Lee County Public Schools

Cape Coral High School Pre-IB English teacher and published author Jamie Ayres joins us to discuss how she's helped reinvigorate a love of reading in students campus-wide, what inspired her to write a trilogy of young adult novels, and why she thinks the musical "Hamilton" is a watershed moment in pop culture.

Mariner High School grad Dwayne Jackson joins us to discuss his non-profit organization Hoops On Mission, how he's helping change the lives of Lee County's youth through basketball, and what it was like to try out for the Los Angeles Lakers.

Lehigh Senior High School Student Services Secretary and 2019-2020 Support Person of the Year Davina Perez joins us to discuss important life lessons she tries to instill in students, why she left the Bronx for south Florida at age 18, and how she was able to retire at age 40.

Multimedia Communications Coordinator Jason Sill joins us to discuss important news for students interested in participating in the award-winning Lee County Student Film & Television Awards, the true purpose of Lee Schools TV, and how working for Disney helped him in his role at the District.

"Super Scientist" Glen Beitmen, former Edison Winter Estates Wild Wizard, joins us to talk about why you should bring the whole family to STEMtastic on February 8th and he shows us a few science experiments that are cheap, easy, and fun! We recommend you watch this one on YouTube: https://youtu.be/2Yl3H7NcL78

Ever wondered what a woolly mammoth tooth looks like? How about the claw of a giant ground sloth? Why did the megalodon go extinct? Gulf Middle School science teacher Dr. Charles O'Connor shows us his incredible collection of fossils, explains how he found them, and shares his knowledge of ancient animals.

Jeremy Ridgeo, Global Perspectives teacher at North Fort Myers High School, joins us to discuss why he wants to teach his students how to think and not what to think, why it's important for them to have face-to-face conversations about big issues, and we nerd out over the show "Mad Men".

Chief Financial Officer Dr. Ami Desamours explains why she returned to the School District of Lee County, she gives us an update on the revenue generated so far by the half-cent sales tax, and we discuss teacher pay.

Family & Community Engagement Specialist Kelly Harijono joins us to discuss how family engagement can help students succeed in both the classroom and in life, how to be more engaged in your child's learning, and how teachers can better engage with families.

Tammy Scott (Coordinator, Multi-Tiered Systems of Support) joins us to discuss student attendance around the holidays, how being absent can negatively affect their future achievement, and why she loves a certain book the purplest.

Cypress Lake High grad Callie Atkinson ('17) joins us to discuss what it's like to be a featured singer on a cruise ship, why it's important for young people to explore the performing arts, and she gives an inexplicable answer to which character from 'The Office' is her favorite.

East Lee County High School U.S. and African American History teacher Charles Morrison joins us to discuss what it meant to be named the 2019 winner of the Dr. Theron Trimble Social Studies Teacher of the Year (high school), how he relates to his students, and what surprised him the most about teaching.

Former Teacher of the Year Matthew Kaye joins us to discuss how civics is taught in our schools, why it's important, and which Ninja Turtle would best represent Abraham Lincoln.

Dunbar High School cyber security teacher Mark Dunaway joins us to talk about his experience as a Navy Commander tracking Somali pirates, election interference tactics used by foreign agents, and how to protect yourself from identity theft.

Buckingham Exceptional Student Center helping teacher Trey Willoughby joins us to discuss how he's helping raise awareness about living with autism.

Environmental Education Resource Teacher Susie Hassett joins us to discuss the importance of getting kids outside to learn about nature, what it was like to be a dolphin trainer, and she shows us some animals!

Estero High School Senior Sarah Schwartz joins us to talk about the importance of preserving historic battlefield sites and we discuss the only major battle fought in Florida during the Civil War.

Adult & Career Education Director Rita Davis joins us to discuss the benefits of learning a trade and why vocational education is seeing a resurgence in popularity around the country.

Executive Director of Strategic Sustainability & Governance Ken Savage joins us to discuss how his new role with the District can help improve the impact schools have on students, why he left the Florida Department of Education to come back to Lee County, and how studying to be a movie director led him to become a teacher.

Allen Park Elementary School 5th grade science and social studies teacher Courtney Black joins us to discuss the amazing experience of students getting the chance to ask real-time questions to an astronaut aboard the International Space Station, what she has in store for next year, and why her favorite subject in school growing up had nothing to do with science.

South Fort Myers High Principal Ed Mathews joins us to discuss the role a principal plays in leading a large high school, how to get both students and parents more engaged, and we debate: Is 'Die Hard' a Christmas movie?

Ida S. Baker High School Engineering & Design Teacher Mark Drew stops by to talk about life, how students can learn more from engineering than you might think, and the wonders of 3D printing.

Dunbar High School Reading Coach Patty Loverock joins us to discuss her experience as a member of the 1976 Canadian Women's Olympic Track & Field team, why she left a career as a Los Angeles health & fitness journalist to come to Lee County, and how she helps students from other countries make gains to meet graduation requirements.

Assistant Director of Recruitment Suzette Rivera joins us to talk about the upcoming Spring Teacher Recruitment Fair on April 13th, the benefits of working for the school district, and why Lee County is a great place to live.

Island Coast High School TV Production/Digital Media teacher Jeff Becker joins us to discuss the importance of teaching students video communication skills, YouTube's impact on traditional media and on the lives of young people, and what it meant to be named the 2018-2019 Lee County Teacher of the Year.