Claire Handville is the Director of School Counseling at Charles J. Colgan, Sr. High School in Prince William County (PWCS), VA. Claire is passionate about integrating social emotional learning capacity into the foundation of a school's climate and culture for both students and staff, leading to increased belonging and well-being and higher academic outcomes (increased achievement and attendance, lower chronic absenteeism).

Claire believes school cultures should be safe and supportive environments that provide opportunities for students to take risks, but also serve as safety nets- allowing mistakes and failures to be learning opportunities. Visions, values, and goals should be systemically aligned and visualized in assigned tasks and organizational management/structure. Agency, empowerment, and voice are imperative components for both staff and students to work toward their meaning and purpose.

Claire wants to support others in creating these environments, sharing professional experiences as well as obstacles, and resources and tools to inspire and empower others.