The School Connect Podcast

Today is a special show because we get to hear from an extraordinary teacher from Sunnyslope Elementary School. Patricia Wharton has a unique ability to connect with students and their families that have recently come from another country. From her pre-start of the school year parent-teacher conferences to text message groups to record-breaking fundraising to a simple Spanish greeting, it all is p...

How many gifts do you give that actually multiplies? This is the question that Tim poses to kick off this episode, and the answer is inspiring. He and Tracey have a special two-part interview discussing the importance of supporting and appreciating our educators, and how gifts of any size spread beyond just one teacher or staff member The first guest is Susie Smith, Principal of Desert Foothills J...

Here on the show, we often talk about community building. Today we are talking about community building by building in the community! Grenee Celuch, CEO of Concord General Contracting in Mesa, AZ, joins Tracey and Tim for a fun and informative episode that looks at outreach and education from a new angle. Concord approaches its business differently than most other large companies. Giving back come...

We've all felt the frustration this last year. Stores and restaurants are understaffed, with long wait times, long lines, not enough tables open to eat. Businesses can limit seats, hours, and checkouts but our schools can't! Today's guests know this very well. Dr. Jason Reynolds is the Superintendent, and Danielle Airey is the Communications Director of the Peoria School District. They are here to...

Today's episode begins with a story about how a mishap with a logo brought together an incredible partnership. Tracey and Tim welcome Dr. William (Kip) Schumacher, and Dr. Erica Ray of the William C. Schumacher Family Foundation for a fun and joy-filled episode. The Schumacher Family Foundation was already doing phenomenal work for local schools in Lafayette, LA. When the fortunate meeting between...

It's been 15 years since the iPhone was released and made access to the internet and social media to everyone at any time a reality. With that has come a lot of growing pains, especially for parents on how best to balance technology and real-world activity with their kids. Tracey and Tim reached out to the experts in this subject and welcome Victoria Saylor From Common Sense Media and Stephanie Pl...

There are obstacles in everyone's journey. Some push through them, some may not. Some, like today's guest, not only plow through them but use their story to inspire others to overcome difficult times. Tracey and Tim welcome Dr. Lupita Hightower, Superintendent of the Tolleson School District, to the show. She tells the story of her upbringing, the influence of her parents, and several other key fi...

Tracey and Tim talk to Scott Davis, Chief Clinical Officer at The Meadows, about the trends in mental health. The importance of connecting with patients, clients or students and giving them the sense of being heard and seen. The importance of recognizing the trauma students have gone through these last couple of years with COVID and understand that some of the student behavior is coming from a pla...

All children learn in different ways, but some kids may have extra challenges that can’t always be met in the general classroom. Special Education teachers are extraordinary people that specialize in leading these students to their full potential. There may be no one better to speak to this topic than today’s guest. Kareem Neal has worked in Special Education for over 25 years and was Arizona’s Te...

Tim and Tracey talk with their guests about the unexpected gifts they have received and how they’ve impacted SchoolConnect. Top of the list are the close friendships that are formed from working together on behalf of kids, connecting the community with resources and partnering with one another to help families and schools in need.

Tracey and Tim welcome Wes Brownfield, Executive Director of the Arizona Rural Schools Association, to the show today. They talk about the challenges for these areas whether it be economic, geographical, technological or organizational. Tracey also discusses the qualities and lessons that can be taken from tight knit rural schools and communities that can be used in more urban areas. Wes stresses...

Each year School Connect holds Love Our Schools Day. It’s a time to celebrate and create connection with our schools, teachers, community partners and parents. Tens of thousands of volunteers do everything from planting gardens, to cleaning, to creating artwork and teacher care packages. Today Tracey and Tim welcome three special guests, Susie Smith, Andrea Worth, and Michelle Zahariades, to talk...

Today’s guest is so nice we asked her to be on twice! Dr. Betsy Hargrove, Superintendent of the Avondale Elementary School District, is back on the show to talk about community building. Being a teacher has become much more complex than it once was. It isn’t just academics, but making sure that kids from all walks of life have the basic entry points in order to participate, learn and “pursue their...

Today’s show is about leading in stressful and traumatic times. But it’s not just for leaders, it’s also ultimately for the people that they lead. For nearly two years the amount of stress and traumatic events have been at a level we’ve never experienced before. So leaders are navigating their roles and how to adjust to it. Luckily, Tracey has a great friend, Pastor Dan Steffen, Senior Pastor at P...

When Covid hit, it started to effect schools, parents and students dramatically. Today Tracey and Tim are honored to have Dr. Betsy Hargrove, Superintendent of the Avondale Elementary School District, join the show to discuss the ingenuity, determination and maneuvering that took place during this time. And beyond that, what we have learned that will create positive change for the future.  How do...

Nothing great can happen with some adversity. This is true in life and in the formative years of School Connect. Tracey has invited the perfect guest, Jill Hicks, Project manager with Avnet, and Tracey’s partner in the earliest stages of getting the program off the ground. Hear incredible stories of teamwork, perseverance, overcoming obstacles, learning invaluable lessons, creating win-wins for al...

It’s been a long year and a half with all of the changes, anxiety, uncertainty and exhaustion that Covid has brought to our lives. Today’s show focuses on a few particular groups that faced some of the most difficult adjustments: teachers, school administrators, parents and kids. There’s no one better to give insight and perspective than Dr. Don Worcestor, psychologist, and owner of True North Con...

The time has come! Welcome to the very first episode of The School Connect Podcast. And what better way to start, then to hear from the person behind the passion, Tracey Beal, founder and Executive Director of School Connect. Tim Tiller gives an informative and fun interview with Tracey, discussing the beginnings of the organization, her motivation, inspiration, and some of the initial roadblocks...

We are not powerless to build the world our children deserve. Join the School Connect Podcast to hear stories of the Village: local leaders who come together with passion and tenacity to fight for their communities. Whether it’s a business leader who gives truck-loads of furniture for teachers’ home offices, a faith leader who gathers parents together to help them weather the challenges of parenti...