Public School Podcast

What if the secret to helping struggling readers isn't getting them to read more, but changing how they're taught? On this episode of the Public School Podcast , hosts Sara Hornick and Bobbi Schaefbauer welcome South Park Elementary literacy specialists Joelle Neutzling and Erin George to explore the science of reading and how it's transforming classrooms. The two educators share how a...

What happens when your kids graduate from public school? For Holly Knox, you keep showing up. Community advocate, nurse and parent of two former Rapid City Area Schools students Holly Knox joins Sara Hornick and Bobbi Schaefbauer to talk about why supporting public education doesn’t end when your own children leave the classroom. Holly shares what she learned while helping select the district’s Te...

What does it take to build strong schools, strong kids and a thriving community? Sara Hornick and Bobbi Schaefbauer sit down with Jacqui Dietrich, president and CEO of the John T. Vucurevich Foundation, to talk about Education for Every Child, a community campaign built around the belief that when children succeed, the entire community succeeds. Jacqui shares how the foundation is investing in Rap...

What if students could try on a career before deciding their future? In this episode of the Public School Podcast, Sara Hornick and Bobbi Schaefbauer sit down with Colleen Bsharah, senior career development consultant with Sanford Health and a new Rapid City Public School Foundation board member, to talk about Aspire by Sanford and the opportunities it is creating for local students. From job shad...

Rapid City Area Schools Chief Financial and Operations Officer Coy Sasse joins Sara Hornick and Bobbi Schaefbauer to break down the proposed $107 million school bond and answer some of the biggest questions surrounding it. What exactly would the money pay for? Why can’t the district use the money it already has? Where does lottery money actually go? How could the bond affect property taxes, and wh...

Rapid City Area Schools Teacher of the Year Katey Swank thought she had it all figured out when she walked into her first classroom. By the end of day one, she was sitting in a tiny chair trying not to cry. Then someone showed up for her. Twenty years later, Katey shares how that simple act of support helped shape the teacher, mentor and colleague she would become. From the educators who helped he...

What happens when three fifth-grade teachers decide to grow a garden inside their school? A whole lot more than lettuce. Meadowbrook Elementary teachers Katie Swank, Kylie Blank and Lacey Brown join Sara Hornick and Bobbi Schaefbauer to share how a hydroponics project turned into a hands-on learning experience for their students. With support from the Rapid City Public School Foundation, Meadowbro...

What happens when Newton’s laws meet a box of LEGOs? East Middle School science teacher Tiffany Wolla joins Sara Hornick and Bobbi Schaefbauer to share how she’s turning science lessons into hands-on experiences that get students building, experimenting and problem-solving. With support from a Rapid City Public School Foundation grant, Tiffany brought LEGO-based learning into her classroom to help...

The library is about a whole lot more than checking out books. Sara Hornick and Bobbi Schaefbauer sit down with Aly Quinn, events coordinator at the Rapid City Public Library, to talk about the programs, partnerships and creative ideas helping make reading fun for kids and families. Aly shares how the library is challenging the community to read 250,000 books, why giving kids the freedom to choose...

West Middle School is welcoming a new leader, and she's ready to bring energy, connection and a student-first mindset to the school community. In this episode of the Public School Podcast, Executive Director Sara Hornick and Community Relations Manager Bobbi Schaefbauer sit down with new West Middle School Principal Bobbie Morrison to talk about her journey from substitute teacher to principal, th...

In this episode of the Public School Podcast, Sara Hornick and Bobbi Schaefbauer welcome Stevens High School Band Director George Dragoo to discuss an unforgettable 12-day journey through Germany, Austria and the Czech Republic. After a nine-year wait for another international tour, 68 students experienced the trip of a lifetime, performing in historic venues, exploring world history and discoveri...

While students and teachers enjoy summer break, construction crews are hard at work preparing Rapid City Area Schools for another successful year. In this episode of the Public School Podcast , Construction and Planning Manager Jade Clement returns to discuss the major projects happening across the district, including the Rapid Valley Elementary addition and renovation, improvements at Stevens Hig...

What makes a teacher unforgettable? For Rapid Valley first grade teacher Cassie Wood, it's creating experiences that inspire curiosity, kindness, and confidence long after students leave her classroom. In this episode of the Public School Podcast , Cassie shares how she unexpectedly found her calling in education, why she loves teaching first grade, and how lessons often extend far beyond reading...

School may be out, but the work never stops! In this special catch-up episode, Sara and Bobbi pull back the curtain on what summer really looks like in Rapid City Area Schools. From preparing for a new school year and planning future grants to major facility projects, bond preparations, and getting classrooms ready for students, they share everything that happens while the halls seem quiet. They a...

Ever wonder what it takes to feed thousands of students every single day? This week, Sara Hornick and Bobbi Schaefbauer are joined by Christa Lechner, Student Nutrition Manager, and Assistant Manager Kayla Taylor for a behind-the-scenes look at one of the busiest departments in Rapid City Area Schools. From serving more than 1.2 million meals during the school year to navigating power outages, foo...

Behind every worksheet, yearbook, graduation program, and student certificate is someone making it all happen. This week on the Public School Podcast, Sara Hornick and Bobbi Schaefbauer sit down with Angela Buskerud, the Rapid City Area Schools Print Shop Supervisor, whose work quietly impacts every classroom across the district. From producing nearly 2 million printed pages every month to creatin...

What started as a simple idea to help students prepare for the school day has grown into one of Wilson Elementary's most impactful programs. In this episode, hosts Sara Hornick and Bobbi Schaefbauer sit down with Wilson Elementary Counselor of the Year Brittany Henry-James and recent Central High School graduate Melissa Saucerman to discuss the Morning Nest. Held twice a week before school, the Mo...

What happens when schools focus on recognizing what students are doing right? In this episode, hosts Sara Hornick and Bobbi Schaefbauer sit down with South Middle School educator Stacy Cole and Oceti Sakowin Essential Understandings teacher Marie Herbert to discuss the impact of the Spirit Awards program. Supported through a Rapid City Public School Foundation grant, the program celebrates student...

Photography is more than taking pictures. It is about telling stories, capturing emotion, and seeing the world from a different perspective. In this episode, Sara Hornick and Bobbi Schaefbauer sit down with Central High School photography teacher Roxanne Rathbun and graduating senior Kennedy Block to talk about the power of photography in public education. The conversation explores how students de...

This episode of the Public School Podcast shines a spotlight on the Raider Coffee House at Stevens High School, where students are learning far more than how to make coffee. Hosts Sara Hornick and Bobbi Schaefbauer sit down with students Roberta and Devin, along with teacher Peggy Bias, to talk about the student run coffee shop that has become a place for confidence, teamwork and growth. From lear...

Central High School students are proving that a great idea can turn into something that truly changes lives. In this episode of the Public School Podcast, Sara Hornick and Bobbi Schaefbauer sit down with Central High science teacher and Thrift Club advisor Heather Kiplinger to talk about the student led club bringing free clothing, creativity, and confidence to students across the school. From pro...

In this episode of the Public School Podcast, Sara Hornick and Bobbi Schaefbauer sit down with Central High School healthcare teacher Brendon Sato to talk about the growing opportunities for students interested in the medical field. From hands on healthcare training and the district’s Certified Nursing Assistant program to plans for an international healthcare tour through Great Britain and Scotla...

This week on Public School Podcast, Sara Hornick and Bobbi Schaefbauer sit down with Rapid City substitute teacher and mom of three, Caitlin Scully, to talk about the reality of stepping into classrooms across the district. From comforting nervous students and navigating high school classrooms to surviving without lesson plans and learning the Promethean board, Caitlin shares the joys, challenges...

After more than two decades leading Central High School’s theater program, Justin Speck sits down with Sara Hornick and Bobbi Schaefbauer to reflect on a career that helped shape generations of students in Rapid City. From sold out productions and award winning student performances to hilarious backstage mishaps and emotional moments that changed lives, Justin shares the stories behind one of the...

This episode takes a meaningful look at one of the most powerful traditions in Rapid City Area Schools, the senior honoring and feathering ceremony. Sara Hornick and Bobbi Schaefbauer are joined by Kit Veit and Marie Hebert to talk about the deep cultural and spiritual significance behind this event, which honors Native American graduates as they reach a major life milestone. From the meaning of e...