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Leadership, purpose, and meaningful impact often begin with the people who believe in us. In this heartfelt conversation, Julie Riga sits down with her longtime friend Carol Calao, a school-based counselor from New Jersey, to explore the ingredients for success behind a lasting career in education. Carol shares how tapping into each individual's energy, building a strong community, and having the courage to ask for help can transform the way we guide children, support families, and grow as leaders.
Key Takeaways
- Carol Calao emphasizes that tapping into each individual's unique energy builds essential trust and confidence.
- Education is a collaborative system and community where teachers, counselors, and principals must lean on one another.
- Asking for help is a true sign of strength rather than a weakness, especially for adults who often shy away from it.
- Parents should stay actively involved at every stage of their child's education, from elementary PTA to college presence.
- It truly takes a village, and purpose and growth are always stronger when shared instead of trying to do it alone.
Carol Calao: It Takes a Village, and Asking for Help Is Strength
Guest: Carol Calao, School-Based Counselor and Nonprofit Leader Host: Julie RigaIn This Episode
- Carol Calao serves over 500 students at the elementary level and began her journey in education as a teacher
- She runs a nonprofit grief support group and serves on two executive boards, one at the state level and one at the county level
- Why not everyone's style fits everybody, and how tapping into each individual's energy builds trust and confidence
- Why education is a system, a community, and a collaborative effort
- How teachers, counselors, social workers, psychologists, and principals lean on one another
- Why it is okay to ask for help, and why many adults shy away from it
- The comparison trap, and how social media can quietly work against our self-worth
- How parents can get involved at every stage, from the PTA in elementary school to supporting a team in middle school, reviewing schedules in high school, and staying present in college
- Julie's story as a single parent who relied on teachers and aftercare
- A lighthearted college memory about Julie's famous wool hat and the nickname "Woolly"
- Invest in the individual, because every person has a unique style
- Community is the foundation of lasting success
- Asking for help is a strength, not a weakness
- Stay involved at every stage of your child's education
- Do not do it alone, because purpose and growth are stronger when shared
Connect with Julie Riga: https://stacklist.app/julieriga
Subscribe to Stay On Course wherever you listen to podcasts, and share this episode with someone who needs to hear that it is okay to ask for help.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Carol Calao?
Carol Calao is a school-based counselor, nonprofit leader serving over 500 elementary students, and an executive board member at both state and county levels.
Why is asking for help considered a strength?
Asking for help fosters community and collaborative success, proving that no one has to navigate life's challenges alone.
How can parents stay involved in their children's education as they grow?
Parents can participate in the PTA during elementary school, support school teams in middle school, review schedules in high school, and remain present during college.