Episodes

Send us Fan Mail Alicia Gifford is 1 of 13 people in the world selected for the prestigious Art 21 Educator Program and the first from Florida. She shares her experience and how she has witnessed art connect creativity, critical thinking and profound conversation skills in her students. Guest: Alicia Gifford https://tinyurl.com/2nxx6w6w 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 ...

Send us Fan Mail Melanie Fryou is the pediatric medical social worker at Nemours Children's Health and Erica Mack is a registered clinical social work intern at Greenhouse Counseling. In this episode, they share findings from a study on “why kids worry” and provide practical tips, techniques and local resources for parents to help their kids worry less. Guests: Melanie Fryou & Erica Mack https://www.ghcpensacola.com/ |Why Kids Worry Study https://tinyurl.com/2f6buarc | Nemours Pensacola h...

Send us Fan Mail Coach Marquette Oliver is the SOAR academy director and an assistant football coach at Pine Forest High School where he also played and led his team in 2 state championships and 1 national championship. In this episode, he shares how he is elevating his players on the field, in the classroom and in life through Standing on Business Mondays, where students dress in suits and ties on Mondays. You’ll hear how this simple act is changing the trajectory of these young men’s lives ...

Send us Fan Mail Dr. Heather Schultz, the assistant principal at Workman Middle School and Master Chief John Spaulding, the Naval Science instructor at Booker T Washington High School, share how students are taking advantage of the only middle school NJROTC program in Escambia County—one with a unique partnership between the schools. Learn how this program not only builds up students academically and socially, but also provides college scholarships. Guests: Dr. Heather Schultz & Master Ch...

Send us Fan Mail Ruthie Noel is the Executive Director of Achieve Escambia. In this episode she explains the unique role this organization plays in the community and why their number should be in your phone. We talk navigating local resources, finding paths to financial aid and advocating for families. Guest: Ruthie Noel https://www.achieveescambia.org/ | https://escambiachildrenstrust.org/familyresourceguide24-25/ | https://readykidsfl.org/readyrosie | https://www.fastweb.com/ | https://www....

Send us Fan Mail Patty Hightower is the longest serving school board member in Escambia County history, representing District 4 for 20 years. She will also be the first one to encourage you to run. In this episode, she talks about her experience running for and serving on the School Board. She answers behind the scenes questions and proudly highlights the success and changes over the last two decades. Guest: Patty Hightower Vote for Voices United in Education as "Best Podcast" 2026 in InWeekl...

Send us Fan Mail Kerri Coots, Director of Alternative Education, answers real parent questions about bullying in schools. You'll hear her share stories to encourage change, tips to help parents of both the bully and the bullied, and why she believes promoting acts of kindness is path to sustainable harmony. Guest: Kerri Coots https://www.escambiaschools.org/Page/2852 | School violence reporting index https://tinyurl.com/8ru9yry9 | Report bullying https://tinyurl.com/5n92cv26 Vote for Voices U...

Send us Fan Mail Cathy Rudd is the Principal and Lindsay Sullivan is the Occupational Therapist at Westgate, an Escambia County Public School for students with intellectual disabilities and autism spectrum disorder. In this episode, they share how the Lacey A. Collier Sensory Complex uses the Snoezelen® concept to increase functional communication, develop gross and fine motor skills, de-escalate inappropriate behaviors, and increase desired learning behaviors. Guest: Cathy Rudd & Lindsay...

Send us Fan Mail Want to know why education is a great career path? Bill Slayton shares his teacher's heart and incredible perspective after a career of 52 years in education in Escambia County, which included 16 years on the School Board for District 5. In the largest and fastest growing district in our county, he has left a legacy centered on the students, not only building the leaders of tomorrow, but finding the teachers of the future. Guest: Bill Slayton Vote for Voices United in Educati...

Send us Fan Mail It’s hard to know the important milestones your child might be missing. Teresa Zwierzchowski, the Marketing and Communications Specialist at Help Me Grow Escambia, peels back the curtain on early intervention screenings, shares FREE services you may not know you have access to and what milestones you can screen for at home with your child. Guest: Teresa Zwierzchowski Vote for Voices United in Education as "Best Podcast" 2026 in InWeekly's Best on the Coast! https://form.jotfo...

Send us Fan Mail Keith Leonard, Escambia County Public Schools Superintendent, talks about the history behind the half-cent sales, how it's been spent, future projects and just how much accountability there actually is for these funds. Guest: Keith Leonard Related Links: Half Cent Sales 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 with the resources they n...

Send us Fan Mail Escambia County Public Schools Athletic Director Casey Thiele shares why the change in the Name Image Likeness (NIL) rules are important for high school athletes and students not in sports. You'll learn how free NIL resources can help your child avoid mistakes with their next side business and set them up to be confident, savvy young entrepreneurs. Guest: Casey Thiele Related Links: Florida High School Athletic Association | Escambia Athletics Vote for Voices United in E...

Send us Fan Mail Denny Wilson is the Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction for Escambia County Public Schools and he isn't afraid to answer the question: What schools are good here? In this episode, he shares which schools were awarded Schools of Excellence designation and how other schools are ranking. Guest: Denny Wilson, Escambia County Public Schools School grades: https://tinyurl.com/yc4bax35 Vote for Voices United in Education as "Best Podcast" 2026 in InWeekly's Best ...

Send us Fan Mail Tate High graduate, Adam Norre, who knew from a young age that he wanted to be in law enforcement. What he didn’t know is that just 3 years in, he would be named Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Officer of the Year. In this episode, Adam traces his path to becoming a Sheriff’s deputy and his hopes for what’s next. Guest: Adam Norre 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 Jennifer Causey is a social studies teacher at Pine Forest High School whose econ class includes a mock investing challenge. She is working to end the cycle of poverty in Escambia county, by not just educating kids on money management basics, but making growing it accessible and fun. In this episode she shares what motivates her to dig in, when others short change this issue, and where to start if you’re feeling behind. Guest: Jennifer Causey: $500 stipend for ...

Send us Fan Mail Sue Straughn may be the most recognizable news anchor in Pensacola, but she has also been an outstanding advocate for children and education—earning a spot in the 100 Most Influential People by INWeekly, the Martin Luther King Junior "Living the Dream" Award, the Ambassador for Education by the Escambia County Public Schools Foundation and more. Listen as Sue, an Escambia High graduate, shares her unique vantage point into the community from both the news desk and her front p...

Send us Fan Mail Hassan Hills is the founder and Director of Youths Left Behind, a nonprofit working to build up at-risk kids in Escambia County. In this episode, he shares his own story of incarceration & how he’s working to reduce gang violence & increase opportunities for youths in Escambia County & meet one of the young teens positively impacted by organization, Michael Jeter. Learn more about Youth Left behind on Facebook or apply today. Guests: Hassan Hills & Michael J...

Send us Fan Mail Jasmine Simms is a Tobacco Prevention Specialist for Tobacco Free Florida. In this episode, she shares vaping myths, why you may not recognize a vape pen if you saw it & practical strategies to talk to your kids about it. Guest: Jasmine Simms 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 with the resources they need & the stories that get missed. Le...

Send us Fan Mail This trio of guests are leveraging a school elective that turns creative problem solving into a competition. Melissa Hughes, Cheri Stoker and Sophia Worley are part of the Ferry Pass Middle School's Odyssey of the Mind Program where seven of their eight teams advanced to the state level. Odyssey of the Mind is an international program designed to help students grow as confident learners and team members. Listen as they share five benefits this program brings to the classroom ...

Send us Fan Mail Dr. Kimberly Thomas and Mr. Derrick Thomas are both principals at Escambia County Public Schools on the rise—C.A Weis Elementary School and Workman Middle School. They share their work/home relationship dynamic & their unique perspectives on successful school outcomes. Guests: Dr. Kimberly Thomas & Derrick Thomas 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...

Send us Fan Mail According to Boeing, the pilot shortage means that over the next 20 years, we will need 200K new pilots in the US alone. Escambia High School has a unique solution facilitated by a unique leader. Greg Pyle is a flight academy instructor. After 20 years in the United States Air Force, six of which spent as a navigator flying a FB1-11 fighter jet, he has combined his love of aviation with his passion for teaching a special dual enrollment program—created in partnership with Emb...

Send us Fan Mail A House Bill passed in 2021 requires all public school students receive basic first aid training, including CPR. Although simply watching a video satisfies this requirement, Dr. Mary Mehta, pediatric cardiologist, VP & Chief Medical Officer of Nemours Children’s Health Pensacola, explains why they are suppor`ting hands-on training throughout the county. Hear the scenarios that this training prepares families for & why it’s the right combo of practical and empowering. ...

Send us Fan Mail Kenneth Jordan II is an award-winning artist, graduate of WFHS and alumni of McArthur Elementary School who is lending his brilliance back to his old classroom. Known for his highly realistic portraits using crayons, he’s helping students recognize their feelings and do what he calls, “see their own hand.” Listen to how he illuminates the connection between art, uniqueness and resourcefulness for students in Escambia County. Learn more about Crayola Sensei on Instagram. Guest...

Send us Fan Mail Theory of knowledge asks International Baccalaureate students, "How do you know what you know?" Dylan Patterson and Audrey Foss are recent IB graduates of Pensacola High School. They used their final CAS project as a way to bring civic education to middle schoolers. Together with Gloria Eligio, the IB college counselor, hear what inspired them, how IB works and what’s next. Guest: Gloria Eligio, Audrey Foss & Dylan Patterson https://www.youngcitizensdevelopment.org/ | htt...