West Ada School District Podcast

In this episode concerning Recruitment & Retention , we dive deep into how West Ada School District supports its educators and staff! 🏫✨ 🔑 Key topics include: • The importance of recruitment & retention in shaping a successful district 🌟 • Insights from a first-year teacher at West Ada 🧑‍🏫👩‍🏫 • Work-life balance tips for teachers 📅💼 • The application process and how to stand out...

In our latest episode, we dive deep into the world of assessments and student achievement ! 📚✨ From understanding the purpose behind assessments to the importance of feedback loops , our experts share how data can be used to guide student growth in meaningful ways. 📝👨‍🏫👩‍🏫 We also explore the impact of standardized tests like i-Ready , ISAT , and IRI , and how they complement classroom asse...

West Ada’s 4th Annual College & Career Fair is happening Wednesday, March 5! 📅✨ 🎯 How can students & parents make the most of it? Tammy Schneider (West Ada College & Career Counselor, 25+ years) & Capt. Tanner Cook (Boise Army Recruiting Company Commander) share expert tips & strategies to help students plan their future! 🎓🎖️ 📽️ Watch a recap of last year’s fair 🔔 Subscrib...

For 20 years , Stinky Sneaker has been the must-see high school basketball showdown in the Treasure Valley , bringing together packed crowds, school spirit, and unforgettable sportsmanship and competition! But do you know how this iconic rivalry game started? Or who Randy Fout is? 🤔 If not, take a moment to watch this special feature: 🎥 Watch now 🎙️ In this West Ada Podcast: Pulse Edition , we g...

What are some common challenges students face when transitioning from middle school to high school, and what strategies can be used to help ease that transition? That’s what we’re discussing with Alison Terrill and Brigitte O’Brien. Alison is a counselor at Lowell Scott Middle School; she has been helping kids navigate big changes for over two decades! Brigitte has been doing the same at Mountain...

Did you know our students have access to an ambulance simulator!?  Well, they do, and today’s conversation with a pair of our Career & Technical Education (CTE) advocates takes place right in front of it!  Join us in the health lab.  That’s just one of the hands-on opportunities available to our CTE students. William Schumaker is the director of Career & Technical Education, and Wendy Smal...

There is an invisible problem in West Ada, and our social workers are on the front lines of addressing it. Some facts: over 845 students are experiencing homelessness throughout the district, and 24% of our students experience financial hardship.  Today, we're joined by Shannon Shayne, our Community Schools Lead, and Anne Edwards, a district social worker, who shed light on these crucial aspe...

As parents, you may wonder, why does West Ada have late start Wednesdays?  Or what about those four professional learning days, and why do they happen in the middle of the week?!  We’re joined by Patricia Vandenberg, West Ada’s Math Curriculum Coordinator, she answer’s all that and more. Specifically, it’s fascinating to learn how our curriculum team works tirelessly to empower our teachers and ad...

It’s been a while since we’ve checked in with a pulse episode of the West Ada Podcast, but we’ve got some great things to report this week!  The district recently secured a grant to cover the salary and benefits of another School Resource Officer (SRO) for the district. We’re joined by Geoff Stands, the Director of Safety and Behavior for West Ada.  He and Sgt. Morgan Carter, the South Team Superv...

West Ada’s goal of remaining on the cutting edge of education is as strong as ever.  One of the most recent examples of that is on display with the opening of the Flyers Center. Flyers is a unique facility designed to empower our youngest K-5 learners.  The emphasis is on teaching these students how to correctly address the behavioral problems that are hindering their education and development. We...

Let’s be honest, “those kids” don’t have the greatest reputation – and that’s not fair.  Students choose to attend West Ada’s alternative high schools for various reasons; they’ve had to repeat a grade, attendance issues, essentially any at risk category.  If you have a student you’re concerned about, this episode is for you. Kristen Haener and Mike Hanneman join us to talk about how West Ada’s ac...

Mental health and teacher retention have been topics of conversation across the country the past few years.  We’re joined by a father and son teaching duo to discuss what they see in the profession and why they do what they do. Alan Heikkila is in his 37th year of teaching.  He’s a West Ada Ag instructor focusing mainly on small engines.  His son, Daniel, also teaches welding at Meridian High.  Yo...

We all pay taxes.  But are you aware of how our tax bill has gone down over the past 20 years, while the quality of education has improved in West Ada?  It’s phenomenal! We’re joined in this episode by Chief Financial Officer Jonathan Gillen and Zone 4 Trustee David Binetti.  If you’ve never gotten excited about spreadsheets, today is your day!  😀 In all seriousness, the fiscal responsibility in...

The task of helping your student become career or college ready can seem overwhelming.  There is A LOT to know and consider.  Thankfully, we’ve got outstanding College and Career Counselors throughout West Ada. We’re joined in this episode by two of them; Anna Bemis from Eagle High School and Rae Peppley from Owyhee. We discuss everything from career or military readiness, to navigating the colleg...

Season two of the West Ada School District Podcast has arrived!  We’re joined by Jennifer Swindell and Kevin Richert of Idaho Education News.  If you’re not familiar with their work, Ed News is a nonprofit covering public education in Idaho. These two veteran journalists chat with us about everything from what it’s like covering the legislature to the controversial library bill that was recently p...

For the first time ever, the West Ada Podcast is on location!  Thank you to our friends at Roaring Springs for hosting us. For many West Ada students, Roaring Springs serves as their first foray into employment.  Parents, how did you help your kids navigate landing that first job?  What advice do you have for other parents?  Join the conversation, respond here, or send us an email at communicate@w...

Another amazing school year recently ended.  Superintendent Dr. Derek Bub joins us for a look back at the year that was and discusses what’s next for West Ada.  We talk through the sheer size of the school district – we’re the 9th largest employer in the state! We discuss the levies that passed and failed, and we dig into what cell phone use will look like next year. On the lighter side, you might...

Cell phones and social media are impacting all of us – especially our children.  Two leading experts in the field join us in this episode to break down what that affect is from a neurological aspect, and how criminals are utilizing cell phones for the sexploitation and manipulation of our children.  Dr. John Condie is a medical doctor practicing at St. Luke’s Health System specializing in child ne...

Ready or not, it’s time to start planning for summer break.  Unfortunately, summer learning loss is real, but we’re joined by a couple of experts to help us brainstorm ways to keep our students happy, healthy, and engaged. Monique Bosse is West Ada’s Student and Family Engagement Liaison and Andrew Fletcher is the Executive Director of Child Development at the YMCA.  We discuss everything from hea...

Artificial Intelligence is reshaping the world around us in what feels like real time.  For educators, the technology is both challenging and exciting.  Gina Kwid is one of our guests.  She teaches second grade at Galileo Stem and is one of the teachers leading the AI charge in West Ada.  She’s a doctoral candidate at BSU in the Educational Technology Department and is part of West Ada’s AI workin...

Boise State head football coach Spencer Danielson joins us for a wide-ranging interview.  Seriously, we talk about A LOT...everything from what it’s like to be a #GirlDad, to his faith, to the leadership principals that drive him. Promise, you don’t need to know the definition of “cover 2” or a “hook and ladder” to enjoy this one.  Whether you lead a classroom, a school, a business, or your family...

We’re doing something new with the podcast, West Ada.  Join us for “The Pulse,” which is a special pop-up edition.  We’ve got our finger on the pulse of the district and when something great happens, we’re going to bring that to you right away. To that end, the Owyhee basketball team won their 2nd state championship in three years over the weekend!  Head Coach Andy Harrington and senior guard Liam...

For the first time, two of our outstanding students join the West Ada Podcast!  Rylee Chung is the ASB President at Centennial High School and Colby Bond is the Junior Class Vice President at Renaissance High School. These two are extremely involved in their schools and communities.  You’ll be impressed by their leadership and academic accomplishments.  In addition, what they have to say about cul...

West Ada’s school counselors make a positive impact on our student’s lives every day!  Lisa Hale and Sarah Everett are two of them.  They join us for a wide-ranging conversation concerning everything from navigating friendships to the mental health challenges facing our kids.  Lisa is a counselor at Paramount Elementary and Sarah is a counselor at Owyhee High School – so we’re discussing a wide ra...

Idaho Fine Arts Academy (IFAA) Principal Chris Housel joins Katie and Ken for an extension of our conversation concerning The Arts in West Ada. Housel is a lifelong educator, but he’s also been a working piano player and composer for decades.  He addresses everything from IFAA’s audition process to some of the misconceptions concerning the free, publicly funded, school of choice. To learn more, or...