205 VIBE

We sit down with three Rockford Public Schools alumni enrolled in the Education Pathway program at Rockford University. Ryan Callahan, Jessica Pequena-Mendoza and Tony Ramirez are RPS 205 graduates who are now student teaching. Ryan, Jessica and Tony share insight on the importance of connecting with students and developing relationships to increase student engagement, being culturally sensitive t...

Superintendent Ehren Jarrett addressed the Rockford Chamber of Commerce Nov. 18 at the annual Education Outlook Luncheon. Dr. Jarrett connected his remarks to the biggest challenges facing our community, according to local leaders: education, safety and taxes. The event concluded with an education and workforce panel, featuring Dr. Jarrett, Rockford University President Dr. Eric Fulcomer, CEANCI S...

Dr. Tiffany Brunson, RPS 205 Chief Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Officer, shares her passion for equity work and outlines the challenges district leaders are working to overcome.

We sit down for a formal goodbye with McIntosh Elementary School Principal Alfonso Gagliano as he retires after 50 years at RPS 205. Learn how his passion for education began and how his life experiences played into his successful career. Hear his retirement plans and his hopes for future students.

Three RPS 205 art teachers discuss teaching during the pandemic, plus finding art – and teaching others to love art – in Rockford and Rockford Public Schools. This podcast features art teachers Jason Judd from Auburn High School, Veronica Soria-Martinez from West Middle School, and Iga Puchalska from Cherry Valley Elementary and Maria Montessori. Listen LIVE on the 205 VIBE!

We chat with Scott Clark, fourth grade remote teacher at Johnson Elementary School, about his challenges and successes this school year. We hear how he builds relationships with families and keeps students engaged to create lifelong memories and make an impact beyond the classroom.

Hear candid conversation about remote teaching in RPS 205: “There is messiness to it. And it is hard. It’s hard to see what my kids are working on. But if you look at all of those negatives, and you don’t focus on what you can do, and what you’re going to do and what you’d like to do, and what the kids are able to do, then you’re going to be stuck in the messy.”

Assistant Deputy Chief Mike Dalke of the Rockford Police Department and RPS 205 Director of Career & Technical Education Reid Jutras join us on the podcast to talk about how providing real-world experiences both in and out of the classroom are important. Hear perspective from Assistant Deputy Chief Dalke about his criminal justice class he’s teaching in RPS 205, and how his practical experienc...

President/CEO Einar Forsman has a candid conversation with RPS 205 Superintendent Dr. Ehren Jarrett. The conversation will focus on changes in the school system due to COVID-19, the District’s scorecard, and the future of education.

We sit down with Heather Psaltis, Executive Director of Schools & Special Programs at Rockford Public Schools, to learn more about what makes our Special Programs unique in RPS 205. Click here to learn more!   Special Programs at RPS 205 include. Maria Montessori at Marsh, STEAM Academy at Haskell, Two-Way Language Immersion at Barbour, The Gifted Academy and The Creative and Performing A...

Learn About College & Career Academies in RPS 205 and what they are and why they are a unique approach to education in high school in an ever changing world. 

We talk with Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara and Superintendent Ehren Jarrett about the challenges and successes of the school district and the city during the COVID-19 pandemic. Make sure to check out the other great blog post and videos on www.rps205.com/205VIBE

We sit down with Rockford Police Officer Curtis Sockwell, a member of the Rockford School Liaison Unit. Officer Sockwell spends most of his time at Auburn High School as a School Resource Officer. He talks about what it’s like working at Auburn and how he makes a difference connecting with RPS 205 students.

Learn more about Morgan Gallagher, Principal at Roosevelt Community Education Center. 

A conversation with the Director of Security, Fred Diehl, about school safety at Rockford Public Schools.

Hear from Roosevelt students and staff and their ‘drive & passion to complete their education.’

Jason Barthel, Executive Director of Technology at Rockford Public Schools provides insight and details on the Ransomware attack that occurred in September and how his team worked to rebuilding the network and get systems back online.

A conversation with Superintendent's Student Advisory Council (SSAC) featuring  Jefferson Snedegar, from Guilford High School, Kerrigan Turek, from East High School and Aryan Arora, from Auburn High School.

 Judge Mahoney served as the only magistrate judge in the Western Division until he resigned his position in 2012 and accepted recall. Judge Mahoney remained on recall through 2014.  Judge Mahoney has done settlement conferences in literally thousands of cases during his tenure as magistrate judge. 

Wally Haas is the  Opinion Editor for the Rockford Register Star. We talk to him about what it is like working for the paper and his experiences with how Rockford counties to evolve. 

Jonathan Logeman, is a teacher at Auburn High School he is also alderman for the City of Rockford, and National Guardsman. Listen to him talk about serving his community and his country. 

Learn more about Mayor Tom McNamara and his vision for Rockford and what the City of Rockford is doing to achieve that vision. 

 Learn more about Taren Turner, Ellis Elementary School Principal. Listen to her perspective on what makes Ellis a special place.

East High School Athletic Director Gary Griffin talk about his experience with being a coach, an educator, and father. He explains why school comes first and why it is important to succeed in the classroom. www.rps205.com/205VIBE

 Discussion about the Rockford Public Schools District and the role of a board member.