Episodes

Send us Fan Mail What exactly is a certified babysitter? How do both girls and boy become certified babysitters? Jennifer Smith Richardson is the Patient Education Specialist and Janna Jones is the Health Screening Specialist for Ascension Sacred Heart Community Outreach, helping equip confidence in young babysitters and the parents who hire them. In this episode, they share the details of the Safe Sitter Program and the impact its making, facilitating personalized care and parental peace of ...

Send us Fan Mail Where are individuals with mental, physical and cognitive challenges building confidence and self-esteem? Kristina Guadagnoli is the owner of Special Strong, an adaptive fitness company removing barriers to healthy living. In this episode, she shares how the program works and who it’s helping. Guest: Kristina Guadagnoli 850-920-2180 specialstrongemeraldcoast@specialstrong.com | https://specialstrongemeraldcoast.com/ | https://www.facebook.com/specialstrongpensacola |https:/...

Send us Fan Mail Does the principal of a school make a difference in the quality of your child’s education? Is new leadership that important? Hear what the 2025-2026 Principal of the Year has to say about it. In this episode, Tara Palasciano, principal of Bailey Middle School, shares what’s working for her, her students and staff, and what’s next. Guest: Tara Palasciano https://baileyms.escambiaschools.org/ | https://www.facebook.com/baileybulldogband Vote for Voices United in Educat...

Send us Fan Mail In Pensacola, where can K-8th graders learn to swim without soaking your wallet? Megan Oberholzer is the Aquatics Director for Escambia County Public Schools and she shares a summer program that’s affordable and competitive to help kids keep swimming. Guest: Megan Oberholtzer | For more information, please contact Megan Oberholtzer at Booker T. Washington High School, 850-494-5681, moberholtzer@ecsdfl.us Vote for Voices United in Education as "Best Podcast" 2026 in InWe...

Send us Fan Mail According to the CDC, nearly 1 in 5 young people ages 12 to 17 experienced a mental health disorder in 2024. Melissa Williams is the Coordinator of Mental Health Services and Dr. Lisa Joyner is the Student Services Director. In this episode, they share what the school district is doing to support teachers and your child’s health. Guest: Melissa Williams & Lisa Joyner, Ed.D https://www.escambiaschools.org/departments/mental-health-services/parent-guardian-resources | https...

Send us Fan Mail What are the options for your academically talented 7th or 8th grader? Amy Gordon is the Principal of Pensacola High School, where they are launching an on-campus 7th and 8th grade enrollment for bright students. In this episode, hear what she has to say about student benefits, parent concerns, advanced classes, and campus culture. Guest: Amy Gordon https://pensacolahs.escambiaschools.org/middle-school Vote for Voices United in Education as "Best Podcast" 2026 in InWeekly's B...

Send us Fan Mail Did you know that, on average, one child in every Escambia County classroom is experiencing homelessness? What defines homelessness might surprise you! Casandra Manis is one of the Homeless Liaisons for Escambia County Public Schools. In this episode, she helps us get clear on the reality for these families and how our schools are helping these students succeed academically. Guest: Casandra Manis https://schoolhouseconnection.org/article/mckinney-vento-act-quick-reference | w...

Send us Fan Mail Not all students are ready for middle school. Christine Baker is the Principal of West Pensacola Elementary School, which is trying something different by adding classes for 6th graders. In this episode, she shares how it’s going and brags on her amazing school. Guest: Christine Baker https://westpensacolaes.escambiaschools.org/ Vote for Voices United in Education as "Best Podcast" 2026 in InWeekly's Best on the Coast! https://form.jotform.com/261185754425158 This helps...

Send us Fan Mail What kinds of services are offered through Healthy Kids Escambia? Even the most basic needs can be critical for growing students, but for many parents in the county, there is neither time nor money. Jessica Johnson is the Healthy Schools Program Director at United Way, helping bring free health care resources to four elementary schools in the county. In this episode, she shares how the program came about, what it includes and how it’s setting kids up for success. Guest: Jessi...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when a student falls behind? Dawn Gibbs is the principal at Success Academy, where her and her team are helping students catch up and get ahead. In this episode, she shares who makes up their student population and just how they are ensuring kids aren’t left behind. Guest: Dawn Gibbs https://successsc.escambiaschools.org/ Vote for Voices United in Education as "Best Podcast" 2026 in InWeekly's Best on the Coast! https://form.jotform.com/261185754425158 This helps...

Send us Fan Mail Is your child using a companion bot? How can you help your child navigate the promise and risks of technology? Curiosity is a good place to start. Jamie Nuñez is the Senior Manager of Outreach and Training at Common Sense Media, a nonprofit that supports parents, school districts and state education agencies in integrating digital literacy skills into real life. In this episode, he shares how parents can stay connected to their kids and keep them safe, while setting them up f...

Send us Fan Mail Do you ever wish your kid would put their phone down? How do you get them to improve their reading stamina & comprehension? Anne MacDonald is a mom, author, podcaster, teacher at Scenic Heights Elementary School, and board member at Books by the Bay and Emerald Coast Writers Association. In this episode, she shares proven strategies to develop a generation of readers and how Books by the Bay is not just a book fair, but a literary extravaganza inspiring the next generatio...

Send us Fan Mail Do you have a child or grandchild in our public schools? Are you a member of the PTA? Hear what the President and Vice President of the Escambia County Council PTA have to say. Melanie Gambill and Samantha Strickland share what the PTA is and isn’t, how it benefits parents and students, and what’s next for the 100-year-old organization. Vote for Voices United in Education as "Best Podcast" 2026 in InWeekly's Best on the Coast! https://form.jotform.com/261185754425158 This hel...

Send us Fan Mail Did you know 50 families in the Panhandle face this question every year? Jessica Siderio is the Rally Foundation Development Manager and Haley Brown is the Rally Kid and Program Manager for Rally Gulf Coast. In this episode, they share why cancer in kids is different than adults and how they are working to provide support, fund research and raise resources for these Panhandle families. Guests: Jessica Siderio & Haley Brown https://rallyfoundation.org/rally-gulf-coast/&nbs...

Send us Fan Mail Does your child vape? How would being expelled change their educational trajectory? During the 2022-2024 school years, numerous students were alternatively placed for vape pens throughout Escambia County. Stephanie Shepard is the founder and Executive Director of Hope Above Fear, a non-profit dedicated to help educate, de-stigmatize and overcome addiction in youth. In this episode, she shares how this program stands out from others and how this may be a good fit for your chil...

Send us Fan Mail For students who struggle in school, something and someone special is accelerating them toward their diploma and career opportunities. Marquette Oliver is the Director of SOAR Academy at Pine Forest High School, a program began as an acceleration program for incoming over age freshman but now includes other students as well. He is the someone and is more than happy to share how both the students and program are evolving and what students have to say about its impact. Guest: M...

Send us Fan Mail Is social media designed to be addictive? Why are multiple lawsuits seeking damages for the damage it is causing to our kids? Emmie Paulos is an attorney at Levin Papantonio and the Court Appointed Leadership in the Federal Social Media Addiction Litigation. In this episode, she shares why the firm is taking social media seriously and why you should too. Guests: Emmie Paulos https://levinlaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Social-Media-Addiction-Litigation-Booklet.pdf ht...

Send us Fan Mail Did you know that Pensacola has hosted a Special Olympics event for the last 20 years? Do you know what school continues to pass the torch? Sondra Hill is the Director of Exceptional Student Education and Laura Touchstone is the Principal of Tate High School. Together, they share the exciting impact to students, staff and the community, and dynamic logistics of hosting an event like this. Guests: Sondra Hill & Laura Touchstone Vote for Voices United in Education as "Best ...

Send us Fan Mail Why do our public schools need a foundation? Don’t taxes fund our public schools? Jo McArthur, Executive Director of the Escambia County Public Schools Foundation, shares behind the scenes of the foundation, what it has contributed to our community and why it matters. Guests: Jo McArthur https://www.escambiaschools.org/departments/ecpsf/home Text Tools to 850-930-9939 or Foundation to 850-930-9939 to make a donation Vote for Voices United in Education as "Best Podcast" 2026...

Send us Fan Mail Who would pair Saturdays with science? Who is using Saturdays to spark young minds in Pensacola? Heath Parr is the STEM teacher at Brown Barge Middle School and instructor at Science Saturday. Shannon Nickinson is the Communications Director at IHMC. In this episode, they share how this free monthly event is getting kids excited about science and inspired for the future. Guests: Heath Parr & Shannon Nickinson https://www.ihmc.us/life/science_saturdays/ Vote for Voic...

Send us Fan Mail Where do you look for IT jobs in Pensacola? What’s the difference between IT education at George Stone vs a four year University? Snyder is the Instructor of Computer Systems & Information Technology at George Stone Technical College where programs cover everything from taking computers apart to cyber security. In this episode, Joe shares the potential and the practical of all things Pensacola IT. Guests: Joe Snyder https://gstc.escambiaschools.org/programs/computer-systems-in...

Send us Fan Mail Is combining elementary & middle school a good idea? What does this look like logistically? Dr. Michael Roberts, Director of Middle Schools for Escambia County Public Schools, talks about moving to K-6 at Cordova Park and West Pensacola and how K-8 at Longleaf will impact students, parents and teachers. You’ll hear what inspired these changes & the parent feedback so far. Guests: Michael Roberts, EdD Learn more about Escambia County School District: https://www.escambiaschool...

Send us Fan Mail How do you support your child’s transition into adulthood? How early should you start thinking about that? For parents of students with disabilities, these are tough questions. Pam Cebula is the ECPS Program Specialist, supporting parents through their child’s education and development into the early years of adulthood. Stacey Shelnut is the ECPS Resource Teacher for pre-K through adults and a parent of a child with a disability. In this episode, these educators share details...

Send us Fan Mail Why Latin club? What does a Latin club competition look like? What unconventional methods are working for students? Dr. Dana Boddy is the Principal of Escambia High School and Amy Hornick is the Latin teacher as well as the record holder for longest time taught at the school – 36 years! In this episode, they share how Latin club is not just a competitive outlet, but gives students a competitive & social edge. Guests: Amy Hornick & Dana Boddy, EdD Vote for Voices Unite...