The CharacterStrong Podcast

Today 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 und...

Today our guest is Carrie Woodard the Director Student Support Services - School Counselors at Pittsburgh Public Schools. We talk to Carrie about ways that school counselors can create a strong support system for first-generation students—offering personalized guidance on navigating the college application process, exploring financial aid options, and understanding campus resources. She emphasizes...

Dr. Damien Sweeney shares his expertise on supporting students through strong relationships, collaboration, and culturally sustaining practices. Drawing from his diverse career in education, counseling, and leadership, Dr. Sweeney discusses the importance of student trust, multi-tiered systems of support, and integrating student voices into decision-making. His insights challenge school counselors...

Today our guests are Principal Rebecca Thompson & Associate Principal Charlee Breeden at Tomahawk Creek Middle School in Midlothian, VA We talk to Rebecca & Charlee about how they create a safe, supportive environment in an overcrowded middle school. They highlight the power of knowing names, servant leadership, and safety. Rebecca emphasizes the importance of visibility in hallways, while both di...

Today our guest is Josh Holbrook, SEL Specialist at Rowan County Middle School in Kentucky . Josh dives into the impact of a simple warm welcome and shares about the fun way they partnered with student-athletes to build relationships by greeting students at the door for Fist Bump Friday. Josh also breaks down the four essential components of the warm welcome, the intention behind each step, and th...

Today our guest is Andrea Freile the Family Engagement and Communications Coordinator at Wayne County Public Schools. We talk to Andrea about Cultural Intelligence and she highlights the critical work around helping teachers and staff to engage with families empathetically. She emphasizes the importance of striving for greater understanding to better serve the diverse students in our classrooms. A...

Today our guest is Jorge Torres the lead school counselor, at Foster High School in Tukwila, WA. Jorge shares heartfelt reflections on his own upbringing and the profound impact that a strong community of support can have on students' lives. He challenges us to ask, "Who else can I invite to the table?" when fostering relationships and creating meaningful connections with students. Jorge also prov...

Learn More About CharacterStrong:   Access FREE  MTSS Curriculum Samples Attend our next live product preview Visit the CharacterStrong Website

Learn More About CharacterStrong:   Access FREE  MTSS Curriculum Samples Attend our next live product preview Visit the CharacterStrong Website

Learn More About CharacterStrong:   Access FREE  MTSS Curriculum Samples Attend our next live product preview Visit the CharacterStrong Website

Learn More About CharacterStrong:   Access FREE  MTSS Curriculum Samples Attend our next live product preview Visit the CharacterStrong Website

Learn More About CharacterStrong:   Access FREE  MTSS Curriculum Samples Attend our next live product preview Visit the CharacterStrong Website

Learn More About CharacterStrong:   Access FREE  MTSS Curriculum Samples Attend our next live product preview Visit the CharacterStrong Website

Today 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 boo...

Today 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, empow...

Today 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...

Today 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...

Today 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 implementatio...

Today 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 voi...

Today 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 en...

Today 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 i...

Today 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 d...

Today 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 del...

Today 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...

We 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 addr...