Stay ConnectedThe CharacterStrong Podcast: Weekly conversations for anyone in education.
CharacterStrong provides an evidence-based, multi-tiered solution to support whole child success. Curricula and trainings that improve behavior, increase safety, and support mental health.
For more information visit our website: characterstrong.com
Felisha Fields is a Mississippi native & she graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi. She is in her 11th year in education and her 2nd year in Crowley ISD. Felisha has spent 9 years as an ELAR teacher and was featured on NBC 5's Carter in the Classroom. She is an advocate for Positivity inside and outside the classroom, Optimism in learning, Student and Colleague Mentorship, and promotes a positive growth mindset.
CharacterStrong Co-Founder John Norlin reminds us that sometimes when things get difficult the first thing we can forget is our purpose, he talks about the difference between happiness and purpose, and he shares about the 4 different levels of happiness.
Today we kick off a new series highlighting EduHeroes! We know that there are education heroes in every building in every district, and we want to help put a spotlight on who they are & the amazing things that they do. Today we talk with Melissa Purswell, a middle school teacher at Armand Larive Middle School in Hermiston, Oregon.
Tracy Kelly has ten years teaching Special Education in California. He has taught all grades K-12, as well as being a Lecturer, both Adjunct and Full Time, at University level. He taught those that were inspired to be General Education and Special Education Teachers. He earned an BA in Economics, MA in Special Education, and his Ed.D. in candidacy status in Educational Leadership. He has edited six books as he continues to write his dissertation on the self-efficacy of Special Education teachers. You can interact with Tracy on Twitter @tracyscottkelly. Maren Kelly has been teaching Special Education for 14 years, 13 years in a moderate to severe environment from pre - k to 6th grade and 1 year as an RSP 8th grade teacher. She taught two years in a preschool Autism program then one Year in an Autism Specific class with k-5th grade. Maren had the pleasure of working with Dr. Ron Leaf who is the Director of Autism Partnership. She has earned a BA in Political Science/Pre-Law, and is finishing her Master's with Arizona State University in Curriculum and Instruction emphasizing in Autism Spectrum Disorder. You can connect with Maren on Twitter @k_curiousg22m
We talk with Principal Marcia Stephens, Instructional Coach Kacy Russell, & 4th Grade Teacher Sydni Edwards from Airport Road Intermediate School about their participation in Rock Your School, the culture of outside the box thinking that this event helped create, and the positive impact that it has had with students.
Amy Campbell was the 2020 Washington State Teacher of the Year. After earning her Master in Teaching, Amy realized her deep passion for supporting students with unique learning needs and returned to school for an endorsement in special education. She has been teaching at Helen Baller Elementary School for 12 years. In her position as a teacher of students with significant learning challenges, she collaborates with staff, parents, and community to develop individualized plans that focus on each student's unique skills, abilities, and interests to help them find their place among their peers in the school community. Amy does not live in a world of deficits. She lives and teaches a world of possibilities, potential, and opportunities.
Dr. Byron McClure is a National Certified School Psychologist currently redesigning a high school in Southeast, D.C. His work centers around influencing systemic change and ensuring students from high-poverty communities has access to a quality education. Dr. McClure has extensive knowledge and expertise in mental health, social emotional learning, and behavior. Dr. McClure has done considerable work advocating for fair and equitable discipline practices for all students, particularly, for African-American boys. He has designed and implemented school-wide initiatives such as SEL, restorative practices, RTI, and trauma responsive practices. As a result of this work, led by Dr. McClure, his school recently won the 2019-2020 Whole Child Award. Dr. McClure has presented across the country as a panelist, and featured keynote speaker. He believes in the power of dreaming big to make dreams come true!
Mona Elleithee is the Founder and School Equity Strategist of Renewed Harmony, an organization committed to reigniting professional passion and retaining educators who serve students with challenging needs. The mission of Renewed Harmony is to build more just and equitable schools by cultivating authentic leaders, strengthening adult social and emotional learning, and nurturing culturally responsive practices. An award-winning National Board Certified Teacher leader and diversity trainer, Mona is celebrated for compassionately assisting educators reflect upon and connect their own backgrounds to their current beliefs and practices without shame or judgment. Her personal and professional development sessions invite educators to lead from their best selves - a place within that is calm, curious, compassionate, connected, confident, creative, and courageous. As they unpack the invisible barriers that unconsciously impact school climate, culture, and performance, teachers and administrators working with Mona to embark on a self-leadership journey toward dismantling the discord within themselves and between each other to accelerate achievement for all. Mona taught high school students English Language Arts in AZ, IL, and SC for sixteen years before serving as a behavioral interventionist, or classroom management coach and social-emotional skills builder, for a year and a half. While serving as her school's cultural competency team leader, Mona was invited to serve on The US Department of Education's Task Force for Cultural and Global Competencies. As a former high school and collegiate student leader herself, Mona found great joy in fostering collaborative experiences for her former service learning class students and student council officers as they served their school and local communities. When she's not making harmony at work, Mona cherishes her experience singing backup for Linda Ronstadt, enjoys singing with the Sandlapper Singers, and delights in singing karaoke with her talented 10-year-old son, Omar, and theatrical 7-year-old daughter, Dina. For more info and to check out the free relationship style inventory visit: https://www.renewedharmony.com
Angelica Rodriguez | Spanish Language Arts Middle School Teacher | Highland Middle School in Bellevue, WA | Educator for Justice | Mental Health Advocate | Resource & Content Creator of Peromiss Educational Resources | Believer in Mindful & Intentional "Self-care" (not just on Sundays)
Sarah Casper is a Consent Educator and the founder of Comprehensive Consent. Her mission is to help parents and teachers develop consent skills in their kids and teens in the present, so they're prepared for their relationships in the future.With her background in psychology, mindfulness, and nine years of experience teaching social and coping skills to kids, Sarah pulls on evidence-based methods to teach kids, parents, and teachers the necessary skills for navigating body-boundaries and consent.
Our TOPPODCAST Picks 
