Voices United in Education

Send us Fan Mail Reading and writing go together like chips and salsa. For Alexander Fitzgerald, teaching creative writing is equally delicious, but goes deeper than a playful food metaphor. In this episode, he shares how he transformed from a slow reading student who hated reading, to becoming a creative writing teacher who reads philosophy for fun as well has the three problems creative writing...

Send us Fan Mail Many performance-based scholarships revolve around sports, which can often take a toll on academic performance. Christina Frierdich is the orchestra director at Washington, Pine Forest & Escambia High schools. In this episode she shares how music scholarships can provide college scholarships AND improve student performance on standardized testing. She also shares her family ti...

Send us Fan Mail Claire Frear, military spouse and teacher, shares her perspective on the unique needs of students with active duty family members & what specific resources are in place for them at Escambia High.  Guest: Claire Frear Learn more about Escambia County School District: https://www.escambiaschools.org/ Find additional links: https://www.voicesunitedineducation.com/podcast-episodes...

Send us Fan Mail For many students with an IEP, their full potential can only be accessed outside of the traditional school framework. Donna Perry is the program specialist & Dr. Jared Stanley is the administrator on special assignment at Hope Horizon, a center school that works with students & families individually to find holistic solutions. In this episode they share what students are b...

Send us Fan Mail Tristan Harris is the coach for Escambia county’s Allstar Academic Team, a place where kids with drive & book smarts can gain a sense of community & competition. She proudly and passionately nerds out about how Escambia County students are winning by working together and scoring so much more than points as she explains how this trivia style tournament team is making a diff...

Send us Fan Mail Zac Stefanko is the welding instructor at Pensacola High School, where they were recently awarded a grant for the program that is giving students a way to cut through and seal together a career in welding and other trades. Guest: Zac Stefanko Learn more about Escambia County School District: https://www.escambiaschools.org/ Find additional links: https://www.voicesunitedineducatio...

Send us Fan Mail This isn't your dad's shop class. Learn how boys and girls at Ernest Ward Middle School are certified in engineering and equipped with the skills and knowledge to thrive in industry and emerging technologies.    Guests: Tyvanna Boulanger & Ray Sellers Learn more about Escambia County School District: https://www.escambiaschools.org/ Find additional links: https://www...

Send us Fan Mail No one will argue the roles teachers play in the lives of our children and the future of our country. The need and openings for teachers couldn't be greater. Melia Adams discusses a career in education and recruiting the right people for a job that impacts so many and means so much? Guest: Melia Adams Learn more about Escambia County School District: https://www.escambiaschoo...

Send us Fan Mail Tapping kids full potential. Kristin Fairchild, founder and executive director of Chain Reaction focuses on giving our children the perspective and soft skills to succeed globally. Guest: Kristin Fairchild Learn more about Escambia County School District: https://www.escambiaschools.org/ Find additional links: https://www.voicesunitedineducation.com/podcast-episodes Host:  Meredit...

Send us Fan Mail Why does mental wellness matter? Silvio Fina explores how connection and quality care can boost academic success, and what services and steps are available to ECPS students and parents.  Guest: Silvio Fina Learn more about Escambia County School District: https://www.escambiaschools.org/ Find additional links: https://www.voicesunitedineducation.com/podcast-episodes Host:  Meredit...

Send us Fan Mail Post high school education can be expensive and out of reach for many families. Holly Busse explains how the Bright Futures Scholarship is helping unlock a path to college or vocational education, up to five years after graduation & takes just 15 minutes to apply for.                Guest: Holly Busse Learn more about Escambia County School District: https://www.escambiaschool...

Send us Fan Mail It seems like there’s a new app every week that poses a potential trafficking threat to our digital savvy kids. In this episode, Stacey Kostevicki, the Executive Director of the Gulf Coast Kids House shares practical tips to keep kids safe & how prevention education can unite parents, teachers & community members to safeguard our kids.  Guests: Stacey Kostevicki Learn more...

Send us Fan Mail If you’re a busy working parent, you’re a busy worrying parent, especially when it comes to after school care. Do you give your child a key to the house with instructions to do their chores & finish their homework? Or do you send them to aftercare? Will they be safe? Will they make friends? Robin Heller is the founder & executive director Seastars Aquatics , a USA Swimming...

Send us Fan Mail Getting kids to read is a challenge every parent & teacher can relate to. How do you pry the screen out of their hands & get them to get interested? John Ham of Animal Tales shares how the animals from his live animal presentations has inspired students all over the county to read. Guests: John Ham Learn more about Escambia County School District: https://www.escambiaschoo...

Send us Fan Mail Is it possible to get kids interested in science *and* give them a break from screen time? Cheyenna Novotny & Adam Bretschneider think so. They are the Science Specialist for Escambia County Public Schools & the Teacher on Special Assignment of the Roy Hyatt Center. Together they’ve combined their passion for the outdoors, science & teaching to inspire the next generat...

Send us Fan Mail When it comes to our schools, we may hear ABOUT improvement initiatives, but we rarely get to hear the real account of how they play out. Deputy Superintendent Shena Payne & Superintendent Dr. Tim Smith give a peek inside the schools as they share the real stories of commitment & support from the real people who show up everyday. Guests: Dr. Tim Smith & Shenna Payne Le...

Send us Fan Mail Summer break is a great time to pick up a book and grow as a reader. Michelle White shares how students are turning the page and starting a new chapter by not only preventing the Summer Slide, but gaining skills to lead forward. Learn more about the Summer Reading Program today. Guest: Michelle White Learn more about Escambia County School District: https://www.escambiaschools.org...

Send us Fan Mail Who will be the leaders of tomorrow? Debra Phillips is teaching the seven habits of highly effective people to put our students on the right path. Learn more about the Leader in Me Program today. Guest: Debra Phillips Learn more about Escambia County School District: https://www.escambiaschools.org/ Find additional links: https://www.voicesunitedineducation.com/podcast-episodes Ho...

Send us Fan Mail C.A. Weis  is proud to be the first elementary level community partnership school in the state of Florida. Learn how this one-stop-shop partnership that includes University of West Florida, Children’s Home Society, Community Health Northwest Florida and Escambia County School District, is unifying and strengthening our community. Guests: Dr Kimberly Thomas & Lisa Coleman Learn...

Send us Fan Mail Meet Mrs. Jamiliya McBride, the 2023 Teacher of the Year for the Escambia County School District as she shares her heart and love to motivate and teach her students. She shares the unique way she stayed connected to her class during COVID quarantine how she will serve next with Capturing Kid's Hearts . Guest: Jamiliya McBride Learn more about Escambia County School District:...

Send us Fan Mail Meet Escambia County’s Superintendent, Dr. Tim Smith! Learn what led him to Escambia County and how he is leading our public school system into the future. United in the success of every student, he is focused on closing the achievement gap. Guest: Dr. Tim Smith Learn more about Escambia County School District: https://www.escambiaschools.org/ Find additional links: https://www.vo...

Send us Fan Mail What's the most important thing you can do in an hour this week? How about mentoring a child? Tune into this week's episode to learn how you can impact the life of a student and build a bond that will last a lifetime. Guest: Wanda Kotick Learn more about Escambia County School District: https://www.escambiaschools.org/ Find additional links: https://www.voicesunitedinedu...

Send us Fan Mail Where do new teachers turn for help and guidance? At Escambia County Public Schools, savvy and seasoned teachers serve as a Sherpa and guide new teachers for the entire year. Learn more about this transformation program, called START, on this week's podcast episode. Guest: Caroline Gray Learn more about Escambia County School District: https://www.escambiaschools.org/ Find ad...

Send us Fan Mail How can we set our students up for success? In this episode, hear how Escambia County Public Schools are creating opportunities for middle school and high school students to learn and develop critical job skills, leading to fulfilling careers right here in Escambia County. Guest: Steven Harrell Learn more about Escambia County School District: https://www.escambiaschools.org/ Find...

Send us Fan Mail Ever try working all day when you haven't eaten anything? Hunger is one of a number of factors that can make learning difficult for students. In this episode on the ECSD Navigator Program, we discuss how Escambia County Public Schools are working with students and their families to navigate these challenges. Learn more about Children’s Home Society of Florida or submit a Navi...