The CharacterStrong Podcast CharacterStrong

Today our guest is Dr. Lori Lynass, Director of Tier 2 and Tier 3 at CharacterStrong. We talk with Dr. Lynass the impact of student behavior on educator burnout and possible solutions. She gives a current statistic that shows that teachers have the highest burnout rate among professionals right now. Dr. Lynass explains that student misbehavior often indicates they are deregulated, and emphasizes that connection is a crucial tool to meet students' needs. She also suggests some strategies educators can use to give students a break, pointing out that educators, too, also sometimes need step back and take a quick break.
 
Click to download the Student behavior checklist: characterstrong.com/studentbehaviorchecklist
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Today our guest is Dr. Clay Cook, the Chief development Officer at CharacterStrong. We talk to Clay about the importance of connectedness when it comes to Chronic Absenteeism. He first asks the question “What happens when people don’t feel connected?” and shares about the SERVE model that helps educators intentionally connect at school. Dr. Cook also shares 3 ways that we can help students build value and purpose at school and ultimately be more connected: Promote positive educator-student relationships, Community-building relational activities, and School-wide opportunities that help students feel connected to school.
 
Click to download the Problem-Solving Blueprint for Chronic Absenteeism: characterstrong.com/chronicabsenteeism
 
Learn More About CharacterStrong: 
Access FREE Curriculum Samples Attend our next live product preview Visit the CharacterStrong Website

Today our guest is Dr. Clay Cook, Chief development Officer at CharacterStrong. We talk to Clay about ways that we can begin to solve for Chronic Absenteeism. Dr. Cook emphasizes the need for a process to identify the root causes of chronic absenteeism. He shares that merely defining the problem isn't sufficient. Instead, we should look to understand why students are consistently absent from school. He identifies six root causes of chronic absenteeism and outlines a process to create an evidence-based problem-solving plan to support students.
Click to download the Problem-Solving Blueprint for Chronic Absenteeism: characterstrong.com/chronicabsenteeism
 
Learn More About CharacterStrong: 
Access FREE Curriculum Samples Attend our next live product preview Visit the CharacterStrong Website

Today our guests our Jennifer Klauss, Executive Director of Secondary Teaching & Learning and Derek O'Konek, Executive Director of Elementary Teaching & Learning both in the Richland School District. We talk to Jen & Derek about the CharacterStrong partnership that the Richland School District has as they support students. They highlight the successful implementation strategies observed, the deliberate construction of the program adoption process, and the lessons learned. Jen & Derek detail how they involved parents, teachers, administrators, and school board members in the process. They also describe the success of the coaching system that has been created to assist and support each of their 21 schools.
Learn more about how you can bring CharacterStrong to your district or school: 
Access FREE Curriculum Samples Attend our next live product preview Visit the CharacterStrong Website

Today our guests are Caroline Oleson the Tier 2 SEL and Intensive Support Team for the Madison Metropolitan SD and Kelly Nelson the SEL Tier 2 Elementary Teacher Leader for the Madison Metropolitan School District
We talk to Caroline & Kelly about their experience implementing CharacterStrong in their district. They share some implementation successes they have had, ways that CharacterStrong has helped to support the district, and lessons they have learned along the way. Caroline & Kelly also give some tips and strategies for others that implementing solutions in their school or district.
Learn More About CharacterStrong: 
Access FREE Curriculum Samples Attend our next live product preview Visit the CharacterStrong Website  
About Caroline: 
Hello, I'm Caroline Oleson, and with over twenty years in education, I've cultivated a deep commitment to the field. Earning dual master's degrees, one in education with certification in special education, and the other in school counseling, I've dedicated my career in the Madison Metropolitan School District to empowering teachers in the realms of behavior and social-emotional learning. Currently, I hold a pivotal role in supporting educators across both special and regular education. My specific areas of emphasis include Tier 2 SEL Systems of Support and Tier 3 interventions, including student-specific problem-solving, ensuring a comprehensive approach to student development. Fueled by a passion for creating supportive learning environments for both students and staff, I remain steadfast in my commitment to ongoing collaboration and professional growth in the areas I support and beyond.
About Kelly:
My name is Kelly Nelson, and I proudly serve as the SEL Tier 2 Elementary Teacher Leader for the Madison Metropolitan School District. My passion for children is the driving force behind my dedication to providing equitable and quality learning experiences for all students. In my role, I collaboratively support staff, working towards the development of systemic SEL practices that positively impact the district's culture. With a love for adventure and a knack for thriving in the face of challenges, I value teamwork and creativity in the educational journey. As an educator with over 17 years of experience, I bring a wealth of knowledge to the table. Holding a master's degree in education, a National Board's Certification, and having co-founded a children's museum, I am deeply committed to fostering engaging and innovative learning environments. My journey in education is marked by a profound love for lifelong learning, driven by compassion and determination.

Today our guest is Alexis Goddard, School Counselor at Centennial High School in Corona, CA and the 2024 California School Counselor of the Year. We talk to Alexis about the importance of creating support for others everyday, both with students and staff. She talks about how impactful it is to check in with others and shares some systems that she has created to help do this. Alexis shares some of the ways that she helps students to handle stress, and also gives examples of how she intentionally works to build relationships with other staff members in her building.
Learn More About CharacterStrong: 
Access FREE Curriculum Samples Attend our next live product preview Visit the CharacterStrong Website  
Alexis Goddard, the 2024 California School Counselor of the Year, is recognized for her commitment to students and contributions to school counseling. She is a first-generation college graduate with an undergraduate degree from CSUF and a graduate degree from the University of La Verne. Alexis is a school counselor at Centennial High School in Corona, CA. She led the department in aligning with the ASCA National Model, resulting in the counseling program receiving Recognized ASCA Model Program (RAMP) recognition, the second RAMP recognition she has contributed to in her career. Alexis's expertise extends across K-12 levels, with experience as an elementary, middle, and high school counselor. Alexis is passionate about supporting others both as a part-time Hatching Result professional learning specialist and as an intern site supervisor for nine years. Alexis helped shape school counseling policies in California as a Board Director for the California Association of School Counseling.