Introducing Autonome – a pioneering program that seamlessly integrates Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) with mindfulness through a distinctive coaching approach. Through that interconnection and our unique use of coaching protocols, Autonome expertly guides students towards reaching their potential and desired future. Empower personal development with Autonome!
Autonome
Claim This Podcastby Fran Kenton
10 episodes
Updated Daily
Accepts GuestsHas SponsorsLocation 🇺🇸
Podcast Overview
Introducing Autonome – a pioneering program that seamlessly integrates Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) with mindfulness through a distinctive coaching approach. Through that interconnection and our unique use of coaching protocols, Autonome expertly guides students towards reaching their potential and desired future. Empower personal development with Autonome!
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
1/7/2026
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Recent Episodes
June 8, 2026
Building Systems of Support: Creating Consistency, Connection, and Psychological Safety with Dr. Rebecca DeVries
<p>In this episode of Autonome, host Fran Kenton sits down with Dr. Rebecca DeVries, Director of K–12 School Counseling for Schenectady City School District. Leading a team of more than 40 counselors across 22 schools, Dr. DeVries shares how her district is building a comprehensive counseling model that supports students from elementary school through graduation.</p><p>Drawing on her background as a school psychologist, Dr. DeVries discusses the importance of moving beyond individual interventions to create systems that promote equity, belonging, and student success. She explains how Schenectady is aligning counseling services across grade levels, embedding social-emotional learning into daily instruction, and creating structures that help both students and staff thrive.</p><p>The conversation explores psychological safety, attendance, career exploration, MTSS, and why creating consistent experiences across schools is essential for supporting every learner.</p><p><strong>Key Moments<br></strong><br>03:42 Moving from individual support to systems leadership</p><p>05:10 Leading a district-wide counseling program</p><p>06:55 Building trust and collaboration across schools</p><p>09:18 Listening to staff and addressing communication gaps</p><p>11:19 Creating consistency through MTSS structures</p><p>13:10 Aligning counseling supports across K–12</p><p>16:17 Using data to guide Tier 1 student support</p><p>17:53 Implementing Aaron’s Law through collaborative instruction</p><p>21:10 Identifying students who need support before crisis occurs</p><p>24:30 Career exploration and identity development in middle school</p><p>27:56 Embedding human skills into academic instruction</p><p>32:20 Why attendance is the most important metric</p><p>34:38 Creating classrooms where mistakes are safe</p><p>37:16 Raising expectations while providing support</p><p>42:07 The power of psychological safety in learning</p><p><br><strong>Why You’ll Love This Episode<br></strong><br>This episode offers valuable insights for educational leaders looking to build stronger systems of student support. Dr. DeVries shares practical strategies for aligning counseling services across grade levels, strengthening communication among staff, and creating learning environments where students feel safe to take risks and grow.</p><p>Her perspective on psychological safety, attendance, equity, and human-centered learning provides a thoughtful roadmap for schools seeking to support the whole child while maintaining high expectations.</p><p><strong>Connect with Dr. Rebecca DeVries | Director Of K-12 School Counseling at Schenectady City School District<br></strong><br>LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-rebecca-devries-0b7927114">https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-rebecca-devries-0b7927114</a> <br>Website: <a href="https://www.schenectadyschools.org/">https://www.schenectadyschools.org/</a> </p><p><br><strong>Connect with Fran Kenton and Autonome<br>Fran Kenton<br></strong>Founder and Creator, Autonome<br>LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/fran-kenton-a0a7969a/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/fran-kenton-a0a7969a/</a> <br><strong>Autonome<br></strong>Website: <a href="https://www.autonome101.com/">https://www.autonome101.com/</a> <br>LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/autonome101/">https://www.linkedin.com/company/autonome101/</a> </p><p><br><strong>About Autonome<br></strong>Autonome is the podcast where district leaders share practical, scalable ways to build students’ foundational life skills—wellbeing, identity and purpose, relationships, and executive function—so they can manage life today and be ready for what’s next.</p><p>If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to Autonome for more conversations with leaders shaping the future of student success.</p>
May 6, 2026
From Crisis to Cohesion: Building a System That Truly Supports Student Mental Health with Matthew Kaemmerer
<p><br>In this episode of Autonome, host Fran Kenton sits down with Matthew Kaemmerer, Director of Pupil Services at Oshkosh Area School District. Serving nearly 10,000 students, Matthew shares how his district transformed its approach to student mental health by moving from reactive crisis response to a proactive, integrated system that supports both students and educators.</p><p><br>Drawing from his background in psychology and education, Matthew reflects on the early challenges he encountered, including alarming mental health trends and student suicide rates. Instead of adding another initiative, he led the development of <strong>Rise Up</strong>, a comprehensive framework that combines education, early identification, and direct access to mental health services.</p><p><br>This conversation highlights what it takes to create sustainable, system-wide change, how to build strong community partnerships, and why consistency and shared language across schools are critical to success.</p><p><br></p><p><strong><br>Key Moments<br></strong><br></p><p><br>04:46 Returning to Oshkosh as a psychologist</p><p><br>08:56 Implementing mental health programs</p><p><br>12:17 Signs of Suicide curriculum overview</p><p><br>14:21 Calibrating programs across schools</p><p><br>17:32 Rise Up program overview</p><p><br>22:10 Evolving focus on emotional learning</p><p><br>24:35 Addressing racial achievement gaps</p><p><strong><br>Why You’ll Love This Episode<br></strong><br></p><p><br>If you are thinking about how to move beyond fragmented initiatives and build systems that actually work, this episode delivers. Matthew shares a clear roadmap for creating a cohesive mental health framework that is practical, scalable, and deeply impactful.</p><p><br>You will gain insights into how to align staff, leverage community partnerships, and create structures that support every student, not just those in crisis. It is a powerful example of what is possible when a district commits to long-term, intentional change.</p><p><br></p><p><strong><br>Connect with Matthew Kaemmerer | Director of Pupil Services at Oshkosh Area School District<br></strong><br>LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-kaemmerer-0b2772300">https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-kaemmerer-0b2772300</a> <br>Website: <a href="https://www.oshkosh.k12.wi.us/">https://www.oshkosh.k12.wi.us/</a> </p><p><strong><br>Connect with Fran Kenton and Autonome<br></strong><br></p><p><strong><br>Fran Kenton<br></strong>Founder and Creator, Autonome<br>LinkedIn:<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/fran-kenton-a0a7969a/"> https://www.linkedin.com/in/fran-kenton-a0a7969a/<br></a><br></p><p><strong><br>Autonome<br></strong>Website:<a href="https://www.autonome101.com/"> https://www.autonome101.com/<br></a>LinkedIn:<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/autonome101/"> https://www.linkedin.com/company/autonome101/</a></p><p><br></p><p><strong><br>About Autonome<br></strong><br></p><p><br>Autonome is the podcast where district leaders share practical, scalable ways to build students’ foundational life skills—wellbeing, identity and purpose, relationships, and executive function—so they can manage life today and be ready for what’s next.</p><p>If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to Autonome for more conversations with leaders shaping the future of student success.</p>
April 1, 2026
From Voice to Impact: Building Student-Centered Systems with Amy Graeber
<p><br>In this episode of Autonome, host Fran Kenton speaks with Amy Graeber, Chief Instructional Officer at Uvalde CISD in Texas. With over 18 years in education and a deeply personal journey shaped by adversity, Amy brings a powerful perspective on what it truly means to serve students who are often overlooked or underestimated.</p><p><br>Amy shares how her lived experiences fuel her leadership approach, one centered on advocacy, opportunity, and ensuring every student has not just a seat at the table, but a voice that is truly heard. The conversation explores how Uvalde is shifting from reactive responses to proactive, system-wide frameworks that support both student well-being and teacher capacity.</p><p><br>Together, they unpack what it takes to rebuild trust in a community navigating trauma, how to create consistent, scalable systems, and why focusing on student voice is the foundation for meaningful, lasting change. </p><p><strong></strong></p><p>Key Moments<br><br></p><p><br>04:21 Rethinking education for at-risk youth</p><p><br>08:07 Improving school systems together</p><p><br>10:40 Supporting early childhood needs</p><p><br>15:43 Middle school to high school transition</p><p><br>20:17 Teaching transferable and employability skills</p><p><br>22:03 Revamping career education programs</p><p><br>25:09 Focusing on student opportunities</p><p><strong><br>Why You’ll Love This Episode<br></strong><br></p><p><br>This episode is a powerful look at what it takes to lead in complex, high-need environments while staying grounded in what matters most, students. Amy offers a practical and honest perspective on building systems that are both human-centered and sustainable, especially in communities navigating trauma and change.</p><p><br>You will walk away with insights on how to elevate student voice, create consistency across systems, and design learning environments that truly prepare students for life beyond school.</p><p><strong></strong></p><p>Connect with Amy Graeber | Chief Instructional Officer, Uvalde CISD<br><br></p><p><br>LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-graeber-49a76222a">https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-graeber-49a76222a</a> <br>Website: <a href="https://www.ucisd.net/">https://www.ucisd.net/</a> </p><p><strong></strong></p><p>Connect with Fran Kenton and Autonome<br><br></p><p><strong><br>Fran Kenton<br></strong>Founder and Creator, Autonome<br>LinkedIn:<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/fran-kenton-a0a7969a/"> https://www.linkedin.com/in/fran-kenton-a0a7969a/<br></a><br></p><p><strong><br>Autonome<br></strong>Website:<a href="https://www.autonome101.com/"> https://www.autonome101.com/<br></a>LinkedIn:<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/autonome101/"> https://www.linkedin.com/company/autonome101/<br></a><br></p><p><strong></strong></p><p>About Autonome<br><br></p><p><br>Autonome is the podcast where district leaders share practical, scalable ways to build students’ foundational life skills—wellbeing, identity and purpose, relationships, and executive function—so they can manage life today and be ready for what’s next.</p><p>If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to Autonome for more conversations with leaders shaping the future of student success.</p><p><br></p>
10 total episodes available
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