The CharacterStrong Podcast

Today our guest is Carrie Woodard the Director Student Support Services - School Counselors at Pittsburgh Public Schools. We talk to Carrie about ways that school counselors can create a strong support system for first-generation students—offering personalized guidance on navigating the college application process, exploring financial aid options, and understanding campus resources. She emphasizes the power of regular student check-ins, building relationships with families, and the impact of positive phone calls home. Through active listening, trust-building, and resource-sharing, counselors can help first-generation students feel more prepared, confident, and supported as they embark on their postsecondary journey.

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• Sign up for our FREE MTSS Summit
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• Request a Quote Today!
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Carrie Woodard's professional journey encompasses roles as a teacher, school counselor, college and career counselor, mental health project manager, and now an administrator with the Pittsburgh Public Schools. These diverse experiences have provided her with a comprehensive understanding of the unique needs of students and families. In her current role as Director of Student Support Services - School Counselors, she is deeply committed to advocacy and collaboration, working closely with school leadership and central office personnel to empower professional counselors with the resources needed to support the nearly 20,000 students in the district. Drawing from her multicultural background and training, Carrie approaches her work with a focus on identifying and addressing barriers to ensure that every student has the opportunity to thrive. Her passion lies in advancing social justice within school counseling, fostering equitable experiences for all students, and nurturing a positive school culture and climate through district-wide initiatives that emphasize inclusivity.

Dr. Damien Sweeney shares his expertise on supporting students through strong relationships, collaboration, and culturally sustaining practices. Drawing from his diverse career in education, counseling, and leadership, Dr. Sweeney discusses the importance of student trust, multi-tiered systems of support, and integrating student voices into decision-making. His insights challenge school counselors to see themselves as leaders who can drive systemic change for the benefit of all students.

Learn More About CharacterStrong:

• Access FREE Tier 2 Curriculum Samples
• Attend our next live product preview
• Visit the CharacterStrong Website

Today our guests are Principal Rebecca Thompson & Associate Principal Charlee Breeden at Tomahawk Creek Middle School in Midlothian, VA

We talk to Rebecca & Charlee about how they create a safe, supportive environment in an overcrowded middle school. They highlight the power of knowing names, servant leadership, and safety. Rebecca emphasizes the importance of visibility in hallways, while both discuss how staff feedback has shaped Tomahawk Creek into a place where students and educators thrive. They also share practical strategies for improving the lunchroom, electronics policies, dismissal, and spirit weeks to build a stronger school culture.

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

Today our guest is Josh Holbrook, SEL Specialist at Rowan County Middle School in Kentucky . Josh dives into the impact of a simple warm welcome and shares about the fun way they partnered with student-athletes to build relationships by greeting students at the door for Fist Bump Friday. Josh also breaks down the four essential components of the warm welcome, the intention behind each step, and the profound impact it's had on students, staff, and the school community.

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

Josh Holbrook is a Social-Emotional Learning Coach at Rowan County Middle School in Morehead, Kentucky. Josh has worked with students for the past 11 years and held many different positions in the educational realm including residential youth worker, instructional assistant, special education teacher, district behavior support, and SEL coach. When students returned in person Spring 2021, Josh noted that internalizing and externalizing behaviors had seemingly spiked across settings. Increasingly he heard, "students don't know how to behave" and saw this as an opportunity. He thought to himself, "if they don't know math or reading, we teach math or reading," and sought a way to intentionally teach behavior at a tier 1 level via implementation of social-emotional learning (SEL). Rowan County Schools accepted this proposal, and he became SEL Coach for the district in 2021. With the support of the district's Project AWARE Program Director, Tara Cornett, this structure has grown to dedicated SEL Coaches (shoutout Megan, Sarah, Emma, and Cody) in each school in Rowan County, and the team looks forward to seeing where they can positively impact school climate and culture from here.

When he isn't working, Josh loves exercising, hiking, seeing live music, cooking, and relaxing at home with his wife, Lindsey, their daughter, Camryn, dog, Sugaree, and cat, Phyllis.

Today our guest is Dr. Cherina Betters - Chief of Equity and Access at San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools. We talk to Dr. Cherina Betters about the importance of meeting people where they are and ensuring they have what they need when they need it. She highlights the power of building strong, connected communities and emphasizes that leadership isn’t about a title—anyone who influences a student’s life is a leader. With a focus on wisdom, joy, and gratitude, Dr. Betters offers inspiring perspectives on creating equitable opportunities and fostering meaningful relationships in education.

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

Cherina Betters is the Chief of Equity and Access for San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools and Board Trustee for the San Bernardino Community College District (SBCCD). A lifelong learner, she has served in the field of PK-12 and higher education for over 20 years in the capacity of teacher, administrator, and professor serving the students, families and communities of San Bernardino and Riverside Counties in Southern California. Raised primarily in a single-parent home with severe economic challenges, Dr. Betters has always viewed education as the means to overcome. The first in her family to graduate from college, Dr. Betters has a deep appreciation for education and the educational process. She received her bachelor’s degree in political science from California State University, Fullerton. She also earned her master’s degree in educational technology from National University and her Doctorate in the field of Educational Leadership with an emphasis on Social Justice from California State University, San Bernardino where she also serves in the capacity of adjunct professor in both the Teacher Education & Foundations and Educational Leadership & Technology departments for the College of Education at California State University, San Bernardino.

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