Springdale Today Podcast

Send us Fan Mail Join us as we talk with Edison Enos and Rojien DeBrum, Marshallese liaisons for the Springdale School District. Springdale is home to the largest Marshallese population in the United States, with an estimated 15,000 residents living in the city and nearly 3,300 Marshallese students enrolled in the district. Edison and Rojien share how they support families, bridge cultural connect...

Send us Fan Mail Building a Culture of Safety: Springdale’s Executive Director of Student Services Damon Donnell, District Safety Coordinator Larry Little, and Hellstern Middle School Commissioned School Security Officer Bobby Beatty talk district safety. Together, they discuss the role of Commissioned School Security Officers and how Springdale Schools continues to create safe environments for st...

Send us Fan Mail Nurturing Creativity: Springdale Today host Mary Jordan sits down with art educators and working artists Whitney Bell of Springdale High School and Milan Jilka of Har-Ber High School. Join us as we get to know these talented artist-educators, explore their creative work and discover what inspires them to teach and mentor the next generation of artists within Springdale Schools.

Send us Fan Mail A New Era on the Court: Get ready, Bulldog fans! In this episode, we’re getting to know Coach Greg Scott, the new leader of the Springdale High School boys basketball team. After a year at Central Junior High, Coach Scott is bringing his energy, passion, and vision to the SHS court. Hear about his coaching style, his excitement for the season, and what Bulldog Nation can expect fr...

Send us Fan Mail Teaching America’s Defining Moments: Springdale Today records on location at Don Tyson School of Innovation with teachers Marian Hendrickson and Eric Ball to talk about the challenges of teaching complex historical events—like September 11. They share how Springdale Schools approach these significant moments in American history, balancing accuracy, sensitivity and the lived experi...

Send us Fan Mail Springdale Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Jared Cleveland shares what’s ahead for the 2025–26 school year! From the sense of community within the Springdale Family to school safety and the district’s continued growth, join us for a conversation covering it all. 

Send us Fan Mail Learn more about seniors Saliyare Aponte-Madera of Springdale High School, Daniel Paxton of Don Tyson School of Innovation and Ethana Hang of Har-Ber High School and discover their exciting next steps following graduation.

Send us Fan Mail Springdale Today records at the Jones Center for the Amazing Shake NWA.  Featuring: Shaw Elementary School fifth-graders Jake Helms and Hallie Sloneker, Cox Communications Public Affairs Manager Olin Ericksen and SOAR Afterschool Program Development Director Ellie Hoyt.

Send us Fan Mail Sonora Elementary School EAST Facilitator Josh Worthy and fourth-grader Bexley Powell and Lakeside Junior High School EAST Facilitator Jamie Stallings and ninth-grader Miles Boomer chat about their experience communicating with the International Space Station as it orbited Earth!

Send us Fan Mail Learn more about Ramey Cassady , a Don Tyson School of Innovation senior as he shares about everything from Formula 1 racing to robotics to mechanical engineering. 

Send us Fan Mail Springdale Today records from the Don Tyson School of Innovation Culinary classroom for a conversation with Culinary Arts Instructor Sherry Rickard, student Ian Elliott and Chef William Mauk of the French restaurant Bienvenue.  The Springdale restaurant opened in 2023, and in addition to French fare, Bienvenue offers opportunities for the region’s culinary students and chefs.

Send us Fan Mail Helen Tyson Middle School instructional facilitator Jean Hill shares about her experience with the 2024 Rural Experience in America.  The three-year project is an initiative by the nonprofit National Council for History Education and helps students connect rural America’s past to the present using historical inquiry, public history, place-based education and service learning.

Send us Fan Mail Har-Ber High School Choir Director Clint Pianalto and choir students Quinzy Jibbaw and Martin Labuon share the story of a talented Marshallese performance group, who performs some special pieces on this episode of Springdale Today. Also featuring: Merphy Morelik, Paulson Bungitak, Ezekiel Mack, Tommy Bunglick and Nicleton Lokebol

Send us Fan Mail Counselors Katie Jenkins of Shaw Elementary School and Andrea George of George Junior High School share how therapy animals like their dogs Kashi and Desi are serving Springdale staff and students to help make schools even healthier places to work and learn.

Send us Fan Mail Get to know Har-Ber High School Head Football Coach Aaron Danenhauer as he prepares the Wildcats to conquer on the field on this episode of Springdale Today!

Send us Fan Mail John Tyson Elementary School Assistant Principal Ashley Kirby, parent Maria Morales, and student GiGi Alarcon, who will share information on some innovative English as a Second Language programming that’s allowing John Tyson students, staff and families to achieve in some truly admirable ways.

Send us Fan Mail Springdale Today records on location at the Jones Center to discuss some partnerships Jones Elementary School has with the center and Arvest Bank to mentor students and teach the young Jaguars to swim! Featuring: Jones Elementary School Principal Jill Jackson, Arvest Bank VP and Sales Coordinator Jacob Barnes and Jones Center Sports and Recreation Director Jeff Poole.

Send us Fan Mail Head Har-Ber High School girls basketball coach  Kimberly Jenkins shares about coaching her 600th winning game, her coaching career and what it's like to be a Sports Hall of Honor inductee for the Razorbacks! Also featuring: Sarah Paul, a fourth-grade teacher at Young Elementary School. 

Send us Fan Mail Get to know Dr. Stacey Plumlee, Springdale Public Schools’ Gifted and Talented director and Learner Supports assistant director.  The Arkansas Association of Educational Administrators has selected Dr. Plumlee as the 2024 Administrator of the Year, and Springdale Today had an opportunity to chat with her about her amazing career and administrative philosophies.

Send us Fan Mail Har-Ber High School Principal Dr. Paul Griep shares about his commitment to promoting creative life and art skills for students.  The Arkansas Communication and Theatre Arts Association named Dr. Griep as the Administrator of the Year, and he discusses his passion for the arts and how Har-Ber opens the door to creative opportunities for its students. Also Featuring: Har-Ber commun...

Send us Fan Mail Springdale graduate RJ Iban shares his experience representing the Marshall Islands at the 2024 Micronesian Games, where he earned two gold and a silver medal.  Featuring athlete RJ Iban and Josh Rivers, Springdale High School wrestling coach.

Send us Fan Mail Special Education Supervisor Rachel Underdown and School Psychology Specialists Aaliyah Chavis and Camille Kirby discuss how district psychologists are supporting Springdale Schools and students.

Send us Fan Mail Don Tyson School of Innovation esports athletes are turning video game experience into college scholarships and degrees!  Featuring student-athlete Ky'Andre Wawrzaszek, Coach Burl Sniff and DTSOI graduate Anthony White. 

Send us Fan Mail Har-Ber High School graduate Graham Mynatt shares his story as a professional musician and a bass trombone fellow at the New World Symphony in Miami Beach, Florida.

Send us Fan Mail Springdale Today host Mary Jordan chats with Springdale kindergartners about all the food, fun and family traditions of Thanksgiving on location at Walker Elementary School!