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
Today our guest is Joanna Frankel the Director of Elementary Culture and Climate at Portland Public Schools. We talk to Joanna about how her team led a deeply collaborative curriculum selection process—gathering input from over 300 staff members, conducting a community listening tour with families, and piloting options with 37 educators. She reflects on the power of stakeholder voice, and how this inclusive approach not only informed their final decision but also built trust and ownership across the district.
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Joanna Frankel serves as the Director of Elementary Culture and Climate for Portland Public Schools in Portland, Maine (the "other" Portland!). Her role serves as a bridge between Portland's ten elementary schools and Central Office departments and staff, working in the areas of social, emotional, and behavioral systems of support for students, in addition to helping to ensure positive relationships and experiences for staff and families. Previously Joanna was an Elementary Assistant Principal in Portland, Coordinator of Teaching and Learning in Gray, Maine, and for nearly two decades taught all grades Pre-K through 5th in Maine, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania. A native of Philadelphia, Joanna holds a BA from Sarah Lawrence College (NY) and an MEd from Smith College (MA), where she was a Graduate Teaching Fellow. Joanna is a PBIS trainer in the state of Maine and holds a Graduate Certificate in Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports from the University of Maine. She is a proud product of public schools and a proud parent of a public school high school junior. In her spare time Joanna goes on frequent "rides to nowhere" in spin class, is a certified yoga instructor and longtime yoga practitioner, loves sitting on Maine beaches with a good book, and is an obsessive fan of the band Wilco. At work she's known as "the feelings lady."
On this episode we are sharing a conversation from the 2025 School Safety Summit. Frank DeAngelis, former longtime principal of Columbine High School, shares powerful lessons on prevention, resilience, and leadership. He highlights why real school safety is about relationships, readiness, and collective action—and reminds us why we must continue working together to protect and support every student.
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Today our guests are Sam Dusek & Jordan Seifert, School Counselors at Meyer Middle School and part of the team that was awarded the 2025 Wisconsin School Counseling Team of the Year. We talk to Sam & Jordan about how their school counseling program is leading the way in proactive, purpose-driven student support. They share how a clear mission focused on academic growth, character development, and student well-being—has helped them build a program where character education is intentionally taught and deeply integrated across campus. Their reminder for all of us: when in doubt, trust that every student can grow and that our intentional efforts matter.
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Sam Dusek and Jordan Seifert are school counselors at Meyer Middle School in River Falls, Wisconsin. This is Sam's 13th year as a school counselor and Jordan's 12th year as a school counselor. They received the Wisconsin School Counseling Team of the year award at the annual Wisconsin School counseling Conference in 2024. Meyer Middle school is a State and National School of Character. Jordan and Sam serve on the Meyer Middle School character education committee.
Today our guest is Cory McCarthy, the Chief of Student Support for Boston Public Schools. We talk with Cory about what it means to take a truly holistic approach to student support. He explains the critical difference between technicaland adaptive progress monitoring—and why getting to the "third why" in conversations with students and staff is a game-changer. Cory also shares how Boston Public Schools opens its doors seven days a week to meet student needs and why relational work is at the heart of their approach.
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Today our guest is Dr. Vince Breunig, District Administrator at the School District of Lodi. We talk to Dr. Breunig about the power of consistently sharing the good happening in our schools. He shares practical strategies for celebrating small but meaningful moments, filling the community with positivity, and making space for authentic engagement—especially through social media. Dr. Breunig also highlights how involving students in storytelling and using creative, intentional branding can strengthen school culture and community trust.
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Dr. Vince Breunig has dedicated over 30 years to serving students, staff, and families in public education. He began his career as a school psychologist, a role he held for six years before transitioning into school administration. Over the past 24 years, Vince has served as an educational leader in two Wisconsin school districts. For the last 17 years, he has proudly served the School District of Lodi—as Director of Student Services, High School Principal, and currently as District Administrator, a position he has held since 2020. In recognition of his leadership and communication efforts, Vince was named a 2024–25 Superintendent to Watch by the National School Public Relations Association—one of just 25 superintendents nationwide to receive this honor. Vince has been married to his wife Melanie for 28 years. Her unwavering support has been a cornerstone of his journey in education. Together, they are the proud parents of four children.
Today our guest is Dr. Clay Cook the Chief Development Officer at CharacterStrong. We talk to Clay about one the most important parts of implementation: sustainability. From onboarding and monitoring fidelity to embedding new practices into the fabric of school culture, Clay shares the essential systems that help schools avoid implementation drift. He also highlights how CharacterStrong supports schools through a unique consultative approach focused on sustainable implementation.
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Today our guest is John Hellwich, the Director of Secondary Teaching and Learning at the Peninsula School District in WA. We talk to John about the Gig Harbor/Key Peninsula community campaign inspired by the book The Anxious Generation. With anxiety rising and screen time out of control, this grassroots movement is bringing together schools, faith leaders, doctors, and local organizations to reimagine what healthy tech habits look like for students. From phone-free weekends and social media detoxes to reigniting the power of unstructured play, John shares how the community is taking bold, united action to protect youth mental health in the digital age.
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Today our guest is Alex Kajitani the 2009 California Teacher of the Year and also The Rappin' Mathematician.
We talk to Alex about the foundational role that relationships play in education. He unpacks the three essential components every relationship must have and highlights the different types of relationships students navigate daily—with themselves, their peers, the adults on campus, and the content they're learning. Alex challenges the common belief that confidence leads to competence, offering a powerful reframe. He leaves us with a compelling reminder: the simple act of consistently showing up can make a profound difference in a student's life.
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Alex Kajitani is the 2009 California Teacher of the Year, and a Top-4 Finalist for National Teacher of the Year. He is the author of several books, including Owning It, which **was named "Recommended Reading" by the U.S. Department of Education. He also has a new book out, for new teachers, titled "You're a Teacher Now! What's Next?" and it's getting rave reviews.
Alex is known around the world as "The Rappin' Mathematician, has a popular TED Talk, and was honored at The White House. He was also featured on The CBS Evening News, where Katie Couric exclaimed, "I LOVE that guy!" (and you will too!). For more info, visit www.AlexKajitani.com
Today our guest is Julia Kennedy the SEL Coach at Meduxnekeag Consolidated School in Woodstock, NB. We talk with Julia about her school's CharacterStrong journey and the intentional steps they've taken to build a stronger culture. She shares how they've created meaningful opportunities for student engagement—like having 200 students sign up to greet their peers at school entrances—and how older students are taking on leadership roles to support younger ones. Julia highlights the power of starting small, staying consistent, and growing a movement that makes a lasting impact.
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Julia Kennedy is a French Immersion teacher with 20 years experience in different grade levels and she has taught in various provinces across Canada. She has been a CharacterStrong leader within her school for 4 years. Julia has held the supplementary role of responsibility as SEL coach for 2 years while being a middle school classroom teacher. Currently she lives with her family of 4 in Woodstock, New Brunswick and she loves hockey, yoga and the great outdoors!
Today our guest is Dr. Mark Chapin, Principal at Meyer Middle School. We talk to Dr. Chapin about how his district takes a purposeful approach to character development—from monthly character kickoff presentations to unifying yearly themes. He explains how each trait is clearly defined and modeled across all grade levels, K–12, and how community input plays a key role in shaping the work. Hear how this district-wide effort brings consistency, clarity, and connection to their character education approach.
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Mark Chapin is the principal of Meyer Middle School in River Falls, Wisconsin serving approximately 750 students in grades 6 - 8. Meyer Middle School was recognized as a National School of Character in 2016 and again in 2024. Mark has served as a building administrator in the School District of River Falls for 16 years. Prior to coming to River Falls, Mark taught for 12 years in the Ellsworth Community School District as a high school special education teacher and an 8th grade US History teacher. While in Ellsworth he also coached cross-country, track, tennis and basketball. In 2008 Mark was recognized as the Teacher of the Year in the Ellsworth Community School District. In 2019 Mark earned his doctorate degree from Bethel University. His dissertation focused on character education, leadership and the change process. Mark currently serves as a character education coach through Alverno College and on the Wisconsin Character Education Partnership Advisory Committee. Mark works closely with the American Legion Post 121 in River Falls serving on their Veterans Memorial Committee. In 2014 he received the Post 121 Community Service Award. Finally, in 2023 Mark was the recipient of the Herb Kohl Educational Foundation Leadership award. His wife Cary proudly served in the Minnesota Air National Guard as a C-130 pilot and retired in 2011 after five deployments and 20 years of service. Mark and his wife Cary have four children together: Matthew, Christopher Erik and Emma. In his spare time Mark enjoys spending time with my family, fly fishing, and mountain biking.
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