INK! Investing in Kids

The INK! Podcast

Education EN ↓ 21 episodes

Investing in Kids, or INK! as it's affectionately known, is the non-profit education foundation that provides direct support to the St. Johns County School District. On The INK! Podcast we will talk about the innovative programs, resources, and community efforts dedicated to supporting the St. Johns County public school district. The hosts for this podcast are Ian MacDonald, and Jim Wheeler. Ian is a volunteer and advisor with Take Stock in Children in St Johns County which INK! oversees. Jim is the Student Programs Director with INK! They each bring their own personal experience, love for sup...

Author

INK! Investing in Kids

Category

Education

Podcast website

www.buzzsprout.com

Latest episode

Mar 23, 2026

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Episodes

Episode 21: Leveling Up Learning: Expanding Opportunities for Every Student 23.03.2026

Get an inside look at how the St Johns County School District is helping students reach higher levels of success through accelerated learning opportunities. In this episode of The INK! Podcast, we sit down with Deputy Superintendent Dawn Sapp and Career & Technical Education Director Emily Matthews to break down what "acceleration" means, why it matters for student achievement, and h...

Episode 20: Honoring Excellence: A Conversation with 2026 - 2027 St. Johns County Teacher of the Year, Sabina Atic. 02.03.2026

In this episode of The INK! Podcast, Ian and Jim sit down with Sabina Atic, the 2026-2027 St Johns County Teacher of the Year from Beachside High School. Sabina shares her journey in to teaching, how she keeps students engaged in today's distraction-heavy world, and what the Teacher of the Year means to her as an educator. We also highlight St Johns County Rookie Teacher of the Year, celebrat...

Episode 19: Community First Credit Union x INK!: Supporting Local Educators 05.12.2025

Missy Peters and Sabrina Papovitch share how Community First Credit Union partners with INK! to fuel innovative classroom projects across St. Johns County Schools through the Champions for Children Teacher Grants - helping teachers bring big ideas to life.

Episode 18: Ready to Learn: Deputy Superintendent Dawn Sapp on Literacy and Reading Readiness 16.10.2025

Deputy Superintendent Dawn Sapp shares insights on how literacy and early reading skills prepare students to thrive in the classroom and beyond. Discover how St Johns County Schools and community partners are working together to ensure every child starts school ready to learn and ready to succeed.

Episode 17: Leading the Way: Superintendent Asplen Reflects on the Start of the School Year and What's Ahead. 10.10.2025

The INK! Podcast kicks off the school year with St Johns County Schools Superintendent Dr. Brennan Asplen. Hear how the district is preparing for more growth, new schools, and fresh opportunities for students and teachers. Whether you are a parent, educator, student, or community member, this is your opportunity to hear directly from the district's top leader about where we're heading an...

Episode 16: Running and Readiness: INK's Jailbreak 5k and Tools 4 Schools. 07.08.2025

In this episode of The INK! Podcast, hosts Ian and Jim are joined by David Chatterton, General Manager of Old Town Trolley Tours, to talk about the upcoming Jailbreak 5k - a entertaining, themed race that brings the community together for fun, creativity, and a great cause. Whether you're running in stripes or superhero capes, this event is all about energy and support for the St Johns County...

Episode 15: Meet Dr. Brennan Asplen: Leading the St. Johns County School District Into the Future. 21.07.2025

In this episode of The INK! Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Brennan Asplen, the new Superintendent of the St. Johns County School District. Dr Asplen shares his personal and professional connection to the community, his extensive background in education, and his vision for the district moving forward. From academic excellence to student well-being, hear how he plans to lead of Florida's top-per...

Episode 14 - Two Votes, One Decision...Special Edition w/ Superintendent Tim Forson. 17.10.2024

St Johns County School District Superintendent Tim Forson joins Ian and Jim to talk about two referendums that will be on the ballot on November 5, 2024. Both of the referendums are critical for providing funding to St Johns County Schools. Listen to Mr. Forson discuss the two referendums and what they mean to the St Johns County School District. If you want to be informed on these issues, check o...

Episode 13: Suicide Awareness and Prevention 17.09.2024

On this episode we’re joined by INK! Executive Director Cathy Newman, Director of Fund Development at EPIC Behavioral Healthcare Teresa Andrews, and Emma Benoit. Emma is a suicide attempt survivor that shares her story to inspire hope and change. Emma’s documentary is titled My Ascension, and she joins us today to tell her story in order to inspire change and offer hope. Teresa Andrews is the Dire...

Episode 12: Kicking the year off with Superintendent Forson 01.09.2024

On this episode of The INK! Podcast, St. Johns County School District Superintendent Mr. Tim Forson joins Ian and Jim to give an update on the start of the new school year. Tune in to hear more about INK!'s offerings and how you can become involved in helping our students. Check it out! Mixed & Edited by Next Day Podcast info@nextdaypodcast.com

Episode 11: All about Take Stock In Children (TSIC) and why mentoring matters. 24.01.2024

Jim and Ian are joined by Marci Poston, Director of Take Stock In Children, to talk about the program and all the latest happenings within the program. Some key takeaways on this episode are that every student's path is unique and mentors matter. Check out this episode to learn how Take Stock In Children is impacting students across the state of Florida and here locally in St Johns County. Mi...

Episode 10: FLY! Update 10.01.2024

Mary Alice Hayes joins Jim and Ian to talk about the latest with FLY! (Five Learning Years). FLY! is an early literacy intervention program for children entering VPK, kindergarten, and first grade. Mary Alice returns to bring us up to speed on the program as well as talk about the success they are having this year. Check it out! Mixed & Edited by Next Day Podcast info@nextdaypodcast.com

Episode 9: Learn about the latest happenings with INK! and how INK! is supporting the students and teachers of the St. Johns County Public School District 18.10.2023

In the latest episode of The INK! Podcast, Ian and Jim talk about upcoming INK! events and programs that INK! facilitates. Dive a little deeper and learn more about not only the events but also the programs which INK! provides to support the teachers and students of the St. Johns County School District. Mixed & Edited by Next Day Podcast .

Episode 8 - Starting off the school year with St Johns County School District Superintendent Tim Forson 05.09.2023
Episode 7: Free Money Time! 28.02.2023

Episode 7: Free Money Time! College and post-secondary education costs money. That's a fact. In this episode of The INK! Podcast, Jim and Ian talk about free money (a.k.a. scholarship opportunities) for graduating seniors as well as applications for 8th / 9th graders to apply for the Take Stock in Children of St Johns County scholarship program. With the new online scholarship application pla...

Episode 6: Teacher of the Year! 31.01.2023

In this episode of The INK! Podcast, Ian and Cathy are joined by the reigning Teacher of the Year and Rookie Teacher of the Year for the St Johns County School District. 2021-2022 T.O.Y. Andrew Burk and 2021-2022 R.T.O.Y. Kaitlyn Holle share their story. Be prepared to be inspired! You don't want to miss this episode. 

Episode 5:Donors Choose Match Campaign and Beaver Toyota 09.12.2022

In this episode of The INK! Podcast, Nick Reuther, General Manager of Beaver Toyota join Ian, Donna, and Jim to discuss Beaver Toyota's support of INK!'s Teacher of the Year and DonorsChoose grant matching program. Beaver Toyota has been an incredible support of INK! and their programs over the years. Check out this episode to learn their "why" as well as how the DonorsChoose p...

Episode 4:Five Learning Years (FLY) Program 31.10.2022

FLY aims to prepare students for academic success through early literacy intervention. INK! Executive Director Donna Lueders along with FLY Director Marcy Alice Hayes join Ian and Cathy to discuss the history of the FLY program, the great success it's having with students, and where FLY is going next. You don't want to miss this episode...

Episode 3: Davidson Cares and Take Stock In Children 26.09.2022

In this episode, Sherry Davidson joins The INK! Podcast to talk about why she is so passionate about partnering with INK and supporting Take Stock In Children. Jim and Ian host this episode where they talk with Sherry about her experience with Take Stock in Children along with their own. You don't want to miss this one...

Episode 2: Speaking with the Superintendent 02.09.2022

On this episode, St. Johns County School District Superintendent Tim Forson joins Ian and Jim on The INK! Podcast. Mr. Forson talks about the start of the school year, growth in the county, changes in testing, and the strong relationship St. Johns County Schools has with INK!. Check it out! 

Episode 1: Tools 4 Schools 20.07.2022

 Talking Tools 4 Schools with The Bailey Group.  Deb Croft and Becky Cromwell of The Bailey Group join Jim and Ian to discuss their engagement with Tools 4 Schools and INK! . Tools 4 Schools is an annual county wide school supply drive used to support teaches within the St. Johns County School District. The Bailey Group is a huge supporter of INK! and Tools 4 Schools. Learn how and why they'v...

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