The GIPS Cast

Exciting stories and a new format are on the horizon for 'The GIPS Cast'!  Mitchell Roush, GIPS Communications Director, joins the podcast to share a brief public service announcement in two parts.  Part One:   'The GIPS Cast' will be on a brief intermission for the month of July 2026.  Part Two:   We're updating the podcast format and storytelling focus starting in August 2026.  Hear Mitch's upda...

Breanna McDonald is a community builder.  Mrs. McDonald has been with GIPS for a decade, with the last four years serving as the Principal of Lincoln Elementary.  As a former Kindergarten Teacher and Academic Support Coach, she has a big heart for not just reaching every student — but advocating for every student and their families.  Everything she does is fueled by the mission of building a stron...

There’s power in the written and the spoken word.  That’s certainly the message our current state poet, Jewel Rodgers, is taking with her to call corners of Nebraska.  For those that don’t know, Jewel Rodgers is a creative force.  She fills a room with laughter, with dynamic spoken word gravitas, and spend 10 minutes with her and you’ll know beyond a doubt that she is driven by not only sharing he...

"Trying to put kids into history helps make those connections and makes it [learning] fun for them... There's endless possibilities and opportunities." Jen Kramer is more than a Middle School Social Studies Teacher — she is a cheerleader for all Middle School students.  11 years into teaching at the Middle School level, you’ll find an incredible blend of learning, laughter, fun, and insight in her...

"Young people have the voice — we just need to pass the mic."  For 25 years, Mentor Nebraska has been a leader in honoring the past and empowering the next generation. This year, Mentor Nebraska launched something really cool; something that’s been on their vision board for a while.  This year, Mentor Nebraska established its first ever Youth Advisory Board.  Made up of nine high school students f...

“Education at its core is the essence of upward mobility… So if you have a great foundation of exploring in life and trying new things, that life will never lose its luster.”  As a proud Islander alum of the class of 1995, Brian Levander knew he wanted a future in the trades.  And that’s where his passion led him.  Nearly 30 years later, Brian is the proud Owner & CEO of Levander’s Automotive....

Max Mendez is a busy student. A Senior at Grand Island Senior High, he’s taking AP and gaining hands-on learning experiences with community partners through Senior Capstone.  Max is also a leader in the GISH SkillsUSA chapter, the Nebraska State Treasurer for SkillsUSA after serving as a State Parliamentarian last year, he's in HOSA for future healthcare workers, and he’s a team leader for the Isl...

Did you know that our Middle School students take financial literacy courses?  While we have personal finance classes at GISH, it’s really at the Middle School level that we see money starting to make sense for students.  For Mr. Blake Teichmeier, Middle School is the perfect time to start talking with students about money because of all the life exploration and opportunities that hit when a kid t...

"We're making history together right now."  Laura Gamboa Urrego believes everyone should feel welcome in their hometown.  Coming to Grand Island from the country of Colombia as a Kindergartner, she experienced first-hand the power of feeling welcome in a new space… Her local public schools.  As a student at Newell Elementary, Walnut Middle School, and Grand Island Senior High, she learned to speak...

If you give students the opportunity to speak-up, they will.  And they’re going to remind you that they’re astute, observant, and every bit as invested in their experiences as adults are – if not more so.  On this special episode of 'The GIPS Cast', you'll hear a conversation between some 8th Grade students and their State Senator. Senator Dan Quick is a Representative for District 35 in our Nebra...

"We're all coming together to learn and to dream.  We're investing in their dreams." In public schools, educators seek to build confidence in students, and equip them with the tools they need to confidently engage the world. Perhaps most importantly, that means building a sense of belonging for students.  Helping students feel like they belong at school, in many ways, fuels everything we do at Gra...

100 years of a legendary football rivalry.  It’s a rare thing to hit such a milestone.  And even more rare is the opportunity to celebrate the moment when it arrives. The episode will be a bit different from our typical programming, but we're excited to to share this historic narrative.  Barr and Walnut Middle Schools have been meeting annually for a “Crosstown Clash” football game for 100 years s...

"Learning how to tell your story — I shared with them that 'your stories matter'. Because maybe some kids think that their stories are too small or unimportant and it all matters how you tell it.  Your voice matters."  Literacy is a gateway to, well, pretty much everything. As we’ve shared on this podcast before, literacy is more than just reading. And in 4th Grade at GIPS, students start the year...

"We're going to continue to work towards being conservatively responsible with the funds that we have, and, develop long range plans that hopefully are going to put Grand Island as a school district and as a community in a great place." The start of the school year also brings a new fiscal year.  Which means, GIPS is in the midst of budget season.  Mr. Matt Fisher, GIPS Superintendent, joins 'The...

"The more we can connect school to careers, pathways, and skills that that students will one day enter into, the more kids are going to be engaged in school." Over 600 students, nearly a quarter of the current GISH student body, are in the Academy of Medical Sciences & Education. As the Academy with the largest enrollment, curating Medical Sciences and Education experiences is a big job.  Mr....

Our students are the “why”; Our Educators are the “How”. That’s a sentiment our Superintendent, Mr. Fisher, repeats often.  Our students are the “why”; our educators are the “how”. For this podcast conversation, we go deeper on the “how” of it all — specifically, the efforts GIPS are putting into staffing and district culture. Embarking on the start of the 2025-26 school year, GIPS finds itself on...

"We have to be analyzers and problem solvers. So the 'how' that we're trying to create [with math] really help support teachers in the experiences we need to put in front of kids so that they [students] are having to grapple with that a little bit."  Math deserves a better reputation.  Dr. Buhrman, GIPS Math Curriculum & Academic Coach Coordinator, is on a mission to give Math the spotlight it...

"I see [our students] building long, lasting friendships, a sense of belonging to something very special; boosting their self confidence. Each one of my athletes and partners together, they value each other's talents and skills." Andrea Hill has been leading the Unified Track & Field Team for seven years at Grand Island Senior High, and, well, she’s on a mission.  And she’s got the whole schoo...

"Number one for me is building relationships with my students... That right there is my number one classroom strategy — just building relationships and having conversation with my students." Mrs. Kari Thornton has been teaching 2nd Grade at Engleman Elementary for 16 years. Every year Mrs. Thornton aim to make the learning in her classroom an active experience for her students.  Which means buildi...

"We do it [teach] because we care and we want to raise really great humans to make a really great world."   It’s not just an activity — it’s students finding their voice. At least, that’s what Mrs. Zeller will tell you. Kathryn Zeller has been a teacher at Westridge Middle School for a number of years.  And anyone who’s stepped into her classroom will tell you — she’s passionate, she’s creative, a...

"The weight room is just an avenue for how we prepare kids for life."   Coach Pat Doyle is the Strength and Conditioning Coach at GISH.  He’s also the Islander Powerlifting Coach.  With over 700 athletes coming through his weight room and working with the strength staff, Coach Doyle has a lot going on. How does he balance it all?  Consistency. He joins 'The GIPS Cast' to share why he has the best...

"It brings me joy to spread the joy."  Students are changing the world, and they’re making it happen through the power of connection.   And that’s where we meet Alexia Nunez, a Sophomore at Grand Island Senior High and the President of the GISH chapter of 'GlamourGals'. 'GlamourGals' is a national organization that empowers teenagers to make intergenerational connections with folks at Retirement H...

"I also just love seeing how much my students grow... when you see those kids and where they went in life, and knowing that you played a part in that, that's what keeps you coming back." Mr. Jason Weseman has been teaching 5th Grade at Howard Elementary for 13 years. Every year Mr. Weseman sees first-hand how much students grow in just a few months.  Whether it be academically, socially, or in sel...

"We're here for everybody — not just select people... It's a humanity thing. We're here for humanity and I think that's the great thing about public schools. We care about the kids." In her 27 years with Grand Island Public Schools, Kris Spellman has proudly worn the title, “Lunch Lady”.  Her official job title for nearly three decades has been “Director of Nutrition Services”.  But if you ask her...

"I just wanted to do something where I could go out and take that information out into the community, or to people that I know that don't have access to that [healthcare resources]." Students are capable of accomplishing great things.  Our job as educators is to give them opportunity. HOSA is a national organization that exists to provide leadership, learning, and service opportunities for student...