Our friends from WHS join us today to discuss the transition from 8th to 9th grade. Dr. Stacy McGuire, WHS Principal and Director of School Counseling, Dan Doherty are our guests. Right at the time of year when our 8th grade students are selecting their high school electives, Mr. Doherty and Dr. McGuire discuss advice for parents, selecting a class…

Craig, Jill and Juli speak to Christy Berger who is the Director of Social, Emotional, and Behavioral Wellness for the Indiana Department of Education. This episode takes a global and local look at what SEL is, how it's being implemented in schools, what is going on at the government level as well as why it is a priority and not a buzz word. Wonder…

In this episode Jason Tarnow is the guest. Jason is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate with Pathways to Healing in Noblesville, Indiana where he uses Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy as a staple in his practice. Jason explains the science and practical applications behind EMDR along with why he believes it can …

Dr. Amy Ricke joins the Toolbox for this episode on eating disorders. Dr. Ricke is a psychiatrist at The Selah House, an eating disorders treatment facility located in Anderson, IN. Dr. Ricke shares why the adolescent years is the perfect entry point for parents to learn more about this issue. Tips, warning signs, treatment options and resources ar…

Craig, Juli and Jill pick up where they left off with Dr. Grate, Superintendent of Westfield Washington School. In this, Part II episode, they really dig into Dr. Grate's insight on all things middle school. Great advice for parents along with several "things to come." https://www.stvincent.org/Services/Mental-and-Behavioral-Health: The St. Vincent…

Craig, Jill and Juli have a candid conversation with district Superintendent, Dr. Sherry Grate. Dr. Grate shares her vision for the district along with challenges and successes in her first few years of leadership. Several useful parent resources shared as well. https://www.wws.k12.in.us/domain/451: Westfield Washington School's Superintendent webp…

In this first episode of our third season, Craig, Juli and Jill welcome their new principal, Mike Hall to The Toolbox. Mike comes to WMS from Monon Trail Elementary School also in the Westfield Washington School District. Listen to Mr. Hall share his vision for WMS and why he was so eager to serve as the school's next leader. https://www.youtube.co…

Local Licensed Mental Health Therapist, Rachel Hall returns for Part II of a series on The Core Emotions. In this episode, she focuses on fear. Hear why it is so important to experience it, why she is afraid of frogs and how we can help ourselves and our teens experience this core emotion. https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=85z4N_sHXJw…

Rachel Hall returns to The Toolbox. This is a follow up from episode 34 where we just scratched the surface when discussing teens and trauma. Realizing that the core emotions are such a part of trauma, we concluded that a deep dive into the core emotions is needed. This episode is the first in a series of chats about the core emotions starting with…

Adam Lesser is the Deputy Director of Implementation for The Columbia Lighthouse Project in New York City. He is also a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and former Middle School Counselor. Adam shares about the Columbia Suicide Prevention Scale widely used by counselors, therapists, doctors and shares why this needs to be a tool for any and all folk…

Craig, Jill and Juli start a new feature. Every two weeks they share updates in their world of middle school counseling. Hear been happening (especially because more than two weeks have gone by!) and check out Juli's resource from the workbench! https://peacelearningcenter.org/: The Peace Learning Center website located in Indianapolis, IN. https:/…

In this episode, Craig and Juli discuss the science behind anxiety with guest, Amanda Slonaker. Amanda works for the Zionsville School District just next to Westfield. Amanda is that district's Coordinator for School Psychology and a Clinical Neuropsychologist. Amanda is not only medically trained, but she does a wonderful job of explaining what ha…

In this episode, Rachel Hall joins The Toolbox. Rachel is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and the Mental Health Liaison to the Boone County Sheriff's Department in Indiana. Of the many areas of counseling services, Rachel and her colleagues specialize a lot in the area of trauma. Hear her share why we should not consider this a major tragedy eac…

Craig, Jill and Juli start a new feature. Every two weeks they share updates in their world of middle school counseling. In this first feature, they discuss transitioning to high school, EMDR Therapy, and Restorative Justice among other tidbits. https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=6&v=psN1DORYYV0: Brene Brown Ted Talk on Shame. https://path…

Craig, Juli and Jill sit down w/their colleagues from Westfield High School. Dan Doherty is the Director of the WHS Counseling Center, and Dr. Stacy McGuire is the proud principal of her alma mater! In lieu of WMS 8th graders and parents starting to discuss scheduling for high school, this is the perfect time of year to hear all about what WHS has …

Kyle Miller is the guest in this next resource for parents. Kyle is a long time school counselor for Westfield Washington Schools, but he is starting his first year as the district's Director of Social Emotional Learning. Kyle will share how we can help students "get ready to learn" and teach students "what's happening in our brains" so we can "avo…

Craig and Jill sit down with two WMS parents whose kids were interviewed in Episode 28. Hear Gina and Amanda share their thoughts after hearing their children interviewed. Hear them share their struggles and solutions in their homes as well as some really great resources that may help you. This is a real conversation with real people managing real …

Craig interviews Lisa Tabb, Executive Producer of the documentary Screenagers in lieu of hosting an upcoming screening of the film. https://www.screenagersmovie.com/: Screenagers documentary film website. Many resources here! https://www.screenagersmovie.com/tech-talk-tuesdays/: Dr. Ruston's Tech Talk Tuesdays Blog…

Three Westfield Middle School students sit down with the counselors. They share their use of screen time, thoughts on their parents' rules, and shed a light on students think and feel regarding this issue with which most parents struggle. A candid, authentic look at how teens feel about growing up in this digital age. https://www.screenagersmovie.c…

Jake Gilbert is the Dean of Wellness at Westfield High School. He is also a state champion football coach and has always found himself in positions working with youth. In this episode he discusses the importance of mentoring and what WHS is doing to connect with incoming students and widen their "web of support."…

Christy Gauss, Indiana's School Mental Health Facilitator, shares what is happening state-wide to assist students, educators and parents regarding this issue of mental health. https://lookupindiana.org/: Look Up Indiana website: a one-stop shop for all things mental health in the state of Indiana. https://www.nami.org/: The National Alliance on Men…

Westfield graduate and current catcher for the New York Mets, Kevin Plawecki is the guest for this last episode in our four part series on "Navigating Athletics". Kevin shares about the influences in his life, advice for parents, and how he continues to keep focus in the daily challenges of being a professional athlete including perseverance, socia…

Craig, Jill and Juli continue the discussion of navigating athletics with former student and current professional soccer player, Eriq Zavaleta. Eriq currently plays for Toronto FC of Major League Soccer. More importantly, Eriq was an excellent student who grew up in Westfield. Eriq made many sacrifices to reach his goal of playing professionally, a…

Amy Abriani is a Wellness teacher and coach of track/cross country at WMS. She is a mom, a wife and runs a flexible seating classroom and runs a lot. Her view on coaching and students is one that you will want to tune in and listen. She discusses team before me, cultivating resiliency, helping your teen become more independent and much more Amy is …

The counseling team sits down with their colleague Zach Zimmer to talk about kids and athletics. Zach is a teacher and coach at Westfield Middle School and shares what is important to him that his athletes and students gain from getting involved in extra curricular activities. Topics in this episode include teamwork, putting yourself out there, con…

Carlabeth Mathias is the guest for this episode. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and a former public school educator. She is the owner of Mathias Counseling and Consulting in Fishers, IN. Carlabeth shares her years of experience working with teens and offers advice and guidance with teen conflicts, bully…

Doug Luce is the guest for this episode. Doug has been an administrator at WMS for over 20 years and is the School Safety Coordinator for the building. Craig, Juli, Jill and Doug discuss all things related to school safety in this informative episode. https://www.wws.k12.in.us/Page/1475: Link to Westfield Washington Safety Symposium 7/19/18 https:/…

Craig, Juli and Jill sit welcome Stacy London, Program Coordinator for Breathe Easy Hamilton County. Stacy's mission is to help educate and prevent tobacco usage among all individuals. However, this episode focuses strongly on the spread of vaping and Juuling among teenagers. Tune in to hear what this is, how you can get educated and prevent this t…

In this episode Mr. Spinner and Mrs. Brown introduce the newest member of the counseling team, Mrs. Yoder and highlight the year to come.De către WMS Broadcast

Craig, Carroll and Juli sit down with Karen Iglio, Assistant Director of Admissions from Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana. Karen shares the wealth of resources Ivy Tech has to offer students AND adults. The new branch in Noblesville, IN has been a terrific partnership for Westfield schools. Karen offers her advice and other "tools" for middle …

Craig and Carroll discuss slowing down and being bored with local Licensed Clinical Social Worker Scott Sweet. Scott is a Carmel, IN native who is a therapist at Centerpoint Counseling Services in Indianapolis, IN. Scott has also a trained Mindfully Based Stress Reduction teacher. Hear Scott discuss why being bored is needed, how technology impacts…

In this episode, WMS Counselors Craig, Carroll and Juli talk with Kelly Growden. Kelly is the Prevention Coordinator at Prevail, a local agency dedicated to serving victims of crime and abuse. This conversation, while intended for parents of adolescents, is resourceful for any parent of any child of any age. Topics discussed include dating, peer re…

Aimee Scheurmann joins The Toolbox. Aimee is a Senior Associate Director of Admission and the Indianapolis Regional Representative for Hanover College, a private, liberal arts school in Southern Indiana. Aimee shares advice for middle school parents as well as her perspective of a liberal arts education. Here about what you can be doing right now w…

Craig, Carroll and Juli invite their colleagues from across the street for a conversation about the middle to high school transition and everything that entails. Dr. Stacey Mcguire, WHS Principal and Dan Doherty, WHS Director of Counseling discuss why the middle years are so critical, course scheduling and what WHS has to offer along with what the …

Craig, Carroll and Juli sit down with Barbie Martin and Jarod Wilson, both of whom have a background in helping students and their families. Barbie and Jarod discuss how The Indiana Commission for Higher Education can help parents and students of all ages. Specific attention is paid to middle school parents and students. Hear about a handful of gre…

Mich Warren, Director of Admissions at Purdue University joins The Toolbox. Mitch discusses a vast array of topics including what being college ready means and looks like in middle school and what students in grades 7-12 can do to find "the right fit" in the college and career process. https://admissions.purdue.edu/: The Purdue University Undergrad…

Craig, Carroll and Juli talk with Betsy Delzer, Mindfulness Coordinator for The Middleton Plains School District just outside Madison, Wisconsin. Betsy is a former public school art teacher of many years who now spends her days helping students, teachers and administrators lead calmer more peaceful lives. She is a member of her district's leadershi…

Craig and Juli welcome Jamie Price, Co-Founder of the wildly popular meditation app for teens titled, Stop, Breathe, Think. Jamie tunes in live from Los Angeles where she and her team grew a non-profit into an app that aims to help teens manage their stress in positive ways. Hear advice for working with your teen, your students and even yourself. J…

Tyler Dougherty, Westfield Police Department and School Resource Officer, discusses the topic of texting, sexting and social media. Tyler shares advice, info. on the law, and his experiences with prevention education in the school. Officer Dougherty does a great job sharing why we should not be afraid of technology and offers insight that can be ve…

Craig, Carroll and Juli speak with Jessica Herzog, Suicide Education Coordinator, Chaucie's Place. Located in Carmel, Indiana, Chaucie's Place works passionately to empower the community to end child abuse and youth suicide by offering evidence-based, high quality programs to students and adults. Jessica shares a wealth of information every parent …

Craig, Carroll and Juli have a conversation with nationally recognized Andy Gonzales, Co-Founder of the Holistic Life Foundation in Baltimore, MD. Andy and his colleagues are implementing mindfulness practices in some of the most challenging schools across our country and finding data-driven results. Andy and his team have collaborated with schools…

Part 2 of last week's conversation with Gary Conway, Licensed Mental Health Counselor.De către WMS Broadcast

Carroll, Craig and Juli sit down with Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Gary Conway. Gary is a former public school teacher and middle school counselor. This is the first of a two part conversation on the topic of stress reduction. Episode Resources: Gary Conway Website: http://www.counseling4nd.com/index.html https://www.heartmath.org/ : Scientifi…

Christine Brown and Megan Contreras of Westfield Youth Assistance visit the Toolbox. WYA is a local agency devoted to providing case management services to students and families in need. Christine and Megan discuss their work as well as the wealth of other resources available in the area. They also share how students and families can assist in volu…

Mrs. Easterday plays the role of guest in this episode sharing her wealth of experiences as a Director of College Admissions (Butler and Whitman College), a Director of Counseling from her years at North Central High School, her work with The College Board and her current training in the field of mental health. Carroll will share helpful info. abou…

In this initial episode, Craig, Carroll and Juli share a bit about themselves and the vision of the podcast.De către WMS Broadcast