* Editor’s Note: In the June 4 and June 18 issues of the Callaway Courier we spotlighted Callaway Public School’s recently awarded grant to help purchase sensory products and a unique program that has received national recognition for the school. In part three of our spotlight on how CPS is educating the whole child, we are wrapping up our feature.

On July 23-24, Callaway’s Elementary Principal Brittany Jesseph and resource teacher Karen Weverka will travel to Seattle, Washington. Their mission for the trip? To highlight the wonderful things happening at Callaway Public School.

In just the second year of the district implementing the social- emotional learning program CharacterStrong, CPS was selected as a Spotlight School for the program. Schools recognized through the 2026 CS Certified Schools program will be celebrated at the CharacterStrong National Conference, where honorees will be recognized publicly among peers from across the country.

However, not only will CPS be recognized as a school, but Jesseph and Weverka have been asked to present at the conference as well, outlining how the district has applied the program and the positive impact that has resulted.

The women both admit they were not sure exactly what they were applying for at the time they sent their information in to CharacterStrong. “I went to Karen and asked if she wanted to be a spotlight school and she said sure! So we sent it in,” Jesseph explained. “Then we got a message back saying, ‘Hey, we really liked what we saw. Would you guys like to come and present at the national conference?’ We thought - why not?”

“The reward for me is that we get to go to the conference for free,” Weverka added. “I cannot wait to get more information.”

Jesseph and Weverka will give their presentation on July 22, then spend the next two days soaking up all of the material they can get to help make the program even stronger at Callaway.

While there are a number of SEL curricula available to schools, Jesspeh said CharacterStrong was their choice because of the positivity it promotes. “And it’s not cheesy. Sometimes it’s so cheesy that it’s even embarrassing for the teachers, and we’re not talking to babies,” Jesseph explained.

While the 2025-26 school year was the second year of CharacterStrong at CPS, it was the first year of utilizing the Tier 2 area of student support at the elementary level. The results of that have been very encouraging.

“CharacerStrong has been an incredibly positive and impactful resource in my classroom this year,” said third grade teacher Kaylee Brogan in a written testimonial on the application. “Several of my students have participated in Tier 2 groups to work on specific social-emotional skills they struggle with, and the structure has been very effective. When conflict arises in the classroom or at recess, we use the Tree of Decision Making to determine if the problem is big or small, identify emotions, and choose an appropriate response. CharacterStrong has helped create a common language and a calmer, more reflective learning environment.

Jesseph commended the elementary teachers on “totally buying in” to the program. “We have noticed that students are handling their own small problems better in unstructured activities like lunch and recess,” Jesseph said.

As mentioned in last week’s article, each day at the school begins with greeting students at the door with a warm welcome, including their name. Each morning a teacher delivers a CharacterStrong announcement and recites the following, which is repeated by the students: “I am a wonderful kid.” “I am a happy, healthy, and intelligent child.” 'I accomplish great results.” 'I am a positive thinker.” and “Today is going to be an amazing day.”

Creating a special social-emotional learning environment for students is not a new concept for Callaway Public School. After returning to the classroom from the COVID shutdown, the district created what they called a Bear Down Time, where students are divided into small groups and meet during the first 20 minutes of the school day. The seven groups have two 7-12 teachers who facilitate.

“Each Bear Down Time group has been paired with an elementary classroom,” Jesseph explained. “They then meet with their Cub Groups on Thursday every other week and do fun activities. This fosters relationships school-wide.”

Each month, students who demonstrate the CharacterStrong traits being studied are recognized. These students are identified as “Breakthrough Bears,” receive certificates during morning cafeteria announcements, and have their photos displayed in the elementary hallway.

Jesseph said they are hoping that everything the district completed this year with the program can be run again next year, as well as maybe adding in some leadership groups.

“Students have expressed excitement about CharacterStrong and have shared their learning through notes and drawings,” said Jesseph. “Compared to previous years, office referrals during unstructured times such as recess and lunch have decreased by at least 75%.”

Creating well-educated, well-rounded people is the primary goal of Callaway Public Schools. And their invitation to a national stage to share what they are doing is proof positive that they are getting it right.