The Journey
Whole Mindset was born out of a passion for helping the next generation shine and a love of guiding the whole self through education. Together, these ideals have become the pillars of The WHOLE MethodTM.
Dru Cartier
Founder & CEO | Credentialed Teacher | Certified Coach
Dru Cartier is a credentialed educator and certified empowerment coach who specializes in guiding teens to build confidence, resilience, and a strong sense of self. With a Master’s in Adolescent Developmental Counseling from Liberty University and multiple coaching certifications, Dru combines academic expertise with a deep understanding of social-emotional development to help young people navigate challenges and achieve their goals.
As the founder of Whole Mindset, Dru creates transformative workshops and coaching programs for teens that address topics such as imposter syndrome, the inner critic, time management, and self-advocacy. Her approach blends evidence-based SEL practices with positive psychology and mindset coaching, giving teens practical tools to reframe negative self-talk, set meaningful goals, and step into their strengths with confidence.
With more than a decade of experience teaching and mentoring in diverse settings—including public schools, online platforms, and one-on-one coaching—Dru is known for creating safe, judgment-free spaces where young people feel supported and empowered. Beyond coaching, Dru also draws on her background in English Language Arts instruction to integrate reflective writing and storytelling as tools for self-discovery and growth.
Dru’s mission is to help teens develop the mindset, skills, and courage to thrive academically, socially, and personally—today and in the future.
Who am I, and where did Whole Mindset start?
An Ever Evolving Story
College
MA in Teaching
After earning my BA in Creative Writing from SFSU while raising two toddlers, I found myself working as a project manager for a tech start-up. This is when I learned a lot about business, but I knew I didn’t want the tech path forever. When my daughter was in 2nd grade, and struggling with anxiety, I began homeschooling her and quickly fell in love with education and mental health.
This was around the time I first heard the term “growth mindset” and something inside me was suddenly unlocked. I started tutoring dozens of students and saw a career path start to form. When she returned to school, I continued to grow my tutoring business and began working at a private school. Getting my MA in Teaching felt like the next logical step.
Teacher
ELA for MS & HS
By the time I earned my teaching credentials, I had taught in-person, virtually, privately, publicly, and for homeschoolers. I had run my 1-on-1 tutoring company successfully, but now I was entering a traditional, in-person, public school as a 7th, 8th, and 11th grade English teacher. I quickly learned that my passion lied in the emotional connection I was making with students rather than following standardized curriculum. I knew many of my students were pre-occupied with any number of concerns such as food, shelter, and other basic essentials.
I began feeling only half fulfilled working in a setting that wasn’t meeting students’ crucial needs. Additionally, I wasn’t as available to my own children who increasingly needed me. Then my father passed away and it hit me; life is too short to not live my dreams.
College (again)
MA in Adolescent Developmental Counseling
I finished out the school year and left the classroom to pursue my 2nd MA degree, this time in counseling. As I navigated this journey, I also began my divorce. During this time, pieces of a puzzle started becoming clear. I saw ways to infuse social-emotional learning (SEL) in everyday lessons. So I began selling my curriculum online. Sales were growing and the positive reviews were flooding in. I knew this needed to grow.
As I neared the end of my degree, I decided I wanted to be a coach instead of a therapist because it offered far more creative freedom. I didn’t know exactly how just yet, but I wanted to create something for students and teachers that would help the next generation in their SEL journey.
Spreading Whole Mindset
Dream Come True
I began 2025 as an online teacher while I developed a core framework that was zero prep for teachers and interactive for students. It was becoming my magnum opus – and still is.
The WHOLE MethodTM is in the pilot stage. Today, I am closer than I have ever been to seeing my dreams come true; a life built on my own that fulfills me while helping others and allows me the freedom to be creative, travel, and show up for my kids (and myself).
When I coach teens and young adults, it is this journey that inspires me; twists, ups, downs, challenging moments, and wild successes all culminate into an experience I wouldn’t change for anything.
I am proof that if you want something bad enough, you’ll make it happen.
Whole Mindset Approach to Social-Emotional Learning
Built From Experience. Developed for Growth.
The WHOLE MethodTM equips your child with the tools to believe in themselves, make healthy choices, speak up confidently, learn from setbacks, and achieve their goals—all while building the resilience and self-awareness they need to thrive in every area of life. By strengthening all five pillars together, your child develops a strong foundation that supports them through any challenge.
Imagine feeling confident…
And waking up each day with the tools to assert your boundaries, the skills to make an action plan, and the knowledge that you truly can succeed.
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Guidance, activities, and hope for teens, parents, and educators when life throws you (or someone you care about) a curveball.
CONTACT
Schedule a free 20-minute consultation to see if coaching, or one of the other Whole Mindset options, is best for helping you reach your goals.