Love Learn Lead

What happens when students are given the chance to learn alongside experts, explore real-world challenges, and discover more about who they want to become? In Episode 11 of Love, Learn, Lead , Jonathan talks with Mason students Vandan, Kabir, and Sai about their experiences through Leadership Initiatives. Their summer opportunities took them into the worlds of national security and diplomacy, cybe...

In this episode, we explore how Mason’s prevention and wellness efforts have evolved over the past decade from an idea sparked by students into a districtwide system of proactive care and support. Dr. Jonathan Cooper is joined by members of Mason’s Prevention & Wellness team, Amy Dobson, Laura Martin, Chloe Socha, to share how they support students, families, and staff through trusted relation...

What if preparing the next generation of teachers could begin long before college? In this episode of Love, Learn, Lead , Jonathan talks with Teacher Academy instructor Marcie Blamer, first-year Mason teacher and former Teacher Academy student Rachel Bair, and senior Bailey Engel, who is expanding opportunities for students interested in education through Mason’s Experiential Learning Program. Tog...

In this episode of the Love, Learn, Lead podcast, we explore what it takes to build a tight-knit culture within Ohio’s largest high school. We are joined by SIBS co-advisor Mrs. Angie Johnston and senior student leaders Paige Griffith and Kennedy Clingaman to discuss SIBS (Students Involving and Befriending Students), a program dedicated to making a massive campus feel like a small, welcoming comm...

In this episode of Love, Learn, Lead , Jonathan talks with Jay Meibers, a lifelong Mason resident and the youngest of six children. Jay reflects on growing up in a large family, attending school in Mason, and watching the community evolve across the decades, all while maintaining the relationships and sense of connection that have long made Mason special. And, as a fun piece of local history, one...

In this episode of  Love, Learn, Lead , Superintendent Jonathan Cooper is joined by Deputy Superintendent Dr. Amy Brennan, Learning Experience Supervisor Krissy Hufnagel, and Learning Experience Supervisor Dr. Shanna Bumiller to discuss how Mason City Schools is creating learning opportunities for each and every employee through personalized professional learning. The conversation explores the vis...

In this episode of Love, Learn, Lead , Superintendent Jonathan Cooper sits down with Mason City Schools STEAM educators Sarah Flohr and Jen Mann, along with Dan Little, the district's Futures and Innovation Leader, to explore the evolution of Mason's STEAM program and the impact it is having on students across the district. From creativity and innovation to problem-solving and healthy risk...

In this episode of the Love, Learn, Lead podcast, Superintendent Jonathan Cooper explores the story behind Mason City Schools’ nationally recognized XLP program — a student-led experiential learning model connecting students with authentic, career-connected opportunities and meaningful community partnerships. The conversation begins with the origin story of XLP and the vision to help students expl...

In this episode of the Love, Learn, Lead podcast, Superintendent Jonathan Cooper sits down with student leaders from the Superintendent Student Leadership Cohort to discuss what leadership looks like through the eyes of today’s students. Guests include student leaders Skylar Denbow, Ellen Yin, and Blake Lewis, along with innovation leader Dan Little. The conversation explores how schools can creat...

In this episode of  Love, Learn, Lead , we explore the heart behind  My Mason Journey , a unique course experience designed to help students discover their true north and develop the human skills that matter most in today’s rapidly changing world. Joined by educators Missy Mecum, Nicole Elsasser, Kristi Echler, and Amanda Kemen, along with the origin story shared by Dan Little, we unpack how this...

On their final days as high schoolers, three extraordinary seniors join the Love, Learn, Lead podcast to reflect on the journeys that shaped who they are becoming. From launching a student-led entrepreneurial venture studio, to reaching the top of the podium as a state champion swimmer, to leading with voice and influence through state championship speech and debate — each student shares the exper...

What keeps someone passionate about teaching for 40 years? Tim King, known as “The Owlman”, shares his journey from the classroom to leading outdoor learning and why reconnecting students to the outdoors matters more than ever in a screen-driven world. From the power of literature to the importance of meaningful relationships, this conversation reveals the true foundation of lasting impact in educ...