Supporting Staff and Student Mental Health

About the Presenters

Christopher Jenson, M.D. proudly serves as a senior advisor for health concerns in school districts and educational operations. As a former emergency medicine physician, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Science Ambassador Fellow, and high school educator of ten years, he brings a unique set of skills, knowledge, and experiences to his advisory role. Dr. Jenson has authored five embedded curricula for youth mental health support and recently published Triage Your School with Solution Tree Press, which shares detailed strategies from healthcare to mitigating teacher burnout. He is passionate about designing practical solutions for school leaders in the midst of growing demands for educators.

Kristi Dixon began her professional career as a special education teacher before moving on to school counseling in 2001. Kristi earned her Bachelor of Science in elementary education (1993) and Master of Science, special education – learning disabilities and serious emotional disability (1995) at Kansas State University. She then completed her second master’s degree in school counseling at Emporia State University (2000). Since 1996, Kristi has supported countless students while also serving on her district’s Drug & Alcohol Intervention and Prevention Task Force, as well as promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives with students, staff, and the community at large. She has taught as an adjunct instructor in graduate programs for school counseling at Emporia State University and University of Missouri-Kansas City. In 2016, Kristi was awarded Kansas School Counselor of the Year. Kristi is most proud of her role as Mom to her 16-year-old son, Elijah.

Brett Derickson is a veteran educator of 25 years primarily as a social studies teacher, soccer coach, and International Baccalaureate coordinator. Brett has a BS in education from Ohio University (1999) and advanced degrees in curriculum and instruction as well as educational leadership. For six years Brett has continued his leadership as a secondary assistant principal. Working primarily with military dependents and their families in Colorado Springs, his leadership continues to evolve as mental health initiatives and support take the main stage in schools today. Brett is also the co-founder of School House Cracked, an education podcast/vlog examining all aspects of school and community that impact American society. A father of three high-school-aged students, adapting to parenting in an era of social-emotional turmoil has shaped his approach to school policy and practices as well as the significance of relationships with all stakeholders.