Today our guest is Andrea Freile the Family Engagement and Communications Coordinator at Wayne County Public Schools. We talk to Andrea about Cultural Intelligence and she highlights the critical work around helping teachers and staff to engage with families empathetically. She emphasizes the importance of striving for greater understanding to better serve the diverse students in our classrooms. Andrea also reminds us that while educators may work locally, they are, in fact, global educators, shaping students for a connected world.

Learn More About CharacterStrong: 

• Register for the FREE 2025 School Counseling Summit
• Access FREE Tier 2 Curriculum Samples
• Attend our next live product preview
• Visit the CharacterStrong Website

Andrea Freile is the Family Engagement and Communications Coordinator for Wayne County Public Schools and the founder of VivaCultura Consulting, a strategic communications and cultural intelligence firm. With years of experience in community engagement and strategic communications, she has cultivated a passion for helping organizations foster belonging and validate human worth. Her unique approach equips teams with the tools needed to bridge cultural gaps, drive engagement, and enhance communication, all while leveraging the dynamics of today’s ever-evolving demographic landscape.

Today our guest is Jorge Torres the lead school counselor, at Foster High School in Tukwila, WA. Jorge shares heartfelt reflections on his own upbringing and the profound impact that a strong community of support can have on students’ lives. He challenges us to ask, “Who else can I invite to the table?” when fostering relationships and creating meaningful connections with students. Jorge also provides practical strategies for intentionally involving students’ families and communities to better serve and support their needs and reminds us of the difference we can make when we build a network of care around every student.

Learn More About CharacterStrong: 

• Register for the FREE 2025 School Counseling Summit
• Access FREE Tier 2 Curriculum Samples
• Attend our next live product preview
• Visit the CharacterStrong Website

Jorge Torres is the lead school counselor, at Foster High School in Tukwila, WA. Jorge was a finalist for the 2024 School Counselor of the Year awards program (#SCOY24) and has been a school counselor since 2000. Foster High School serves 865 students, grades 9–12. Jorge received his bachelor’s degree from Eastern Washington University and a master’s degree from Heritage University.

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

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.