Shows
The CharacterStrong PodcastStart Small, Lead Big: Building Culture with Student Leaders - Julia KennedyToday our guest is Julia Kennedy the SEL Coach at Meduxnekeag Consolidated School in Woodstock, NB. We talk with Julia about her school’s CharacterStrong journey and the intentional steps they’ve taken to build a stronger culture. She shares how they’ve created meaningful opportunities for student engagement—like having 200 students sign up to greet their peers at school entrances—and how older students are taking on leadership roles to support younger ones. Julia highlights the power of starting small, staying consistent, and growing a movement that makes a lasting impact. Learn More About CharacterStrong: Access...2025-05-0215 min
The CharacterStrong WeeklyIncreasing BelongingAt CharacterStrong, we believe the most important work starts with YOU—the educator. In this short 2-minute episode, we share practical tips to help you strengthen relationships and implement effective check-ins with your students. These small but impactful actions can create a lasting ripple effect in your classroom. Listen now to learn how to build meaningful connections! Learn More About CharacterStrong: • Learn more about the NEW Tier 3 Solution • Access FREE MTSS Curriculum Samples • Attend our next live product preview • Visit the CharacterStrong Website2025-02-2602 minThe CharacterStrong WeeklyShowcasing Behaviors You Wish to SeeDiscover how one school boosted positive behaviors with a simple yet powerful strategy in this week’s CharacterStrong Weekly! Learn More About CharacterStrong: • Learn more about the NEW Tier 3 Solution • Access FREE MTSS Curriculum Samples • Attend our next live product preview • Visit the CharacterStrong Website2025-02-2602 minThe CharacterStrong PodcastAlways Improving: Making Our Tier 2 Solution Even More Effective For Educators And Students - Dr. Clay CookToday our guest is Dr. Clay Cook, Chief Development Officer at CharacterStrong. We talk with Clay about the importance of Tier 2 interventions in schools. The discussion highlights key improvements to CharacterStrong’s Tier 2 solution, including reducing prep time for small group skill-building sessions, increasing engagement, and enhancing data tracking for better decision-making. The episode underscores the necessity of early intervention to support students before they require more intensive services and emphasizes the ongoing commitment to improving resources based on educator feedback. Learn More About CharacterStrong: Sign up for our FREE MTSS Summit Access FREE Tier 2 Cur...2025-02-2115 minThe CharacterStrong PodcastTop 6 of 2024 - The Importance Of Progress Monitoring & Data Collection - A.J. HowardLearn More About CharacterStrong: Access FREE MTSS Curriculum Samples Attend our next live product preview Visit the CharacterStrong Website 2024-12-2016 minThe CharacterStrong PodcastProactive School Safety Starts With Connection - Rachelle FinckToday our guest is Rachelle Finck a Director of School Support at CharacterStrong. We talk to Rachelle about the powerful connection between proactive school safety and a positive school culture, emphasizing how these two must work hand in hand. She highlights the critical role teachers play in fostering connection and belonging for every student, which not only enhances school safety but also boosts academic outcomes. Rachelle also share practical, actionable ways to equip educators to create meaningful connections in the classroom and nurture a safe, supportive environment for all. Learn More About CharacterStrong: Access FREE MT...2024-12-1315 minThe CharacterStrong PodcastEmpowering Students To Lead The Way: Boosting Attendance And Transforming School Culture - Dr. Christian D’AnnibaleToday our guest is Dr. Christian D'Annibale - Principal at Pottstown High School. We talk to Dr. D'Annibale about how his school achieved a 60% reduction in suspensions and a 90% decrease in class skipping—not by changing disciplinary responses but by shifting the focus to students themselves. He shares how the creation of a student advisory council became the catalyst for meaningful change, empowering students to take the lead in improving school culture. Dr. D’Annibale also talks about the innovative strategies and creative solutions developed by this council, proving that when students are given a voice, they can drive extr...2024-12-0619 minThe CharacterStrong PodcastUnlocking The Power Of Grouping Strategies - Callie RobinsonToday our guest is Callie Robinson the Student Success Coordinator at Oak Ridge Schools. We talk to Callie about the impact of grouping strategies in education. Callie shares her experiences with these strategies, highlighting how they’ve fostered meaningful connections among students and how teachers are integrating them into their classrooms. She also reveals how simple, well-structured grouping techniques save valuable time—whether in the classroom or during meetings with principals and administrators. Learn More About CharacterStrong: Learn more about the NEW Tier 3 Solution Access FREE MTSS Curriculum Samples Attend our next live product preview Visit...2024-11-2919 minThe CharacterStrong PodcastThe Impact Of A Student Safe Team - Jennifer SackToday our guest is Jennifer Sack - Lead School Counselor, Booker T. Washington High School in Oklahoma. We talk to Jennifer about the student safe team, a student group that works to create and foster a positive school culture. She outlines why it started, the different focuses that the team has, and what it looks like during the different seasons of the school year. Jennifer shares how this group as really positively impacted student mental health across the campus as they work to create space where they can support others. She also gives some examples of how they have...2024-11-2213 minThe CharacterStrong PodcastSupporting Implementation As An Administrator - Robert MuellerToday our guest is Robert Mueller, Middle School Assistant Principal at Platte County R3 Schools. Robert shares his unique approach to implementing CharacterStrong at his school by personally leading an advisory class as an administrator. He highlights how this hands-on strategy fostered meaningful connections with staff and students, setting the stage for a successful second year of implementation. Robert also discusses his commitment to supporting his team by co-teaching lessons every Tuesday, offering valuable insights into creating a culture of collaboration and growth. Learn More About CharacterStrong: Learn more about the NEW Tier 3 Solution Access FREE MT...2024-11-1514 minThe CharacterStrong PodcastFostering Belonging Through The Power Of Student Voices - Ty HarrisToday our guest is Ty Harris the Director of the Office for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Virginia Beach City Public Schools. We talk with Ty about the powerful ‘why’ behind his work and how his own high school experiences paved the way for what he does today. Ty shares insights on building a community of practice that fosters a genuine sense of belonging for students by amplifying their voices. He discusses how his team used survey data to identify student needs and, with intentionality, brought students into the conversation to create an environment where everyone feels they belong. 2024-11-0818 minThe CharacterStrong PodcastGratitude in Action: Cultivating Well-Being Through Intentional Practice - Colton MooreToday our guest is Colton Moore an amazing intern on our Secondary team! We talk with Colton about the importance gratitude and well-being. Colton shares how CharacterStrong integrates gratitude into lessons and highlights the impact of being specific when expressing appreciation. He also discusses how embracing constraints can spark creativity. Together, Colton and Houston walk us through some engaging gratitude activities that can help us all explore thankfulness in fun, innovative ways. Learn More About CharacterStrong: Learn more about the NEW Tier 3 Solution Access FREE MTSS Curriculum Samples Attend our next live product preview Vi...2024-11-0113 minThe CharacterStrong PodcastCreating Trauma-Informed And Restorative School Environments - Justin Moorman & Katie ThorntonToday our guest are Justin Moorman & Katie Thornton from Centerville City Schools & the (Re)Education of Schools Podcast. We talk to Justin & Katie about how they have integrated the CharacterStrong curriculum with additional resources like on-demand professional development to foster trauma-informed, restorative, and inclusive school environments. Justin and Katie share why trauma-informed care is crucial and we explore what this approach looks like in a high school setting. Check out the (Re)Education of Schools Podcast Learn More About CharacterStrong: Learn more about the NEW Tier 3 Solution Access FREE MT...2024-10-2543 minThe CharacterStrong PodcastUsing Data to Monitor and Enhance Student Success - Leandra TorraToday our guest is Leandra Torra - Social Emotional Learning and Trauma Informed Care Manager at Jefferson County Public Schools. We talk to Leandra about best practices for using data to track and enhance social and emotional learning. Leandra discusses how data not only informs decision-making but also requires careful monitoring, prioritization, and streamlined processes. She shares how their district leverages systems, training, and data dashboards to identify trends, assess program effectiveness, and ensure fidelity, all in support of 93 schools across the district. Learn More About CharacterStrong: Learn more about the NEW Tier 3 Solution Access FREE MT...2024-10-1818 minThe CharacterStrong PodcastNames Are Important - Barbara GruenerToday our guest is Barbara Gruener a seasoned consultant, mentor, author, and coach. Barbara sheds light on the significance of names in fostering respectful and compassionate relationships, particularly in school settings. We explore how using names thoughtfully can help nurture a more inclusive and caring environment for both students and staff. Barbara also introduces her latest book, which delves into the power of understanding and respect in personal relationships, offering valuable insights for educators and beyond. Learn More About CharacterStrong: Learn more about the NEW Tier 3 Solution Access FREE MTSS Curriculum Samples Attend our next live pr...2024-10-1117 minThe CharacterStrong PodcastUsing a Universal Tier 1 In A Homeroom Setting - Cindy BourgetToday our guest is Cindy Bourget - Middle School Counselor, Elk Mound Area School District and also a 2024 ASCA School Counselor of the Year finalist. We talk to Cindy about how she integrates CharacterStrong as a Universal Tier 1 support, helping teachers effectively use it in their homeroom settings. Cindy emphasizes that Tier 1 is about the day-to-day functioning of a school community, and she explains how CharacterStrong aligns with the ASCA Student Standards for Student Success. She also shares her approach to using conversation circles, a powerful tool to encourage movement, foster dialogue, and keep students engaged. 2024-10-0415 minThe CharacterStrong PodcastThe CharacterStrong Tier 3 Solution - Dr. Clay CookWe talk with Dr. Clay Cook the Chief Development Officer at CharacterStrong about the brand new Tier 3 Solution. Clay shares valuable insights into how this tool is designed to provide targeted support for students with more intensive needs. He discussed the key features of the solution, how it aligns with CharacterStrong’s overall mission, and the ways it can empower educators to effectively address challenges in schools. Learn More About CharacterStrong: Learn more about the NEW Tier 3 Solution Access FREE MTSS Curriculum Samples Attend our next live product preview Visit the CharacterStrong Website 2024-09-2712 minThe CharacterStrong PodcastThe Law Of The Lid - John NorlinIn today's episode, CharacterStrong Co-Founder John Norlin discusses the 'Law of the Lid,' reminding us that we are all leaders with more influence than we often realize. He also offers three powerful insights for educators, providing practical reminders that can inspire and elevate our leadership in and out of the classroom. Learn More About CharacterStrong: Access FREE MTSS Curriculum Samples Learn more about the NEW Tier 3 Solution Attend our next live product preview Visit the CharacterStrong Website 2024-09-2008 minThe CharacterStrong PodcastSupporting Women In Educational Leadership - Dr. Lillie CoxToday our guest is Dr. Lillie Cox - Owner/Founder, WE Lead also the Executive Director of North Carolina Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (NCASCD) and the Piedmont Triad Education Consortium (PTEC) We talk to Dr. Cox about how WE Lead supports women in educational leadership and how women can find their voice and develop a legacy as leaders in education. She shares about the need to have more women in leadership today and how she created WE Lead to help women in confidence & preparedness, career development, and wellness. Learn More About C...2024-09-1322 minThe CharacterStrong PodcastSeason 7 Kickoff - Houston Kraft & John NorlinIn this episode, we kick off Season 7 with CharacterStrong Co-Founders John and Houston! They discuss the latest updates and exciting developments at CharacterStrong, including the recent CASEL SELect designation, new bullying prevention lessons, high school lesson updates, and a series of new videos. Plus, they introduce the brand-new Behavior Response Protocol and Attendance Toolkit. They also share how CharacterStrong is now a full MTSS solution, offering Tier 1, Tier 2, and the newly launched Tier 3 solutions, which became available on September 5th! Learn More About CharacterStrong: Access FREE MTSS Curriculum Samples Learn more about the NEW Ti...2024-09-0621 minThe CharacterStrong PodcastA Hopeful Start: Beginning The Year With Key Tools For SuccessCharacterStrong co-founder Houston Kraft and Stanford Psychologist Dr. Jamil Zaki talk about practical insights and strategies to provide hope and empathy in this new school year. They discuss hopeful skepticism and meaningful ways to support students (and adults) as we start the first few weeks of school. Learn More About CharacterStrong: Access FREE MTSS Curriculum Samples Attend our next live product preview Visit the CharacterStrong Website Dr. Jamil Zaki is a professor of psychology at Stanford University and the director of the Stanford Social Neuroscience Lab. Using tools from psychology and neuroscience, he...2024-08-3057 minThe CharacterStrong PodcastThe Importance Of Progress Monitoring & Data Collection - A.J. HowardToday our guest is A.J. Howard the CEO and Co-Founder of Tracked Learning. We talk with A.J. about the importance of progress monitoring and data collection. A.J. highlights the common challenges special education teachers often face in collecting and tracking data while supporting students. He also shares how he helped develop a solution that addresses these challenges, ultimately giving teachers more time to focus on their students in the classroom Learn More About CharacterStrong: Access FREE MTSS Curriculum Samples Attend our next live product preview Visit the CharacterStrong Website 2024-08-2316 minThe CharacterStrong PodcastBuilding A Positive School Culture - Dr. Jim Van AllenToday our guest is Dr. Jim Van Allen, President of The Energy Bus for Schools We talk to Dr. Van Allen about building a positive school culture. He talks about how culture isn’t one thing, it’s everything and it dictates all that schools want to accomplish. Dr. Van Allen reminds us that we need to focus on the roots of positive school culture as we work to serve students better, and talks about the relationship between school culture and data. Learn More About CharacterStrong: Access FREE MTSS Curriculum Samples Attend our next live p...2024-08-1619 minThe CharacterStrong PodcastDeveloping & Supporting A Robust Educator Pipeline - Dr. Chris ClaytonToday our guest is Dr. Chris Clayton the Director of Education Services for the Educator Pipeline and Profession for the Pennsylvania State Education Association. We talk to Dr. Clayton about the importance of developing and supporting a robust educator pipeline. He highlights several of the opportunities available for building pipelines and shares insights on the initiatives already underway in Pennsylvania. Dr. Clayton also details the ways they offer year-round support to new and aspiring teachers—professionally, financially, and in the classroom. Learn More About CharacterStrong: Access FREE MTSS Curriculum Samples Attend our next live prod...2024-08-0925 minThe CharacterStrong PodcastCreative Strategies That Help Students In The Classroom - Karissa BachmanToday our guest is Karissa Bachman, 3rd grade teacher at Maple Lawn Elementary, in the Sumner Bonney-Lake School District. We talk to Karissa about creative strategies that enhance student learning and engagement in the classroom. She shares a variety of practical approaches, including setting up a "relaxation station" to help students manage stress and stay focused, incorporating students into classroom management roles, and using effective behavior management tools to maintain a positive and productive learning environment. Learn More About CharacterStrong: Access FREE MTSS Curriculum Samples Attend our next live product preview Visit the CharacterStrong Web...2024-08-0226 minThe CharacterStrong PodcastUplifting Our Minds Before We Uplift Our Phones - Lemar WilsonToday our guest is Lemar Wilson, Educational Leader at Uplifting Minds Enterprise. We talk to Lemar about the importance of fostering a culture of mindfulness and intentionality before engaging with technology. He highlights the significant influence phones can have on our lives and shares strategies he has used to help students rethink their relationship with technology and focus on personal growth. Lemar shares that by reframing how they engage with their devices, we can help students to develop healthier habits and a more balanced approach to digital consumption. Learn More About CharacterStrong: Access FREE MTSS Curriculum Sa...2024-07-2621 minThe CharacterStrong PodcastIncorporating PBIS with CharacterStrong - Kate Nichols & Jill GleasonToday our guests are Kate Nichols, and Jill Gleason, School Counselor & Intervention Director at Beaver Valley Elementary in Brush, Colorado. We talk to Kate and Jill about ways that they integrate their current PBIS system at Beaver Valley Elementary with curriculum like CharacterStrong. They share about the PBIS matrix that they use for their school and share how they are combining it with the traits “Be Well”, “Be Strong”, and “Be Kind” from the PurposeFull People curriculum along with other elements like morning meetings. Kate and Jill also talk about how they intentionally take the time to pre-correct expectations are as they...2024-07-1919 minThe CharacterStrong PodcastThe Importance of School, Family, and Community Partnerships - Dr. Cynthia “Mama J” JohnsonToday our guest is Dr. Cynthia “Mama J” Johnson - Educator Consultant, Author, and speaker with a message of HOPE. We talk to Dr. Johnson about the vital role of school, family, and community partnerships in education. She emphasizes the need for a new approach to transform our education system from a "village of despair" to a "village of hope." She shares that by fostering intentional partnerships among schools, families, and communities, we can build stronger relationships and create positive change. Dr. Johnson, affectionately known as Mama J, also highlights the importance of involving families in the educational process to i...2024-07-1216 minThe CharacterStrong PodcastLeveraging Relationships To Help, Relate, & Inspire - John NwosuToday our guest is John Nwosu, School Counselor in Cobb County Schools, Founder of Think DIF, LLC and the 2024 Georgia School Counselor of the Year. John emphasizes the importance of inspiring students, helping them connect with their environment, and leveraging available resources and relationships to support their success. He describes how he achieves this through a comprehensive school counseling program and by utilizing data to serve students and families effectively. John also highlights the significance of fostering connections and understanding the motivations that drive students as they come to school. Learn More About CharacterStrong: Join us a...2024-07-0516 minThe CharacterStrong PodcastCampus Culture: Simple Ways To Make Your School A Place Where People Want To Be - Debbie BeagleToday our guest is Debbie Beagle, Assistant Principal of Summer School & Director of Student Activities at Vernon Hills High School. We talk with Debbie and explore a few methods for fostering a positive campus culture. Debbie shares the innovative idea of "Bring Your Child or Parent to Work Day," explaining how this simple initiative and others like it can help to transform a school into a community that everyone loves. She discusses how this engaging event has helped students and staff at Vernon Hills connect on a personal level, see each other as individuals, and build stronger, more meaningful...2024-06-2820 minThe CharacterStrong PodcastThe Importance Of Student Leadership At The High School Level - Chad ElsberryToday our guest is Chad Elsberry, Assistant Director of the Iowa High School Athletic Association and & Co-Executive Director of the Iowa Association of Student Councils. We talk with Chad to about the crucial role of student leadership in high schools. Chad shares how fostering leadership skills in students today can shape their futures and impact the broader community. He highlights the significant influence that student councils have on the culture and climate of schools, enhancing the high school experience for everyone. Additionally, Chad emphasizes the need for school administrations to empower students intentionally to cultivate effective leadership. 2024-06-2120 minThe CharacterStrong PodcastBuilding Success With High Standards And A Positive Environment - Dr. David ArencibiaToday our guest is Dr. David Arencibia the Principal at Colleyville Middle School in Grapevine-Colleyville ISD. Dr. Arencibia shares about his new book, “Foundations of an Elite Culture: Building Success with High Standards and a Positive Environment.” He shares how high standards and a positive culture are the two pillars of a healthy campus, and how these two pillars can help with staff burnout, hiring, and community both inside and outside of our buildings. He also talks about Colleyville Middle School being a CharacterStrong Showcase school and he highlights the great work that the team at Colleyville is doing as t...2024-06-1421 minThe CharacterStrong PodcastThe Importance Of Prioritizing Mental Health, Especially For Young Men - Ryan Breen & Adam GiardinaToday our guests are Ryan Breen, a sophomore at Chaminade High School and Adam Giardina, Guidance Counselor at Chaminade High School. We talk to Ryan & Adam about an article that Ryan wrote for the New York Post Scholars Contest that focuses on the mental health of of young men. Ryan shares why he wrote the article and the needs that he is seeing in the young men in his community. Adam shares about how they have started to implement CharacterStrong in this first year of adoption, and how it is helping the students at Chaminade focus on their mental...2024-06-0724 minThe CharacterStrong PodcastBuilding Capacity Instead of Buy-In To Implement With Fidelity - Dr. Andre StoutToday our guest is Dr. Andre Stout, Principal at Truman Middle School in Tacoma, WA. We talk with Dr. Stout about building capacity rather than seeking buy-in to implement social & emotional learning with fidelity. He explains the distinction between capacity and buy-in, emphasizing the importance of staff truly possessing the capacity to effectively implement. Dr. Stout also shares how the use of student community circles has significantly improved the environment at Truman Middle School. These circles have fostered a sense of community and connection among students, contributing to the overall success at the school. Learn M...2024-05-3123 minThe CharacterStrong PodcastCommunity Development Days - Chris YoungToday our guest is Chris Young, Principal at North Country Union High School in Newport, Vermont. We talk with Chris about the innovative Community Development Days at North Country. These events provide students with a dedicated space to discuss and learn about crucial topics such as mental health, wellness, and bullying. Chris shares the journey of implementing these development days, explaining their significance and the positive impact they've had on the community. He also offers valuable tips on how they supported staff during the rollout and reminds us of the incredible potential of our students. Learn More...2024-05-2422 minThe CharacterStrong PodcastHow PBIS and Social & Emotional Learning Can Come Together In A Building - Marcy CarterToday our guest is Marcy Carter the Middle School Dean of Students at Parchment Public Schools in Kalamazoo MI. We talk with Marcy the integration of PBIS and social emotional learning in a building. She emphasizes the necessity of combining both these elements and the significance of a PBIS matrix as a foundation. Marcy also highlights the importance of clarity in our roles and responsibilities as educators, as we help students understand expectations and responsibilities. Marcy also gives some practical tips for how others can effectively bring PBIS and social & emotional learning together. Learn More...2024-05-1723 minThe CharacterStrong PodcastUnderstanding The Impact Of Restorative Practices - Felisha SantiagoToday our guest is Felisha Santiago, Director of School Supports at CharacterStrong. We talk to Felisha about the impact of Restorative Practices can have in our schools, with both students & staff. She discusses how restorative practices assist students who have committed an offense to reflect and rectify the situation. Felisha talks about how restorative practices can be implemented at various levels of school relationships: individual, classroom, and school-wide. She also shares that, when executed properly, Restorative Practices can help decrease behavioral issues. Click to download the Student behavior checklist: characterstrong.com/studentbehaviorchecklist Learn More A...2024-05-1012 minThe CharacterStrong PodcastHow Student Behavior Impacts Educator Burnout And What You Can Do About It - Dr. Lori LynassToday our guest is Dr. Lori Lynass, Director of Tier 2 and Tier 3 at CharacterStrong. We talk with Dr. Lynass the impact of student behavior on educator burnout and possible solutions. She gives a current statistic that shows that teachers have the highest burnout rate among professionals right now. Dr. Lynass explains that student misbehavior often indicates they are deregulated, and emphasizes that connection is a crucial tool to meet students' needs. She also suggests some strategies educators can use to give students a break, pointing out that educators, too, also sometimes need step back and take a quick break.2024-05-0319 minThe CharacterStrong PodcastChronic Absenteeism: The Importance of Connectedness - Dr. Clay CookToday our guest is Dr. Clay Cook, the Chief development Officer at CharacterStrong. We talk to Clay about the importance of connectedness when it comes to Chronic Absenteeism. He first asks the question “What happens when people don’t feel connected?” and shares about the SERVE model that helps educators intentionally connect at school. Dr. Cook also shares 3 ways that we can help students build value and purpose at school and ultimately be more connected: Promote positive educator-student relationships, Community-building relational activities, and School-wide opportunities that help students feel connected to school. Click to download the Pro...2024-04-2613 minThe CharacterStrong PodcastHow Can We Start To Solve For Chronic Absenteeism? - Dr. Clay CookToday our guest is Dr. Clay Cook, Chief development Officer at CharacterStrong. We talk to Clay about ways that we can begin to solve for Chronic Absenteeism. Dr. Cook emphasizes the need for a process to identify the root causes of chronic absenteeism. He shares that merely defining the problem isn't sufficient. Instead, we should look to understand why students are consistently absent from school. He identifies six root causes of chronic absenteeism and outlines a process to create an evidence-based problem-solving plan to support students. Click to download the Problem-Solving Blueprint for Chronic Absenteeism: characterstrong.com/c...2024-04-1911 minThe CharacterStrong PodcastDistrict Partner Spotlight: Jennifer Klauss & David O’ Konek - Richland School DistrictToday our guests our Jennifer Klauss, Executive Director of Secondary Teaching & Learning and Derek O'Konek, Executive Director of Elementary Teaching & Learning both in the Richland School District. We talk to Jen & Derek about the CharacterStrong partnership that the Richland School District has as they support students. They highlight the successful implementation strategies observed, the deliberate construction of the program adoption process, and the lessons learned. Jen & Derek detail how they involved parents, teachers, administrators, and school board members in the process. They also describe the success of the coaching system that has been created to assist and support each o...2024-04-1231 minThe CharacterStrong PodcastDistrict Partner Spotlight: Caroline Oleson & Kelly Nelson - Madison Metropolitan School DistrictToday our guests are Caroline Oleson the Tier 2 SEL and Intensive Support Team for the Madison Metropolitan SD and Kelly Nelson the SEL Tier 2 Elementary Teacher Leader for the Madison Metropolitan School District We talk to Caroline & Kelly about their experience implementing CharacterStrong in their district. They share some implementation successes they have had, ways that CharacterStrong has helped to support the district, and lessons they have learned along the way. Caroline & Kelly also give some tips and strategies for others that implementing solutions in their school or district. Learn More About CharacterStrong: Access F...2024-04-0519 minThe CharacterStrong PodcastCreating Support For Others - Alexis GoddardToday our guest is Alexis Goddard, School Counselor at Centennial High School in Corona, CA and the 2024 California School Counselor of the Year. We talk to Alexis about the importance of creating support for others everyday, both with students and staff. She talks about how impactful it is to check in with others and shares some systems that she has created to help do this. Alexis shares some of the ways that she helps students to handle stress, and also gives examples of how she intentionally works to build relationships with other staff members in her building. ...2024-03-2917 minThe CharacterStrong PodcastRaising Up Mental Health Specialists From Within A District - Tyler WolfeToday our guest is Tyler Wolfe, the Director of Student Wellness at Dublin City Schools. We talk to Tyler about the increase in the mental health needs of students and how, to help meet these needs, they created a 2 year program that supports teachers in the district to go back to school to get their Masters degree. This is possible thru a partnership they have built with The Ohio State University. Tyler explains how the program will provide each school in the district with a mental health specialist on their campus and how the district sees the program as...2024-03-2221 minThe CharacterStrong PodcastHow To Center Joy & Happiness In The Experiences Of Students - Orlando Dobbin, Jr.Today our guest is Orlando Dobbin, School Counselor at Aversboro Elementary School. We talk to Orlando about how to center joy and happiness in the experiences of students. He shares about how he works to build his programs around the students and allows them to help shape the spaces to allow students to grow, rest and play. Learn More About CharacterStrong: Access FREE Curriculum Samples Attend our next live product preview Visit the CharacterStrong Website Orlando Dobbin, Jr. is a passionate educator with six years of experience dedicated to creating nurturing learning environments th...2024-03-1514 minThe CharacterStrong PodcastSEL Day 2024 - Adult SEL: An Outside-In and an Inside-Out ApproachAs we celebrate #SELday 2024 we wanted to share an episode from Season 2 the Adult SEL Podcast where Dr. Clayton Cook lays out the Outside-In and an Inside-Out approach when it comes to adult social & emotional learning. He highlights the importance of leaders cultivating healthy work environments while also supporting all staff in order to help promote well-being, resilience, and engagement in their work. Dr. Cook also shares ways that systems often miss the mark when it comes to Adult SEL. Learn More About CharacterStrong: Download SEL Day Resources HERE Listen to Season 2 of the Adult S...2024-03-0805 minThe CharacterStrong PodcastIdentifying & Intentionally Supporting Students Who Are Often Unseen - Kelly MountjoyToday our guest is Kelly Mountjoy, Professional School Counselor at Parkhill Junior High in Richardson ISD in TX. And Kelly is also the 2023 Lone Star School Counselor of the Year. We talk to Kelly about a collaborative system they have implemented to identify and support underrepresented student populations to take advanced level classes. Kelly explains the heart behind the program, some of the roadblocks that students were experiencing, and how they help to support students to overcome these roadblocks. She shares how this has impacted student confidence, and the culture across the district. Kelly also talks about how the...2024-03-0118 minThe CharacterStrong PodcastLeading With Empathy - Greg MoffittToday our guest is Greg Moffitt, the Director of Principal Development for the District of Columbia Public Schools. We talk to Greg about leading with empathy and how empathy connects to the greater work of education. He talks about why empathy matters, and how we need to be curious about people, who they are, and the place that they are coming from. Greg shares that empathy is a skill that can be practiced and developed daily, and that we need to build on this skill before problems arise. He also shares that as leaders it’s hard to truly su...2024-02-2321 minThe CharacterStrong PodcastWhat Is Needed For A Full Tier 3 Solution? - Dr. Clay CookToday we talk with CharacterStrong's Chief Development Officer Dr. Clay Cook about what’s needed for a full Tier 3 Solution. He lays out 4 critical parts when it comes to tier 3: a process, personalized interventions, good data tools, and professional development. Dr. Cook explains that Tier 3 isn’t just interventions but it’s a system of personalized, data-driven supports that are activated based on the student needs. He also emphasizes the need for strong, effective, professional development that support our teams and help them become confident as they work to provide Tier 3 supports. Learn More: Register for our ne...2024-02-1617 minThe CharacterStrong PodcastNSCW 2024: Get Others’ KNOWS In Your Business - Jason ThompsonToday our guest is Jason Thompson, a school counselor and school counseling coordinator. He also serves as an adjunct professor for several local universities and won the “Adjunct of the Year” award in 2019. We talk with Jason about how schools can collaborate with their communities to better serve students while also recognizing the work school counselors do as they connect students and families to different community resources. He also shares specific ways his school has utilized data and intentionally built in community circle time to support the whole child and check in with students. Learn More: Join...2024-02-0816 minThe CharacterStrong PodcastNSCW 2024: Breaking Up Tasks To Build Up Whole School Systemic Change - Scott MiyagiToday our guest is Scott Miyagi who currently serves as a Student Services Coordinator in Hawaii after serving as a school counselor for several years. We talk with Scott about the value of having different minds and perspectives at the table and how he works collaboratively with school counselors and teachers to ensure the learning environment is conducive to supporting all students. He shares how he communicates with teachers and parents to create an effective teaming process to bring in student voice and break up pieces of the support to include multiple members of the students’ community. He explains ho...2024-02-0713 minThe CharacterStrong PodcastNSCW 2024: Keep It Simple - John BurnettWe are joined by John Burnett who explains whole child advocacy and creative steps he has taken to support the whole child. He shares how he created a social media poll to gather data and how he used the data to create a school-wide mental health fair that involved teachers, families, and other community partners. He walks through the steps he took to put the fair together and encourages school counselors to find simple, creative solutions to support students as you continue to plant seeds that will make a lifelong impact. Learn More: Join us for a...2024-02-0612 minThe CharacterStrong PodcastWhy Schools Struggle With Tier 3 Supports - Dr. Clay CookToday we talk with CharacterStrong's Chief Development Officer Dr. Clay Cook about why Schools Struggle with Tier 3 Supports. He outlines 3 basic reasons that schools and districts encounter roadblocks as they implement Tier 3. Dr. Cook dives into solutions to help overcome them such as increasing educator confidence, shifting the internal locus of control, and quality professional development. He also shares about the importance of teams coming together to consistently providing proactive, preventative Tier 3 supports, and how being proactive can positively impact a school system. Learn More: Register for our next Tier 3 Product Preview Get the latest updates...2024-02-0220 minThe CharacterStrong PodcastWhat happens When Tier 1 And 2 Supports Aren’t Enough? - Dr. Clay CookToday we talk with CharacterStrong's Chief Development Officer, Dr. Clay Cook about what needs to happen when Tier 1 and 2 Supports aren’t enough. He explains that when Tier 1 & 2 supports are lacking, a lot of students can look like they are in need of Tier 3 supports. As schools begin to work towards implementing Tier 3 supports, Dr. Cook emphasizes the need for clear responsibilities and streamlined decision making. He also stresses the importance of providing staff with low burden, high impact resources and quality professional development to effectively help students with greater needs. Learn More About CharacterStrong: ...2024-01-2619 minThe CharacterStrong PodcastInfusing CharacterStrong Into Your School District - Liz RitzToday our guest is Liz Ritz the Director of Teaching and Learning, at Oak Harbor Public Schools. We talk to Liz about her experience infusing CharacterStrong throughout the Oak Harbor district, and she shares difference between implementing with fidelity and integrity. Liz highlights the importance of building relationships in meetings, professional development, and one-on-one sessions with staff.. She also explains how having a Tier 1 program has laid a strong foundation as they proactively support students and how this foundation has helped as they begin to roll out Tier 2 supports. Learn More About CharacterStrong: Visit t...2024-01-1927 minThe CharacterStrong PodcastPiloting, Selecting, And Implementing Curriculum Districtwide - Kiley LuckettToday our guest is Kiley Luckett the District Mental Health Coordinator with Lawrence Public Schools in Lawrence Kansas. We talk to Kiley about how they have planned, selected, and implemented the CharacterStrong curriculum over this last year. She shares about what they did as a district to make initial & ongoing implementation successful with both staff and students. Kiley also talks about the importance that clarity, competency, and consistency has been in helping the schools across the district collectively serve students better. Learn More About CharacterStrong: Visit the CharacterStrong Website Access Curriculum Samples Attend a live product pr...2024-01-1216 minThe CharacterStrong PodcastBuilding A Positive School Culture Through Restorative Practices - Sharon BradleyToday our guest is Sharon Bradley, School District Administrator who supports Character, Attendance, and Restorative Practices & Founder and Principal Consultant at RestorativeFlo Educational Solutions. We talk with Sharon about how about 80% Restorative Practices are dedicated to building a strong community and relationships, not just resolving conflicts. She shares that it's not only about addressing issues but creating a supportive atmosphere for everyone. Sharon also emphasizes the crucial role of 'voice' in shaping our school culture, and the importance of ensuring everyone feels heard and valued. Learn More About CharacterStrong: Visit the CharacterStrong Website Access C...2024-01-0516 minThe CharacterStrong PodcastTop 6 Episodes of 202e - #6: Why Schools Need To Focus On Tier 1 & Tier 2 At The Same Time - Dr. Clay CookWe're counting down the top 6 podcasts of 2023! Today, our guest is Dr. Clay Cook, the Chief Development Officer at CharacterStrong. We speak with Clay about why Tier 1 and Tier 2 supports should run concurrently instead of waiting for Tier 1 to be fully in place before starting Tier 2. He identifies some of the necessary components for this approach and discusses the differences between Tier 1 and Tier 2. Clay also emphasizes the time required to support students with Tier 2 needs, and he talks about the impact that it can have when Tier 1 and Tier 2 are efficiently implemented together. 2023-12-2210 minThe CharacterStrong PodcastLevel 10 Meetings - John NorlinThis week CharacterStrong Co-Founder John Norlin overviews a weekly meeting process that has been a part of CharacterStrong from the beginning. He shares about the EOS process and talks about about the regular weekly meeting principles that anyone can use to help bring high accountability and high supports for us and our teams. Learn More: Send us your thoughts/questions at info@characterstrong.com Visit the CharacterStrong Website 2023-12-1514 minThe CharacterStrong PodcastMTSS Implementation Pain Points: The Wild, Wild, West - Cory NotestineToday our guest is Cory Notestine the Executive Director of People at CharacterStrong. We talk with Cory about how implementing MTSS can often feel like the wild west as schools within districts each do their own things, making it difficult to track and support MTSS implementation. He shares how some of the pain points in implementation come from us not truly understanding the systems that we work in, how they operate, and who the decision makers are. Cory talks about how districts are often overflowing with implementation efforts, and when we start to zero in on just few of t...2023-12-0122 minThe CharacterStrong PodcastMTSS Implementation Pain Points: Not Having Shared Clarity And Commitment - Dr. Clay CookToday our guest is Dr. Clay Cook the Chief Development Officer at CharacterStrong We talk to Clay about The importance of having Shared Clarity and Commitment when it comes to implementing MTSS. He breaks down the connection between clarity and adult readiness, highlighting their pivotal roles as prerequisites for successful MTSS implementation Clay also reminds us that clarity proceeds commitment, and shares that 80% of implementation efforts fall because we don’t have adult readiness. Learn More: Check out our upcoming MTSS Certification Training Sign up for the FREE 2024 Not your Typical MTSS Summit Visit the...2023-11-1716 minThe CharacterStrong PodcastEstablishing Readiness For Initial Implementation Across An Entire District - Dr. Alisha HillToday our guest is Dr. Alisha Hill the Director of School Support at CharacterStrong We talk with Dr. Hill about strategies to establish readiness for initial implementation across districts. She discusses how in her district they focused on building readiness in three key areas: motivation, capacity, and support structures. Dr. Hill emphasizes the significance of having a district-level team, ensuring support for adults involved in the process, and fostering a shared vision throughout the district. She also highlights the importance of aligning with other initiatives and utilizing low-burden, high-impact resources and tools for professional learning, and the...2023-11-0321 minThe CharacterStrong PodcastProviding Continuous, Ongoing, And Effective Support For New Teachers - Melissa RosarioToday our guest is Melissa Rosario, Elementary Specialist at CharacterStrong. We talk to Melissa about ways that we can provide continuous, ongoing, and effective support for new teachers. Melissa highlights the concerning statistics regarding new teachers and the decline of teachers in schools today. She explains the 5 phases of first-year teachers and how we can use them to design support programs. Melissa suggests several intentional ways to support new teachers, including creating programs and partnerships, giving them a head start on the year, welcoming them into the school, and providing guidance as they set up their first...2023-10-2724 minThe CharacterStrong PodcastSimple Ways That We Can Show Gratitude To Principals - Brandon BakkeToday our guest is Brandon Bakke - Director of Secondary Education at CharacterStrong. We talk to Brandon about ways that we can work to support principals not only during National Principal's Month but also throughout the year. Brandon emphasizes the impact of simple acts of gratitude, such as sending a quick note, compliment, or video. He also shares a really creative idea to help principals build relationships in a way that they might not normally have the opportunity to do. In addition, Brandon emphasizes the importance of simplicity and specificity in expressing gratitude towards others. ...2023-10-2017 minThe CharacterStrong PodcastIt’s All About Relationships - John NorlinToday CharacterStrong Co-Founder John Norlin reminds us that at the core of our work it’s all about relationships. He shares two quick stories that highlight the positive outcomes that can happen when we purposefully engage with our students' interests and strive to learn from them. John also reminds us that so often what we see on the surface does not reveal the full story of what is happening in the lives of those around us. Learn More: Visit the CharacterStrong Website 2023-10-1310 minThe CharacterStrong PodcastThe Value Of Coaching With PD And The Science Behind It - Megan GruisToday our guest is Megan Gruis the Executive Director of Implementation Supports & Tier 2 at CharacterStrong. We talk with Megan about the importance of coaching alongside professional development (PD), and the science behind it. She reminds us that it is not enough to simply introduce new ideas during implementation; consistent coaching of our teams is necessary to help them be more effective in their efforts to help students. Megan shares research and statistics that demonstrate the impact of coaching, and explains how it relates to confidence and retention. She also emphasizes the importance of establishing heart-to-heart relationships, and reminds us t...2023-09-1513 minThe CharacterStrong PodcastSeason 6 Kickoff: Be Kind, Consistently - Houston KraftSeason 6 Kickoff! We talk with CharacterStrong Co-Founder Houston Kraft about key strategies that can help us be more intentional in our work and relationships. He shares about the power of specificity, surprise, and constraint, and how these approaches can help us better connect with others. Houston also shares about the importance of consistency over time. He reminds us that true change and growth come from sustained effort and dedication, and reminds us that we need to cultivate habits of kindness every day. Learn More: Get the Be Kind Journal: bekindjournal.com Visit th...2023-09-0818 minThe CharacterStrong PodcastIntentionally Planning Professional Development - Jana ClarkToday our guest is Jana Clark, Assistant Principal, Hurst-Euless-Bedford Independent School District. We talk with Jana about the significance of planning professional development. She shares how she approaches professional development by considering what educators require and how administrators can support them through great PD. Jana explains how they intentionally connect teachers from various schools to remind them about the impact they have on students' lives. Additionally, she shares how they model campus expectations for educators during professional development, providing strategies that they can bring back to the classroom. Learn More: Visit characterstrong.com Get more info ab...2023-09-0113 minThe CharacterStrong PodcastCreating Systems Of Change For Discipline Referrals In School - Josh NelsonToday our guest is Josh Nelson a School Counselor at Richard Lewis Brown Gifted and Talented Academy. We talk with Josh about creating systems for changing how discipline referrals are handled in schools. Josh suggests that we view behavior as unmet needs rather than just bad behavior, and emphasizes the importance of shifting our thinking about discipline from punishment to correction. Josh also shares how they analyzed behavior referral data and realized that teachers needed more information on behavior and trauma, and students needed more tools and systems to address their needs. By implementing these system changes, they were...2023-08-1814 minThe CharacterStrong PodcastBeing More Intentional, Relational, & Transformational Leaders - Chris LaytonToday our guest is Chris Layton the Executive Director of Partnerships at CharacterStrong. We talk to Chris about how we can be more intentional, relational, and transformational leaders. He breaks down each one of those focuses and gives us some examples of how we intentionally shape our school cultures every single day. Chris also reminds us that growth in these areas doesn’t just happen, we have to have a plan, and he shares how he plans for personal growth throughout the year. Learn More: Regional School Culture Trainings Visit characterstrong.com 2023-08-1112 minThe CharacterStrong PodcastThe Importance Of Focusing On Multi-Tiered Systems Of Support - Dr. Clay CookToday our guest is Dr. Clay Cook the Chief Development Officer at CharacterStrong. We talk with Clay about the importance of focusing on Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS). He shares that MTSS is a framework that provides a continuum of supports that can be matched to the level of student needs. Clay also emphasizes the need for adult supports to ensure that educators are engaging in effective practices for all students. He he shares how CharacterStrong is supporting this work with an MTSS Certification and a Tier 2 Certification. Finally, Clay stresses the importance of ongoing professional learning as a k...2023-08-0416 minThe CharacterStrong PodcastThe Importance Of Student Voice & Choice Within The Classroom - Halli RoussellToday our guest is Halli Roussell a Secondary Specialist at CharacterStrong. We talk to Halli about the importance of student voice and choice. She emphasizes that when we take the time to elevate student voice in the classroom, it increases engagement over the long term. Halli provides some practical examples of how she incorporated student voice during her time as a middle school teacher, and talks about the benefits that students experience as a result. Halli also highlights the importance of not only starting a unit with student voice, but also incorporating it as a way to end a...2023-07-2112 minThe CharacterStrong PodcastEmpowering Effective Educator Collaboration So That All Students Thrive - Dr. Jeremy KoselakToday our guest is Dr. Jeremy Koselak, the Director for Professional Learning in Academy District 20 in Colorado Springs. We talk with Dr. Koselak about the importance and critical aspects of Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) in relation to academic and social/emotional wellness for educators and students. He explains that while PLCs have traditionally focused on academics, they have recently become more holistic. Dr. Koselak emphasizes the need for structures to facilitate collaboration, but also the importance of being intentional about what topics are discussed during these meetings. He stresses the need for a more holistic, team-based approach to supporting...2023-07-0714 minThe CharacterStrong PodcastAdding Tier 1 Supplements To Classroom Counseling Lessons - Chelsea HinkleToday our guest is Chelsea Hinkle, 5th Grade School Counselor at Roosevelt Middle School in Oklahoma City Public Schools. We talk with Chelsea about Tier 1 supplements for classroom counseling lessons. She explains what Tier 1 is and how comprehensive counseling lessons can become more fun for students by incorporating Tier 1 elements. Chelsea discusses practical ways that she has involved the entire school in helping students implement Tier 1 lessons, which has helped build relationships school-wide. She also highlights the significance of structure and consistency, both of which have a significant impact on students. To learn more about CharacterStrong visit characterstrong...2023-06-3013 minThe CharacterStrong PodcastHarnessing The Power Of The First Few Minutes Of Class - Kate GerberToday our guest is Kate Gerber, Professional School Counselor at Central Lyon Elementary School in Rock Rapids, Iowa. We talk with Kate about the impact of utilizing the first few minutes of class for morning meetings in the classroom. She emphasizes the importance of making students feel welcome and a sense of belonging as soon as they enter the classroom. At Central Lyon, Kate created the morning meeting to be their tier 1 time, and she talks about the benefits this time has had in the elementary classrooms and how they plan to expanding this time into the 7th and 8...2023-06-2316 minThe CharacterStrong PodcastThe Importance Of Having A Great Principal & School Counselor Relationship - Brooklyn Stevens & Kensie DaleskeToday our guests are Brooklyn Stevens & Kensie Daleske, School Counselor & Principal at Brookfield R3 Elementary in Brookfield, Missouri. Brooklyn and Kensie emphasize the positive impact of having weekly meetings at Brookfield and why it's worth it to make time for these check-ins. Kensie explains how prioritizing this time has established a solid foundation from the start of her time at Brookfield. They also provide examples of how this strong relationship has directly supported students and families. Episode Links: The Brookfield R3 Website: https://www.brookfieldr3.org To learn more about CharacterStrong visit: characterstrong.com ...2023-06-1616 minThe CharacterStrong PodcastKey Ingredients To Great Professional Development - Meredith LeeToday our guest is Meredith Lee, the Director of Professional Learning at CharacterStrong. We talk with Meredith about the key ingredients that make professional development great. She shares that PD should be engaging, effective, and lead to positive behavior changes on campus. According to Meredith, relevance, the introduction of practices that can be immediately applied, and opportunities for relational processing are all important aspects that we need to consider when facilitating professional development. Additionally, Meredith reminds us that great PD comes from a place of humility and should be clear and simple. Episode Links: Check out...2023-06-0918 minThe CharacterStrong PodcastIntroducing The CharacterStrong Tier 2 Solution! - Dr. Clay CookToday, our guest is Dr. Clay Cook, the Chief Development Officer at CharacterStrong. In this episode, we discuss CharacterStrong's new Tier 2 Solution, launching this spring. Dr. Cook shares his insights on the resources, tools, and interventions that come with CS Tier 2. He also talks about the included professional learning support that will help educators improve continuously over time. Additionally, Dr. Cook provides an overview of the small group skill-building curriculum and discusses its components. To Learn More Visit: CharacterStrong Tier 2 Solution: https://characterstrong.com/tier2/ CharacterStrong Tier 2 Certification Training CharacterStrong MTSS Certification Training 2023-03-3113 minThe CharacterStrong PodcastWhy Schools Need To Focus On Tier 1 & Tier 2 At The Same Time - Dr. Clay CookToday, our guest is Dr. Clay Cook, the Chief Development Officer at CharacterStrong. We speak with Clay about why Tier 1 and Tier 2 supports should run concurrently instead of waiting for Tier 1 to be fully in place before starting Tier 2. He identifies some of the necessary components for this approach and discusses the differences between Tier 1 and Tier 2. Clay also emphasizes the time required to support students with Tier 2 needs, and he shares about the impact that it can have when Tier 1 and Tier 2 are efficiently implemented together. To Learn More: CharacterStrong Tier 2 Solution: https://characterstrong.co...2023-03-1010 minThe CharacterStrong PodcastGetting Tier 2 Right - Dr. Clay CookToday, our guest is Dr. Clay Cook, the Chief Development Officer at CharacterStrong. We discuss some of the common roadblocks that make Tier 2 work more challenging. Clay shares the two most important steps a school can take to ensure successful Tier 2 implementation: having a strong leadership team and having a coordinated problem-solving process. He also explains what it takes to match students to the right interventions. To Learn More: CharacterStrong Tier 2 Solution: https://characterstrong.com/tier2/ CharacterStrong Tier 2 Certification Training CharacterStrong MTSS Certification Training Visit CharacterStrong's Website: https://characterstrong.com/ Dr. Clay...2023-02-1714 minThe CharacterStrong PodcastReflecting and Re-energizing within the School Counseling Profession - Kat Pastor & Cory NotestineToday, we are joined by Kat Pastor, the Executive Director of School Supports at CharacterStrong, and Cory Notestine, the Director of Continuous Improvement at CharacterStrong, from Washington D.C. to kick off National School Counseling Week. They discuss the past, present, and future of school counseling, as well as the changes that have taken place and what keeps them passionate about school counseling today. Kat Pastor has passionately served as a student and educator advocate for over 20 years in the roles of coach, student council advisor, school counselor at the secondary level and financial aid counselor/coordinator...2023-02-0318 minThe CharacterStrong PodcastThe CharacterStrong Tier 2 Solution: Getting Students AND Adults the Tools they Need - Megan GruisClick here to access a sample of CharacterStrong Tier 2 Solution: http://tier2samples.com/ Today our guest is Megan Gruis the Executive Director of Customized Implementation Supports (CIS) at CharacterStrong. We talk to Megan what Tier 2 is, how it differs from Tier 1 and Tier 3 supports, and why Tier 2 solutions are needed now more than ever in our schools today. She talks about some of the roadblocks that come when implementing Tier 2, and Meagan shares an overview of CharacterStrong’s new Tier 2 Solution.2022-11-1825 minThe CharacterStrong PodcastImprove School Climate By Making Defining Moments - Brandon BakkeWebinar Link: 10 Powerful Moments To Get Right This School Year Today our guest is Brandon Bakke, the Director of Secondary Education at CharacterStrong. We talk to Brandon about how intentionally making defining moments can improve the climate in our schools. He gives some practical examples of everyday events that we can elevate as we interact with students and staff. Brandon also shares 3 strategies that we can put in practice as we begin to think in moments, and he shares one way that a specific yearly milestone can be turned into a more memorable moment. Brandon B...2022-10-2824 minThe CharacterStrong PodcastThe New PurposeFull People Update! - Julie HinshawToday our guest is Julie Hinshaw, Director of Elementary Education at CharacterStrong We talk to Julie about the new update to CharacterStrong’s PreK-5th Grade curriculum PurposeFull People and how it has been expanded to better meet the needs of elementary schools. She outlines the 5 different activities that make up a week in the curriculum and some of the creative additions that have been added to help build core skills in students.2022-09-2319 minThe CharacterStrong PodcastMulti-Tiered Systems of Support - Dr. Clayton CookToday our guest is CharacterStrong’s Chief Development Officer, Dr. Clayton Cook. We talk to Clay about where Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) has come from, and why it is so important for students today. He also shares some of the roadblocks that get in the way of successful MTSS, why effective teaming is essential, and how CharacterStrong is supporting this work.2022-08-0512 minThe CharacterStrong PodcastIntroducing Dr. Clayton Cook!We talk with Dr. Clayton Cook about his new role at CharacterStrong and he shares why implementation is needed today now more than ever. Dr. Cook also talks about ways the CharacterStrong team is partnering with schools, and he gives 3 practical implementation steps that schools can do right now.2022-02-0419 minThe CharacterStrong PodcastTop 6 Episodes Of 2021: #1 - The Role Of Student Leadership In Our Schools - Houston Kraft & Don BartelJohn talks with CharacterStrong Co-Founder Houston Kraft & Team Member Don Bartel about the recent CharacterStrong leadership conference, and the role and impact that student leadership has in school culture & climate.2021-12-3117 minThe CharacterStrong PodcastWhat We Learned During Educator Listening Sessions - Kat PastorToday our guest is Kat Pastor, Kat was the 2016 ASCA National School Counselor of the Year, and is now the Director of School Supports at CharacterStrong. We talk with Kat about the Educator Listening Sessions that CharacterStrong is hosting, she shares some of the insights that came out of these sessions, and she talks about ways that we can best support the students, staff and families that we serve.2021-11-1220 minThe CharacterStrong PodcastIntroducing The Adult SEL Podcast!Today we have a special episode for you. It is the first episode of a new podcast called the Adult SEL Podcast by CharacterStrong where we focus on improving our personal well-being through research and practical strategies in order to better serve the people we care about. Instead of weekly episodes, each season will be a series that we drop all at once, bringing together experts in the field. We know that it is not just students who need social emotional learning, but also adults and we hope that this podcast will help anyone looking to grow as professionals...2021-10-2206 minThe CharacterStrong PodcastThe Importance Of Having A Roadmap For SEL Implementation - Julie HinshawWe talk to Julie about her new role as an Implementation Specialist at CharacterStrong. Julie shares about the work she is doing focused on implementation, why the CharacterStrong implementation roadmap is so important for schools, and specific ways that CharacterStrong is supporting schools in her home state of Texas.2021-07-0217 minThe CharacterStrong PodcastThe Role Of Student Leadership In Our Schools - Houston Kraft & Don BartelJohn talks with CharacterStrong Co-Founder Houston Kraft & Team Member Don Bartel about the recent CharacterStrong leadership conference, and the role and impact that student leadership has in school culture & climate.2021-01-2217 minThe CharacterStrong PodcastThe Way Out Is Through - Don BartelJohn talks with new CharacterStrong team member and veteran educator Don Bartel about the topic "The Way Out Is Through", they discuss the new CharacterStrong student leadership conference, and they share why the topics of purpose, influence, and obstacles are so important.2020-12-1721 minThe CharacterStrong PodcastCelebrating #SELday! - CharacterStrong Co-Founders Houston & JohnJohn and Houston celebrate national #SELday! They talk about what SEL is, how CharacterStrong's work is advancing SEL in schools & communities, and Houston shares a story of a district that has creatively implemented the CharacterStrong Curriculum and the impact that it has had.2020-03-2716 minThe CharacterStrong PodcastProviding Inspiration & Hope In A Changing World - CharacterStrong Co-Founders John & HoustonCharacterStrong Co-Founders John and Houston talk about the changes in our world these last few weeks and they share about some resources & practical tools that can provide hope & inspiration: Virtual Assemblies, the CharacterStrong Virtual Tool Kit, the Whole Child Virtual Summit, and the Kindness Journal.2020-03-2321 minThe CharacterStrong PodcastCelebrating 100 Podcast Episodes w/ CharacterStrong Co-Founders John & Houston!CharacterStrong Co-Founders John Norlin & Houston Kraft celebrate 100 episodes of the CharacterStrong Podcast. We take some time to answer questions from YOU! Topics: the #1 tip in year one of CharacterStrong for implementation, the role of extrinsic rewards in the CharacterStrong programs, the time it takes for impact, how we can stay kind and loving daily, and how empathy connects to kindness.2020-02-1026 minThe CharacterStrong PodcastHow Time, Intentionality, & Mindset Changes School Culture - Hans AppelHans Appel has worked as a counselor in the Richland School District for the past 19 years and at Enterprise Middle School since it opened. He’s passionate about school culture, servant leadership, and kindness. In 2018, EMS was awarded the ASCD Whole Child Award for the State of Washington and the Global “Class Act Award” for creating a culture of excellence through kindness, service, and empathy. Additionally, they were selected as a finalist in the 2019 PBIS Film Festival and took top prize in the Community, Parents, and Staff category. In 2018, Hans launched his own blog about School Culture and rolled out a...2019-12-0219 minThe CharacterStrong PodcastGratitude: What Are You Grateful For? - CharacterStrong Co-Founders Houston & JohnOn the day before Thanksgiving 2019, CharacterStrong Co-Founders Houston Kraft & John Norlin reflect on this past year and share a little bit about what they are grateful for, and also give a challenge that reminds us what this holiday is all about. To read the transcription of this episode please visit: https://buff.ly/2KO8zfF2019-11-2713 minThe CharacterStrong PodcastWorld Kindness Day! - CharacterStrong Co-Founders John Norlin & Houston KraftHappy World Kindness Day! John Norlin is a Co-Founder of CharacterStrong, a Servant Leadership trainer, and motivational speaker. He was Washington Advisor of the Year, taught 5 leadership classes per semester for 10 years at Sumner High School, and was a Program Administrator for the Whole Child for five years. Houston Kraft is a Co-Founder of CharacterStrong, a professional speaker, leadership consultant, and kindness advocate who speaks to middle schools, high schools, colleges, and businesses nationally. He has spoken at over 500 events and counting. Student Body President in High School, Class President at Bowdoin College, Leadership Camp...2019-11-1318 minThe CharacterStrong PodcastThe World Is Our Textbook - CS School Implementation Specialist Krista GyptonKrista Gypton taught for 19 years and has received numerous awards for her teaching and student community service, including the 2008 Arizona Teacher of the Year Ambassador for Excellence. She is an emphatic believer in the power of service to others and has traveled as far as South Africa with students to give back. She has been a keynote speaker and trainer for the past 11 years, both nationally and internationally. Krista is the new CharacterStrong School Implementation Specialist. We talk with Krista about her new role at CharacterStrong, the most important thing that schools can do to improve its s...2019-08-2212 minThe CharacterStrong PodcastWelcome to the CharacterStrong Podcast!We sit down with CharacterStrong co-founders John Norlin & Houston Kraft as they talk about what the CharacterStrong podcast is all about and how CharacterStrong got its start. 2019-03-0115 min