Springdale Today Podcast

Send us Fan Mail Springdale Today host Mary Jordan sits down with an inspiring group of local seniors as they stand on the cusp of graduation, preparing to take their next big steps into the future.  Joining the conversation are Sepesim Francis-Mongkeya from Springdale High School, Dara Cuenca from the Don Tyson School of Innovation, and Reagan Bell from Har-Ber High School. Together, they share t...

Send us Fan Mail Springdale Today welcomes Springdale High School teacher Rachelle Nichols; Bulldog Media Program students Angel Kumtak and Yulissa Martinez-Fuentes; film director Nathan Fitch; and creative director and designer Jacob Hawkes, whose story inspired the film “Iawke: Hello, Goodbye.” Hawkes, who was adopted from the Marshall Islands as a child, unexpectedly reconnected with his biolog...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we explore a groundbreaking shift in vocational education through a heavy equipment operations training program that is breaking the traditional mold. While most specialized technical training is typically managed by colleges or private trade schools, this initiative is uniquely owned and operated by Springdale Public Schools, putting the power of career readiness...

Send us Fan Mail In this special episode of Springdale Today, we packed up the microphones and cameras and headed to beautiful Downtown Springdale to capture a historic night for our schools! We are bringing you all the highlights from the first-ever Showcase of the Arts and EAST Night Out for Springdale Public Schools. The district activated three vibrant locations across the downtown area, and w...

Send us Fan Mail Springdale Today visits J.O. Kelly Middle School to spotlight a powerful story of empathy and innovation. The episode features an inspiring conversation with sixth-grader Yosseph Lakhal, who is engineering a specialized tool for his classmate, helping him overcome barriers to classroom participation.  Joined by parent Ekaterina Gaisina, EAST facilitator Abby Farrell and art teache...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we explore the critical intersection of school safety and cardiac health. Joining the conversation are Charles Wooley, Project ADAM Coordinator with Arkansas Children’s Hospital; Lynn Ryan, Principal of Walker Elementary; and fifth-grade student Ezra Wilson. Together, they discuss the journey of Walker Elementary becoming a Heart Safe School as we dive into the lo...

Send us Fan Mail How do we ensure that the lessons learned within school walls translate to a lifetime of independence? In this episode, we’re sitting down with two dedicated educators from Springdale Schools: Cindy Wilton of Monitor Elementary School, Jennifer Chacon of Jim D. Rollins Elementary School of Innovation and Baylee Weidrick of Hellstern Middle School. As special education teachers in...

Send us Fan Mail On this week's episode of Springdale Today, we’re breaking the mold and proving that the spirit of innovation is alive and well in the most unexpected places. We’re heading straight to the Don Tyson School of Innovation, but we aren't stopping at the tech labs. Instead, we’re trading the keyboards for Marley floors and "talking shop" inside the dance studio to...

Send us Fan Mail In Springdale Public Schools, the "real world" isn't a destination after graduation—it's the classroom experience happening right now. In today's episode, we visit the Don Tyson School of Innovation to meet a student who is literally building the future of industry. Judah Keomoungkhoun and industrial maintenance teacher Wesley Higginson take us behind the...

Send us Fan Mail From the classroom to the national spotlight! In this episode, we sit down with Patti Priest, Agricultural Sciences Instructor at Har-Ber High School, along with standout students Adalyn Hanning and Ruby Douangmala.  Last fall, Future Farmers of America selected Adalyn and Ruby to be featured in their nationwide Supervised Agricultural Experience teaching videos. We dive deep into...

Send us Fan Mail Dedicated to Teaching: Every teacher in Springdale has a "why." It’s the reason they show up early, stay late and pour their hearts into every student who walks through their door. Dedicated to Teaching is a seat at the table with the people who make the #SpringdaleFamily feel like home. We’re moving past the lesson plans to hear the real stories of Jessie Walls and Alyx...

Send us Fan Mail Springdale Today features Hunt Elementary School Assistant Principal Patti Athey, parent and therapist Dr. Myranda Victoria and third-grader Ian Victoria, who discuss the school’s Unplug and Play initiative. The school program encourages families to spend quality time in family play, rather than their devices.

Send us Fan Mail What does it feel like to wrestle in the heart of your own school? Seniors Miriam Pedro and Lucas Cahill join us alongside Coach Nika West to pull back the curtain on Har-Ber Wrestling. We discuss their individual journeys, the team's training and why the "Rumble in the Rotunda" is the date every Wildcat circles on their calendar.

Send us Fan Mail Springdale Today dives into the story of Hayden and Riley Gibson, twin sisters who compete for Har-Ber High School and have committed to swim in college for the University of Arkansas Razorbacks.

Send us Fan Mail Springdale Schools celebrates School Board Recognition Month through conversations with School Board Members Michelle Cook and Randy Hutchinson and School Board Secretary Eddie Ramos. 

Send us Fan Mail Join us on Springdale Today for a look at community wellness and nutrition efforts in Springdale. We talked with Janet Hornberger, Springdale Public Schools Coordinated School Health and Treehouse Pantry Coordinator, Rodrigo Menocal, Cobblestone Farms Garden Manager, and Kerry Carpenter, a Food Corps Service Member. Tune in to learn how these dedicated individuals are working toge...

Send us Fan Mail This week, we explored the fascinating intersection of e-waste, art, and education! We sat down with artist Eugene Sargent, teacher Jennifer Boogart from John Tyson Elementary School of Innovation, and her EAST students, Zharia and Finn. They discussed their innovative educational initiative where students transform discarded electronics into art. Discover how this exciting projec...

Send us Fan Mail On this episode of Springdale Today, we dive into the exciting world where literature meets the stage! We're joined by Knapp Elementary School third-grade teacher Kira Hart , her enthusiastic student Emiliano Manjarrez and Sallie Zazal , the Learning and Engagement Director at the Walton Arts Center. Emiliano is one of 275 Knapp students who attended a performance of “Dog Man...

Send us Fan Mail Is tech overload taking a toll on your family? Responsibly managing technology is one of the biggest challenges facing youth today—and the struggle is real for parents and educators, too. In this essential episode, we sit down with Ian McReady , founder of the digital habit company Selfctrl . As a leading voice in digital wellness, Ian helps schools, parents, and students navigate...

Send us Fan Mail Get ready to laugh! This week, we throw out the history books and go straight to the source of Rollins Elementary School of Innovation kindergarteners to ask them the “insightful” questions about Thanksgiving. Expect priceless commentary on gravy, fashion and the emotional lives of turkeys. We promise to find out exactly why we eat this holiday, and their answers are guaranteed to...

Send us Fan Mail This week, we celebrate Don Tyson School of Innovation English teacher Autumn Doss, who was selected by PBS to join an elite group of only twelve teachers across the country. Her mission? To develop comprehensive educational resources to accompany Ken Burns' new 12-hour, six-part documentary series, “The American Revolution,” which premieres on PBS Nov. 16. Join us as Autumn...

Send us Fan Mail Veterans Marine Corps 1st Lt. Dirk Bisby, Retired Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Eric Smith, Army National Guard First Sgt. Paul Hardin and Army Spc. Mary Jordan share their military history and some good-natured camaraderie in this special Veterans Day episode of Springdale Today. 

Send us Fan Mail The Crystal Bridges School Partnership Program is expected to more than 10,000 students, enhancing wellbeing and advocacy for the arts during a critical time for development. The multi-year partnership will culminate with a public art project by students and teachers, framed around the question: How can we bring American stories to life in our community? Featuring Crystal Bridges...

Send us Fan Mail School Resource Officer Travis Beyer and ninth graders Evanna Wilson and Asher Copeland share their experiences with the Junior School Resource Officer Program at Central Junior High School. Together, they talk about what the program means to students, how it builds positive connections and the impact it has on school safety and community.

Send us Fan Mail Springdale Today records live from the heart of the Ozark Media Arts Festival at The Medium, where over 600 talented multimedia students gathered for the biggest event of its kind in the Midwest. Our unique panel brought together Festival Director Leah Garrett, Walmart AI Product Leader Akanksha Shrivastava, and Har-Ber High student Elia Schell. They discussed the crucial connecti...