How Schools Can Build Systems That Address the Root Causes of Behavior - Rebekah de Peo-Christner & Amy Lawrence
Today our guests are Rebekah de Peo-Christner, Assistant Director of Counseling, and Amy Lawrence, Director of Counseling and Social Work, both at Denton ISD in Texas. We discuss how their district created WRAP — the Wilson Restorative Action Plan — a family-centered alternative to exclusionary discipline that wraps support around students and families rather than cycling them through punitive consequences. Rebecca and Amy share how WRAP helps schools address the underlying reasons behind student behavior by building communication, conflict resolution skills, and real partnership with families.
They also explain how their district's SHIFT program helped administrators change the way they see and respond to student behavior, and why building systems around this work is what allows it to actually take hold across a district.
In this conversation, Rebecca and Amy offer important reminders for educators and leaders working to reduce exclusionary discipline and strengthen family partnerships:
- Behavior is a form of communication, getting curious about the reason behind it leads to better outcomes than responding with punishment alone.
- Families come in feeling defensive, and leading with vulnerability and empathy is what breaks down those walls and builds real partnership.
- Exclusionary discipline without skill-building just cycles students back to the same place, schools need systems that address root causes, not just remove students.
- You are only as strong as your community, lasting change happens when families, schools, and community partners are all working together.
Learn More About CharacterStrong:
- Access FREE MTSS Curriculum Samples
- Request a Quote Today!
- Learn more about CharacterStrong Implementation Support
- Visit the CharacterStrong Website
About Rebekah de Peo-Christner & Amy Lawrence:
Amy Lawrence is a passionate advocate for student and family well-being with 35 years in education, including 13 as Director of Counseling and Social Work in Denton ISD. She leads a robust team of counselors and social workers and was instrumental in launching two Family Centers that provide free counseling services. A graduate of Texas State University and the University of North Texas, Amy actively serves on the Denton County Behavioral Health Leadership Team. Her heart for service and commitment to trauma-informed care continue to shape safe, supportive systems across one of Texas's fastest-growing school districts.
Rebekah de Peo-Christner brings over 27 years of experience in education and counseling, with a focus on student mental health and trauma-informed care. She currently serves as Assistant Director of Counseling for Denton ISD and helped establish the district's Family Center, offering free counseling to students, families, and staff. Rebekah holds degrees in psychology and marriage and family therapy, is a TBRI® Practitioner, LPC Supervisor, and adjunct faculty at Texas Woman's University. She also maintains a private practice and previously served as a Mobile Assessor for psychiatric crisis response.Więcej odcinków z kanału "The CharacterStrong Podcast"
Nie przegap odcinka z kanału “The CharacterStrong Podcast”! Subskrybuj bezpłatnie w aplikacji GetPodcast.
