The Vestavia Hills City Schools Podcast

May 2022 -- In this episode, Brooke and Whit talk with Dr. Todd Freeman, Vestavia Hills City Schools superintendent, in a look back on the 2021-22 school year and the tireless work of the school system's teachers. Professional development is discussed as well as information about how families can learn about the school system's teaching standards.

April 2022 -- In this episode, Brooke and Whit talk with two Vestavia Hills City Schools arts teachers who discuss opportunities for participation in the arts and why it's important for student development. Guests include Vestavia Hills Elementary East art teacher Lee Ellen Sharp and Vestavia Hills High School performing arts chair Faith Lenhart.

March 2022 -- In this episode, Brooke and Whit sit down with new Vestavia Hills High School head football coach Robert Evans to discuss the football program, his memories as a VHHS alumnus, and what he learned about leadership from some of the school's legendary coaches.

In this episode, Brooke and Whit sit down with Vestavia Hills City Schools' 2021-22 District Teachers of the Year to discuss their background and motivations for teaching. Guests are Elementary Teacher of the Year Cortney McKinney, school counselor at Vestavia Hills Elementary Cahaba Heights; and Secondary Teacher of the Year Jill Wiggins, English Language Arts teacher at Louis Pizitz Middle Schoo...

(January 2022) -- In this episode, Brooke and Whit talk with Dr. Aimee Rainey, Vestavia Hills City Schools' Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning. Dr. Rainey discusses some of the school system's recent work to enhance value and meaning in the work provided to students and provides a preview of future growth objectives.

To Vestavia Hills City Schools students, unparalleled community support means more than just receiving; it is a reciprocal relationship where they see greater value in giving, serving, and loving others. They demonstrate gratitude by paying it forward. In this month's episode, Brooke and Whit talk with Vestavia Hills High School senior Nathaniel Bass about some of the ways he and his peers support...

In this episode, Brooke and Whit talk with new Vestavia Hills City Schools Director of Athletics, Myra Miles. She brings more than 30 years of athletics experience to VHCS and is working on several new initiatives as part of the school system's athletics strategic plan. Learn more about VHCS athletics by visiting 1rebelathletics.com !

Goal 2 of Vestavia Hills City Schools’ strategic plan pushes the school system to “embrace our leadership role in developing common understandings and shared community support for confronting the problems and challenges that impact the system, youth, and families.” Much of this goal is focused on work related to development of core values and character education in schools. In this episode, Brooke...

In this episode, Martha Martin, STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) teacher at Vestavia Hills Elementary Liberty Park joins Brooke and Whit to discuss the school's new pilot program which provides STEM learning for all students.

In this episode, Brooke and Whit talk with Dr. Todd Freeman, superintendent of Vestavia Hills City Schools. Dr. Freeman reviews the highlights of the school system's strategic goals and Annual Report while also looking ahead to the 2021-22 school year.  View the VHCS Annual Report on our website.

If you're a parent of a child preparing to enter kindergarten, this episode is for you! Brooke and Whit interview Shae Harrell, 22-year veteran of kindergarten classrooms and current kindergarten teacher at Vestavia Hills Elementary East, on strategies for parents to help lay the foundation for their child's academic and social growth as they enter grade school. Parents can also find the Vestavia...

In this episode, Brooke and Whit talk with VHCS Secondary Teacher of the Year Jerell Horton, Director of Bands at Vestavia Hills High School. Jerell discusses the concept of "Lego Leadership" and how he uses it to instill emotional safety and character in the band room.

March 2021 features two episodes highlighting the Vestavia Hills City Schools Teachers of the Year! In this episode, Brooke and Whit talk with Heather Hurt, VHCS Elementary Teacher of the Year. Heather is a fifth grade teacher at Vestavia Hills Elementary East. Heather discusses how she felt led to change careers from a successful real estate agent to elementary teacher, and how she works to insti...