Effective School Solutions

01/21/2026

🎙️We’re back for another episode of MINDBEAT by Effective School Solutions, Helping Students Thrive: Preventing Burnout and Supporting Mental Health in Schools.

⭐ Laine Whitaker is joined by guest co-host Cherina Betters, Ed.D., Chief of Equity and Access for San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools, for a powerful conversation with Dr. Rebecca Branstetter, school psychologist, author, and national voice on student well-being and burnout prevention.

Together, they explore the biggest mental health challenges facing PreK–12 schools, common misconceptions about educator and student burnout, and practical strategies for building school cultures where both students and educators can thrive.

🎧 Listen now on Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/eTrN8heF

🎧 Listen now on Spotify: https://lnkd.in/esy6S5YE

01/14/2026

🎙️ICYMI, our podcast, MINDBEAT by Effective School Solutions, is back with an episode on Navigating the Digital Childhood: Mental Health, Media, and Development.

Join Laine Whitaker and guest co-host Megan McCullough, Director of Student Services at Wallingford-Swarthmore School District, as they welcome Dr. Ellen Wartella, a leading expert on children, media, and development, to discuss all things social media, keeping kids safe online, and more.

🎧 Listen now on Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/e5ZKZNBV

🎧 Listen now on Spotify: https://lnkd.in/eua9Cs4v

01/14/2026

🎙️ICYMI, our podcast, MINDBEAT by Effective School Solutions, is back with an episode on Navigating the Digital Childhood: Mental Health, Media, and Development.

Join Laine Whitaker and guest co-host Megan McCullough, Director of Student Services at Wallingford-Swarthmore School District, as they welcome Dr. Ellen Wartella, a leading expert on children, media, and development, to discuss all things social media, keeping kids safe online, and more.

🎧 Listen now on Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/e5ZKZNBV

🎧 Listen now on Spotify: https://lnkd.in/eua9Cs4v

01/05/2026

🎙️ New Year, New Episode!

In the first episode of Season 4, Laine Whitaker, MSL, guest co-host Megan McCullough, Director of Student Services at Wallingford-Swarthmore School District, and Dr. Ellen Wartella, a leading expert on children, media, and development discuss the pros and cons of a digital childhood.

🎧 Listen now on Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/e5ZKZNBV

🎧 Listen now on Spotify: https://lnkd.in/eua9Cs4v

01/05/2026

🎙️ New Year, New Episode!

In the first episode of Season 4, Laine Whitaker, guest co-host Megan McCullough, Director of Student Services at Wallingford-Swarthmore School District, and Dr. Ellen Wartella, a leading expert on children, media, and development, discuss the pros and cons of a digital childhood.

🎧 Listen now on Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/e5ZKZNBV

🎧 Listen now on Spotify: https://lnkd.in/eua9Cs4v

12/29/2025

🎙️ Episode Spotlight: Navigating the Digital Childhood: Mental Health, Media, and Development

Laine Whitaker, guest co-host Megan McCullough, Director of Student Services at Wallingford-Swarthmore School District, and Dr. Ellen Wartella, a leading expert on children, media, and development, discuss how families and educators can help children navigate today’s world – on and offline.

🎧 Listen now on Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/e5ZKZNBV

🎧 Listen now on Spotify: https://lnkd.in/eua9Cs4v

12/22/2025

🎙️MINDBEAT is back for Season 4!

Season 4 of our podcast, MINDBEAT by Effective School Solutions, kicks off with an insightful episode, Navigating the Digital Childhood: Mental Health, Media, and Development.

Join Laine Whitaker and guest co-host Megan McCullough, Director of Student Services at Wallingford-Swarthmore School District, as they welcome Dr. Ellen Wartella, a leading expert on children, media, and development. Together, they explore the evolving role of media in shaping mental health, common misconceptions about screen use, and practical ways families and schools can support healthy development in a digital age.

🎧 Listen now on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-37-navigating-the-digital-childhood-mental-health/id1656097720?i=1000742229163

🎧 Listen now on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0njyZIA6nGc3ub33zwCDLR

10/27/2025

Mindset Monday

Educators spend so much time caring for others (students, colleagues, families, caregivers) that it’s easy to forget to take time for self-care.

This week, remember Brené Brown’s reminder:

“Talk to yourself like you would to someone you love.”

Give yourself grace, speak kindly to yourself, and recognize that your well-being matters just as much as those you support.

10/21/2025

We share Mental Health America’s belief that with the right support, young people can move from helplessness to hope.
Grateful for Supporting Young Minds 2025 and its focus on building resilience in students everywhere.
Mental Health America

10/20/2025

Mindset Monday!

At Effective School Solutions, we believe that open, stigma-free dialogue is key to supporting student well-being. Let’s keep the conversation going this week

10/15/2025

A new EdSource article highlights a growing concern in California: the link between social media use and rising rates of anxiety and depression among young people. https://edsource.org/2025/california-youth-mental-health-social-media

As educators and mental health professionals, we have an opportunity to help students build healthier relationships with technology, foster balance, and create safe spaces for open conversation.

At Effective School Solutions, we’re listening closely to what students are telling us and working alongside schools to ensure mental health remains at the center of the conversation.

California youth cited the high cost of living, including housing affordability and the price of groceries, along with gun violence, climate change and racism as top concerns.

10/14/2025

At Effective School Solutions, we believe every classroom can be a place of calm, connection, and growth.

Our AttunED Behavior Education Framework™ helps districts move from behavior management to behavior education, equipping educators with the skills to foster regulation, resilience, and stronger relationships.

The framework empowers:
- Administrators to build trauma-informed schools and lead lasting cultural change.
- Educators to gain coaching to foster regulation, accountability, and resilient classrooms.
- Counselors to strengthen skills to support regulation, resilience, and family partnerships.

When educators feel supported, students succeed.

Watch the video to see how the AttunED Behavior Education Framework™ is supporting schools across the country.

Learn more @ www.effectiveschoolsolutions.com