CharacterPlus

Today we are truly humbled and grateful to have the opportunity to share insights from Dr. Marvin Berkowitz and Kristen Pelster as they discuss the “Why” behind character education and practical steps you can take within your character leadership journey personally and professionally! 

In 1999 Dr. Marvin Berkowitz was the inaugural Ambassador H.H. Coors Professor of Character Development at the US Air Force Academy. He served as Professor of Psychology and Director of the Center for Ethics Studies at Marquette University. He was also founder and Associate Director of the Center for Addiction and Behavioral Health Research in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

He earned his BA degree from the State University of NY at Buffalo in 1972. He earned his Ph.D. in Life-span Developmental Psychology at Wayne State University in 1977. He served as a Research Associate at the Center for Moral Development and Education at Harvard University 1977-79.

He has also served as a Visiting Professor at the Max-Planck-Institute for Human Development and Education in Berlin (1987-8), as a Visiting Scholar for the Gordon Cook Foundation in Scotland (1995), and as an Honorary Senior Research Fellow at the Jubilee Centre for Character and Virtues at the University of Birmingham, England (2019-2021).

He is joined by Kristen Pelster. She’s spent over two decades as an educator then administrator. She’s a National School of Character recipient and a St. Louis Region Middle School Principal of the Year. For nearly a decade Kristen served as the district leader for character education. Not satisfied with her school becoming a National School of Character her work throughout Fox C-6 was recognized as a National District of Character.  That incredible journey took Kristen before the Senate in Washington, D.C testifying on the positive impact “social, emotional and character development.” Kristin is currently studying for an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership at the University of Missouri - St. Louis (UMSL). Her educational achievements at UMSL also include an Ed.S. in Education Administration; M.A. in Education Administration and she is a graduate of the Leadership Academy in Character Education. Kristen received a B.A. in Music Education from Missouri Baptist University.  

This is one episode you don’t want to miss. 

www.characterplus.org
www.characterandcitizenship.org

Guests:
Dr. Marvin Berkowitz
Kristen Pelster
Host & CEO of Character Plus: Mike Park

Credits: 
Executive Producer & Content Strategist: William "Chip" Schafer
Producer / Audio Editor: David Alexander
Introduction Audio Voice Actress: Kristen Pelster
Introduction Audio Voice Actor: David Alexander
Audio Engineer: Jacob Bowling

Today you'll hear leadership lessons on listening, empathy, patience, and deep personal care. This episode of the CharacterPlus Podcast features Senator Karla Eslinger. She's a lifelong educator with more than 30 years of experience in a variety of educational settings. She most recently served as a senior analyst for education services with the AEM Corporation and provided technical assistance to the U.S. Department of Education in Washington, D.C. Previously, she served as an assistant commissioner of education for the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. She began her career as an elementary school teacher and went on to work as a building principal and a superintendent of schools in Ava and West Plains.

Sen. Eslinger holds a bachelor's degree in elementary education from The College of the Ozarks. She also earned a master’s degree in education administration and a specialist degree in superintendency and educational system administration from Missouri State University. Senator Eslinger received her doctorate in educational leadership and policy analysis from the University of Missouri-Columbia.
Prior to her election to the Missouri Senate in 2020, Sen. Eslinger represented District 155 in the Missouri House of Representatives from 2019 through 2020.

Senator Eslinger is a long-time resident of Wasola, where she lives with her family on a farm. She and her husband have also owned and operated a small business for over 35 years. We are truly humbled and grateful to have the opportunity to share her story from education to the senate. 

 Whether you're an educator, business leader, or parent this conversation is guaranteed to inspire and equip you on the journey. 

CharacterPlus.org
Guest: Senator Karla Eslinger
Host & CEO of Character Plus: Mike Park
Executive Producer & Content Strategist: William "Chip" Schafer
Producer / Audio Editor: David Alexander
Introduction Audio Voice Actress: Kristen Pelster
Introduction Audio Voice Actor: David Alexander 
Audio Engineer: Jacob Bowling 

This week’s guest of the CharacterPlus Podcast is a marketplace leader, Marvin Anderson, Senior Vice President and Private Client Advisor with U.S. Trust, Bank of America Private Wealth Management, in St. Louis. Marvin leads the design and development of tailored financial strategies for individuals, families and institutions. He works closely with business owners, senior executives of public and private companies, and endowments and foundations to identify their long-term goals and pursue those objectives with forethought and care. Marvin believes in treating clients as he would like to be treated. Prior to joining Bank of America Private Bank, Marvin was a Banker with J.P. Morgan’s Private Bank. Previously, he spent most of his nearly 30-year career as an investment banker with A.G. Edwards and Wachovia. He holds both an M.B.A. and a Master’s degree in Public Policy (M.P.P.) from The University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, and a B.S.B.A. from Rockhurst University. 

Marvin serves as a Board Member of the St. Louis Community Foundation, the Christian Church Foundation, The Interfaith Partnership, Missouri Historical Society, Oasis, Webster University, and we are delighted to have him on the board here at Character Plus.
 
CharacterPlus.org
 Guest: Marvin Anderson
Host & CEO of Character Plus: Mike Park 
Executive Producer & Content Strategist: William "Chip" Schafer
Producer / Audio Editor: David Alexander
Introduction Audio Voice Actress: Kristen Pelster
Introduction Audio Voice Actor: David Alexander 
Audio Engineer: Jacob Bowling 

Welcome to the first episode of the Character Plus Podcast. Our first guest is Erika Niles, Principal at Green Trails Elementary. She holds a master’s in education administration from Southwest Baptist University, a master’s in education from Lindenwood University, and a bachelor’s in education from Maryville University. She is currently a doctoral student at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, where she is working on her doctorate in character education and servant leadership.

Erika Niles Twitter. Click Here

CharacterPlus.org 

Credits: 

Host & CEO of Character Plus: Mike Park 
Executive Producer & Content Strategist: William "Chip" Schafer
Producer / Audio Editor: David Alexander
Introduction Audio Voice Actress: Kristen Pelster
Introduction Audio Voice Actor: David Alexaxnder 
Audio Engineer: Jacob Bowling