Supporting students socially and emotionally in middle and high school can feel like navigating uncharted territory. While elementary schools often have established systems in place, secondary educators frequently face the challenge of assuming students “should know better.”
In this episode of The CharacterStrong Podcast, host John Norlin sits down with Michelle DePuy, Secondary Ed. Program Specialist at Redlands Unified School District in California, to discuss how intentional Tier 2 supports for counselors are improving student outcomes, and why slow, deliberate implementation is key to lasting change. Listen below to hear their conversation.
Key Takeaways:
Secondary Curriculum Requires Mindset Shifts
“Once they switch over to middle school, we no longer want to teach behavior. We think they should know it all…if they don’t, feelings don’t count.”
Michelle emphasizes that building Tier 2 systems starts with addressing adult mindsets. Educators must identify the social-emotional and behavioral skills students truly need and embrace that learning doesn’t stop after elementary school.
Scripted Solutions Help Build Capacity
Using Character Strong as a framework, Redlands Unified provides counselors with scripted, adaptable lessons that ensure consistency and fidelity while allowing educators to make the material their own. Michelle highlights the balance between structure and flexibility: “We love that it’s scripted, and the work we’re doing is helping them make it their own.”
Implementation is a Marathon, Not a Sprint
Patience is essential. Michelle points out that slow, deliberate implementation leads to long-term success: “You have to give yourself permission to slow down so you can go faster later on.”
Adults Are Learners Too
Tier 2 systems succeed when adult learners are supported. “Sometimes in education, we assume adults know it all. But adults are learners too, and we need to create safe spaces for them to do that.”
Measurable Outcomes Matter
Redlands Unified uses tools like the Youth Needs Screener to track small group progress. Results show improvements in students’ ability to describe emotions and use coping strategies, key skills that reduce disruptive behaviors and improve classroom environments.
Building Tier 2 supports in secondary schools is complex, but with intentionality, patience, and a system that balances structure with flexibility, districts can see meaningful outcomes for both students and educators. Redlands Unified’s journey reminds us that adult learning drives student success—and that sometimes, moving slow is the fastest way to long-term impact.
Want to learn more about implementing effective Tier 2 supports in your school? See how CharacterStrong can help your district take the next step:
Book a call with a CharacterStrong team member
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