Today our guest is Cara Newman a 4th grade educator in the Plainedge School District. We talk to Cara about how a simple yet powerful practice—having students set intentions throughout the day—can increase focus, presence, and ownership in the classroom. She explains how this strategy fosters student buy-in, supports self-regulation, and ultimately leads to meaningful returns in both behavior and learning.

Learn More About CharacterStrong: 

• Access FREE Tier 2 Curriculum Samples
• Request a Quote Today!
• Visit the CharacterStrong Website

Cara Newman is an educator with over 20 years of teaching experience. Outside of the classroom, she is a life coach and mind-body practitioner. She’s passionate about mindful and conscious teaching, empowering educators and students to create meaningful and balanced learning environments while cultivating creativity, connection, and presence.

On this episode we are featuring content from our 2025 MTSS Summit!  Dr. Tinisha Parker, Executive Director of Student Services for Gwinnett County Public Schools, shares her expertise on integrating mental health within a Multi-Tiered System of Supports. With over two decades of experience as an educator, school counselor, and district leader, Dr. Parker discusses practical strategies for ensuring students receive the mental health supports they need to thrive. This conversation highlights how a well-structured MTSS framework can enhance student well-being, academic success, and long-term outcomes.

Learn More About CharacterStrong: 

• Access FREE Tier 2 Curriculum Samples
• Request a Quote Today!
• Visit the CharacterStrong Website

On this episode we are featuring content from our 2025 MTSS Summit!  Dr. Sharon Hoover discusses the critical intersection of Multi-Tiered Systems of Support and mental health. As a leading expert in school mental health, Dr. Hoover shares insights on how schools can effectively integrate mental health prevention and intervention services within an MTSS framework. With schools being the primary access point for student mental health support, this conversation highlights strategies to improve student well-being, academic success, and long-term outcomes.

Access all of the MTSS Summit content through Wednesday, March 19th! Visit: https://mtsssummit.com/

Learn More About CharacterStrong: 

• Access FREE Tier 2 Curriculum Samples
• Request a Quote Today!
• Visit the CharacterStrong Website

Today our guest is Charles MacGregor, a School Counselor at Penrose Elementary and emerging leader with the Colorado School Counselor Association Board of Directors. We talk to Charles about how his school has embraced community circles as part of their morning meetings, fostering stronger relationships and positively impacting student behavior. He discusses the importance of building time for connection, how even a simple “Would you rather?” question can spark engagement, and why having a structured system is key to long-term success. Plus, he shares some of the data on how community circles have improved student outcomes.

Learn More About CharacterStrong: 

• Sign up for our FREE MTSS Summit
• Access FREE Tier 2 Curriculum Samples
• Request a Quote Today!
• Visit the CharacterStrong Website

Today our guest is Jordan Blevins, School Counselor at Pacific Law Academy & 2025 California School Counselor of the Year

We talk to Jordan about the critical role school counselors play as student mental health professionals, often being the first point of contact for students in need. She discusses the importance of advocating for the counselor’s role on campus, ensuring students receive the support they deserve. We also dive into strategies for advocating for student mental health, the power of active listening, and why mental health and well-being must be prioritized in schools.

Learn More About CharacterStrong: 

• Sign up for our FREE MTSS Summit
• Access FREE Tier 2 Curriculum Samples
• Request a Quote Today!
• Visit the CharacterStrong Website

Today our guest is Dr. Clay Cook, Chief Development Officer at CharacterStrong. We talk with Clay about the importance of Tier 2 interventions in schools. The discussion highlights key improvements to CharacterStrong’s Tier 2 solution, including reducing prep time for small group skill-building sessions, increasing engagement, and enhancing data tracking for better decision-making. The episode underscores the necessity of early intervention to support students before they require more intensive services and emphasizes the ongoing commitment to improving resources based on educator feedback.

Learn More About CharacterStrong: 

• Sign up for our FREE MTSS Summit
• Access FREE Tier 2 Curriculum Samples
• Request a Quote Today!
• Visit the CharacterStrong Website

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.

Learn More About CharacterStrong: 

• Sign up for our FREE MTSS Summit
• Access FREE Tier 2 Curriculum Samples
• Request a Quote Today!
• Visit the CharacterStrong Website

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.