The Covid epidemic brought great changes in public education, including the creation of Independent Study Programs in all California school districts, and an increased need for online learning options. Upon return to the classroom, many teachers (including those in charter schools) continued to utilize online learning augmented by hybrid classroom activities.
In 2022, Kris Klise and Gabriel Meier, as a result of their discussions with an online learning consultant, recognized the need for an innovative online drug abuse prevention education program in response to California’s mandate for drug education. Consistent with current research on drug education, the program would need to move beyond basic information and include life skills (decision-making, goal-setting, coping skills, assertiveness and negotiation, and identifying and accessing resources) using a peer-based approach consistent with Social-Cognitive Theory. Hence the creation of The True North Project.
Meet Our Team
Kris Klise
Kris Klise has a long history of working both in media production, and with at-risk teens. With over two decades of experience teaching, mentoring, and leading youth Kris understands what it takes to really connect with youth in order to help them achieve their goals and lead successful, healthy, and productive lives. As a credentialed teacher in the State of California he also understands that the peer based approach this curriculum utilizes provides a narrative that will influence teen's in making safe, healthy, and legal decisions as they mature.
Gabe Meier
Gabriel is a father of 5 children and brings a unique perspective to the work of drug abuse prevention education. Gabriel was born into a family of alcoholics and after being adopted, that family too, were alcoholics, so it wasn’t surprising when Gabe also became an alcoholic into his mid 30s. While working as a bartender, Gabriel’s life began taking a turn for the better and he realized that alcohol was a barrier between his goals and dreams he wanted to accomplish, so he quit drinking altogether. Gabriel has brought his unique perspective of addiction to life in the form of his music and talks with those in need and continues to offer assistance to many of his friends, family, and others in need. Gabriel holds a bachelor’s degree in business from the University of Redlands and works in the financial services industry.