Send us a text Steve Harrell, Workforce Education Director at Escambia County Public Schools, shares how the new Automotive Technology Academy is opening the door to more career opportunities for our students and is bringing needed ASC certified technicians to our community. Guest: Steve Harrell https://www.escambiaschools.org/career Learn more about Escambia County School District: https://www.escambiaschools.org/ Find additional links: https://www.voicesunitedineducation.com/podcast-episodes H...
Jul 01, 2025•21 min•Season 1Ep. 152
Send us a text Holly Busse, Escambia County Public Schools Counselor Specialist, and Lesa Morgan, Director of High Schools, talk about dual enrollment, student and parent readiness, what to expect and how the free class credits for both college and workforce, focus kids. Guests: Holly Busse & Lesa Morgan https://www.escambiaschools.org/Page/4437 Learn more about Escambia County School District: https://www.escambiaschools.org/ Find additional links: https://www.voicesunitedineducation.com/po...
Jun 24, 2025•29 min
Send us a text Meet Bethany Gurley, a senior in the New Media Academy at Pine Forest High School and outstanding student intern with ECPS’s Communications Office. In this special episode, Meredith Hackwith Edwards becomes the guest, sharing insights into her world and our podcast while Ms. Bethany gets hand-on, real-world experience in podcasting—not only as a host—but through interviewing a professional podcaster and the host of our Voices United in Education podcast. Guest host: Bethany Gurley...
Jun 17, 2025•31 min
Send us a text Dr. Charmain Sutherland, Escambia County Public Schools Specialist for PE, Health, Wellness and Driver Education and Mark Humphreys, Driver Education Instructor at Escambia County Public Schools, share what parents need to know about the free Driver’s Ed program and how the program builds confidence and teaches kids to be better decision makers behind the wheel. Guests: Charmain Sutherland & Mark Humphreys https://www.escambiaschools.org/drivereducation Learn more about Escamb...
Jun 10, 2025•21 min
Send us a text Angela Stephens, Youth and Family Services Director for the YMCA of Northwest Florida, shares how a unique partnership with the Vickery Community Center in Pensacola is not only giving parents After School Care options at significantly reduced costs, but truly uniting for the success of children and families in Escambia County. Guest: Angela Stephens https://www.ymcanwfl.org/afterschool-care Learn more about Escambia County School District: https://www.escambiaschools.org/ Find ad...
Jun 03, 2025•20 min
Send us a text Sean Fell, owner of Waterboyz Surf & Skate Shop, shares what kids are learn from skateboarding & why he chose collaboration over competition when the downtown skate park was built. You’ll also hear how his skate park, nonprofit & summer camps bring together kids and community all year long. Guest: Sean Fell https://waterboyz.com/ | https://www.facebook.com/waterboyzsurfandskate | https://www.instagram.com/waterboyz/ Learn more about Escambia County School District: htt...
May 27, 2025•18 min
Send us a text In this episode, Sally Lee rejoins our podcast to celebrate the final chapter of her 25-year career in student mentorship and shares how it’s not what you know, but what you can show. As the Student Services Coordinator for Take Stock in Children, she reflects on her life, stories of impact from the mentorship program and a legacy filled with Escambia County children who attended and graduated from college through the support of local mentors and free 4-year scholarships. Guest: S...
May 20, 2025•22 min
Send us a text Alicia Gifford is the girls weightlifting coach at Escambia High School, helping students build strength of mind, body & character. In this episode, she debunks weightlifting myths, talks about the value of being a female coach, and shares how the students are building confidence. Guest: Alicia Gifford Learn more about Escambia County School District: https://www.escambiaschools.org/ Find additional links: https://www.voicesunitedineducation.com/podcast-episodes Host: Meredith...
May 13, 2025•14 min
Send us a text Mark Raab is the Aviation Academy Instructor at Booker T Washington High School, providing students with hands-on experience in an actual hangar with an aircraft and a wide range of future possibilities. In this episode, he shares what parents need to know about this 4 year academy and how it guides students toward a diploma, career certification, college scholarships and a strong sense of direction. Guest: Mark Raab https://www.escambiaschools.org/Page/4351 Learn more about Escam...
May 06, 2025•27 min
Send us a text Greg Miller is the Farm Garden Playground Consultant at Picked at Perfection Urban Farm, working with our local schools to provide not just on-site pocket gardens or mini farms, but immersive teaching experiences to help kids reconnect with their food. In this episode, Greg shares how this unique partnership is reinforcing their learning and inspiring kids to eat what they plant, grow, harvest and prepare. Guest: Greg Miller https://www.pickedatperfection.com/ | https://www.facebo...
Apr 29, 2025•30 min•Season 1Ep. 143
Send us a text It's swap week! Join us as we cross-promote another local podcast: Accelerate Your Performance is hosted by Dr. Janet Pilcher, Founder and President of Studer Education, headquartered here in Pensacola, Fl. Each week, Janet highlights tactical and actionable strategies that leaders in educational organizations can hardwire to meet successful student, service, and people outcomes. In this episode, Janet talks with Dr. Christi Barrett from Hemet Unified School District. They remind ...
Apr 22, 2025•25 min
Send us a text Haylee Linam is the 4H Youth Development Agent for Escambia County. In this episode, Haylee does some myth busting about 4H and shares how it’s different from FFA. She shares how student interest drives the 4H clubs and the unexpected ways STEM has become a part of the program. You’ll also hear what membership looks like for students, exciting competition opportunities and the potential for scholarships. Guests: Haylee Linam https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/escambia/4-h-youth-development...
Apr 15, 2025•16 min•Season 1Ep. 141
Send us a text Lisette Guttery, Instructional Coach at Pensacola High School and Stephanie White, attorney and Mock Trial coach, share how the community effort of Mock Trial helps students build confidence, critical thinking and public speaking skills. They share the surprising reasons that students NOT interested in a law career thrive in the program & share stories of students impacted by participation (including themselves)! Guests: Lisette Guttery & Stephanie White https://tinyurl.co...
Apr 08, 2025•24 min
Send us a text Brittany Hughes is the Marketing and Outreach Coordinator for Play Pensacola Parks & Recreation. In this episode, she debunks what you think of summer camp, how their 17 different camps are customized to the children’s individual interests, needs and skills, and how scholarships can defray the costs. Guest: Brittany Hughes https://www.cityofpensacola.com/940/Summer-Camps Learn more about Escambia County School District: https://www.escambiaschools.org/ Find additional links: h...
Apr 01, 2025•15 min•Season 1Ep. 139
Send us a text Chief Dan Sky-Horse Helms of the Santa Rosa Creek Muskogee Tribe illuminates the oral history of the Native First People of the Panhandle. In this episode he shares how the tribe is collaborating with teachers to build a more complete curriculum, the journey to regaining this lost knowledge, and how the Cultural Education Center and Creek Fest are expanding the understanding of our local history by making it more visible, accessible and immersive to our children. Guest: Dan Sky-Ho...
Mar 25, 2025•33 min•Season 1Ep. 138
Send us a text Monica Willis, Escambia County Public Schools Military Liaison, and Command Master Chief Jim Wallace at Naval Air Station Pensacola, share how our community rallies around our military families. They talk about the unique partnership between Escambia County Public Schools, the civilian benefit to military family presence and share real examples of classroom advantages. Guests: Monica Willis & Jim Wallace https://www.escambiaschools.org/cio#calendar5446/20250305/month Learn mor...
Mar 18, 2025•24 min•Season 1Ep. 137
Send us a text Dr. Okan Elidemir is the Chief of Pulmonology at Nemours Children’s Health. In this episode, he shares cases of vaping injury, how addictive it is compared to regular smoking, and how to talk to your kids about consequences, peer pressure and managing stress. Guest: Dr. Okan Elidemir Nemours Pensacola https://tinyurl.com/yckx7cyw | https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/vaping-vs-smoking | Info on Evali https://tinyurl.com/6jxhmjy5 Learn more about Escambia County School Distri...
Mar 11, 2025•21 min•Season 1Ep. 136
Send us a text This is one of our most popular episodes, so we wanted to recast it! West Florida High School graduates and twin brothers, Jamal and Jamari Sharp are entrepreneurs, authors and philanthropists, but it wasn’t always this way. Jamal shares how the two went from problem students to success stories, why they decided to call their snoball business BAM and what it means for them to be Pensacola business owners. For these two, it's truly a snowball effect. Guest: Jamal Sharp https://www....
Mar 04, 2025•23 min
Send us a text Wendi Davis, Visitor Experience Manager at the UWF Historic Trust, shares how the downtown Children's Museum acts as a keeper of community story to become a prized community resource for kids (8 and under), parents and therapists. You’ll hear how Playologists reimagine exhibits in order to encourage exploration and learning and the many ways you can get free admission. Guest: Wendi Davis https://historicpensacola.org/plan-your-visit/museums-properties/pensacola-childrens-museum/ |...
Feb 25, 2025•21 min•Season 1Ep. 134
Send us a text Tyler Newton is the President of the Panhandle Bowhunters and Archery Association. In this episode, Tyler talks about the Klondike Archery Park, an incredible but not well-known resource for college scholarship opportunities, family outdoor time and important life lessons in building patience and confidence. Guest: Tyler Newton https://myfwc.com/hunting/safety-education/shooting-ranges/klondike/ | https://www.facebook.com/panhandle.bowhunters Learn more about Escambia County Schoo...
Feb 18, 2025•16 min•Season 1Ep. 133
Send us a text Robin Largue served as a coach and consultant for Studer Education, coaching superintendents, school boards & educational executive teams. She also worked with district partners across the county to better develop environments for learning, working and achieving. In the episode, Robin shares how hard-edged lines like data & goals work together with softer edged lines like leadership & relationships to develop positive environments for learning, working and achieving. G...
Feb 11, 2025•28 min•Season 1Ep. 132
Send us a text Dr. Megan Pratt is the Executive Director and Nicole Dickson is the Program Presenter at the Pensacola MESS Hall. In this episode, they share how hands-on activities and stations—built around science, engineering and math—open kids and learners of all ages to explore and express themselves. Guests: Megan Pratt, PhD & Nicole Dickson https://pensacolamesshall.org/ Learn more about Escambia County School District: https://www.escambiaschools.org/ Find additional links: https://ww...
Feb 04, 2025•31 min•Season 1Ep. 131
Send us a text Michael Johnston, Associate Vice President of Institutional Research and Enterprise, and Angelica Coonts, Assistant Director of Financial Aid at Pensacola State College share tips about completing FASFA (Free Application for Student Financial Aid). They cover common misconceptions, who is eligible, what kind of money it can bring in and one BIG tip that will save you tons of time! Guests: Michael Johnston & Angelica Coonts https://financialaid.pensacolastate.edu/ | 850-484-168...
Jan 28, 2025•24 min•Season 1Ep. 130
Send us a text Lalla Pierce is the principal at Global Learning Academy and Lauren Green is the social services navigator at Children's Home Society. In this episode, they share what makes this elementary school in the heart of downtown Pensacola, a hidden treasure. You'll hear about the unique culture they've cultivated as well as outside-the-box ways both parents and staff are meeting the needs of the students for a better tomorrow. Guests: Lalla Pierce & Lauren Green https://www.escambias...
Jan 21, 2025•36 min•Season 1Ep. 129
Send us a text Caroline Gray is the ECPS employee services coordinator with the TPG Cultural Exchange. Johndel Aduka is one of the TPG charter members at O.J. Semmes. They share the behind the scenes of what it takes to qualify for the program, the interview process, cultural comparisons and Johndel’s motivation for teaching in the US. Guests: Caroline Gray & Johndel Aduka https://www.tpgculturalexchange.com/ Learn more about Escambia County School District: https://www.escambiaschools.org/ ...
Jan 14, 2025•25 min•Season 1Ep. 128
Send us a text Dr. Ben Renfroe is a neurologist at the Child Neurology Center of Northwest Florida who is passionate about setting kids up for successful adulthood. In this episode, he shares the impact that social media is having on your child’s brain health and gives parents some tools to change behavior and help with social development, communication skills and learning. Guest: Dr. Ben Renfroe https://childneurologycenter.com/ | https://apps.apple.com/us/app/bedtime-math/id637910701 | Screent...
Jan 07, 2025•32 min•Season 1Ep. 127
Send us a text Alicia Gifford is 1 of 13 people in the world selected for the prestigious Art 21 Educator Program and the first from Florida. She shares her experience and how she has witnessed art connect creativity, critical thinking and profound conversation skills in her students. Guest: Alicia Gifford https://tinyurl.com/2nxx6w6w Learn more about Escambia County School District: https://www.escambiaschools.org/ Find additional links: https://www.voicesunitedineducation.com/podcast-episodes ...
Dec 31, 2024•20 min•Season 1Ep. 126
Send us a text Melanie Fryou is the pediatric medical social worker at Nemours Children's Health and Erica Mack is a registered clinical social work intern at Greenhouse Counseling. In this episode, they share findings from a study on “why kids worry” and provide practical tips, techniques and local resources for parents to help their kids worry less. Guests: Melanie Fryou & Erica Mack https://www.ghcpensacola.com/ |Why Kids Worry Study https://tinyurl.com/2f6buarc | Nemours Pensacola https:...
Dec 24, 2024•34 min•Season 1Ep. 125
Send us a text Coach Marquette Oliver is the SOAR academy director and an assistant football coach at Pine Forest High School where he also played and led his team in 2 state championships and 1 national championship. In this episode, he shares how he is elevating his players on the field, in the classroom and in life through Standing on Business Mondays, where students dress in suits and ties on Mondays. You’ll hear how this simple act is changing the trajectory of these young men’s lives and w...
Dec 17, 2024•19 min•Season 1Ep. 124
Send us a text Dr. Heather Schultz, the assistant principal at Workman Middle School and Master Chief John Spaulding, the Naval Science instructor at Booker T Washington High School, share how students are taking advantage of the only middle school NJROTC program in Escambia County—one with a unique partnership between the schools. Learn how this program not only builds up students academically and socially, but also provides college scholarships. Guests: Dr. Heather Schultz & Master Chief J...
Dec 10, 2024•26 min•Season 1Ep. 123
