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We are thrilled to announce that Donna Franklin, Director of Health Services at Clarkston School District in Washington State has been selected as the recipient of Cairn Guidance’s annual 2025 School Health Leadership Award. This award highlights an Education Leader who demonstrates prioritizing the health and well-being of student and staff health. They see the link between health and education. Their dedicated work helps create healthier systems, policies, programs, and Read ▸ about Celebrating Excellence in School Health Leadership: Donna Franklin

Author: Sterling Ta'Bon, Healthy Schools Manager & National Cadre Coordinator This year's Dove Self-Esteem Project (DSEP) Cadre Retreat, themed "Pride in the Vibe DSEP 2025," empowered our cadre trainers to effectively share comprehensive lessons while exploring body confidence and self-esteem through historical perspectives. This highly anticipated annual retreat brings together educators, counselors, and administrators from across the country, each serving as their state's local Read ▸ about Dove Self-Esteem Project Cadre Retreat 2025: “Pride in the Vibe”

Author: Sterling Ta'Bon, Healthy Schools Manager & National Cadre Coordinator at Cairn Guidance Structure Behavior: Imagine you are given your very first pet, a puppy named after your favorite candy bar. This puppy will become the reflection of the environment you create for them such as protection, nutrition, and attention. As the puppy develops, they easily associate your presence with one that brings great benefit. Their perception of you is based on thousands of behaviors and Read ▸ about Building Better Systems: What a Puppy Can Teach Us About Change

Author: Brittany Echols, Health Education Curriculum Manager at Cairn Guidance As I reflect on my journey over the past few years, I feel immense gratitude for the incredible opportunities and people who have shaped my work. Working at Cairn Guidance has been an enriching experience—one filled with deep learning, meaningful collaboration, and a shared commitment to equity-driven health education. From supporting state and district initiatives to building capacity for comprehensive Read ▸ about New Chapter, Same Mission: Supporting Student Health & Wellness

Author: Jess Lawrence, Director at Cairn Guidance At the age of 15, my friend Nini Mohamed took an incredible journey— a difficult, life-changing trek to America by way of Somalia and a Kenyan refugee camp. His book, “The African in America” details the real-life struggle immigrants face while adapting to American culture, from unexpected racial divisions among Black Americans and African-born American Immigrants, to the need for acceptance within a community.  Motivated by Read ▸ about Body Confidence Athletes!

In April, the Cairn Guidance team will be traveling to the All Access with Andy Garcia studios to film a segment called, Cultivating Healthy Futures: Cairn Guidance & The Power of Health & Education for Student Wellness on All Access with Andy Garcia. We are excited to have been selected for this opportunity to talk about our work and the inextricable link between health and learning in our K-12 school systems. We hope you’ll tune in this summer when it airs! Here is a link to the Read ▸ about Cultivating Healthy Futures: Cairn Guidance & The Power of Health & Education for Student Wellness on All Access with Andy Garcia

Author: Shamelle Ingram Yemofio, Dove Self-Esteem Project Cadre Member from Maryland $2.5 billion. That’s the current value of the African American hair industry, and it’s projected to hit $4.5 billion by 2034. Why? One reason is that Black women spend 9 times more on ethnic hair products than non-Black consumers. Guilty! My bathroom closet? Basically a mini beauty supply store with shampoos, hair steamers, hair dryers, moisturizing products, protective styling essentials—you name Read ▸ about Hair Love: Confidence, Culture, and Power of Representation

Today is a very exciting day! For the first time since 2001, the Making Change™ (aka The Change Game) is available for purchase! I was introduced to the Making Change™ and Systems Thinking, Systems Changing™ simulations during my time as the Health Education Curriculum Specialist at the Oregon Department of Education during 2003-2006. I fell in love with the simulations, as I know many of you have! I observed genuine learning, growth, networking, and effective communication, all things Read ▸ about Making Change™ (aka The Change Game) is Available for Purchase!!