Episodes

Send us Fan Mail No one wants their kid kicking off their next school year to a slow start, but how do you prevent your child from the summer slide in their reading skills? Torrey Jones, Tate High graduate and Executive Director of Freedom Schools, discusses how a free, six-week summer program is helping K-8 grade students in Escambia County start their next school year strong. Guest: Torrey Jones Vote for Voices United in Education as "Best Podcast" 2026 in InWeekly's Best on the Coast! htt...

Send us Fan Mail Every parent wants their child to have the best quality education possible, including having the proper tools and resources, but how do we ensure every classroom has what it needs without teachers buying their own supplies? David Gardner & Jo McArthur share how they’ve united to solve this widespread problem by establishing the Tools for Teachers initiative. Learn more about the Escambia County Public Schools Foundation or donate today. &...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wonder how we can make the world a better place? It starts here. Vanessa Mays, Executive Director of Global Corner, talks about how bringing the whole world to the classroom brings skills and solutions to our hometown. Learn more about Global Corner on Facebook. Guest: Vanessa Mays 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 Every parent needs a little pick me up now and then – a real reminder you’re on the right path as a parent and your kid is gonna be ok. More than ok. Derreck Brooks, NFL Superstar and Washington High School class of 1991, shares his roots in Escambia County, why success is a team sport and how his charity is setting kids up for a winning future. Guest: Derrick Brooks https://db55.org/ | https://www.facebook.com/DBC55 Learn more about Escambia County School District: https://www...

Send us Fan Mail Many local people express a desire to help others when asked about their hopes for their future careers, but getting there can often be a winding path. Cathy Rudd, principal of Escambia Westgate School and Dr. Keri Fogle, director of the Para-to-Teacher Tuition Support Program, talk about how this unique program could be a fit for people wanting to work as paraprofessionals. Guests: Cathy Rudd & Dr. Keri Fogle Vote for Voices United in Education as "Best Podcast" 2026 in ...

Send us Fan Mail "I'm fine!" Grief is complex. It's more than sadness and can manifest is all kinds of ways. It can impact school. But it's never too late to connect grieving kids with each other in order to open up and find healthy ways to cope with the grief. Crista Brandt, the Director of Valerie's House opens up about her grief journey and shares how peer-to-peer model can help kids where traditional counseling alone can't. Learn more by visiting the Valerie's House Facebook. Guest: Crist...

Send us Fan Mail We attribute fundraising and caretaking as characteristics of successful adults, but one student at Northview High School is showing out for his generation. Tyler Riggs has not only operated the school's greenhouse for the last 3 years, but got a $1,100 grant for much-needed upgrades. Student Tyler Riggs and teacher Brandon Korinchak share their connection to the greenhouse project, their passion for agriculture and how both are impacting what's next. Learn more about Northvi...

Send us Fan Mail How do you, as a parent, help your academically strong child get to college when you're struggling to make ends meet? Elise Glidden, counselor at Booker T. Washington High School, explains Questbridge, a special college scholarship program for high-achieving, low-income students that matches the students with prestigious universities. You'll hear the details of eligibility and about a local student standout from this program. Guest: Elise Glidden Vote for Voices United ...

Send us Fan Mail Let's face it, helping with your child's homework can raise more questions than solving problems. Thankfully, there’s a solution. Tutor Me is a FREE 7 day a week virtual tutoring service available to all students in Escambia County. Jen Montoya and Rashena White will get you up to speed on how you can free yourself from the homework blues. Guests: Jen Montoya & Rashena White Vote for Voices United in Education as "Best Podcast" 2026 in InWeekly's Best on the Coast!...

Send us Fan Mail Some people like putting a face to name. In this episode, we like putting a voice to a title, to let you, the parent, get to know the people behind the email signatures and more importantly, our mission to be united for every child to succeed. So with that, meet Mr. Keith Leonard, the interim superintendent of Escambia County Public Schools. A teacher at heart, learn about him and what he hopes to contribute to the future of our kids. Guest: Superintendent Keith Leonard Vote ...

Send us Fan Mail Thomas TJ Rollins is the principal at George Stone Technical College, a trade school providing quality academic, career, and technical education. He shares how these work-based learning programs may be the fast track to financial stability, job security, and successful careers for the next graduating class of Escambia County high schoolers. Guests: Thomas TJ Rollins Vote for Voices United in Education as "Best Podcast" 2026 in InWeekly's Best on the Coast! https://form.jotfor...

Send us Fan Mail Wouldn't it be great to know what did your child did in school today and what assignments, tests, activities, events and even scholarship deadlines are looming in the near future? Well, there is an app for that. Jen Montoya and Rashena McWhite discuss how Canvas is streamlining and opening communications between parents, teachers and K-12 students. Learn how this single platform is helping students be more successful in the classroom and reducing panicked mornings for parents...

Send us Fan Mail Emma Meyers is a senior at Booker T Washington High School. At just 17, she is ranked third in the world in her triathlon level 4 class. She is also an amputee. Always up for a challenge, Emma jumped at the chance to do this podcast with us. Emma shares her experiences traveling the world, her goals and her ambitions for the future while her mom shares what it’s like raising a differently abled athlete and Paralympic hopeful for 2024. Guests: Emma Myers & Leah Finneseth V...

Send us Fan Mail Join us as this Pine Forest High School graduate and former Escambia County educator shares why fitness matters in and out of the classroom, and what parents can do to set kids up for success. Dacia May is the CEO of Pensacola's first black-owned youth fitness studio, Healthy Habits & Opportunities, which is better known as H20. Guest: Dacia Mays Vote for Voices United in Education as "Best Podcast" 2026 in InWeekly's Best on the Coast! https://form.jotform.com/2611857544...

Send us Fan Mail They say it takes a village to raise a child, but what happens when the villagers are busy, tired and fighting with rising housing and living costs? Chris McFarland, Director of Enrollment Services and Coordinator of Student Services talks about community partnerships and resources to lighten the load and help us to rally around our kids. Guest: Chris McFarland Vote for Voices United in Education as "Best Podcast" 2026 in InWeekly's Be...

Send us Fan Mail College is an opportunity to learn and grow. You don't have to have it all figured out before you enroll, but there are things you need to know to prepare for college. Layla Zandi-Karimi, a UWF admissions counselor and Pensacola local, helps create a path for parents and students by sharing 5 mistakes to avoid. Guest: Layla Zandi-Karimi Vote for Voices United in Education as "Best Podcast" 2026 in InWeekly's Best on the Coast! https://form.jotform.com/26118575442...

Send us Fan Mail As a parent, you want the best for your kid. And you worry – is what I’m doing enough? Is this school enough? in this episode, a student and faculty member have unique stories to tell. Kathryn Trohn is the youngest of 15 children and the daughter of Vietnamese immigrants. Dr. Colleen Boyett is the IB Diploma Program Coordinator at PHS and has taught a number of Kathryn’s siblings. Hear how the IB program is academically rigorous and not just accessible to gifted students, but...

Send us Fan Mail Tristan Harris is the coach for Escambia county’s Allstar Academic Team, a place where kids with drive & book smarts can gain a sense of community & competition. She proudly and passionately nerds out about how Escambia County students are winning by working together and scoring so much more than points as she explains how this trivia style tournament team is making a difference for students in Escambia County. Guest: Tristan Harris Vote for Voices United in Education...

Send us Fan Mail Ever try working all day when you haven't eaten anything? Hunger is one of a number of factors that can make learning difficult for students. In this episode on the ECSD Navigator Program, we discuss how Escambia County Public Schools are working with students and their families to navigate these challenges. Guests: Jennifer Montoya & Lindsay Cannon Children’s Home Society of Florida Vote for Voices United in Education as "Best Podcast" 2026 in InWeekly's Best on th...

Send us Fan Mail Avoiding college debt is key to setting up students for a strong start in adulthood, but how do you avoid student loans when you can barely make ends meet? The County Coordinator of Take Stock in Children, Sally Lee, shares the surprisingly simple way Escambia County students can qualify for free college scholarships and guidance from mentors as early as the seventh grade. She shares how a bright future can impact the student, the school and the community. Vote for Voices Uni...

Send us Fan Mail If you’re a busy working parent, you’re a busy worrying parent, especially when it comes to after school care. Do you give your child a key to the house with instructions to do their chores & finish their homework? Or do you send them to aftercare? Will they be safe? Will they make friends? Robin Heller is the founder & executive director Seastars Aquatics, a USA Swimming Registered team that provides individualized attention as part of a structured competitive swim t...

Send us Fan Mail Are your kids getting too much screen time? Principal Lalla Pierce & Technology Coordinator, Kevin McNally from Global Learning Academy, share how students at Escambia County Public Schools in partnership with Common Sense Media are learning how to vet information, be a good digital citizen and when to walk away from technology. Vote for Voices United in Education as "Best Podcast" 2026 in InWeekly's Best on the Coast! https://form.jotform.com/261185754425158 This helps c...

Send us Fan Mail Post high school education can be expensive and out of reach for many families. Holly Busse explains how the Bright Futures Scholarship is helping unlock a path to college or vocational education, up to five years after graduation & takes just 15 minutes to apply for. Guest: Holly Busse Vote for Voices United in Education as "Best Podcast" 2026 in InWeekly's Best on the Coast! https://form.jotform.com/261185754425158 ...

Send us Fan Mail Who will be the leaders of tomorrow? Debra Phillips is teaching the seven habits of highly effective people to put our students on the right path. Guest: Debra Phillips, Leader in Me Program 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. Learn more about Escambia County School District: https://...