Elevated Insights: A TCSD Podcast

Join us on this inspirational episode of Elevated Insights: A TCSD Podcast, where Superintendent Dr. Mark Ernst sits down with an amazing group of guests to celebrate the remarkable journey of Connor McInnes, a standout student at Tooele High School. Connor, along with his mother Chantel, and adaptive PE teachers Kenzie Green and Nate Pollmann, share heartwarming stories of inclusion, perseverance...

Get ready for a special on-the-road edition of Elevated Insights! This week, we’re switching things up and bringing you one of our most entertaining episodes yet. We stopped by Mrs. Allen’s 4th grade class at Settlement Canyon Elementary, where the students took over as interviewers. With no advance notice of the questions, Dr. Ernst was put on the spot to tackle everything from “Is your job hard?...

Welcome to another exciting episode of ‘Elevated Insights: A TCSD Podcast’! Dr. Mark Ernst and guests explore the journey of high school athletes with dreams of playing at the collegiate level. Our fantastic lineup of guests includes: Avery Allred, a senior basketball player from Grantsville High School Boston Valdez, a senior soccer player from Tooele High School Paige Allred, Avery’s mother, who...

Following up on last week’s episode about Deseret Peak High School, this week we bring you an update on Stansbury Junior High School. Superintendent Dr. Mark Ernst sits down with Krista Sparks, the future principal, and Kayden Calder, the "likely" future assistant principal, to discuss the latest construction progress and their dual responsibilities this year. They also highlight the collaborative...

Join Superintendent Dr. Mark Ernst on this episode of Elevated Insights: A TCSD Podcast as he talks about the progress at Deseret Peak High School. Dr. Ernst sits down with Principal Matt Parker, Athletic/Activity Director Andee Bouwhuis, and Finance Secretary Melanie Wiley to discuss everything from construction progress to sports programs and unique course offerings. Discover what’s in store for...

This week’s episode is a fun and quick listen that dives into the story behind the catchy intro music you hear at the start and end of every Elevated Insights episode. Superintendent Ernst finds himself in a bit of hot water as he reveals the composer behind the music—his talented wife, Julie Ernst! Also a counselor at Dugway Schools, Julie shares how her love for music inspires her and the creati...

In this episode of ‘Elevated Insights: A TCSD Podcast,’ Dr. Ernst sits down with Kristin Cavey, Scholarship Coordinator at Stansbury High School, and Rose Van Moorlehem, a parent and educator with firsthand success navigating the scholarship application process. They discuss the ins and outs of finding and applying for scholarships, share personal success stories, and offer practical advice for st...

In this episode of Elevated Insights: A TCSD Podcast, we explore the exciting world of woodworking with Jeff Goodsell from Grantsville High School and Wyatt Harding from Stansbury High School, two of the district's dedicated CTE Woodshop teachers. We dive into their passion for hands-on learning and hear about the unique projects their students have tackled, from creative classroom assignments to...

In episode 29 of Elevated Insights, Superintendent Dr. Mark Ernst hosts a powerful discussion with Andrea Rawlings, a fifth-grade teacher at Overlake Elementary, and Lilian Matson, a 2023 graduate of Tooele High School and honoree of Kickin' Cancer’s Can. Andrea shares how the event started back in 2010 to support a neighbor battling cancer, and how it has since grown into a beloved community-wide...

We're serving up something special on this episode of Elevated Insights! Join us as we chat with Chef Bronco Cloward, leader of the ProStart program, and his talented students, Ebon Davis and Canyon Smith. Discover how our students gain hands-on culinary experience in a professional-grade kitchen while preparing for careers in the culinary arts. From crafting complex dishes like gnocchi and duck b...

Elevated Insights is back for Season 2! In our "kickoff" episode, Superintendent Dr. Mark Ernst sits down with three local high school football coaches: BJ Hunter from Tooele, Lee Leslie from Stansbury, and David Millward from Grantsville. They’re here to talk about more than just Xs and Os as they explore the role football plays in school culture and community pride. Hear about their unique paths...

As the first year of "Elevated Insights: A TCSD Podcast" comes to an close, what a better way to end it than talking about graduation and celebrating the wonderful accomplishments of our seniors. Dr. Ernst first sits down with Nick Sidman, Director of Entertainment at the Peppermill Hotel & Casino, and two graduating students from Wendover High School in Tre Tangaro and Gabby Delgadillo about...

This week on Elevated Insights, Dr. Ernst sits down with the dynamic team from the Tooele Education Foundation, the unsung heroes of our district. Joining the conversation are Keith Bird, Ed Dalton, and Clint Spindler, who shed light on the incredible work they do. But that's not all - we also take a closer look at the Ophir Canyon Education Center, where adventure meets education. We also sit dow...

Buckle up, because this week we're hitting the road as we record from Rose Park Elementary School in Salt Lake. Dr. Ernst is your guide on this journey as we jump into the world of National Board Certification with some truly inspiring educators. Joining us is Alex Lopez, not only a Spanish teacher at Stansbury High School but also the sole nationally certified teacher in our district. Alongside A...

Welcome to Episode 23 of "Elevated Insights: A TCSD Podcast"! From the clang of the first school bell to the last page of your textbook, homework has been a cornerstone of our educational journey. But is it a necessary tool for learning, or does it need a makeover? In today's episode, join Dr. Ernst as he engages in a lively discussion with students and teachers as they explore the world of homewo...

Step into the vibrant world of the Tooele Boys and Girls Club, where every child's potential is nurtured, and futures take flight! Join Dr. Mark Ernst, Superintendent of Tooele County School District, as he explores the heartwarming journey of this beloved community hub. From humble beginnings to a beautiful, brand new facility, the Tooele Boys and Girls Club has been a beacon of hope for over two...

Are you curious about the taste of dragon fruit or kumquats? Have you heard about blue bananas from Mexico? Ever paired strawberries with honey? Prepare for a delicious adventure as we invite you to join us on the latest episode of Elevated Insights! Dr. Ernst and Casey Kress, our Child Nutrition Director, kick off the show with an engaging discussion about the Fresh Fruits and Vegetables program,...

Welcome to another episode of Elevated Insights: A TCSD Podcast, where we delve into the world of education with a focus on mentorship. Join Dr. Mark Ernst, the Superintendent of Schools, as he engages in a lively discussion with our new teacher mentors: Camille Clegg-Patch, Cheri Leavitt, Debbie Bird, and Jeanne Manzione. With over 100 years of combined experience in education, these mentors shar...

On this special episode of Elevated Insights: A TCSD Podcast, recorded from the KSL Podcast studios, we shine the spotlight on some unsung heroes in our communities—students facing intellectual disabilities and unique challenges. These remarkable individuals inspire us not with their fame or athletic prowess, but with their everyday courage and determination. Dr. Ernst welcomes Utah's First Lady,...

Join us on this episode of Elevated Insights as we sit down with Jamie Broderick, a passionate photography teacher and yearbook advisor at Tooele High School. With over two decades of experience in the field and a thriving photography business, Jamie brings a unique perspective to the classroom. In this episode, we explore Jamie's journey from being a successful professional photographer to becomi...

Join Superintendent Ernst as he hosts a compelling episode diving into the complexities of cell phones in classrooms. In this engaging discussion, Dr. Ernst is joined by a diverse panel of guests, including students Raygan Clegg, Jessi Norton, and Jax Allred, as well as educational professionals Ethan Wilford, Makaylee Tenhoeve, and Whitney Wallace. While the adults share insightful experiences an...

Join Superintendent Dr. Mark Ernst as he explores Career and Technical Education (CTE) in Tooele County School District during CTE month. In this episode, Dr. Ernst and CTE Director Kristy McLachlan discuss the diverse CTE courses available. Learn about some of the fascinating projects done by students with Cyber Security and IT instructor Clint Thomsen with astronauts and NASA, and the impact cou...

In this episode of "Elevated Insights" guest host Brett Valdez steps in as Superintendent Dr. Mark Ernst joins us to educate us about school funding and budgets. Together, they break down essential topics such as budget timelines, the Weighted Pupil Unit (WPU), funding sources, and common misconceptions surrounding education finance. They also touch on the budget cut challenges the district is cur...

Gear up for an unexpected journey into the world of agriculture in Dugway! Join us as we dive into the thriving FFA program in a place not commonly associated with farming. Dr. Ernst sits down with advisor Ed Johnson, along with students Quaid Elton and Vincent Pace, to discuss the origin of the chapter’s name and the diverse backgrounds of their members. And don’t miss a couple of cheerful surpri...

Discover the diversity at Stansbury High School in our last podcast of the year. Join the conversation with Aurian, PICA club president and student, and Whitney Cruz, advisor and English teacher at Stansbury High, as we explore the club's origins and its contribution to celebrating diversity. We will also learn about the school's initiatives like Odd Jobs and the Silver Stampede, designed to raise...