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SUMMARY

After losing her 16-year-old son David to suicide following relentless cyberbullying, Maurine Molak turned her grief into advocacy. She has led the passage of groundbreaking laws protecting children from online harm and now champions federal reform through the Kids Online Safety Act. Her story is one of heartbreak, courage, and a mother's determination to protect every child.

CONTACT CONGRESS TO HELP PASS THE KIDS ONLINE SAFETY ACT HERE

( https://actionnetwork.org/letters/tell-congress-passkosa )

David's Legacy Foundation

( davidslegacy.org )

EMAIL: info@davidslegacy.org

Parents SOS

( https://www.parentssos.org/ )

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Educators, we're gifting you the Oxygen for Educators keepsake magazine. Opt in here: https://forms.gle/AmdrpsnP1GNKXEag8

Before Radical Hope resumes in the new year, Michelle offers a moment of reflection and gratitude. Drawing from The Small Work in the Great Work by Victoria Safford, she honors educators who keep showing up with heart and humanity, even when things are uncertain, and reminds us that the smallest acts often become the great work.

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Oxygen for Educators is proudly sponsored by Tacky Box.

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SUMMARY

What if the secret to transforming a school isn't a new program, but a new perspective?
In this re-released conversation, Dr. Maricela Helm—now Executive Director of Student Services at Whitehouse ISD—shares how shifting from discipline to relationship, and from pressure to presence, changes everything.

She and host Michelle Kinder explore how mindset becomes freedom, joy becomes evidence of system health, and the most powerful learning happens when kids see the adults around them as fellow learners.

Revisit this episode for the reminder we all need midyear: the connection you build today is shaping the world your students will lead tomorrow.

💌 Don't forget to claim your free subscription to the new Oxygen for Educators magazine, packed with interviews and reflections to keep you grounded all year long. Opt in here.

CHAPTERS

00:00 — Welcome + Magazine Announcement
02:17 — Why We're Re-Releasing This Episode
04:49 — Introducing Dr. Maricela Helm
06:50 — Early Career & Finding Purpose
10:37 — The Heart of Principalship
12:26 — Mindset as Freedom
16:17 — Let Kids See Your Hard
19:54 — Redefining the Discipline Department
22:11 — Systems, Predictability & Belonging
24:31 — Restorative Circles That Actually Work
28:47 — Building Community Agreements
33:50 — Responding to Crisis with Humanity
35:14 — How Education Has Evolved
39:48 — Kids Today: Capable and Emotional
41:15 — "Right Now, You're Great"
43:10 — Leading Leaders with Empathy
45:07 — Joy as a Leadership Indicator
47:53 — The Truth About Bullying Work
49:54 — Self-Care as a Mindset
53:39 — Closing with Gratitude
58:38 — Reflection with Michelle & Chris
01:01:57 — Perspective and Freedom
01:04:01 — Silver Lining Exercise
01:05:25 — Play, Perspective, and Purpose
01:06:16 — Letting Students See Imperfection
01:07:58 — Final Reflections and Takeaways

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