Ep 16 | Science Over Screens? The Roy Hyatt Center

Is it possible to get kids interested in science *and* give them a break from screen time? Cheyenna Novotny & Adam Bretschneider think so. They are the Science Specialist for Escambia County Public Schools & the Teacher on Special Assignment of the Roy Hyatt Center. Together they’ve combined their passion for the outdoors, science & teaching to inspire the next generation. In this episode they share what’s happening on the 320 acres of the Roy Hyatt Center & how it’s sparking life-long scientific interest.
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Fueling Hungry Minds

86
March 26, 2024
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We all know how hard it is to work when you're starving or seriously low on the right kind of fuel. The same is true in the classroom; when your child's stomach is louder than the teacher and your child's energy level bottoms out. All learning stops at that point. Jaleena Davis, Director of School Food Services shares what foods your kids are actually getting and meal solutions you may not know you already had access to — like special diets and how to maximize mealtime.

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Ep 85 | Student in the Mirror: Dignity & Confidence

85
March 19, 2024
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Clothing insecurity impacts a large number of Escambia County students. It’s a dynamic that can distract them from learning and hurt social development. One program at CA Weis Elementary School is helping kids dress confidently. It’s called Care Closet. Lisa Smith Coleman, community partnerships school director and Janeisha Robinson, family community engagement coordinator at Children's Home Society are here to share how Care Closet is leveling the playing field and instilling confidence in Pensacola kids.

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Ep 84 | Want to Impress a Middle Schooler?

84
March 12, 2024
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Talk to any parent of a middle schooler and you’ll hear about the struggle of early adolescence – them becoming their own person, their friend choices, and their need for deodorant. But don’t forget their academic motivation. How do you keep your kid engaged? Michelle Givens, Tate High graduate and teacher on special assignment at Flight Adventure Deck, a unique program where middle school students learn STEM concepts first hand in a very unique atmosphere. Learn how the program works, what makes it work and how it’s leaving a lasting impression on students.

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Ep 83 | How to Help Teachers Teach & Students Succeed?

83
March 5, 2024
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Teachers are the eyes and ears of what their students need. But teachers didn’t become teachers just to observe. That's why you’ll find that behind every successful person is a story of a dedicated educator who took an outside the box approach to help them learn. But what happens when teachers have great ideas, but no resources to implement their teaching techniques? Jo McArthur, executive director of the Escambia County Public Schools Foundation, details how “Grants for Excellence” is helping teachers teach and students succeed.

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Ep 82 | Afterschool is Ripe for Building Character

82
February 27, 2024
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It’s said that afterschool hours of 3-6pm are primetime for risky youth behavior, but as a working parent, your options can feel limited. Kimberly Scott is helping head up a program that not only facilitates a safe space, but an atmosphere that enhances school performance. It’s Pensacola Little Theatre’s new program, “Character Building through Building Character,” a 3-hour afterschool theatre and reading program that brings literature and school to life. In this episode, we spotlight what makes the program special for the kids, to her and the community.

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Ep 81 | The Arts: Extra or Essential?

81
February 20, 2024
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When we think about growing confident kids, we think of sports, academic achievement, even making friends, but what about children’s chorus? Alex Gartner, the Artistic & Executive Director at Pensacola Children's Chorus shares why the arts are the unsung heroes for holistic success. Hear how the “Sing to Succeed” program is striving to eliminate the barriers of affordability and transportation for low-income and at-risk youth in Escambia County.

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Ep 80 | STEM Avoidance to Confidence: STARBASE

80
February 13, 2024
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One of the challenges parents face is helping their kids overcome academic setbacks. Statements like “I don’t like science” and “I’m just not good at math” can be bigger obstacles than the homework itself. Rita Miller, the Director of Department of Defense STARBASE Pensacola, explains how this immersive STEM experience program for 5th graders is creating unique memories and confidence to last a lifetime.

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Ep 79 | What Is Kindergarten Readiness?

79
February 6, 2024
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Playing catch up not only makes learning not fun, but parenting as well – extra parent teacher meetings, IEPs, tutoring and even being held back a grade, but what can a parent do? ReadyKids is doing something to support parent efforts with early literacy for kindergarten readiness. In this episode, Kristy Craig, West Florida High School graduate and the organization’s executive director, shares stories of impact, what kindergarten ready looks like and how you can help.

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Ep 78 | Summer Slide or Summer Strong?

78
January 30, 2024
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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.

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Ep 77 | FREE Classroom Supplies? Tools for Teachers

77
January 23, 2024
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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.

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Ep 76 | Can Global Education Create Local Unity?

76
January 16, 2024
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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.

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Ep 75 | Derrick Brooks: From Pensacola to the NFL

75
January 9, 2024
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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.

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Ep 74 | Wanted: Passionate Paraprofessionals

74
January 2, 2024
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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.

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Ep 73 | How Do We Help Grieving Kids?

73
December 26, 2023
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"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.

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Ep 72 | Can a Greenhouse Grow Minds?

72
December 19, 2023
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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.

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Ep 71 | Scholarship for High-Achieving, Low-Income Students

71
December 12, 2023
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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.

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Ep 70 | Homework? Tutor Me to the Rescue

70
December 5, 2023
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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.

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Ep 69 | The future of public education in Escambia County

69
November 28, 2023
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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.

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Ep 68 | What Options Does a Technical College Offer?

68
November 21, 2023
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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.

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Ep 67 | What Did You Do at School Today? Get Answers with Canvas

67
November 14, 2023
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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 in Escambia County.

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Ep 66 | Meet Pensacola's Globally Ranked Triathlete

66
November 7, 2023
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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.

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Ep 65 | Can Fitness Make Our Kids Better Students?

65
October 31, 2023
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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.

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EP 64 | It Takes a Village, but What's Plan B?

64
October 24, 2023
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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.

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Ep 63 | College Bound? 5 Mistakes to Avoid

63
October 17, 2023
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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.

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Ep 62 | What is the IB Program?

62
October 10, 2023
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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 motivated students.

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Ep 61 | What are Allstar Academic Teams? [RELOADED]

Episode 61
October 3, 2023
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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.

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Ep 60 | Navigating Hunger [RELOADED]

Episode 60
September 26, 2023
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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.

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Ep 59 | Free 4-Year College Scholarship? [RELOADED]

Episode 59
September 19, 2023
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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.

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Ep 58 | Safe (& Free) Aftercare? [RELOADED]

Episode 58
September 12, 2023
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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 team program for kids who are economically, physically, & mentally challenged. The team not only provides a judgement & bullying-free zone for kids, but is also a place where they, their families & teachers can reap cognitive, academic, social & physical benefits … all for free.

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Ep 57 | Being a Good Digital Citizen: Screen Time, Reality & the Internet [RELOADED]

Episode 57
September 5, 2023
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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.

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Ep 56 | Free College in 15 Minutes? [RELOADED]

Episode 56
August 29, 2023
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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.

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Ep 55 | How Do We Cultivate Leaders? [RELOADED]

Episode 55
August 22, 2023
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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.

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Ep 54 | Do New Teachers Get Mentors? [RELOADED]

Episode 54
August 15, 2023
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Where do new teachers turn for help and guidance? At Escambia County Public Schools, savvy and seasoned teachers serve as a Sherpa and guide new teachers for the entire year. Learn more about this transformation program, called START, on this week's podcast episode.

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Ep 53 | Is A Career In Emergency Medicine Right for Your Kid? [RELOADED]

Episode 53
August 8, 2023
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From rotations to ride-a-longs, this is as real as it gets. Instructor Terry Thomas and graduate Dakota Ward openly discuss the riggers and rewards of the Critical Care & Emergency Medicine Academy at West Florida High School.

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Ep 52 | How Do We Keep Our Kids Safe At School? [RELOADED]

Episode 52
August 1, 2023
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When it comes to the success of every student, we're all in. That means taking every step possible to keep our kids safe at school. Director of Protection Services, Kyle Kinser, covers what all that means. You’ll hear how the new Centegix system & the Aaron Feiss guardian program cover use technology & humanity to keep our kids safe.

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Ep 51 | Virtual Trafficking? Tips to Protect Kids [RELOADED]

Episode 51
July 25, 2023
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It seems like there’s a new app every week that poses a potential trafficking threat to our digital savvy kids. In this episode, Stacey Kostevicki, the Executive Director of the Gulf Coast Kids House shares practical tips to keep kids safe & how prevention education can unite parents, teachers & community members to safeguard our kids.

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Ep 50 | Is Hope Horizon a Solution for Your Child? [RELOADED]

Episode 50
July 18, 2023
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For many students with an IEP, their full potential can only be accessed outside of the traditional school framework. Donna Perry is the program specialist & Dr. Jared Stanley is the administrator on special assignment at Hope Horizon, a center school that works with students & families individually to find holistic solutions. In this episode they share what students are best served at Hope Horizon & the services they provide.

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Ep 49 | Can Animals Get Kids to Read? [RELOADED]

Episode 49
July 11, 2023
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Getting kids to read is a challenge every parent & teacher can relate to. How do you pry the screen out of their hands & get them to get interested? John Ham of Animal Tales shares how the animals from his live animal presentations has inspired students all over the county to read.

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Ep 48 | Can We Prevent Summer Slide? [RELOADED]

Episode 48
July 4, 2023
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Summer break is a great time to pick up a book and grow as a reader. Michelle White shares how students are turning the page and starting a new chapter by not only preventing the Summer Slide, but gaining skills to lead forward.

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Ep 47 | TikTok's Mr. Bus Driver: Safety, Fame & Bus Babies [RELOADED]

Episode 47
June 27, 2023
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Meet the Pensacola TikTok star who makes the wheels on the bus go round, Cor’Darius Jones. The kids are big fans of Escambia County School District's Mr. Bus Driver for good reasons. He shares his strategy on public school bus safety, how he saved a woman’s life and what’s next.

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Ep 46 | Parent University Pensacola [RELOADED] https://www.parentuniversitysav.org/pensacola

Episode 46
June 20, 2023
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Ever wish you had a manual on how to be a parent? Tune into this week's episode on Parent University Pensacola to learn how parents, grandparents and others are getting the training they need to help traverse the public school system in Escambia County and their student's homework including subjects like new math.

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Ep 45 | Expanding Our World View: Global Diplomacy & Southern Hospitality

45
June 13, 2023
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Jena Melancon, Founder and Executive Director of Gulf Coast Diplomacy Council is ushering in new perspectives for Escambia County students. In this episode she shares how the non-profit is facilitating communication & connection.

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Ep 44 | Why Mentor A Child? A Tale of Two Busy Mentors

44
June 6, 2023
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Ever considered becoming a mentor to a child? Karen Kellams, a full-time executive and mom, and Natalie Stipkovich, a full-time college student, share why they did and the joy it has brought to them. Hear how being there for one hour every week has changed their lives and their mentees lives forever.

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Ep 43 | How Do Bikes Help Kids? Free Bikes & Balance

43
May 30, 2023
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Life is full of teaching moments and too often missed milestones as a result of poverty. Jennifer Collins, Principal at Sherwood Elementary talks about how the All Kid's Bike program teaches kindergarteners lasting life lessons—independence, balance, safety, compassion, resilience and success. You’ll also hear what it was like for Sherwood to be one of the two schools in Escambia county chosen by the foundation to receive a donation funded by the local branch of HDR Engineering.

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Ep 42 | Snowball Effect: Student Success Story

Episode 42
May 23, 2023
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West Florida High School graduates & twin brothers, Jamal & Jamari sharp are entrepreneurs, authors and philanthropists. But it wasn’t always this way. Jamal shares how the two went from problem students to success stories, why they decided to call their snoball business BAM & what it means for them to be Pensacola business owners. For these two, it's truly a snowball effect.

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Ep 41 | Kids Working in the Health Clinic? Empowering the Next Generation

Episode 41
May 16, 2023
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Principal, Dr. Kimberly Thomas and Barbara Hayes, a Pensacola High School graduate and pediatrics nurse with Community Health Northwest Florida, share how the Health Ambassadors program in the community clinic at CA Weiss is empowering 3-5 graders. Outfitted in scrubs and lab coats, the program is inspiring a new generation of leaders and professions in the field of healthcare.

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Ep 40 | Who’s Listening? How are Needs are Assessed & Met

Episode 40
May 9, 2023
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Escambia Children’s Trust is one of 13 unique government agencies that assign a portion of property taxes to local non-profits that support the needs of the community based on what the community says they need. In this episode, Executive Director, Tammy Greer shares results of the most recent needs assessment & how you can be heard.

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Ep 39 | Should Your Kid Learn to Code?

Episode 39
May 2, 2023
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Pensacola Code Ninjas owner JoDawn Brown noticed a huge change in her child’s academic performance after learning to code. In this episode, she talks about why learning to code isn’t just for gamers, how coding could set your kid up for employment & how their summer camp or after school programs could be a haven for technologically creative and curious kids.

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Ep 38 | New School Grading: What to Expect

Episode 38
April 25, 2023
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District Data Scientist, James Bobbitt, breaks down what the new state grading scales will mean for Escambia County Public Schools.

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Ep 37 | How to Get FREE Emergency Supplies in 24 Hours

Episode 37
April 18, 2023
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Arelia Laster is a former quality nurse at Sacred Heart & the current Director at Next Step Distribution, a non-profit providing emergency support supplies within 24 hours of crisis. In this episode, she shares the origin of this grass roots effort, how she collaborates with Escambia County Public Schools & how you can help or be helped.

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Ep 36 | 2024 Teacher of the Year

Episode 36
April 11, 2023
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Angela McFarland is a business & multimedia teacher at West Florida High School & the 2024 Teacher of Year for Escambia County Public Schools! Learn how she inspires her students, what students inspire her & what makes this 26-year career educator such a deserving person for this award.

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Ep 35 | Your Feedback Matters

Episode 35
April 4, 2023
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Dr. KK Owen with the Huron Studer Group explains one way Escambia County Public Schools reaches out to give parents a voice in their child's education by rating how we're doing.

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Ep 34 | Is A Career In Emergency Medicine Right for Your Kid?

Episode 34
March 28, 2023
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From rotations to ride-a-longs, this is as real as it gets. Instructor Terry Thomas and graduate Dakota Ward openly discuss the riggers and rewards of the Critical Care & Emergency Medicine Academy at West Florida High School.

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Ep 33 | How Do We Keep Our Kids Safe At School?

Episode 33
March 21, 2023
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When it comes to the success of every student, we're all in. That means taking every step possible to keep our kids safe at school. Director of Protection Services, Kyle Kinser, covers what all that means. You’ll hear how the new Centegix system & the Aaron Feiss guardian program cover use technology & humanity to keep our kids safe.

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Ep 32 | FREE Pass To Our National Parks

Episode 32
March 14, 2023
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Not all learning happens in the classroom. The Great Outdoors is a pretty great teacher. National Park Rangers Jennifer Watson & Cas Rosiecki share how fourth graders and their families can get free access all our National Parks.

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Ep 31 | Opportunities for Rural Kids: Grow This & Learn That

Episode 31
March 7, 2023
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Do you know where your food comes from? You do if you're an FFA member or taking an AG class with Leanne Jenkins at Beulah Middle School. In this episode, she talks about the how the AG program inspired her as a student & how it’s helping kids & supporting our community today.

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Ep 30 | Is Creative Writing Problem Solving?

Episode 30
February 28, 2023
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Reading and writing go together like chips and salsa. For Alexander Fitzgerald, teaching creative writing is equally delicious, but goes deeper than a playful food metaphor. In this episode, he shares how he transformed from a slow reading student who hated reading, to becoming a creative writing teacher who reads philosophy for fun as well has the three problems creative writing solves: apathy to learn, lack of follow through & relationship disconnect.

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Ep 29 | Scholarships Opportunities that ENHANCE Academic Performance?

Episode 29
February 21, 2023
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Many performance-based scholarships revolve around sports, which can often take a toll on academic performance. Christina Frierdich is the orchestra director at Washington, Pine Forest & Escambia High schools. In this episode she shares how music scholarships can provide college scholarships AND improve student performance on standardized testing. She also shares her family tie with Pensacola string music history & its lasting impact on kids.

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Ep 28 | What’s THE Military High School for Escambia County?

Episode 28
February 14, 2023
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Claire Frear, military spouse and teacher, shares her perspective on the unique needs of students with active duty family members & what specific resources are in place for them at Escambia High.

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Ep 27 | Is Hope Horizon a Solution for Your Child?

Episode 27
February 7, 2023
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For many students with an IEP, their full potential can only be accessed outside of the traditional school framework. Donna Perry is the program specialist & Dr. Jared Stanley is the administrator on special assignment at Hope Horizon, a center school that works with students & families individually to find holistic solutions. In this episode they share what students are best served at Hope Horizon & the services they provide.

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Ep 26 | What are Allstar Academic Teams?

Episode 26
January 31, 2023
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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.

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Ep 25 | Welding: Giving Kids Tools of the Trades

Episode 25
January 24, 2023
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Zac Stefanko is the welding instructor at Pensacola High School, where they were recently awarded a grant for the program that is giving students a way to cut through and seal together a career in welding and other trades.

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Ep 23 | Make an Impact, Teach!

Episode 23
January 10, 2023
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No one will argue the roles teachers play in the lives of our children and the future of our country. The need and openings for teachers couldn't be greater. Melia Adams discusses a career in education and recruiting the right people for a job that impacts so many and means so much?

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Ep 24 | Equipping Kids to Thrive

Episode 24
January 17, 2023
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This isn't your dad's shop class. Learn how boys and girls at Ernest Ward Middle School are certified in engineering and equipped with the skills and knowledge to thrive in industry and emerging technologies.

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Ep 22 | Chain Reaction

Episode 22
January 3, 2023
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Tapping kids full potential. Kristin Fairchild, founder and executive director of Chain Reaction focuses on giving our children the perspective and soft skills to succeed globally.

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Ep 21 | Mental Wellness Matters

Episode 21
December 27, 2022
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Why does mental wellness matter? Silvio Fina explores how connection and quality care can boost academic success, and what services and steps are available to ECPS students and parents.

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Ep 20 | Free College in 15 Minutes?

Episode 20
December 20, 2022
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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.

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Ep 19 | Virtual Trafficking? Tips to Protect Kids

Episode 19
December 13, 2022
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It seems like there’s a new app every week that poses a potential trafficking threat to our digital savvy kids. In this episode, Stacey Kostevicki, the Executive Director of the Gulf Coast Kids House shares practical tips to keep kids safe & how prevention education can unite parents, teachers & community members to safeguard our kids.

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Ep 18 | Safe (& Free) Aftercare?

Episode 18
December 6, 2022
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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 team program for kids who are economically, physically, & mentally challenged. The team not only provides a judgement & bullying-free zone for kids, but is also a place where they, their families & teachers can reap cognitive, academic, social & physical benefits … all for free.

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Ep 17 | Can Animals Get Kids to Read?

Episode 17
November 29, 2022
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Getting kids to read is a challenge every parent & teacher can relate to. How do you pry the screen out of their hands & get them to get interested? John Ham of Animal Tales shares how the animals from his live animal presentations has inspired students all over the county to read.

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Ep 16 | Science Over Screens? The Roy Hyatt Center

Episode 16
November 22, 2022
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Is it possible to get kids interested in science *and* give them a break from screen time? Cheyenna Novotny & Adam Bretschneider think so. They are the Science Specialist for Escambia County Public Schools & the Teacher on Special Assignment of the Roy Hyatt Center. Together they’ve combined their passion for the outdoors, science & teaching to inspire the next generation. In this episode they share what’s happening on the 320 acres of the Roy Hyatt Center & how it’s sparking life-long scientific interest.

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Ep 15 | United: Real Stories

Episode 15
November 15, 2022
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When it comes to our schools, we may hear ABOUT improvement initiatives, but we rarely get to hear the real account of how they play out. Deputy Superintendent Shenna Payne & Superintendent Dr. Tim Smith give a peek inside the schools as they share the real stories of commitment & support from the real people who show up everyday.

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Ep 14 | Can We Prevent Summer Slide?

Episode 14
November 8, 2022
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Summer break is a great time to pick up a book and grow as a reader. Michelle White shares how students are turning the page and starting a new chapter by not only preventing the Summer Slide, but gaining skills to lead forward.

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Ep 13 | How Do We Cultivate Leaders?

Episode 13
November 1, 2022
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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.

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Ep 12 | The Super WalMart of Community Services

Episode 12
October 25, 2022
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C.A. Weis is proud to be the first elementary level community partnership school in the state of Florida. Learn how this one-stop-shop partnership that includes University of West Florida, Children’s Home Society, Community Health Northwest Florida and Escambia County School District, is unifying and strengthening our community.

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Ep 11 | 2023 Teacher of The Year

Episode 11
October 18, 2022
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Meet Mrs. Jamiliya McBride, the 2023 Teacher of the Year for the Escambia County School District as she shares her heart and love to motivate and teach her students. She shares the unique way she stayed connected to her class during COVID quarantine how she will serve next with Capturing Kid's Hearts.

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Ep 10 | Who is the Superintendent?

Episode 10
October 11, 2022
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Meet Escambia County’s Superintendent, Dr. Tim Smith! Learn what led him to Escambia County and how he is leading our public school system into the future. United in the success of every student, he is focused on closing the achievement gap.

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Ep 9 | Free Mentoring for Students

Episode 9
October 4, 2022
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What's the most important thing you can do in an hour this week? How about mentoring a child? Tune into this week's episode to learn how you can impact the life of a student and build a bond that will last a lifetime.

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Ep 8 | Do New Teachers Get Mentors?

Episode 8
September 27, 2022
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Where do new teachers turn for help and guidance? At Escambia County Public Schools, savvy and seasoned teachers serve as a Sherpa and guide new teachers for the entire year. Learn more about this transformation program, called START, on this week's podcast episode.

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Ep 7 | Making Money: Job Skills & Opportunity

Episode 7
September 20, 2022
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How can we set our students up for success? In this episode, hear how Escambia County Public Schools are creating opportunities for middle school and high school students to learn and develop critical job skills, leading to fulfilling careers right here in Escambia County.

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Ep 6 | Navigating Hunger

Episode 6
September 13, 2022
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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.

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Ep 5 | Parent University Pensacola

Episode 5
September 6, 2022
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Ever wish you had a manual on how to be a parent? Tune into this week's episode on Parent University Pensacola to learn how parents, grandparents and others are getting the training they need to help traverse the public school system in Escambia County and their student's homework including subjects like new math.

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Ep 4 | Fueling Bellies and Brains: The Backpack Program

Episode 4
August 30, 2022
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Over 17,000 backpacks. Over 500 children. Learn how our community is coming together for every student to be successful in school. Big hearts helping little stomachs with nutritional meals. Volunteers and partners united against food insecurity and hunger that makes learning hard.

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Ep 3 | Free 4-Year College Scholarship?

Episode 3
August 23, 2022
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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.

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Ep 2 | Being a Good Digital Citizen: Screen Time, Reality & the Internet

Episode 2
August 23, 2022
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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.

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Ep 1 | TikTok's Mr. Bus Driver: Safety, Fame & Bus Babies

Episode 1
August 23, 2022
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Meet the Pensacola TikTok star who makes the wheels on the bus go round, Cor’Darius Jones. The kids are big fans of Escambia County School District's Mr. Bus Driver for good reasons. He shares his strategy on public school bus safety, how he saved a woman’s life and what’s next.

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Trailer: Welcome to Voices United in Education

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July 8, 2022
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Hear the positive stories in education that don’t make the news. You’ll hear uplifting stories of student, parent and teacher impact in Escambia County. Meredith Hackwith Edwards—a local and independent podcaster—interviews teachers, staff, parents, students, graduates, community mentors and members, so that we can become more united inside and outside the classroom to support the success of every student in Florida’s Escambia County Public Schools.

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