The Promise Podcast: Our People. Our Stories.

Evergreen High School senior Sophia Tua'ua joins Superintendent Dr. Ivan Duran to share her journey from a Highline kindergartner to a Running Start student preparing to attend the University of Washington. Sophia talks about student leadership, the educators who have supported her and how Highline has helped her find her path toward a future in business.    

Glacier Middle School Principal Tamasha Emedi-Frye joins Superintendent Dr. Ivan Duran on this episode of The Promise Podcast. Recorded inside Glacier Middle School, the conversation focuses on belonging, leadership and how schools grow stronger when students and staff choose each other. Listen to the latest episode and hear how Glacier is building community for students every day.

Pat Thompson has deep roots in Highline. She grew up in White Center, attended Highline schools from kindergarten through 12th grade and graduated from Evergreen High School. For the past 25 years, Pat has continued investing in the community she loves through the YES! Foundation of White Center.  In this episode of The Promise Podcast, Pat joins Superintendent Dr. Ivan Duran to talk about what it...

At Highline High School, students are learning more than content. They are learning who they are. In this episode, teacher Jesus Torres Munoz sits down with Superintendent Dr. Ivan Duran and shares how he connects culture, identity and rigorous learning, and what he hopes students carry with them after they leave Highline. 

As a fifth-grade teacher at Midway Elementary and a parent in the same school, Zach Vaswig sees how connection shapes learning. Students are known by who they are, where they come from and how they learn. In this episode, he joins Superintendent Dr. Ivan Duran from his classroom to share how he builds community, teaches history with honesty and creates a space where students feel seen.

Superintendent Dr. Ivan Duran sits down with Savannah Benally  to share her journey from working in Highline to raising her children in our schools. She talks about identity, language and how the Native Education Program creates connection for families. Savannah also reflects on what it means for students to feel safe, supported and known by name, strength and need—and why one word continues to gu...

Recorded at the new Tyee High School, Dr. Duran sits down with ninth graders Susana Mercado Herrera and Mohamed Aided — the first students featured on The Promise Podcast. They reflect on growing up in Highline, the educators who supported them and the goals they are working toward in Tyee’s Health Sciences Program.

  Dr. Ivan Duran sits down with former Highline Superintendent Dr. Susan Enfield to talk about leadership, listening to students, and the Promise to know every student by name, strength, and need. She reflects on where the Promise began and why service and gratitude continue to matter in this work.

In Episode 3 of The Promise Podcast, Superintendent Dr. Ivan Duran talks with Juan Gonzalez-Hernandez, a Highline alum now serving students and staff, about growing up in Highline, navigating college without a roadmap, and why coming home to work in Highline matters—ending with a simple message for students who feel unsure: ask questions. Keep asking.

Former history teacher and current HEA president Jeb Binns joins Dr. Ivan Duran to talk about the work that shaped him, why he believes so deeply in service, and how the Highline Promise shows up for students every day. 

Dr. Ivan Duran talks with Sylvester Principal Chad Kodama about belonging and how his team supports sixth-grade transitions. Chad shares how small shifts help students feel connected to school and to each other. He also reflects on the people who shaped his leadership and the moments that keep him grounded.

Welcome to The Promise Podcast, where we share real conversations with the students, staff, families and partners who bring the Highline Promise to life. Hosted by Superintendent Dr. Ivan Duran.