Winnetka Voices Podcast

The meteoric rise of Johnny Hilbrant, the comedian and content creator who stars as the viral social media character “PE Guy,” was featured in The New York Times and Business Insider earlier this month. Hilbrant, an alum of The Winnetka Public Schools, joins Superintendent Dr. Kelly Tess for a special summer episode of “Winnetka Voices.” Hilbrant honed his early creative talents at Crow Island Sch...

Veteran Winnetka educator Mr. Steve Agouridis and new-to-Winnetka teacher Ms. Kate McCarthy join Superintendent, Dr. Kelly Tess, for a thoughtful conversation about differentiation to meet the needs of every learner. Together, they explore how differentiated instruction looks in Winnetka classrooms and reflect on effectively teaching students with different interests and learning styles. Learn mor...

Mr. Phillip Burchell and Ms. Christina Venos, Kindergarten teachers in The Winnetka Public Schools, join Superintendent Dr. Kelly Tess for an engaging conversation about this formative year in school. They share insights into how early literacy, social skills, and curiosity are developed through creating opportunities for play and fostering a love of learning. Tune in to hear how Winnetka’s younge...

In this episode, Superintendent, Dr. Kelly Tess, explores the essential role of service in Progressive Education. Dr. Tess is joined by Carleton Washburne School teacher and Student Ambassador Faculty Sponsor Mr. DJ Barraca, along with Brian Floriani, founder of Bernie’s Book Bank. Mr. Barraca shares how engaging in service activities helps shape a well-rounded middle school experience, allowing s...

The Winnetka Public Schools Superintendent (and New Trier alum), Dr. Kelly Tess, and New Trier High School Superintendent, Dr. Peter Tragos, reflect upon the joys and complexities of leading for the next generation in public schools.  Dr. Tragos reflects, “We are producing and preparing good people for the world.” “We are all temporary stewards of a long rich history and our job is to make it bett...

Season 4 of the “Winnetka Voices,” kicks off with a conversation on how new teachers are equipped to succeed in a robust two-year Mentorship program in The Winnetka Public Schools. Superintendent Dr. Kelly Tess and special guests Jeff Knapp, Assistant Superintendent of Professional Learning and Human Resources and Ruthie Helmer, 5th grade math and science teacher and Mentorship Coordinator, reflec...

Special Summer Series, Episodes #1-3: A Filter-Free Conversation on Parenting the Digital Generation In this special book club edition of the podcast, The Winnetka Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Kelly Tess and Dr. Devorah Heitner, bestselling author of Growing Up in Public: Coming of Age in a Digital World , have a candid conversation about helping kids navigate today’s complex digital landscap...

A Filter-Free Conversation on Parenting the Digital Generation In this special book club edition of the podcast, The Winnetka Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Kelly Tess and Dr. Devorah Heitner, bestselling author of Growing Up in Public: Coming of Age in a Digital World , have a candid conversation about helping kids navigate today’s complex digital landscape. From privacy and 'cancel cultu...

A Filter-Free Conversation on Parenting the Digital Generation In this special book club edition of the podcast, The Winnetka Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Kelly Tess and Dr. Devorah Heitner, bestselling author of Growing Up in Public: Coming of Age in a Digital World , have a candid conversation about helping kids navigate today’s complex digital landscape. From privacy and 'cancel cultu...

In this special series, The Winnetka Public Schools Superintendent, Dr. Kelly Tess, and guests, Dr. Tom Flemma, Head of North Shore Country Day; Dr. Becky Mathison, Assistant Superintendent of Innovation, Teaching and Learning; and Dr. Luke Livingston, Principal of Carleton Washburne School, embark on a deep dive into the history and impact of Progressive Education, including how neuroscience info...

In this special series, The Winnetka Public Schools Superintendent, Dr. Kelly Tess, and guests, Dr. Tom Flemma, Head of North Shore Country Day; Dr. Becky Mathison, Assistant Superintendent of Innovation, Teaching and Learning; and Dr. Luke Livingston, Principal of Carleton Washburne School, embark on a deep dive into the history and impact of Progressive Education, including how neuroscience info...

In this special series, The Winnetka Public Schools Superintendent, Dr. Kelly Tess, and guests, Dr. Tom Flemma, Head of North Shore Country Day; Dr. Becky Mathison, Assistant Superintendent of Innovation, Teaching and Learning; and Dr. Luke Livingston, Principal of Carleton Washburne School, embark on a deep dive into the history and impact of Progressive Education, including how neuroscience info...

In this summer bonus episode, Dr. Kelly Tess, Superintendent, introduces Ms. Anna Trilla, who is the new Principal at Crow Island School as of July 1, 2025. Ms. Trilla shares why she pursued a career in public education (fun fact: she had a brief stint studying meteorology at the University of Illinois prior to shifting to education). Ms. Trilla reflects on how experience gleaned in leadership rol...

Dr. Kelly Tess, Superintendent, interviews The Skokie School students Andrew, Anya, and Sawyer about the middle school experience in 2025. This candid conversation ranges from what students wish adults understood about today's tweens, strategies to manage busy schedules and homework, how personal technology impacts communication (i.e. it is apparently no longer socially acceptable to ring a f...

Dr. Pat Greco, Senior Director of Thought Leadership at Studer Education, chats with Dr. Kelly Tess regarding the District’s current Strategic Planning process. Facilitated by Dr. Greco, the next iteration of the District’s Strategic Plan is significantly simplified from previous interactions, intended to pivot based on student needs. Dr. Greco reflects on how her 38 years in public education info...

A bold decision was made in The Winnetka Public Schools to counter the growing disruption of personal technology in our learning environments. Yondr, a secure storage system for personal technology was implemented in grades 5-8 in September 2024. Dr. Kelly Tess is joined by Flossmoor School District 161 Superintendent, Dr. Dana Smith, who spearheaded the adoption of this program in Illinois. The c...

Dr. Kelly Tess chats with Department of Communications, Safety & Security leaders, Mr. Ray Finnerty (Director of Safety & Security in his first year in the District) and Ms. Kate Hughes (Director of Communications in her tenth year in the District). A retired police officer and former publicist seem to be an unlikely team–and what purpose does this Department serve? Mr. Finnerty shares how...

Luke Livingston, Principal, discusses the state of affairs at Crow Island School, which is in the midst of significant construction and the Districtwide Literacy curriculum rollout. He describes his background as an educator and how mentors helped him become a strong leader focused on meeting goals, providing clarity, building trust, and advocacy for children. “We all have to grow in the same dire...

In this episode, Dr. Kelly Tess, Superintendent, interviews Ms. Lindsay Kopinski, Principal of Greeley School. Ms. Kopinski reflects on the varied experiences that led her to her current role. In the midst of several initiatives, such as the rollout of new Literacy curriculum and a new Structured Learning Environment classroom to better serve the needs of students, Ms. Kopinski shares her leadersh...

Dr. Tess is joined by Ms. Ivory Ajavon, Principal of Hubbard Woods School. Ms. Ajavon describes her leadership journey, which has involved serving as an educator through Teach for America, teaching and leading in a variety of elementary school environments throughout the country, and earning a Masters degree in School Leadership at Harvard University. She shares how mentors “cared, nurtured, champ...

Ms. Michelle Cooney, Principal, and Mr. Larry Joynt, Assistant Principal, of The Skokie School provide a glimpse into what led them into their leadership roles. These cumulative experiences include reflections on Ms. Cooney playing detective as a rising 5th grader and leaking all of the class lists over the summer and Mr. Joynt procrastinating a book report and being assigned “Pride and Prejudice”...

Dr. Tess chats with Carleton Washburne School Leadership, Dr. Andrew Fenton, Principal, and Mr. Ben Horwitz, Assistant Principal, who take us behind-the-scenes on leading a middle school–where no day is the same. They ponder the challenges of leading during the pandemic, yet highlight the resilience and positive practices that were developed as a result. “What is rewarding about this job–when I fi...

Crow Island School, an internationally recognized beacon of Progressive Education, turns 85-years-old in 2025. Dr. Kelly Tess, Superintendent, reflects on the school’s enduring legacy with Dr. Luke Livingston, current Principal, and Dr. Julie Pfeffer, who served as Principal for 11 years. Listeners will also receive a review of extensive renovations that will occur in 2024-2025, retaining the buil...

March is Women’s History Month! Dr. Kelly Tess, Superintendent, is joined by three impactful women in our school community: Denise Dubravec, Winnetka Campus Principal/Assistant Superintendent at New Trier High School; Winnetka Public Schools alum Norah; and Marena Rudy, a Winnetka Public Schools Board Member. The women reflect on how they have been inspired and encouraged in order to lead with con...

Think back to a favorite project you experienced when you were a student. Was there something about it that was highly engaging, unique, and allowed you freedom to discover and explore your own interests? Dr. Kelly Tess, Superintendent, has a conversation with Carleton Washburne School students, Ms. Tip Walker (The Skokie School), and Ms. Jennifer Bertacchi (Carleton Washburne School) reflecting o...