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

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

Today our guest is Rachelle Finck a Director of School Support at CharacterStrong. We talk to Rachelle about the powerful connection between proactive school safety and a positive school culture, emphasizing how these two must work hand in hand. She highlights the critical role teachers play in fostering connection and belonging for every student, which not only enhances school safety but also boosts academic outcomes. Rachelle also share practical, actionable ways to equip educators to create meaningful connections in the classroom and nurture a safe, supportive environment for all.

Learn More About CharacterStrong: 

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

Today our guest is Dr. Christian D'Annibale - Principal at Pottstown High School. We talk to Dr. D'Annibale about how his school achieved a 60% reduction in suspensions and a 90% decrease in class skipping—not by changing disciplinary responses but by shifting the focus to students themselves. He shares how the creation of a student advisory council became the catalyst for meaningful change, empowering students to take the lead in improving school culture. Dr. D’Annibale also talks about the innovative strategies and creative solutions developed by this council, proving that when students are given a voice, they can drive extraordinary results.

Learn More About CharacterStrong: 

• Learn more about the NEW Tier 3 Solution
• Access FREE MTSS Curriculum Samples
• Attend our next live product preview
• Visit the CharacterStrong Website

Dr. Christian D’Annibale is in his third year as Principal of Pottstown High School in the Pottstown School District. He had previously led New Cumberland Middle School as the principal, was an assistant principal at Bermudian Springs Middle School and taught seventh-grade social studies at Mechanicsburg Middle School. Dr. D’Annibale attended Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania for his undergraduate studies and completed his doctorate in educational leadership at Shippensburg in August 2022. He and his family live in Pottstown, where they love the schools, the community and attending as many family-friendly events as possible.

Today our guest is Callie Robinson the Student Success Coordinator at Oak Ridge Schools. We talk to Callie about the transformative impact of grouping strategies in education. Callie shares her experiences with these strategies, highlighting how they’ve fostered meaningful connections among students and how teachers are integrating them into their classrooms. She also reveals how simple, well-structured grouping techniques save valuable time—whether in the classroom or during meetings with principals and administrators.

Learn More About CharacterStrong: 

• Learn more about the NEW Tier 3 Solution
• Access FREE MTSS Curriculum Samples
• Attend our next live product preview
• Visit the CharacterStrong Website

Callie Robinson is an experienced educator with 15 years of dedicated service in the field of education. Her career journey has included roles as a classroom teacher, gifted educator, and STEM Instructional Coach, where she developed a deep understanding of diverse learning styles and the importance of engaging all students.

Now in her fourth year as the Student Success Coordinator for Oak Ridge Schools, Callie focuses on supporting school counselors across the district and enhancing school safety initiatives. She plays a key role in promoting social-emotional learning (SEL) and helping to create an environment where students feel safe, valued, and supported in their academic and personal growth. Callie is passionate about developing innovative programs that empower students, foster positive school climates, and address the unique needs of each student. Her commitment to student achievement, well-being, and holistic development has made her a trusted and valued member of the Oak Ridge community.

Outside of work, Callie enjoys spending quality time with her husband, Bryce, and their close-knit circle of friends and family in Knoxville, TN. Whether they’re hosting gatherings or just hanging out, Callie values the support and connection that comes from her community.

Today our guest is Jennifer Sack - Lead School Counselor, Booker T. Washington High School in Oklahoma. We talk to Jennifer about the student safe team, a student group that works to create and foster a positive school culture. She outlines why it started, the different focuses that the team has, and what it looks like during the different seasons of the school year. Jennifer shares how this group as really positively impacted student mental health across the campus as they work to create space where they can support others. She also gives some examples of how they have used some of the CharacterStrong resources to help lead the student safe team.

Learn More About CharacterStrong: 

• Learn more about the NEW Tier 3 Solution
• Access FREE MTSS Curriculum Samples
• Attend our next live product preview
• Visit the CharacterStrong Website