The CharacterStrong Podcast

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 boosts academic outcomes. Rachelle also share practical, actionable ways to equip educators to create meaningful connections in the classroom and nurture a safe, supportive environment for all. Learn More About CharacterStrong: Access FREE MTSS Curriculum Samples Attend our next live product preview Visit the CharacterStrong Website

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, empowering students to take the lead in improving school culture. Dr. D'Annibale also talks about the innovative strategies and creative solutions developed by this council, proving that when students are given a voice, they can drive extraordinary results. 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 Dr. Christian D'Annibale is in his third year as Principal of Pottstown High School in the Pottstown School District. He had previously led New Cumberland Middle School as the principal, was an assistant principal at Bermudian Springs Middle School and taught seventh-grade social studies at Mechanicsburg Middle School. Dr. D'Annibale attended Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania for his undergraduate studies and completed his doctorate in educational leadership at Shippensburg in August 2022. He and his family live in Pottstown, where they love the schools, the community and attending as many family-friendly events as possible.

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 techniques save valuable time—whether in the classroom or during meetings with principals and administrators. 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 Callie Robinson is an experienced educator with 15 years of dedicated service in the field of education. Her career journey has included roles as a classroom teacher, gifted educator, and STEM Instructional Coach, where she developed a deep understanding of diverse learning styles and the importance of engaging all students. Now in her fourth year as the Student Success Coordinator for Oak Ridge Schools, Callie focuses on supporting school counselors across the district and enhancing school safety initiatives. She plays a key role in promoting social-emotional learning (SEL) and helping to create an environment where students feel safe, valued, and supported in their academic and personal growth. Callie is passionate about developing innovative programs that empower students, foster positive school climates, and address the unique needs of each student. Her commitment to student achievement, well-being, and holistic development has made her a trusted and valued member of the Oak Ridge community. Outside of work, Callie enjoys spending quality time with her husband, Bryce, and their close-knit circle of friends and family in Knoxville, TN. Whether they're hosting gatherings or just hanging out, Callie values the support and connection that comes from her community.

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 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