The CharacterStrong Podcast

Today 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 FREE MTSS Curriculum Samples Request a Quote Today! Visit the CharacterStrong Website Julia Kennedy is a French Immersion teacher with 20 years experience in different grade levels and she has taught in various provinces across Canada. She has been a CharacterStrong leader within her school for 4 years. Julia has held the supplementary role of responsibility as SEL coach for 2 years while being a middle school classroom teacher. Currently she lives with her family of 4 in Woodstock, New Brunswick and she loves hockey, yoga and the great outdoors!

Today our guest is Dr. Mark Chapin, Principal at Meyer Middle School. We talk to Dr. Chapin about how his district takes a purposeful approach to character development—from monthly character kickoff presentations to unifying yearly themes. He explains how each trait is clearly defined and modeled across all grade levels, K–12, and how community input plays a key role in shaping the work. Hear how this district-wide effort brings consistency, clarity, and connection to their character education approach. Learn More About CharacterStrong: Access FREE MTSS Curriculum Samples Request a Quote Today! Visit the CharacterStrong Website Mark Chapin is the principal of Meyer Middle School in River Falls, Wisconsin serving approximately 750 students in grades 6 - 8. Meyer Middle School was recognized as a National School of Character in 2016 and again in 2024. Mark has served as a building administrator in the School District of River Falls for 16 years. Prior to coming to River Falls, Mark taught for 12 years in the Ellsworth Community School District as a high school special education teacher and an 8th grade US History teacher. While in Ellsworth he also coached cross-country, track, tennis and basketball. In 2008 Mark was recognized as the Teacher of the Year in the Ellsworth Community School District. In 2019 Mark earned his doctorate degree from Bethel University. His dissertation focused on character education, leadership and the change process. Mark currently serves as a character education coach through Alverno College and on the Wisconsin Character Education Partnership Advisory Committee. Mark works closely with the American Legion Post 121 in River Falls serving on their Veterans Memorial Committee. In 2014 he received the Post 121 Community Service Award. Finally, in 2023 Mark was the recipient of the Herb Kohl Educational Foundation Leadership award. His wife Cary proudly served in the Minnesota Air National Guard as a C-130 pilot and retired in 2011 after five deployments and 20 years of service. Mark and his wife Cary have four children together: Matthew, Christopher Erik and Emma. In his spare time Mark enjoys spending time with my family, fly fishing, and mountain biking.

Today our guest is Mariah Reed-Brown, School Counselor at Paradise Valley High School. We talk to Mariah about how she's customized the CharacterStrong curriculum to strengthen her school's PBIS framework. She shares how getting into classrooms and intentionally connecting Tier 1 practices to PBIS has helped foster a stronger sense of belonging for all students. Mariah offers practical examples, including how co-creating community agreements with students has shaped the culture on campus. She also reflects on the impact of giving students voice and choice—and the remarkable buy-in it's generated among her school community.

Today our guest is Jocelyn Pajimula the Social and Emotional Learning Coordinator & Restorative Practices Coach at Ewa Makai Middle School. We talk to Jocelyn about how her school have created a system to give students tools to repair and prevent broken broken relationships. She breaks down their two key strategies when conflict arises and introduces the PEACE strategy—a proactive tool that helps students navigate conflict before it escalates. Jocelyn also offers a powerful example of how they address peer pressure in a meaningful, memorable way. We dive into the importance of making systems easy to access and how that leads to better implementation—and offers an important reminder: don't forget to make it fun. Learn More About CharacterStrong: Access FREE MTSS Curriculum Samples Request a Quote Today! Visit the CharacterStrong Website Jocelyn is a proud graduate of the Hawaiʻi public education system, deeply influenced by its rich culture and vibrant community. With 12 years of dedicated teaching experience at the middle school level, she specializes in Social Studies, AVID Elective, and Health and Wellness classes. For the past three years, Jocelyn has served as her school's Social and Emotional Learning Coordinator; this year, she has taken on the role of Restorative Practices Coach. Jocelyn's commitment to fostering an inclusive and supportive learning environment reflects her passion for education and the well-being of her students.

Today our guest is Taryne Dismuke, Culture Catalyst at DO EWE Coaching & Consulting. We talk to Taryne about the concept of living out your pillars of purpose. She unpacks how easy it is to get pulled away from our core purpose in education—and how that drift can lead to burnout. Taryne offers practical insights on staying grounded in our "why," and how doing so not only sustains us but also creates a ripple effect that benefits students, families, and entire communities. This conversation is a powerful reminder that while purpose-driven work isn't always easy, it's deeply rewarding. Learn More About CharacterStrong: Access FREE Tier 2 Curriculum Samples Request a Quote Today! Visit the CharacterStrong Website Taryne Dismuke, founder of DO EWE Coaching, is passionate about helping individuals, teams and organizations to develop systems, practices, goals, and cultural norms that enhance effectiveness, improve performance and advance equity. She inspires teams to gain traction toward their goals by fostering accountability, strategy, and inclusion. With over 19 years of experience in teaching, coaching, and leadership development. Taryne has consulted for leaders and organizations across industries, including K-12 and higher education, management consulting, community development, and faith-based groups. She has helped hundreds of campuses strengthen school culture, elevate teacher-leaders, and implement sustainable, equitable practices. While serving as a regional strategist in education solutions, Taryne led a team of 20 leaders, facilitating professional learning communities, mentoring individuals, and designing and delivering both virtual and in-person training. Her expertise includes strategic planning, leadership development, and cultivating inclusive cultures that embrace equitable practices. Taryne holds a Bachelor's degree from Prairie View A&M University, a Master's in Organizational Development and Leadership from Regent University with a coaching and mentoring certification, and an Executive Certification in Diversity Coaching from Howard University and CoachDiversity Institute. She is also a credentialed coach with the International Coaching Federation. When she's not helping teams and organizations grow, Taryne enjoys traveling, reading, exploring new restaurants, and spending quality time with her husband and son. She is also passionate about mentoring youth, helping them develop character and leadership skills to positively impact their communities.

Today our guest is Cara Newman a 4th grade educator in the Plainedge School District. We talk to Cara about how a simple yet powerful practice—having students set intentions throughout the day—can increase focus, presence, and ownership in the classroom. She explains how this strategy fosters student buy-in, supports self-regulation, and ultimately leads to meaningful returns in both behavior and learning. Learn More About CharacterStrong: Access FREE Tier 2 Curriculum Samples Request a Quote Today! Visit the CharacterStrong Website Cara Newman is an educator with over 20 years of teaching experience. Outside of the classroom, she is a life coach and mind-body practitioner. She's passionate about mindful and conscious teaching, empowering educators and students to create meaningful and balanced learning environments while cultivating creativity, connection, and presence.

On this episode we are featuring content from our 2025 MTSS Summit! Dr. Tinisha Parker, Executive Director of Student Services for Gwinnett County Public Schools, shares her expertise on integrating mental health within a Multi-Tiered System of Supports. With over two decades of experience as an educator, school counselor, and district leader, Dr. Parker discusses practical strategies for ensuring students receive the mental health supports they need to thrive. This conversation highlights how a well-structured MTSS framework can enhance student well-being, academic success, and long-term outcomes. Learn More About CharacterStrong: Access FREE Tier 2 Curriculum Samples Request a Quote Today! Visit the CharacterStrong Website

On this episode we are featuring content from our 2025 MTSS Summit! Dr. Sharon Hoover discusses the critical intersection of Multi-Tiered Systems of Support and mental health. As a leading expert in school mental health, Dr. Hoover shares insights on how schools can effectively integrate mental health prevention and intervention services within an MTSS framework. With schools being the primary access point for student mental health support, this conversation highlights strategies to improve student well-being, academic success, and long-term outcomes. Access all of the MTSS Summit content through Wednesday, March 19th! Visit: https://mtsssummit.com/ Learn More About CharacterStrong: Access FREE Tier 2 Curriculum Samples Request a Quote Today! Visit the CharacterStrong Website

Today our guest is Charles MacGregor, a School Counselor at Penrose Elementary and emerging leader with the Colorado School Counselor Association Board of Directors. We talk to Charles about how his school has embraced community circles as part of their morning meetings, fostering stronger relationships and positively impacting student behavior. He discusses the importance of building time for connection, how even a simple "Would you rather?" question can spark engagement, and why having a structured system is key to long-term success. Plus, he shares some of the data on how community circles have improved student outcomes. Learn More About CharacterStrong: Sign up for our FREE MTSS Summit Access FREE Tier 2 Curriculum Samples Request a Quote Today! Visit the CharacterStrong Website

Today our guest is Jordan Blevins, School Counselor at Pacific Law Academy & 2025 California School Counselor of the Year We talk to Jordan about the critical role school counselors play as student mental health professionals, often being the first point of contact for students in need. She discusses the importance of advocating for the counselor's role on campus, ensuring students receive the support they deserve. We also dive into strategies for advocating for student mental health, the power of active listening, and why mental health and well-being must be prioritized in schools. Learn More About CharacterStrong: Sign up for our FREE MTSS Summit Access FREE Tier 2 Curriculum Samples Request a Quote Today! Visit the CharacterStrong Website