West Aurora 129 Podcast

In Episode 56 of the West Aurora 129 Podcast, Superintendent Dr. Michael Smith welcomes Jewel Middle School special education teachers Mia Gianfrancesco and Heather Van Lear for a conversation about mentorship, relationships, and supporting students with diverse needs. Mia, a second-year teacher in a self-contained classroom, and Heather, a veteran educator and mentor teacher, reflect on the conne...

In Episode 55 of the West Aurora 129 Podcast, Superintendent Dr. Michael Smith is joined by West Aurora High School senior and student board representative Dexter McWilliams for a student-centered conversation on the district’s “off and away” cell phone policy. Dexter shares his journey through SD129, highlighting the relationships, activities, and experiences that shaped his high school years, wh...

In Episode 54 of the West Aurora 129 Podcast, Superintendent Dr. Michael Smith sits down with Dr. Robert Halverson, Superintendent of East Aurora School District 131, for a crosstown conversation rooted in shared experiences and community. They reflect on their similar paths from classroom teachers to district leadership and the mentors and relationships that shaped their journeys. The discussion...

In Episode 53 of the West Aurora 129 Podcast, Superintendent Dr. Michael Smith centers the conversation on a core question in the district’s strategic framework: what it really means to support every learner. Joined by Kelly Cook, Assistant Director of Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS), and Carlos Guillen, Community Agency and Restorative Practices Coordinator, Dr. Smith explores how strong T...

In this episode, Superintendent Dr. Michael Smith sits down with West Aurora alumni Leah Warren (Class of 2016) and Dr. Wendy Andrade (Class of 2013) as they return to campus to connect with current students. The conversation explores how their experiences in SD129 helped prepare them for life beyond high school, from navigating rigorous academics and diverse communities to building confidence, re...

In Episode 51 of the West Aurora 129 Podcast, Dr. Michael Smith welcomes West Aurora High School senior Noe Ruiz and Career Development Coordinator Katie Johnson for a conversation about the school’s growing internship program. Johnson discusses how state legislation and strong career-pathway development helped launch the course, while outlining the essential skills students gain along the way. No...

In Episode 50 of the West Aurora 129 Podcast, Superintendent Dr. Michael Smith sits down with A+ Foundation Executive Director Ingrid Roney and Foundation President Scott Voris, both proud West Aurora graduates, to talk about how the organization continues to invest in students and staff. From classroom grants and AP test funding to alumni engagement and community events, the conversation highligh...

In Episode 49 of the West Aurora 129 Podcast, Superintendent Dr. Michael Smith kicks off the 2025–2026 school year with Cynthia Ramos, Department Administrator for K-5 Literacy and Bilingual Education, and Heather Turner, fifth-grade teacher at Nicholson Elementary. Together, they discuss the district’s rollout of a new literacy curriculum and what it means for students and teachers across the ele...

In Episode 48 of the West Aurora 129 Podcast, Superintendent Dr. Michael Smith wraps up the season with a conversation featuring Jen Bernal, Principal of Nicholson Elementary, and Justin McIntosh, Principal of Schneider Elementary. Together, they reflect on the role of relationships in building strong school communities and how their personal leadership journeys shape their work today. From empowe...

In Episode 47 of the West Aurora 129 Podcast, Dr. Michael Smith talks with Cindy Larry, Principal of Herget Middle School, and Jeff Bryant, Principal of Jefferson Middle School. They reflect on how their diverse career paths—from special education and the corporate world to student services and curriculum—shape the way they lead today. They discuss the unique role of middle schools in helping stud...

In Episode 46 of the West Aurora 129 Podcast, Dr. Michael Smith talks with Jana Ream and Liz Linning, principals at Freeman and Hall Elementary. They explore how their backgrounds in psychology and STEM influence their approach to education, focusing on nurturing a learning environment that balances rigorous academic challenges with strong emotional support. They also delve into how they encourage...

In Episode 45 of the West Aurora 129 Podcast, Dr. Michael Smith welcomes Dr. Kelly Person and Dr. Laurie Klomhaus, principals of Hope D. Wall School and the Early Learning Academy, respectively. They discuss their past collaboration and its significant impact on their current leadership approaches, highlighting how these experiences have fostered supportive and transformative environments in their...

In Episode 44 of the West Aurora 129 Podcast, Superintendent Dr. Michael Smith talks with principals Daniel Ulrich of McCleery Elementary and Dr. Katy Schafermeyer of Fearn Elementary. They delve into their leadership approaches that shape positive and engaging learning environments, emphasizing the importance of community involvement and relationships in education. Plus, get a fascinating glimpse...

Episode 43 of the West Aurora 129 Podcast, Superintendent Smith explores high school educational pathways with Dr. Whitney Martino and Mr. Dave Sally from West Aurora High School, along with Mr. David Aguilar of Blackhawk Academy. They discuss tailored programs meeting diverse student needs, emphasizing strategies for success in both traditional and alternative settings. This episode provides insi...

In Episode 42 of the West Aurora 129 Podcast, Dr. Michael Smith explores the journeys of Jeff Hetrick and Kelly Papp, principals of Goodwin and Greenman Elementary Schools, respectively. They discuss their pathways to leadership, the impact of mentorship on their careers, and the unique aspects of their schools. Both building leaders share their belief in nurturing relationships and fostering incl...

In Episode 41 of the West Aurora 129 Podcast, Dr. Michael Smith continues hosting building leaders within the school district. This episode features Tim McKenna and Marchel Rogers, first-year principals at Jewel Middle School and Washington Middle School respectively. They share their transitions into their roles, reflecting on how previous experiences as deans have prepared them for their current...

In Episode 40 of the West Aurora 129 Podcast, Superintendent Dr. Michael Smith introduces the new season's theme of highlighting building leadership within School District 129 and the school communities they serve. Joined by principals Beth Smith of Nancy Hill Elementary and Dr. Pete Clabough of Smith Elementary, the episode illuminates their collaborative experiences, showcasing how mentorship an...

In Episode 39 of the SD129 Podcast, Dr. Jeff Craig steps out of his usual role as host to sit in the guest chair and is interviewed by guest host Neal Ormond. Dr. Craig reflects on his transformative tenure at SD129 and explores the diverse experiences that shaped his leadership and educational strategies. Mr. Ormond asks Dr. Craig to revisit pivotal initiatives during his administration, includin...

In Episode 38 of the West Aurora 129 Podcast, Dr. Jeff Craig talks with North Aurora Mayor, Mark Gaffino, a lifelong North Aurora resident and local business owner. Mayor Gaffino reflects on his roots in the community, his educational journey, and his deep-seated connection to West Aurora schools. He shares insights into his role as mayor, emphasizing his commitment to community service and public...

In Episode 37 of the West Aurora 129 Podcast, Dr. Jeff Craig speaks with Dr. Brian Knetl, President of Waubonsee Community College, and Dr. Susana Rivera-Mills, President of Aurora University. They delve into their recent role transitions and future visions, discussing the evolving educational landscape and its implications for post-secondary education. The episode also highlights their institutio...

In Episode 36 of the West Aurora 129 Podcast, Dr. Jeff Craig and Linnea Windel, President and CEO of VNA Health Care, discuss the imminent opening of the VNA Health Care School-linked Health Center at the Jeff Craig Family Resource Center, located at the former Todd School. They highlight its mission to offer timely, accessible healthcare, aiming to decrease absenteeism and boost academic success....

In Episode 35 of the West Aurora 129 Podcast, Dr. Jeff Craig is joined by three exceptional senior students, Ella Brown, Maya Moneze, and Eleanor Rogowski, who serve as student board of education members. These students share their experiences and insights on balancing their academic, extracurricular commitments, and their roles as student board members. They discuss the impact of student represen...

In Episode 34 of the West Aurora 129 Podcast, Dr. Jeff Craig hosts Valerie Brown Dykstra, an integral member of the Board of Education and an administrative law judge. With a unique perspective as a district graduate and parent, Brown Dykstra shares her educational journey, reflecting on her school days and the evolution of the district. Her discussion covers her multifaceted career path from educ...

In this episode of the West Aurora 129 podcast, Dr. Jeff Craig interviews Mike Lehman, a veteran educator with over three decades of experience in the district. Lehman, who started as a student teacher in SD129 in 1990, has a remarkable journey from teaching fifth grade and kindergarten to becoming the President of the Aurora Education Association-West. He reflects on his early influences, the evo...

In this episode, Dr. Jeff Craig, Superintendent of West Aurora Schools, interviews Kelly Person, principal of Hope D. Wall School. With nearly 20 years of experience in early childhood and special education, Ms. Person shares her journey to becoming an educator and emphasizes the impact of early influences and pivotal moments, such as working with a student with autism, on shaping her commitment t...