Rockford Public Schools

205 VIBE

Education EN ↓ 59 episodes

We discuss topics related to Rockford Public Schools and the larger Rockford Region.

Author

Rockford Public Schools

Category

Education

Podcast website

rps205.com

Latest episode

Jan 21, 2026

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Episodes

Episode 56: The Quad 21.01.2026

Stephanie Pearson talks with John Cusimano, the Principal of the Quad, to talk about the building's unique opportunities for students and the upcoming open house event.

Episode 55: Brothers for Change 20.08.2025

School Board Secretary, June Stanford, and Chief of Culture and Student Engagement, Dr. Antoine Reed, sit down with Stephanie Pearson to Brothers for Change and the positive impact they've already created.

Episode 54: ISBE Kennedy 12.03.2025

Our host, Stephanie Pearson, sits down with Kennedy Middle School Principal, Kourtni Gray to discuss the schools improved scores and their unique challenges.

Episode 53 - ISBE Report Card: Rolling Green 15.01.2025

Host, Stephanie Pearson, rolls out the red carpet for Rolling Green Principal, Amy Powell, as they discuss the success and growth at Amy's school.

Episode 52: ISBE Report Card STEAM Academy 11.12.2024

Our host, Stephanie Pearson, sits down with Loree Leathers to discuss her success and improvement at the STEAM Academy at Haskell.

Episode 51: State Report Card Overview 2024 13.11.2024

Superintendent Dr. Ehren Jarrett sits down with our host, Stephanie Pearson, to discuss what the State Report Card means for Rockford Public Schools

Episode 50: Marshall Elementary ISBE 08.05.2024

Earl Dotson Jr. sits down with Marshall Elementary Principal, Sidney Graves, to discuss her school's improved ISBE scores and the misconceptions around the gifted program.

Episode 49: Arts Hall of Fame - Lon Hoegberg 24.04.2024

Earl Dotson Jr. and Fine Arts Director Melissa Wolf talk with Fine Arts Hall of Fame Inductee Lon Hoegberg as he recounts how his time in the RPS school system prepared him for his career in theater tech.

Episode 48: Arts Hall of Fame - CoCo Lemery 17.04.2024

Earl Dotson Jr. and Fine Arts Director Melissa Wolf sit down with Fine Arts Hall of Fame Inductee CoCo Lemery to discuss her journey with Art and Education.

Episode 47: Arts Hall of Fame - Peter Bond 10.04.2024

Earl Dotson Jr. and Fine Arts Director Melissa Wolf sit down with Fine Arts Hall of Fame Inductee Peter Bond to discuss his music career and the education that started him on his journey.

Episode 46: Arts Hall of Fame - Winnie Au 03.04.2024

Earl Dotson Jr. and Melissa Wolf sit down with Rockford Public Schools Fine Arts Hall of Fame inductee Winnie Au to discuss her success in the world of photography

Episode 45: Cherry Valley ISBE 13.03.2024

Earl Dotson Jr. sits down with Cherry Valley Elementary Principal, Carolyn Timm, to discuss her school's improving ISBE scores and how the changes have impacted her students.

Episode 44: Snow Sculpting 28.02.2024

Earl Dotson Jr. learns all about snow sculpting from the Linda K. White Spirit Award winning team at Roosevelt comprised of Bazil Heaven Abbott, Dysen White, Kelsee Harris, and Marie Hanson. Also joining the conversation are team advisors and Roosevelt art faculty members Kyle Wolfe and Brian Hierstein.

Episode 43: Maria Montessori 14.02.2024

Join Earl Dotson Jr. as he sits down with Maria Montessori Principal, Candice Collins, to discuss the school's teaching philosophy and how they have worked to improve their ISBE scores.

Episode 42: Coffee Chats 16.01.2024

Earl Dotson Jr. talks to Board of Trustees member June Stanford about the first Coffee Chats event where Board members have the opportunity to connect with members of the community that they serve.

Episode 41: The Human Library 01.12.2023

We catch up with Flinn Middle School teachers Cara Wolfe and Aubrey Barnett about the Human Library Project, narrative storytelling in the middle school classroom, and N'Sync.

2023 Athletics Hall of Fame 05.09.2023

Earl Dotson Jr. interviews the RPS 205 2023 Athletics Hall of Fame inductees including the East High School 1989 Sprint Relay Team, bowler Megan Buja (Jefferson High School), and running back Ira Matthews (East High School).

Episode 39: School Safety Update 02.05.2023

We chat with Fred Diehl, RPS 205 Director of Security Services, and Jason Barthel, RPS 205 Chief Information Officer. Hear what the district is doing to continuously improve security.

5 Things to Know: International Baccalaureate in RPS 205 30.01.2023

Rockford Public Schools will launch an International Baccalaureate (IB) program at Conklin Elementary School. We sit down with IB Principal Mrs. Sarah Brenner to find out five things families should know about the globally recognized program. Learn more about the IB program here. https://rps205.com/ib

Episode 38: 2022 Education Outlook with Superintendent Ehren Jarrett 30.11.2022

Education Outlook: Superintendent Ehren Jarrett was a guest on the Community Priority Series with the Rockford Chamber of Commerce in November. Dr. Jarrett shared insight about the district’s work in preparing students for the workforce and how the business community can support our students and schools.

5 Things to Know: Rockford Promise 09.11.2022

Susan Fumo, Rockford Promise board vice president, tells us who should be thinking about the Rockford Promise scholarship program, when students should apply, how promise programs support communities, and what’s next for expanding the program – LIVE on the 205 VIBE! Learn more: https://www.rps205.com/community/rockford-promise Visit Rockford Promise Website: Rockford Promise – Changing lives. Tran...

Episode 37: Dr. Antoine Reed, RPS 205 Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer 13.09.2022

Dr. Antoine Reed grew up in Chicago and experienced inequities that he didn’t realize existed until he saw other students’ opportunities. Hear about his motivation, his approach to education and learning, and why he thinks Rockford is innovative. “In education right now, equity has become a new catch phrase from the top down. We’re living that phrase. … So that’s what made Rockford a unique place....

Welcome Back! 5 Things to Know 31.08.2022

RPS 205 Superintendent Ehren Jarrett outlines five things to know for the start of the 2022-23 school year. Tune in for updates on COVID-19, transportation and bus routes, staffing, plans for air conditioning, plus the reason behind late start Thursdays. It’s all live on the 205 VIBE! More info: Health guidelines: rps205.com/parents/health School start times: rps205.com/parents/school-times Federa...

Episode 36: Dawn Williamson, RPS 205 Director of Athletics, Activities & Program Development 29.06.2022

We get to know Dawn Williamson, who started in April as the Director of Athletics, Activities and Program Development. Hear how she became passionate about sports and why she is excited to serve Rockford Public Schools students and the Rockford community.

Episode 35: Kimberly Nelson, RPS 205 Executive Director of Early Childhood 03.05.2022

We discuss a child’s first five years and the importance of high-quality early childhood education with Kimberly Nelson, RPS 205 Executive Director of Early Childhood. We take a look at a day in the life of an early childhood student and how teachers facilitate learning through play. We chat about what it means to be kindergarten ready. Learn more about our Early Childhood programs here . 

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