Episodes

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...

Send us Fan Mail How can six different courses be taught within one program? What does computer technology have to do with boats? What benefits are students graduating with? Stefan Schmitt is the marine service technology instructor at George Stone Technical College, recognized by Yamaha as the top US school for student job placement. He is also the host of BoatSmart on NewRadio Pensacola. In this episode, he gives us an insider look into the program, students and industry. Guest: Stefan Schm...

Send us Fan Mail How are teachers using AI to save time in and out of the classroom? How do they mitigate cheating? Can AI make us MORE human? Sarah Wallace is a World History, AP Human Geography and AP World History teacher and Gary Moore is a Geometry & Statistics teacher at West Florida High School. Two very different subjects, but two very similar teachers in the ways they use AI tools to innovate lesson plans and instructional time. In this episode, they share how AI is impacting the...

Send us Fan Mail What are the magic ingredients that make behavior program benefits last? What would cause a 13-year-old girl to give up on life? Laurie Rodgers is the Executive Director of the Pace Center for Girls. In this episode, she shares the stories of the girls who got their spark back & how this holistic program for girls works when other interventions haven’t. Guest: Laurie Rodgers https://www.pacecenter.org/ Vote for Voices United in Education as "Best Podcast" 2026 in In...

Send us Fan Mail Is music critical to education? What impact does orchestra have on academic performance? What influence have string musicians in pop culture had on student engagement? Cathy McConnell is the Director of Orchestras for Ransom Middle School and Tate High School. In this episode, she shares stories from her 29 years in music education including recent participation at Stringfest 2025 and explains how orchestra is a path to higher academic performance, scholarships and life skill...

Send us Fan Mail Bill Davis is the Aviation Maintenance Technology Coordinator at George Stone Technical College. In this episode, he shares how a special collaboration with King Aero has delivered a cutaway version of a real turbine engine into the classroom for hands-on learning, streamlining instruction and changing lives. Guest: Bill Davis https://www.escambiaschools.org/Page/6125 Vote for Voices United in Education as "Best Podcast" 2026 in InWeekly's Best on the Coast! https://for...

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 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 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 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 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...