project, to initiate an eco-hero youth movement. I also founded and run The Good Student. Although I may have graduated in the top 69 among two million community college students, recognized by the California Legislature, and completed graduate-level courses as an undergraduate at the University of Southern California, I started my academic journey as a disengaged high school student who needed to change his "F" into a passing grade so to graduate high school. I was also struggling with life questions, family issues, and depression. It’s because of these and later experiences, that lead me to start this The Good Student.
My other accomplishments, just wait for my “failures” they’re next, include sharing my research at a Western Psychological Association convention, recipient of the Ed Walsh Service Award, honored with the Michael Shoman Most Promising Future Educator Scholarship, earning a masters degree, and publishing a highly reviewed book.
There are at least two factors that matter most in my success and journey. First, along my journey I had many good mentors and advisors, such as William Wagner who founded the Interdisciplinary Program at USC, Noam Chomsky who is a pioneer in linguistics and public action, and Phil Zimbardo, who is recognized as “the voice and face of contemporary psychology” and a board member of this nonprofit. Still others include not so renowned individuals, but just as important. They include my high school teacher Gary Newman who taught auto shop and spirituality; Todd White who taught anthropology at the community college and shared the world of literature; and Ron Vincent who is a retired high school teacher and shares his passion for teaching and a board member of this nonprofit. These people encourage and support me and provide great examples of how to live.
The second factor that matters greatly in my life is resilience, which implies failures and challenges, maybe a hundred to one ratio of failures to successes. I hope these help students and readers know that success is not automatic and failing at initial attempts is a part of the journey. Here is the tip of the iceberg: received course grades of “D” and “F” in school and college; not accepted to various graduate schools, such as Princeton and Georgetown; didn't received offers for interviews at jobs I wanted; and other challenges in all domains of life. In all of these, I got up, tried to learn from them, and continued on my journey.
My hope is that when various students see me and learn of my achievements, they see their own potential and a type of blueprint to realize their goals. Other facts: I do martial arts, love dogs, read a lot, and meditate.
Thanks for reading my quick bio, and I wish you the reader health, peace, and life success.
Cordially,
Joe
April 2021
I enjoy researching, mentoring, teaching, and discovering, andj have the pleasure of teaching psychology to high school students at the University of California, Los Angeles. There we study the criminal mind and general psychology. Furthermore, I am collaborating with a mentor and his team, The Heroic Imagination Project, to initiate an eco-hero youth movement. I also founded and run The Good Student. Although I may have graduated in the top 69 among two million community college students, recognized by the California Legislature, and completed graduate-level courses as an undergraduate at the University of Southern California, I started my academic journey as a disengaged high school student who needed to change his "F" into a passing grade so to graduate high school. I was also struggling with life questions, family issues, and depression. It’s because of these and later experiences, that lead me to start this The Good Student.
My other accomplishments, just wait for my “failures” they’re next, include sharing my research at a Western Psychological Association convention, recipient of the Ed Walsh Service Award, honored with the Michael Shoman Most Promising Future Educator Scholarship, earning a masters degree, and publishing a highly reviewed book.
There are at least two factors that matter most in my success and journey. First, along my journey I had many good mentors and advisors, such as William Wagner who founded the Interdisciplinary Program at USC, Noam Chomsky who is a pioneer in linguistics and public action, and Phil Zimbardo, who is recognized as “the voice and face of contemporary psychology” and a board member of this nonprofit. Still others include not so renowned individuals, but just as important. They include my high school teacher Gary Newman who taught auto shop and spirituality; Todd White who taught anthropology at the community college and shared the world of literature; and Ron Vincent who is a retired high school teacher and shares his passion for teaching and a board member of this nonprofit. These people encourage and support me and provide great examples of how to live.
The second factor that matters greatly in my life is resilience, which implies failures and challenges, maybe a hundred to one ratio of failures to successes. I hope these help students and readers know that success is not automatic and failing at initial attempts is a part of the journey. Here is the tip of the iceberg: received course grades of “D” and “F” in school and college; not accepted to various graduate schools, such as Princeton and Georgetown; didn't received offers for interviews at jobs I wanted; and other challenges in all domains of life. In all of these, I got up, tried to learn from them, and continued on my journey.
My hope is that when various students see me and learn of my achievements, they see their own potential and a type of blueprint to realize their goals. Other facts: I do martial arts, love dogs, read a lot, and meditate.
Thanks for reading my quick bio, and I wish you the reader health, peace, and life success.
Cordially,
Joe
April 2021
626-314-6019
Federal Tax ID #: 85-2475908
Federal Tax ID #: 85-2475908
Resources
"Joseph Dorri is a gifted, inspirational speaker who connects at a fundamental level with college and high school students. He has a compelling, visceral personal story coupled with genuine insights in how to navigate the avalanche of decisions young people face in this era."
―Ron Vincent, Retired High School Teacher, Modesto High School, AVID Instructor
―Ron Vincent, Retired High School Teacher, Modesto High School, AVID Instructor
Over 94% of users report that they would recommend this survey to their school administrators.
Meet Our Team
Board of Directors
LaShonda (Shonda) Johnson
Shonda has over 10 years of experience working directly with youth in educational programs and in school settings, providing several students with individual and group counseling. She has worked in many grade levels in Los Angeles County, including elementary, middle, K-8, high schools, and community colleges. Over the years she has helped several students improve academic achievement, develop life goals, prepare for college admissions, and to take effective steps toward preparing for a successful future. She received her master in counseling psychology from Mount St. Mary’s College and has a Pupil Personnel Services Credential in School Counseling.
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Marilyn
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Ron
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Student Intern
Sophia Ryder
Sophia is a high school senior interested in psychology, history, and acting. She is a member of the National Honor Society and National Society of High School Scholars. She is starting a psychology club at her high school and has been nominated for her school's chapter of Mu Alpha Theta, a national mathematics honor society. She runs a blog discussing psychology, morality, and positivity through creativity and is the Student Director of Outreach for Butterfly Ambassadors, a non-profit educating peers on child trafficking through creativity and art.
President
Joe Dorri (Ben-Noam)
Joe is the founder of The Good Student, who designed the Student Success Survey (S3). He teaches psychology to high school and college students, conducts research, and designs and facilities workshops and presentations on well-being and success. He completed four graduate-level psychology courses as a part of his undergraduate degree at the University of Southern California, shared his research at the Western Psychological Association's Convention, and earned a master's in education. He was acknowledged by the California State Legislature at the Capitol for academic achievement, leadership, and service. He has been awarded the Most Promising Future Educator Award and Ed Walsh Service Award.
"The Good Student's pioneering work is sure to empower generations to come!"
―Kare Anderson, Author of Mutuality Matters, Emmy-winning NBC journalist and TED Talk on Opportunity Makers
―Kare Anderson, Author of Mutuality Matters, Emmy-winning NBC journalist and TED Talk on Opportunity Makers
"The Good Student provides an outstanding resource for young people to assess their mental and physical health, their readiness to attend college, and to examine optimal choices for the future job market... clear, accessible, and needs to be made widely available to teens through high schools, social media, and other venues they frequent."
―Edmund Bourne, Ph.D. author of The Anxiety & Phobia Workbook (helping over one million readers)
―Edmund Bourne, Ph.D. author of The Anxiety & Phobia Workbook (helping over one million readers)
"Through a process of self-discovery, The Good Student offers a practical guide and resource for young people facing the challenge of “What do I do now?” Often, young people are unprepared for evaluating their financial, social, emotional and physical resources. This website offers both well-researched information and assessment tools enabling young people to find out for themselves options that fit their own personal goals. I found this website to be a valuable resource for both young people and the adults that support them."
―Nancy J. Lavelle, Ph.D., Founder, President/CEO, Total Education Solutions, Inc.
―Nancy J. Lavelle, Ph.D., Founder, President/CEO, Total Education Solutions, Inc.
An Organization FOR the GREATER GOOD!
The definition we use comes from Harvard University's professor Howard Gardner and his colleagues. They define good to be something that is: excellent, engaging, and ethical. The Good Student emphasizes these three components in its approach to supporting students and schools.