Public School Podcast

In this episode, Sara and Bobbi sit down with Krista Leischner, Student Nutrition Manager for Rapid City Area Schools, who shares what it takes to feed thousands of students every day. With over eight years in the district and a background in dietetics, Krista breaks down the logistics, challenges, and heart behind the meals served in local schools. From early morning prep and satellite kitchens t...

In this episode of Public School Podcast , Sara and Bobbi sit down with Sateera Thompsen, Nurse Manager for Rapid City Area Schools. With over 40 years of nursing experience and more than 30 years dedicated to school health across multiple states, Sateera brings unmatched insight into the evolving role of nurses in education. From launching district-wide safety initiatives like AEDs and LifeVacs,...

 In this episode of The Public School Podcast , Sara and Bobbi sit down with this year’s Rapid City Teacher of the Year, Ross Hunter, a passionate eighth-grade science teacher at Southwest Middle School. From a childhood shaped by Catholic school values to a winding path that eventually led him into education, Ross shares the honest, inspiring story of how he found his true calling in the cla...

In this episode, we dive into the powerful impact that school communities have beyond just academics. From a heartfelt story about students being relocated due to construction, to the emotional and social connections that happen when kids get to spend time together outside the classroom. We explore the importance of these moments for students’ well-being and how it goes far beyond worksheets and c...

On this episode of the Public School Podcast , Sara and Bobbi sit down with Nicole Schlabach from the Black Hills Area Community Foundation to talk about one of the most impactful programs of the summer, the Summer Feeding Program. Nicole explains how this collaborative effort brings free, nutritious meals to children, parents, and grandparents across Rapid City and Box Elder. From reducing food i...

In this colorful episode of the Public School Podcast , Sara and Bobbi welcome Aly Quinn, events coordinator at the Rapid City Public Library, for a lively conversation about the magic of summer reading. Ally shares how the library partners with the school district and the community to keep kids engaged and minds growing all summer long. From prize-filled reading challenges and VR gaming to 3D pri...

We sit down with Shannon Bren, a passionate math teacher who has dedicated nearly 40 years to the classroom. Since her very first day of teaching in 1984, Shannon has learned that education is so much more than just lesson plans and curriculum it’s about connection, empathy, and adapting to the unique needs of every student. Join us as Shannon shares stories from her incredible teaching journey ho...

Host Sara Hornick and Community Relations Manager Bobbi Schaefbauer sit down with a true pioneer of public education advocacy, Sharon Lee, the founder and former executive director of the Rapid City Public School Foundation. Recorded in Studio 3B at the HomeSlice Media Group, this conversation goes back over 30 years to the very beginnings of the foundation and explores how one idea sparked a last...

In this episode, host Sara Hornick, Executive Director of the Rapid City Public School Foundation, is joined by Bobbi Schaefbauer, Community Relations Manager for Rapid City Area Schools, and their first official guest, Jade Clement, Construction Planning Manager for the district. Jade gives us a behind-the-scenes look at the critical role facilities play in the success and safety of our schools....

Sarah Hornick and Bobbi Schaefbauer are back in Studio 3A with another fun and heartfelt conversation about all things public education. In this episode, they talk about their vision for the podcast, celebrate the people who make our schools special, and highlight the powerful “why” behind lifelong careers in education. Sarah shares stories from a student fishing trip and opens up about her own ex...

In the very first episode of the Public School Podcast, host Sarah Hornick, Executive Director of the Rapid City Public School Foundation, sits down with Bobbi Schaefbauer, Community Relations Manager for the school district, to pull back the curtain on how the Foundation and district work hand-in-hand to uplift students, teachers, and staff across the city. From funding classroom innovations like...

Welcome to The Public School Podcast—where real stories, real people, and real passion for education come together. Hosted by Sara Hornick, Executive Director of the Public School Foundation, and Bobbi Schaefbauer, Community Relations Manager for Rapid City Area Schools, we’re diving into the heart of public education. Each episode, we sit down with community members, dedicated school staff, and p...