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 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 used some of the CharacterStrong resources to help lead the student safe team.

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

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 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 MTSS Curriculum Samples
• Attend our next live product preview
• Visit the CharacterStrong Website

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 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.

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

Ty Harris is the Director of the Office for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) for Virginia Beach City Public Schools. He leads the implementation of the school division’s educational equity plan, as well as efforts to increase cultural competencies for all stakeholders.

Harris has a passion for leveraging student voice and increasing awareness and understanding of neurodiversity. Harris started his education journey as a high school social studies teacher in Greenville County, South Carolina. He also taught in Fairfax County, Virginia, before taking a specialist position with the U.S. Department of Education (DoED). While with the DoED, Harris worked with magnet and charter schools, and helped implement the Promise Neighborhoods program under then President Barack Obama. This program is modeled after the Harlem Children’s Zone and seeks to end the cycle of poverty with schools as the focal point. After leaving the DoED, Harris moved into school administration where he spent five years as a middle school principal and two as a high school assistant principal.

Harris holds a bachelor’s degree from Clemson University, a master’s degree from George Mason University, an education specialist degree from Old Dominion University and an advanced certification for DEI from Cornell University.

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 transformative 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
• Visit the CharacterStrong Website

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 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 MTSS Curriculum Samples
• Attend our next live product preview
• Visit the CharacterStrong Website

Justin Moorman and Katie Thornton are veteran educators who are well versed in Trauma Informed Practices with advanced training in the Neurose quential Model in Education, Applied Educational Neuroscience, Crisis Prevention Intervention, Restorative Practices, Treatment and Education of Autistic and related Communication Handicapped Children (TEACCH), and Advanced Collaborative and Proactive Solutions. They believe kids do well if they can, and problems should be solved WITH kids. They look forward to sharing their passion with others to continue to help reform educational practices based on current research. Katie and Justin have launched the (Re)Education of Schools Podcast to give voice, advocacy, support, and professional development to other educators.

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 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 MTSS Curriculum Samples
• Attend our next live product preview
• Visit the CharacterStrong Website

Leandra R. Torra is a Social Emotional Learning and Trauma-Informed Care Manager in the Culture and Climate Division at Jefferson County Public Schools. With over 21 years of experience in education, Leandra has served as both an elementary teacher and a middle school counselor. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education, along with Master’s degrees in School Leadership and School Counseling, all from Western Kentucky University. Leandra is passionate about supporting students and believes that every child is just one caring adult away from success. She lives in Louisville, Kentucky, with her husband James and their two children.

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 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 product preview
• Visit the CharacterStrong Website

A nationally-recognized speaker, veteran counselor, and author of three Mom’s Choice Gold Award books, Barbara Gruener thrives on positively influencing character change, passionately helping people stay in the moment to create caring connections, and intentionally improving school climate and culture. Her innovative, inspirational ideas are sparked by 40 years in education growing alongside learners from every age and stage on her home campus as well as in myriad schools where she is a mentor. Barbara’s high energy growth sessions have captivated educators and encouraged them to connect by heart as they spread hope and joy in their character building. Though Barbara’s farming roots will always be in Wisconsin, she and her husband raised their now-grown family in Friendswood, Texas. She was just promoted to Grammy, most certainly her best gig yet.

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 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.

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

Cindy Bourget is a school counselor of 10 years who believes that every student deserves a school counselor. As a first generation college graduate, she focuses on building systems that ensure all students are supported. She is the current Wisconsin School Counselor Association Data Director and a 2024 National School Counselor of the Year Finalist.