About Us
The Phyllis J. Washington Center for the Advancement of Positive Education (CAPE) supports workforce development and champions well-being throughout Montana. We aggressively pursue a vision where individuals, communities, and workplaces are valued for their strengths, skills, and virtues rather than labeled for their deficits and challenges. Our passion is in positive education, and although our primary focus is on how positive education can support students, educators, and the overall school environment, we believe these same principles can be applied to all workplaces and to individuals in all walks of life. We offer trainings in diverse settings to assist people in identifying their strengths and developing techniques that enhance their well-being and quality of life.
CAPE Team Members
Dr. John Sommers-Flanagan
John Sommers-Flanagan is director of the Center for the Advancement of Positive Education at the 91次元, a counselor educator, a clinical psychologist, and author or coauthor of over 100 publications, including ten books and many professional training videos. His books, co-written with his wife Rita, include Clinical Interviewing, Tough Kids, Cool Counseling, and Suicide Assessment and Treatment Planning: A Strengths-Based Approach. He has published articles in the New England Journal of Medicine, American Psychologist, Professional Psychology, and the Journal of Counseling and Development. In 2018, he produced a three-part, 7.5-hour suicide assessment and treatment training video for mental health professionals with Psychotherapy.net. John's current work primarily involves promoting an evidence-informed strengths-based learning model designed to grow student and teacher strengths, skills, resources, and virtues, rather than growing more mental disorders.
In his spare time, John loves to run, dance, laugh, and produce home-made family music videos.
Dylan Wright, M.A., LCPC, LSC
A Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and advocate for positive psychology, Dylan Wright serves as the Community Liaison for CAPE. He shares his expertise through presentations and instruction and has contributed to the Montana Happiness Project, a precursor to CAPE. Dylan also operates a private practice, consults for Families First and the Missoula Children’s Theatre, and volunteers as a Family Law Mediator for the Community Dispute and Resolution Center. In his free time, Dylan loves to mountain bike and spend time with his wife and adult children.
Tammy Tolleson Knee, EdS, MSW, LCSW, BC-TMH
Tammy is Clinical Faculty with CAPE at the 91次元’s College of Education. She holds a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Denver and an Educational Specialist degree from the 91次元 and has been a Licensed Clinical Social Worker since 1997. Tammy has worked across three states in educational and community-based settings, supporting the strengths and well-being of young people. She is a Board-Certified Tele-Mental Health Therapist, a certified trainer for the I Love U Guys Foundation's Standard Response Protocol and Reunification, and a QPR Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper Instructor. Outside of work, Tammy enjoys listening to audiobooks while hiking, laughing with friends and family, and playing pranks with coworkers.
Sisilia Kusumaningsih, Ed.D
Sisilia is a clinical faculty at the Center for the Advancement of Positive Education at the 91次元. She holds a doctoral degree in Teaching and Learning from the 91次元. Originally from Indonesia, she came to the US to teach Indonesian to the Department of Defense students through the Defense Critical Language and Culture Program in 2018. She has taught students in Indonesia, Thailand, and the US. Sisilia is passionate about supporting students' and educators' wellbeing and her research has centered on children social-emotional development, factors influencing educators' wellbeing, and collaborative reasoning.
Kimberly Parrow, PhD, LCPC, NCC
Kimberly Parrow is an Adjunct Assistant Professor in CAPE and the Department of Counseling at the 91次元. She specializes in couples therapy, integrates evidence-based relationship factors with traditional approaches, and co-authored the textbook "Intimate Relationships." Kimberly earned her doctorate from the Department of Counseling, served as the distinguished Moser-McKinney Fellow, and holds advanced degrees in counseling and psychology.
Torey Wetsch
Born and raised in Montana, Torey joined CAPE in April 2025 and supports the team through office management tasks. She believes CAPE's focus on positive education provides a unique opportunity to shape the daily lives of students and offer support for educators, administrators, and families experiencing stress and burnout.
Chloe Tschetter
Chloe Tschetter is a Davidson’s Honor College Presidential Leadership Scholar at the 91次元 pursuing a BFA in Creative Writing and Musical Theatre Performance. She is a songwriter and performer with EPs on over 150 streaming platforms. Chloe works with CAPE as a Digital Happiness Coordinator and hopes to infuse positive psychology into the online space.
Payton Frentzen
Payton Frentzen serves as a Digital Happiness Coordinator for CAPE. She is a first-year student studying Communicative Sciences and Disorders, with a minor in Psychology. Payton enjoys creativity, digital storytelling, spending time with her dogs, and engaging in arts and crafts.