The CharacterStrong Podcast

Today 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

Today 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 key element in implementing MTSS systems. Learn More: CharacterStrong MTSS Certification Training CharacterStrong Tier 2 Certification Training Visit characterstrong.com

Today 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 unit. To learn more about CharacterStrong visit characterstrong.com

Today our guest is Anthony Vargas - the Director of Advanced Academics and Gifted and Talented Education for the Maryland Department of Education. We talk to Anthony about creating and supporting more equitable Gifted and Talented programs and he emphasized the need to shift our thinking towards finding potential and growing talents. Anthony shares about the 3 areas that need to be changed to shift to a talent development and reminds us that we are all leaders and can make positive changes in our schools. He also shares ways that can help us see the different talents that our students have. Learn more: EdWeek Article: https://www.edweek.org/leaders/2023/a-leader-whos-busting-down-barriers-to-gifted-education Anthony Vargas is the Director of Advanced Academics and Gifted and Talented Education for the Maryland Department of Education and former Supervisor of Gifted/Talented and Advanced Programming for Manassas City Public Schools. He received his bachelor's degree in secondary social studies education from Millersville University, and started his teaching career at Manassas Park Middle School. After completing his first year, Mr. Vargas attended Arkansas State University where he later received his master's degree in gifted and talented education. He then revamped the middle school gifted program and provided more professional learning opportunities to staff. Mr. Vargas then took on a position as a gifted resource teacher in a neighboring county while completing an additional master's degree in educational leadership from the University of Virginia. In his current role, Mr. Vargas has increased representation of historically excluded students in programming and has expanded enrichment opportunities. Raised in poverty without having access to many opportunities himself, Mr. Vargas intimately knows the struggles of many of his students and unwaveringly places emphasis on supports for everyone.

Today 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 students, and highlights the key role that data plays in driving PLC work. To learn more about CharacterStrong visit characterstrong.com Dr. Jeremy Koselak is an author, researcher, consultant, and the current Director for Professional Learning in Academy District 20. He is a former high school teacher, interventionist, and district coordinator for RTI, MTSS, PLC and school improvement. Dr. Koselak cofounded a highly successful tutoring center at a large, diverse urban high school, which was featured in several articles and books.

Today 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.com Chelsea Hinkle is in her fifth year as a school counselor and currently works as a middle school counselor for Roosevelt Middle School in Oklahoma City Public Schools where she will support 5th grade students during the upcoming school year. She received her bachelor's degree from Oklahoma State University and holds a masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Mid-America Christian University. Chelsea is passionate about implementing a comprehensive school counseling program that collaborates with community partners and addresses solutions to data-driven student needs that supports each and every student in her building. Prior to her work as a school counselor, Chelsea worked for various mental health organizations where she co-facilitated therapeutic groups and instructed various mental health curricula to multiple students in a variety of educational settings. Outside of work, Chelsea can be found spending time in Oklahoma City where she lives with her partner and three dachshunds and is inevitably listening to Taylor Swift. 🙂

Today 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 8th grade classes. Episode Links: Article: https://www.nwestiowa.com/news/central-lyon-elementary-implements-characterstrong/article_516818ac-f9b1-11ed-bdfd-4330997f6915.html Learn more about PurposeFull People: https://characterstrong.com/purposefull-people/ Kate's Bio: Hello, my name is Kate Gerber and I am a Professional School Counselor in Northwest, IA. I currently serve 435 students preschool through sixth grade and have loved this work. I am a former kindergarten teacher and was offered a risk by switching roles after distance learning and man, I am so grateful I did. With this new position came personal challenges but I have grown and continue to radiate the importance of education for our students success. I love teaching and plan to continue. I am not just an educator but also a mom to three small children, Penelope, Jones, and Calvin. With motherhood comes my SEL hat whether I want to utilize it or not, the skills matter. SEL matters and we need to celebrate the coaching role we have been put in as adults to help our next generation of youth become successful, professional, empathetic, power houses.

Today 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 Kensie Daleske has been in education for 11 years, 10 of which were spent in the classroom or as a Title 1 reading teacher. She moved to the Brookfield R-III School District last summer and is wrapping up her first year as an administrator. Currently, she serves as the Kindergarten-4th Grade Elementary Principal. She describes herself as a servant leader and strives to build powerful relationships with her students and staff. Brooklyn Stevens has served the field of education for 9 years with 7 of those years in counseling. She began her counseling journey after helping high school students apply for jobs and colleges during her student teaching experience. She has worked with high schoolers, middle schoolers and now elementary students. She currently serves as the Elementary School Counselor at Brookfield R3 Elementary going into her 5th year in this position.

Today 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 how you can bring a School Culture Training to your school To learn more about CharacterStrong visit: characterstrong.com