Celebrate the Small Stuff: The Power of Positive School Storytelling - Dr. Vince Breunig
Release Date: 05/30/2025
Creating a District Timeline That Aligns Character with Academic Content - Yvonne Culver & Stephanie Hammond
The CharacterStrong Podcast
Today our guests are Yvonne Culver, Director of School Counseling and Student Wellness, and Stephanie Hammond, Coordinator for School Counselors at Akron Public Schools. We talk about how they moved beyond "posters on the wall" by creating a district timeline that aligns life skills with academic pacing guides. They share how they engaged content teachers to build practical toolkits that integrate character development into daily lessons without adding more work. They highlight the critical need for patience in implementation and how to use data for support rather than compliance. Learn More...
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Implementation That Sticks: Coaching, Champions, and Campus Voice - Krystal Colhoff
The CharacterStrong Podcast
Today our guest is Krystal Colhoff - Director of MTSS at Austin ISD. Krystal shares how a large, urban district strengthened implementation not through top-down directives, but by elevating campus leaders and letting momentum build from the ground up. She explains how a “soft launch” created space for early adopters to innovate, how campus highlights sparked organic buy-in across 116 schools, and how monthly champions meetings and usage data now guide coaching and support. Krystal also highlights early wins, from thousands of Tier 1 lessons delivered to faster, clearer Tier 2...
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Tier 2 in Action: Helping Counselors Build Skills, Systems, and Sustainable Support - Michelle DePuy
The CharacterStrong Podcast
Today our guest is Michelle DePuy, Secondary Ed. Program Specialist at Redlands Unified School District. We talk to Michelle about how her district is strengthening Tier 2 systems by focusing on both mindset and skill-building with secondary counselors. She shares how creating small-group structures, using consistent data from youth-needs screeners, and providing real coaching on implementation fidelity have helped staff move from uncertainty to confidence. Michelle also discusses early results: students gaining emotional-regulation skills, counselors feeling empowered to lead small groups,...
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Doubling Tier 1 Usage: Building Stronger Classrooms Through Character, Connection, and Data - Amy Fairchild & Crystal Hooper
The CharacterStrong Podcast
Today our guests are Amy Fairchild & Crystal Hooper, District SEL Coaches in Tangipahoa Parish, LA. We talk to Amy and Crystal about how their district doubled Tier 1 usage in one year and what that growth has meant for students and staff. Amy and Crystal share practical ways they’ve woven daily character lessons and relational activities into the fabric of every classroom, how competition between schools sparked momentum, and why teacher wellbeing rose alongside student outcomes. They also highlight data showing improved academics, attendance, and behavior, proving that when adults are...
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Making It Stick: Districtwide Character Education That Builds Belonging - Grant Wilson
The CharacterStrong Podcast
Today our guest is Grant Wilson, Coordinator of Counseling Services at Plano ISD in Texas. We talk to Grant about how his district is creating consistency and connection through a districtwide character trait of the month tied directly to their community created Code of Civility. He shares how uniting teachers and counselors around shared themes, like kindness, empathy, and responsibility, has reduced behavior referrals, built stronger school cultures, and connected classroom lessons to real community values. Grant also explains how tracking implementation through the CharacterStrong...
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From Healthcare to Hallways: Rethinking Mental Health in Schools - Dr. Ryan Sherman
The CharacterStrong Podcast
Today our guest is Dr. Ryan Sherman, Director of Wellness at Medway Public Schools in Medway, Massachusetts. We talk to Dr. Sherman about how his healthcare background is helping schools rethink what student wellness means, and how he is helping to modernize MTSS. He shares how Medway added a fourth tier of support that brings mental health care directly into schools through care coordination, in-school outpatient services, and telehealth partnerships. Dr. Sherman also unpacks the mindset shift from “we don’t do mental health” to shared ownership of student wellbeing, and how this...
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The Power of a Fist Bump: Creating a Place Where Students and Staff Want to Be - Zac Bauermaster
The CharacterStrong Podcast
Today our guest is Zac Bauermaster the Principal at Providence Elementary School in New Providence, PA. Zac went viral after a hallway video of his daily high fives and fist bumps reached millions, but what’s even more powerful is the culture behind it. We talk to Zac about how he’s creating a school where students and staff want to be, not have to be. He shares how simple daily rituals like “Fist Bump Fridays” (every day), greeting at arrival and dismissal, quick classroom hellos, hallway presence, and cafeteria time, build trust, connection, and belonging. Zac also explains his...
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Don’t Forget These Learners: Practical Adaptations That Work - Sara Nussman
The CharacterStrong Podcast
Today our guest is Sara Nussman a School Counselor at Stoner-Thomas School. We talk to Sarah about how she adapts CharacterStrong lessons for students with cognitive and communicative deficits. She shares how nonverbal strategies like body language build relationships, and how visual trait boards, consistent routines, and monthly social narratives make abstract concepts like respect concrete and accessible. Sarah also highlights the impact on student independence and confidence, and reminds us not to overlook learners with limited verbal skills, but to show up, be present, and let connection...
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Systems, Not Slogans: Building a Culture of Care & How Georgia is Prioritizing Student Mental Health - Erica Fener-Sitkoff
The CharacterStrong Podcast
Today our guest is Erica Fener-Sitkoff the Chief Clinical Officer at FullBloom. We talk to Erica talk about why student mental health belongs at the center of school success. She shares a practical frame for Tier 1–Tier 3 supports, why universal wellbeing skills (like gratitude, check-ins, and regulation) make Tier 2 and Tier 3 more effective, and how helping teachers, counselors, and staff, protects everyone’s capacity. Erica also highlights how Georgia is investing in school safety and mental wellness, with funding that schools can use for culture-building, universal skill instruction,...
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Simple Systems, Lasting Impact: Character Through Daily Announcements - Meg Boyd
The CharacterStrong Podcast
Today our guest is Meg Boyd the Principal at Edgewood Elementary. Meg shares how her school uses morning announcements to keep a daily focus on character in every classroom. From “Motivation Monday” to “Fun with Words Friday,” each day carries a theme that unites students and staff while strengthening school culture. What began during COVID as simple voice-over slides has grown into a consistent, schoolwide practice that proves connection doesn’t have to be polished to be powerful. With student shout-outs, quotes, and simple reminders, these daily announcements have become a...
info_outlineToday 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.