The CharacterStrong Podcast

Today our guests are Angela Shanahan & Karen Devine, School Counselors in Chicago Public Schools. We talk about the impact that comprehensive, data-informed school counseling programs have with students at their schools and across the district. They also share what they have learned leading schools thru the Recognized ASCA Model Program process, and the impact and benefits of becoming RAMP recognized. Angela Shanahan is a school counselor in a neighborhood high school in Chicago Public Schools (CPS) with experience at the middle school, high school and district level. It was during her CPS internship in 2011 that she was first introduced to the Recognized ASCA Model Program (RAMP) application process, with the high school receiving the award. Then after transitioning to a middle school and getting a few years under her belt, she decided to RAMP again. Through these experiences, Angela was able to network with counselors from other schools and better understand the impact we can make at a district level. Angela has been an ASCA RAMP reviewer for over four years and works as a Co-RAMP Coordinator for Chicago Public Schools with Karen Devine. In their second year as coordinators, they streamlined the supports for schools in their RAMP pipeline. Angela is also an adjunct professor at her alma-mata, Loyola University Chicago, where she teaches Foundations of School Counseling to first year graduate students. During her spare time, she enjoys being active and spending time with her husband and three young children. Today our guests are Angela Shanahan & Karen Devine, School Counselors in Chicago Public Schools. We talk about the impact that comprehensive, data-informed school counseling programs have with students at their schools and across the district. They also share what they have learned leading schools thru the Recognized ASCA Model Program process, and the impact and benefits of becoming RAMP recognized. Karen Devine has been a passionate teacher, counselor, coach, and district leader in the Chicago Public Schools for 30 years. She leads with the mantra, "be gentle with your children, for they will teach their children", which she has written on a cloth embroidered by her Grandmother. While working as a high school counselor in the second most-populated school in the district, Karen has been able to transform the school counseling program to provide equitable access for students with long-term, successful results. In addition to being a practicing high school counselor, and leading her school through its fourth RAMP application, Karen also serves as the District's Co-RAMP Coordinator with Angela Shanahan. Through innovative Tier 1, 2, and 3 practices, along with a cultivated resource guide, Karen has helped the District revitalize counseling programs at both the elementary and high school levels. Karen and Angela have presented about their work at the district, state, and national levels. As a running coach and yoga instructor, Karen emphasizes the mind/body connection within her counseling philosophy. Through creative drills, movement, walk-and-talk, and art therapy, students learn to be a proactive partner in realizing their potential.

Today our guest is Petra Davis, Activities Director for Tesoro High school in Las Flores, CA. We talk to Petra about the lessons that she has learned going from being an advisor at a middle school to being at a high school, while also at the same time walking alongside students during COVID. Petra also shares some of the realities of where students are at today and the intentionality that is needed in project based learning to best serve Petra Davis-Johnson, has been an educator for 31 years. She taught middle school science for 29 years before moving into her current administrative position, serving as the Activities Director for Tesoro High school in Las Flores, CA for the past two years. At the middle school level, Petra spent 23 years as the activities director for Las Flores Middle School. Her middle school students fed into the same high school where she is now, providing both Petra and the students some familiarity as they embarked on their new high school adventure in the time of COVID. During her transition from middle to high school, she was named the 2021 Warren E. Shull Middle Level Advisor of the year for her work in fostering student leadership development.

Today our guest is Ashley Wright an Elementary School Counselor at Lucille J. Bradley Elementary, in Spring Texas. We talk to Ashley about school connectedness and the transformation that it can have in our schools when we all work together. Ashley talks about the importance of relationships and shares that even though we have differences when we come to the table with families it can have a huge impact in the lives of the students we serve. Born and raised in Houston, TX, Ashley Wright went through undergraduate studies as an Education Major at Sam Houston State University as well graduate studies as a Professional School Counselor and Licensed Professional Counselor. She currently serves as an elementary school counselor in Conroe ISD at Lucille J. Bradley Elementary. She has been an educator for the past 13 years and a school counselor for the past 4 years. Ashley was recently awarded as a 2022 American School Counselor Association School Counselor of the Year Finalist. Ashley Wright teaches students to accept diversity, increase their self-esteem, build character, and maintain resilience. Ashley continues to implement a diverse comprehensive counseling program that is dedicated to meeting the needs of her students, staff, and the community. From weekly counseling lessons, student leadership opportunities, parent education shows, and student achievement awards, Ashley brings enthusiasm and campus engagement throughout the entire school year. As an advocate for the school counseling profession, Ashley has also presented several national webinars with the national WhyTry program and Region Education Centers with counseling program implementation ideas, tools, and strategies to increase student attendance and engagement, and school counselor self-care. Overall, Ashley continues to influence other professional school counselors in their role and strives to create change in our education system

We talk to Hillary about blended learning programs and how this hybrid classroom helps to meet the different needs of students. She talks about some of the struggles that students are facing in this season and gives a few ways that they are helping students re-engage in relationships. Hillary also shares how teachers are creatively using CharacterStrong lessons during shorter one-on-one check-ins with students. Hilary Craw has been a school counselor with Redlands eAcademy in Redlands Unified School District for the past six and a half years. Before that, she worked as a school counselor for Redlands High school in Redlands Unified from 2008-2010, as an Admissions Counselor for University of Redlands from 2011-2013, and as the Hospital Outreach Manager for The Painted Turtle, a camp for kids with serious medical conditions, from 2013-2015. Through her work as a school counselor and also her volunteer work as a camp counselor with The Painted Turtle and Camp Good Grief, Hilary has cemented her belief that each child matters, is important and has the ability to contribute, no matter what challenges, setbacks, diagnoses, or struggles they face. But in order to do this, they need to be seen and heard by their peers and the important adults in their lives. She also believes wholeheartedly in the power of laughter and humor to heal and to connect with others. Hilary's favorite day is when a student seeks her out to share a pun or a joke with her. In fact, Hilary means cheerful and she always tries to live up to that.

We talk to Allison about the different ways that she has been helping implement PurposeFull People with the students and staff at her school. She shares the practical ways that she has used the PurposeFull People posters, pictures, and character trait definitions to help create common language with students. Allison also shares how she has helped created space for students to have ongoing conversations about character. After 14 years as a classroom teacher, Allison is a proud first year school counselor! She has had the honor to serve PreK through 3rd grade students across two campuses in Robinson, Texas just outside of Waco. Allison began her career in education in 2007 upon receiving a Bachelor's Degree from Baylor University. While she loved being a teacher, she always knew her heart was beyond the classroom. In 2018 Allison earned a Master's of Education in School Counseling from Tarleton State University, and in 2021, Allison joined the school counseling profession. It is her goal as a school counselor to see the good in every person and situation. Her hope for students and staff is to know their value by developing and facilitating positive relationships and experiences. Outside of school, Allison enjoys baking, traveling, and spending time outdoors with her husband of 10 years and their seven year old daughter.

We talk to Matthew about how he got involved with his state school counselors association and the different ways that getting involved can impact us, the schools we serve, and the states where we live. He also talks about the importance of building connections, especially being in the role of school counselor. Matthew McClain has been a school counselor in rural Northeast Colorado since 2005. He spent 10 years counseling at the 5th and 6th grade level, then spent 6 years at the high school level, and is currently at the elementary level (grades 1-5). Prior to school counseling, he was a reporting analyst and worked in the telecommunications field. He has also been the Executive Director for the Colorado School Counselor Association (CSCA) since November of 2017. He and his wife of 24 years have 3 beautiful children. Matthew has been involved with the American School Counselor Association(ASCA) and CSCA since 2008 serving on various committees and roles including CSCA conference chair, CSCA Elementary VP, CSCA President, CSCA Public Relations Chair, ASCA conference selection committee, and ASCA State Bylaw Review committee chair. He has presented on various topics including getting involved in state school counselor associations, how to be situationally aware both personally and professionally, how to be a leader, and leading social emotional groups. He is passionate about relationships, connections, school counselors, leadership, and clinical school counselor supervision.

We talk to Dr. Frasco about the importance of having all leaders understand the social and emotional needs of students. She shares about the need for leaders to have consistent conversations about a school's core values, the need to intentionally teach them, and have them impact our small and big decisions. Dr. Frasco also reminds us that everyone has a story and as leaders, we need to take the time to listen. Dr. Rena Frasco is in her 20th year with Morgan County School District Re-3 in northeastern Colorado. She currently serves as the Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment. Dr. Frasco is very passionate about serving her rural, diverse community! She is married to a wonderful husband, Mark, and they have 2 beautiful daughters, Kristen and Leia.

Today our guest is Dr. John Hattie, the Director of the Melbourne Educational Research Institute at the University of Melbourne, Australia. Dr. Hattie is also the author of Visible Learning and Visible Learning for Teachers, the result of 15 years of research. On this episode we talk about 10 Steps To Develop Great Learners: Visible Learning For Parents, Dr. Hattie's newest book that he wrote with his son Kyle. Dr. Hattie also shares some of the mindframes that can help all of us that work with students. Professor John Hattie is a renowned researcher in education. His research interests include performance indicators, models of measurement and evaluation of teaching and learning. John Hattie became known to a wider public with the publication of his two books, Visible Learning and Visible Learning for Teachers, the result of 15 years of research. The books are a synthesis of more than 800 meta-studies covering more than 80 million students. The Visible Learning series has sold more than 1.5 million copies, and has been translated into 29 different languages. TES once called John "possibly the world's most influential education academic." He has been Director of the Melbourne Educational Research Institute at the University of Melbourne, Australia, since March 2011. Before, he was Project Director of asTTle and Professor of Education at the University of Auckland, New Zealand. He holds a PhD from the University of Toronto, Canada. You can find a full CV of Professor John Hattie (PDF) at the website of the University of Auckland. Kyle Hattie is a Year 6 Teacher working in a Primary School in the Northern Suburbs of Melbourne, Australia. Over his 10-year career, he has taught at many year levels, from Prep to Year 6 in both Australia and New Zealand. Kyle has held various leadership titles and has a passion for understanding how students become learners.

We talk to Phil about what Adventure Education is and how it is both novel and can involve some risk. He describes the experiential learning cycle and talks about the power of having a shared experience. Phil also gives practical ways we can use experiential learning strategies in our classrooms that can amplify learning for students. Phil Brown, originally from England, joined the High 5 team in May 2015 having previously worked in Adventure and Outdoor education for 7 years. Phil brings high energy and devotion to the Adventure field and has presented at many national and international conferences on the subject of Adventure learning. He is also one of the co-authors of the book "Tinker: Building Purposeful Experiences from Classic Adventure Activities" and the producer/host of "Vertical Playpen" – the podcast all about Adventure and Experiential Education.

Today our guest is Cory Notestine the Executive Director of Student Success and Wellness for Colorado Springs School District 11. We talk to Cory about a concept known as rapid innovation cycles, which contribute to educational progress while fighting a failure-to-launch mentality. Cory Notestine serves as the Executive Director of Student Success and Wellness for Colorado Springs School District 11 (D11) an urban district of 25,000 students. In this role, Cory has implemented and developed a district-wide Comprehensive Student Support Model that integrates SEL practices, Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS), Restorative Practice with a focus on Trauma Responsive classrooms. Additionally, he oversees the work of School Nurses, Discipline and Attendance, Homebound and Extended Learning, Homeless Youth, MTSS, Counseling Services, and the development of a Community Based Health Center. Currently, he is serving as D11's COVID Incident Commander and supporting the district's response and services provided across the school community during these challenging times. Before his role with CSSD11, Cory served 7 years as a school counselor in both urban and rural settings in North Carolina and Colorado. Through collaborative efforts and cooperative leadership, he developed two Recognized American School Counselor Association (ASCA) Model Programs that have led to increased student outcomes. His work with students has been honored by the North Carolina School Counselor Association, and the Colorado School Counselor Association, as Secondary School Counselor of the Year's in 2011 and 2013. The American School Counselor Association along with the White House recognized him as the 2015 National School Counselor of the Year. Cory has provided instruction and supervision as an Adjunct Instructor in the Counseling and Human Services Department at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs and Counselor Education at Adams State University and has received degrees from the University of Kentucky in Psychology and from Gonzaga University where he completed his Masters in School Counseling. Cory is the Past President of the Colorado School Counselor Association and served as the Chair of the Governing Board of Directors for the American School Counselor Association. His passion for creating systemic change and counselor advocacy continues to drive his work in the profession of school counseling and educational leadership.