The Dream Team - Ryan Carroll, Longview ISD
Positive Climate Programs

At Forest Park Magnet School, Principal Ryan Carroll intentionally brings general education students together with self-contained special education students to build lasting friendships that strengthen the school community through the Dream Team program. Through inclusive classroom activities—such as reading, games, counting, coloring, science experiments, crafts, and holiday decorating—students of all abilities learn, create, and interact side by side. Daily positive connections, like saying “hi” in the hallway, giving high fives or fist bumps, and participating together in special events such as Socktober, Sock Delivery, field trips, and Field Day, help build trust and belonging.

The program began with teachers identifying general education students who already demonstrated kindness, leadership, and acceptance of others. These student leaders then participate in structured opportunities to interact with self-contained special education students. Staff training on inclusive practices and positive school climate further ensures the program runs smoothly and safely.

This program exceeds basic legal requirements for bullying prevention and education found in Texas Education Code 37.0832 by going far beyond policy compliance and creating a deeply relational, proactive approach to school safety and climate. Instead of focusing only on responding to problems, the program fosters kindness, inclusion, and community before issues arise, strengthening school climate in a holistic and preventative way. By selecting student leaders who model acceptance and empathy, the district has created a student-led culture of kindness that reduces social isolation, increases peer support, and improves overall safety.

Ceta Canyon Mentor Camp - Sheriff Brian Thomas, Potter County Sheriff's Office, and River Road ISD
Positive Climate Programs

The Ceta Canyon Mentor Camp pairs law enforcement officers and educators with students in a safe, outdoor setting that builds trust, communication, and respect between youth and deputies. Deputies and educators volunteer personal time to teach life skills and character development that improve student behavior and resilience. Students learn teamwork, leadership, and decision-making through hands-on activities and personal mentoring. By intentionally blending students from different backgrounds, the camp builds bridges across social divides, reducing the likelihood of bullying, violence, or isolation.

The program addresses school safety by targeting one of the root causes of campus disruption—students who feel disconnected, unseen, or unsupported. The camp also allows officers to identify at-risk youth early and connect them with ongoing support. By fostering empathy and positive relationships, the program prevents conflict before it reaches the campus, creating safer, more compassionate school environments across Potter County.

The key elements of the camp — mentorship, open communication, life-skills training, and character-building guidance — can be adapted to fit the culture and demographics of any community. Districts seeking to strengthen relationships between students and trusted adults could begin by identifying students who might benefit from positive role models, recruiting volunteer mentors from law enforcement and school staff, and structuring short, focused sessions that emphasize leadership and empathy.

The program exceeds state mandates by transforming safety from a checklist into a culture—one rooted in mentorship, accountability, and love for others.