Let's Talk Schools - Conversations in Education

What happens when students put their phones away for the entire school day? In this episode of  Let's Talk Schools , hosts Brian Noyes and Samantha Maxey discuss Georgia's new bell-to-bell personal communication device restrictions and what they mean for students, families, and schools. Hear why educators believe the change will reduce distractions, improve student engagement, strengthen relations...

More Than Band-Aids: How School Nurses Help Students Thrive Every Day  When a student walks into the clinic, it's about more than a scraped knee. Fulton County Schools' Student Health Services team looks beyond the symptoms to uncover barriers to learning, build trusted relationships with students, and provide critical support for physical and mental health. Director of Student Health Services, Ly...

What happens when students turn classroom learning into solutions for real-world problems? In this inspiring episode of Let's Talk Schools, host Brian Noyes and co-host Samantha Maxey sit down with two innovative school leaders, Johnathan Hall , Principal of Global Impact Academy, and Scott Kent , Principal of FCS Innovation Academy, to explore how students are designing solutions, tackling commun...

In this episode of Let's Talk Schools , Fulton County Schools leaders Dr. Ava Williams and Dr. Kibby Crumbley pull back the curtain on how schools prepare for, respond to, and communicate during emergencies. From weather events and power outages to medical situations and safety concerns, they share real-world examples, explain the district's crisis communication process, and highlight the critical...

"Two thousand students. One room. Absolute silence." Hear how a single moment captured the full attention of an entire school—and sparked a lasting commitment to safer driving. This unforgettable moment shows the impact of meaningful, authentic messaging—and why the 43 Key Seconds message continues to resonate long after the assembly ends. It is a powerful story that shows how real voices and real...

This week on Let's Talk Schools, Brian and Samantha dive into a topic every parent, teacher, and student knows all too well: tests and assessments. From classroom quizzes to universal screeners to the big ones like the SAT and Georgia Milestones — what do they all really mean? They're joined by Kim Richards , the district's Director of Assessment, and Dr. Oliver 'Opie' Blackwell , principal of Cen...

In this inspiring episode of Let's Talk Schools , we step inside the fast‑paced, unpredictable, and deeply meaningful world of school principals. Fulton County Schools leaders Dr. Maisha Otway (College Park Elementary) and Dr. Kindra Smith (Riverwood International Charter High School) join the conversation to reveal what it really takes to lead a school community. From greeting students at sunrise...

AI is everywhere—on our phones, in our searches, and now in our classrooms. But what does that really mean for students? In this episode of Let's Talk Schools , we sit down with Heather Van Loy , Director of Instructional Technology, and Raymond Schenk , Assistant Principal and STEM Computer Science teacher at Johns Creek High School, who is already using AI with students every day. Together, they...

Get ready—this episode of Let's Talk Schools might just change the way you think about education. We're diving into the world of Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education (CTAE)—a fast‑growing powerhouse that's preparing students not just for graduation, but for real careers in a rapidly evolving world. Hosts Brian Noyes and Samantha Maxey sit down with CTAE Director Dea Kunovac and United Way...

What if school lunch was more  than just a meal? This episode takes listeners inside the bold transformation of school nutrition across Fulton County Schools, where creativity, culture, and care come together on the cafeteria tray. Guests Alyssia Wright , Fulton County Schools Executive Director of School Nutrition, and beloved district chef Reggie Sloan discuss how school meals are being reimagin...

This episode of Let's Talk Schools focuses on preparing students and families for the transition to college. The discussion features two experts: Shamona Harrell , Director of College, Career, and Student Supports, and Terryn Prior , a graduation coach at Creekside High School.   Themes in this conversation include:  Academic Performance, Testing Strategy, Managing Stress, Financial Planning, Util...

 In part two of this conversation, hosts Brian Noyes and Samantha Maxey continue speaking about student mental health with guests Maribel Bell , Executive Director of Student Supports, and  Valerie Rogers , School Social Worker at Roswell High School. The discussion focuses on how Fulton County Schools and its partners provide mental health resources for students and families.   Here is a list of...

Student mental health is more important than ever, and schools are stepping up. In the first half of this conversation, we sit down with Maribel Bell, Executive Director of Student Support, and Valerie Rogers, School Social Worker at Roswell High School. Together, they share what mental health looks like for students today, how families and schools can work as partners, and the initiatives making...

Episode 2: Partnerships In this episode of Let's Talk Schools , hosts Samantha Maxey and Brian Noyes explore the power of strategic partnerships in education. They are joined by Tonya McPhearson, Toyota Driving Opportunities Program Manager for the Fulton Education Foundation, and Lashawnda Woods-Roberts, Senior Assistant District Attorney from the Fulton County District Attorney's Office. The con...

Episode 1: Why Attendance Matters In the debut episode of Let's Talk Schools , Fulton County Schools leaders dive into the critical topic of student attendance. Joined by Charity Trowbridge, Director of Student Support Services, and Dr. Keenan Cameron, Principal of McNair Middle School, the conversation explores how consistent school attendance shapes academic success, social development, and life...