Episodes

Send us Fan Mail Gloria Cane is the Owner and Executive Director of Sylvan Learning Center for Pensacola and Fort Walton Beach. In this episode, she shares how discovering your child’s learning style can activate and accelerate their academic performance, right now, and build confidence for life. She also deals out practical hacks for parents and scholarship opportunities. Guest: Gloria Cane https://www.sylvanlearning.com/locations/us/fl/pensacola-tutoring/pensacola/ | http://alturl.com/p2k8i...

Send us Fan Mail Phedra Smith is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and owner of Greenhouse Counseling in Pensacola, specializing in children and families. In this episode, she shares insights in the areas of feelings, friends and communication to make the back-to-school transition smoother. Guest: Phedra Smith https://www.ghcpensacola.com/ | https://www.instagram.com/greenhouse_counseling/ | https://www.facebook.com/ghousecounseling | Thumb Ball https://a.co/d/4uocdcj | Wheel of Feelings htt...

Send us Fan Mail Lisa Bloodworth, Director at Global Connections to Employment, and Pam Cebula, Escambia County Public Schools Program Specialist, share how Project Search is changing the employment landscape for young adults with disabilities in the areas of availability, access and perception. They are taking hard topics and making them easy through open and direct conversations, like the one we had in this episode. Guests: Lisa Bloodworth https://gce.org/ | Pam Cebula https://www.escambias...

Send us Fan Mail Class of 2025 graduates, Bethany Gurley from Pine Forest High School New Media Academy and Mekayla Leonard from West Florida High School Multimedia Academy were the first videographer and graphic design interns for a newly formed workforce education program with Escambia County Public Schools Office of Communications. In this episode, they share what this internship taught them that the classroom couldn’t, their proudest moments and what’s next. Guests: Bethany Gurley & M...

Send us Fan Mail Jacob Hill, IB Business Management teacher at Pensacola High School, is not only seeing the future, he’s helping build it. In this episode, he shares how Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) is giving high school students real experiences that translate into confidence, connections and leadership. Learn how students in middle school are getting the same opportunities. Guest: Jacob Hill https://www.instagram.com/pensacolahigh.fbla/ | https://www.facebook.com/pensacolaib&n...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, you'll quickly understand why Kelly Reed is the Escambia County Public Schools 2025-2026 Teacher of the Year. A kindergarten teacher at Global Learning Academy, she shares her journey to becoming a teacher, some special stories about her little “love nuggets,” as she calls her students, and surprising tips for parents. Guest: Kelly Reed Vote for Voices United in Education as "Best Podcast" 2026 in InWeekly's Best on the Coast! https://form.jotform.com/2...

Send us Fan Mail Joseph Moss is the Welding Instructor at Pensacola High School. In this episode, he shares his journey out of generational poverty and into welding & how that led him to becoming the cornerstone of the PHS welding program. Hear how one arc and one weld are building multiple opportunities for his students. Guest: Joseph Moss https://www.escambiaschools.org/Page/4274 Vote for Voices United in Education as "Best Podcast" 2026 in InWeekly's Best on the Coast! https://f...

Send us Fan Mail Steve Harrell, Workforce Education Director at Escambia County Public Schools, shares how the new Automotive Technology Academy is opening the door to more career opportunities for our students and is bringing needed ASC certified technicians to our community. Guest: Steve Harrell https://www.escambiaschools.org/career Vote for Voices United in Education as "Best Podcast" 2026 in InWeekly's Best on the Coast! https://form.jotform.com/261185754425158 This helps con...

Send us Fan Mail Holly Busse, Escambia County Public Schools Counselor Specialist, and Lesa Morgan, Director of High Schools, talk about dual enrollment, student and parent readiness, what to expect and how the free class credits for both college and workforce, focus kids. Guests: Holly Busse & Lesa Morgan https://www.escambiaschools.org/Page/4437 Vote for Voices United in Education as "Best Podcast" 2026 in InWeekly's Best on the Coast! https://form.jotform.com/261185754425158 This...

Send us Fan Mail Meet Bethany Gurley, a senior in the New Media Academy at Pine Forest High School and outstanding student intern with ECPS’s Communications Office. In this special episode, Meredith Hackwith Edwards becomes the guest, sharing insights into her world and our podcast while Ms. Bethany gets hand-on, real-world experience in podcasting—not only as a host—but through interviewing a professional podcaster and the host of our Voices United in Education podcast. Guest host: Bethany G...

Send us Fan Mail Dr. Charmain Sutherland, Escambia County Public Schools Specialist for PE, Health, Wellness and Driver Education and Mark Humphreys, Driver Education Instructor at Escambia County Public Schools, share what parents need to know about the free Driver’s Ed program and how the program builds confidence and teaches kids to be better decision makers behind the wheel. Guests: Charmain Sutherland & Mark Humphreys https://www.escambiaschools.org/drivereducation Vote for Voi...

Send us Fan Mail Angela Stephens, Youth and Family Services Director for the YMCA of Northwest Florida, shares how a unique partnership with the Vickery Community Center in Pensacola is not only giving parents After School Care options at significantly reduced costs, but truly uniting for the success of children and families in Escambia County. Guest: Angela Stephens https://www.ymcanwfl.org/afterschool-care Vote for Voices United in Education as "Best Podcast" 2026 in InWeekly's ...

Send us Fan Mail Sean Fell, owner of Waterboyz Surf & Skate Shop, shares what kids are learn from skateboarding & why he chose collaboration over competition when the downtown skate park was built. You’ll also hear how his skate park, nonprofit & summer camps bring together kids and community all year long. Guest: Sean Fell https://waterboyz.com/ | https://www.facebook.com/waterboyzsurfandskate | https://www.instagram.com/waterboyz/ Vote for Voices United in Education ...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Sally Lee rejoins our podcast to celebrate the final chapter of her 25-year career in student mentorship and shares how it’s not what you know, but what you can show. As the Student Services Coordinator for Take Stock in Children, she reflects on her life, stories of impact from the mentorship program and a legacy filled with Escambia County children who attended and graduated from college through the support of local mentors and free 4-year scholarships. Gue...

Send us Fan Mail Alicia Gifford is the girls weightlifting coach at Escambia High School, helping students build strength of mind, body & character. In this episode, she debunks weightlifting myths, talks about the value of being a female coach, and shares how the students are building confidence. Guest: Alicia Gifford Vote for Voices United in Education as "Best Podcast" 2026 in InWeekly's Best on the Coast! https://form.jotform.com/261185754425158 This helps connect local families...

Send us Fan Mail Mark Raab is the Aviation Academy Instructor at Booker T Washington High School, providing students with hands-on experience in an actual hangar with an aircraft and a wide range of future possibilities. In this episode, he shares what parents need to know about this 4 year academy and how it guides students toward a diploma, career certification, college scholarships and a strong sense of direction. Guest: Mark Raab https://www.escambiaschools.org/Page/4351 Vote for Vo...

Send us Fan Mail Greg Miller is the Farm Garden Playground Consultant at Picked at Perfection Urban Farm, working with our local schools to provide not just on-site pocket gardens or mini farms, but immersive teaching experiences to help kids reconnect with their food. In this episode, Greg shares how this unique partnership is reinforcing their learning and inspiring kids to eat what they plant, grow, harvest and prepare. Guest: Greg Miller https://www.pickedatperfection.com/ | https://www.f...

Send us Fan Mail It's swap week! Join us as we cross-promote another local podcast: Accelerate Your Performance is hosted by Dr. Janet Pilcher, Founder and President of Studer Education, headquartered here in Pensacola, Fl. Each week, Janet highlights tactical and actionable strategies that leaders in educational organizations can hardwire to meet successful student, service, and people outcomes. In this episode, Janet talks with Dr. Christi Barrett from Hemet Unified School District. ...

Send us Fan Mail Haylee Linam is the 4H Youth Development Agent for Escambia County. In this episode, Haylee does some myth busting about 4H and shares how it’s different from FFA. She shares how student interest drives the 4H clubs and the unexpected ways STEM has become a part of the program. You’ll also hear what membership looks like for students, exciting competition opportunities and the potential for scholarships. Guests: Haylee Linam https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/escambia/4-h-youth-deve...

Send us Fan Mail Lisette Guttery, Instructional Coach at Pensacola High School and Stephanie White, attorney and Mock Trial coach, share how the community effort of Mock Trial helps students build confidence, critical thinking and public speaking skills. They share the surprising reasons that students NOT interested in a law career thrive in the program & share stories of students impacted by participation (including themselves)! Guests: Lisette Guttery & Stephanie White https://tin...

Send us Fan Mail Brittany Hughes is the Marketing and Outreach Coordinator for Play Pensacola Parks & Recreation. In this episode, she debunks what you think of summer camp, how their 17 different camps are customized to the children’s individual interests, needs and skills, and how scholarships can defray the costs. Guest: Brittany Hughes https://www.cityofpensacola.com/940/Summer-Camps Vote for Voices United in Education as "Best Podcast" 2026 in InWeekly's Best on the Coast! https://...

Send us Fan Mail Chief Dan Sky-Horse Helms of the Santa Rosa Creek Muskogee Tribe illuminates the oral history of the Native First People of the Panhandle. In this episode he shares how the tribe is collaborating with teachers to build a more complete curriculum, the journey to regaining this lost knowledge, and how the Cultural Education Center and Creek Fest are expanding the understanding of our local history by making it more visible, accessible and immersive to our children. Guest: Dan S...

Send us Fan Mail Monica Willis, Escambia County Public Schools Military Liaison, and Command Master Chief Jim Wallace at Naval Air Station Pensacola, share how our community rallies around our military families. They talk about the unique partnership between Escambia County Public Schools, the civilian benefit to military family presence and share real examples of classroom advantages. Guests: Monica Willis & Jim Wallace https://www.escambiaschools.org/cio#calendar5446/20250305/month Vo...

Send us Fan Mail Dr. Okan Elidemir is the Chief of Pulmonology at Nemours Children’s Health. In this episode, he shares cases of vaping injury, how addictive it is compared to regular smoking, and how to talk to your kids about consequences, peer pressure and managing stress. Guest: Dr. Okan Elidemir Nemours Pensacola https://tinyurl.com/yckx7cyw | https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/vaping-vs-smoking | Info on Evali https://tinyurl.com/6jxhmjy5 Vote for Voices United in Education...