Ramily Matters

Ramily Matters Podcast sits down this week with Demetra King, coordinator to the superintendent. King graduated from Riverview Gardens School District in 1984, met her husband within its walls and has dedicated her career to the students and families who call it home. In this episode, King discusses a day in the life of working in the superintendent's office, why she loves Riverview Gardens,...

Demingo Loggins, Jamal Thompson and DeAndre Campbell join the Ramily Matters Podcast to share their strategies and insight into restorative practices in schools and why they are important in building relationships. The three men serve as restorative educators in the Riverview Gardens School District and share a passion for helping others through challenging situations. The Riverview Gardens School...

Hylle Shepard, Moline Elementary School's Secretary 3, joins the Ramily Matters Podcast. Ms. Shepard shares the secret to always keeping a smile on her face and how she helps staff and students to have a better day. Shepard also talks about how her career journey came full circle to education.  Happy Administrative Professionals Day/Week to all of RGSD's administrative staff! The Rivervi...

The teachers and staff at Moline Elementary School are on a mission, and they want you to know about it. In this episode, the team discusses why reading is so important, what brings them joy in the classroom and what it means to be part of the Emerson Early Literacy Challenge. Press play to hear directly from the educators who are shaping your child's future. The Riverview Gardens School Dist...

RGHS' Journalism Club, along with Elizabeth Holzer, RGHS teacher, English chair and adviser for The Rambler and PanoRAMa, joined the Ramily Matters podcast this week. In the episode, guests explore the evolving landscape of modern journalism and strategies for staying safe in an increasingly digital world. They also share how Holzer inspires and challenges them, their go-to comfort stories, a...

The Ramily Matters Podcast is joined by Jason Little, Riverview Gardens High School's theatre teacher, and Maurine Burns, a Special School District English teacher at RGHS. The two discuss their acting careers, sharing their passion for acting with their students and the upcoming production of In the Blood.  The RGHS production of "In the Blood" runs from Thursday, March 25 at 3:30...

In this episode, we sat down with the RGHS student council members to hear directly from the scholars shaping the school community. They open up about the real vibe of high school life, their roles on the student council and why it matters so much to them that teachers bring passion and hands-on energy to the classroom. Our student leaders also share their vision for what they want to see in their...

Stephanie Terry, RGSD's chief financial officer, and Ishmael Sistrunk, the district's executive director of Communications, join the Ramily Matters Podcast to share information about Proposition N, a no-tax-rate-increase debt levy transfer initiative on the April 7, 2026 ballot. The two members of RGSD's District Leadership Team answer questions about Prop N, how it will support the...

Courtney Rachel, Riverview Gardens High School's associate principal, joins the Ramily Matters Podcast. Rachel is an RGHS graduate who has spent her career as an educator and administrator in Riverview Gardens School District. The Riverview Gardens School District Board of Education is committed to maintaining a workplace and educational environment that is free from illegal discrimination, h...

This week on the Ramily Matters Podcast, scholars from the Lewis and Clark Elementary School Communications Club discuss their interests, favorite subjects and community concerns in the latest episode. The scholars discuss why they enjoy math, their admiration for their principal and teacher and their hopes for changes in their community. Listen now! The Riverview Gardens School District Board of...

Dr. Tiffany Hunter, RGSD's Director of Assessment, joins the Ramily Matters Podcast. Dr. Hunter discusses RGSD's recent Annual Progress Report from the Missouri Department of Elementary & Secondary Education and outlines what is needed for RGSD to regain full accreditation. The Riverview Gardens School District Board of Education is committed to maintaining a workplace and educationa...

Howard Hernandez Woodard, RSGD's Assistant Safety & Security Director, joins the Ramily Matters Podcast this week. Woodard shares his insight as a protector, discusses his background as a veteran and former police officer and sheds light on what it takes to help ensure the safety of a school community and encourage those around him. The Riverview Gardens School District Board of Education...

Stephanie Terry, RGSD's Chief Financial Officer, joins the Ramily Matters Podcast. Terry shares her experience as a military veteran who worked in the Pentagon, her experiences in finance and her journey to find herself after raising her children. The Riverview Gardens School District Board of Education is committed to maintaining a workplace and educational environment that is free from ille...

Dr. Joell Ramsdell, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum & Instruction at Riverview Gardens School District, joins the Ramily Matters Podcast this week. Dr. Ramsdell joined RGSD after serving as a vocal music teacher and interim superintendent in Kansas City for many years. The Riverview Gardens School District Board of Education is committed to maintaining a workplace and educational enviro...

Eight student council members from Glasgow Elementary School sit down to share what drives them both in and out of the classroom. From their roles and initiatives on the council to their favorite subjects and dreams for the future, these student leaders open up about what matters most to them. Hear why they believe reading is essential, what they're passionate about beyond school walls and th...

The Ramily Matters Podcast returns for the 2025-2026 school year. Our first guest is Jackie Nichols, secretary at Glasgow Elementary School. Nichols has spent nearly 30 years as a staff member at Glasgow. She also attended Glasgow from kindergarten through 6th Grade as a student. In this episode, she shares her lifelong experiences as a Glasgow Cheetah! The Riverview Gardens School District Board...

This week on the Ramily Matters Podcast, Yvette Hemphill-Swapshire, secretary at Meadows Elementary School, is known as the Auntie of the building.  In this heartwarming episode, Swapshire shares how she brings positivity to the school community and how she sets the welcoming tone in the main office. Tune in to hear how her warmth, energy and dedication help shape the school culture every single d...

This week the Ramily Matters Podcast welcomes RGHS graduating senior and valedictorian, Tameria K., and RGHS' CTE department chair, Pamela Falls, join the Ramily Matters Podcast. Tameria shares her story about being a senior at RGHS and the National Honors Society President. Falls shares insight about her role in leading the National Honors Society and helping kids find career paths. The Rive...

This week on the Ramily Matters Podcast, Megan Ziegler, Parents as Teachers (PAT) Coordinator, joined the show. In this episode, Ziegler shares how the PAT program runs, how the PAT program supports families with their parenting journey and the importance of literacy.  The Riverview Gardens School District Board of Education is committed to maintaining a workplace and educational environment that...

Tonya Ross, RGSD's ELA Curriculum Coordinator, joins the Ramily Matters Podcast. Ross shares her insight and wisdom from over 33 years in Riverview Gardens. The Riverview Gardens School District Board of Education is committed to maintaining a workplace and educational environment that is free from illegal discrimination, harassment and retaliation in admission or access to, or treatment or e...

RGHS's dedicated CTE Marketing Teacher and DECA Advisor, Pamela Fountain, alongside her four-year DECA member and RGHS Senior, Mic'Keal Skyes, joined the Ramily Matters podcast this week. In this episode, Fountain and Skyes spotlight their incredible journey together, the impact of DECA and the transformative power of the Marketing Education Program. Ramliy, tune in to hear their inspiri...

Williams McHugh and Dr. LaTricia Clark from the Riverview Gardens Alumni Alliance join the Ramily Matters Podcast this week. McHugh and Clark are the President and Vice President of the Alumni Alliance. McHugh and Clark discuss their time as students in Riverview Gardens, their current careers and the mission, goal and purpose of the Alumni Alliance. Be sure to tune in for insightful conversation,...

Dr. Amy Blackwell, principal of Koch Elementary School, joins the Ramily Matters Podcast this week. Dr. Blackwell shares her story of her transition from an aspiring psychologist to an educator, her love for sneakers and her inspirational story of motherhood. The Riverview Gardens School District Board of Education is committed to maintaining a workplace and educational environment that is free fr...

RGHS's Social Studies teacher, Softball and Baseball Coach Zach Gaines, and RGHS Baseball Pitcher Tim Williams join the Ramily Matters Podcast this week. In this episode, Coach Gaines shares about the upcoming baseball tryouts and what he looks for in his players. Senior pitcher Tim Williams discusses how he spreads positivity, how he leads on and off the field and his future career goals. Th...

First Alert 4's Melanie Johnson joins the Ramily Matters Podcast this week. Johnson volunteers in Riverview Gardens School District with the Little Bit Foundation. She shares her story from growing up in Chicago, Illinois, how her goal as a reporter was to work in St. Louis and what it means for Black children to see people that look like them serving the community and in schools. The Rivervi...