Send us a text Not all learning happens in the classroom. The Great Outdoors is a pretty great teacher. National Park Rangers Jennifer Watson & Cas Rosiecki share how fourth graders and their families can get free access all our National Parks. Get your free parks pass now. Guest: Cas Rosiecki & Jennifer Watson Learn more about Escambia County School District: https://www.escambiaschools.org/ Find additional links: https://www.voicesunitedineducation.com/podcast-episodes Host: Meredith H...
Mar 14, 2023•30 min•Ep. 32
Send us a text Do you know where your food comes from? You do if you're an FFA member or taking an AG class with Leanne Jenkins at Beulah Middle School. In this episode, she talks about the how the AG program inspired her as a student & how it’s helping kids & supporting our community. Learn more about Future Farmers of America in Florida today. Guest: Leanne Jenkins Learn more about Escambia County School District: https://www.escambiaschools.org/ Find additional links: https://www.voic...
Mar 07, 2023•30 min•Ep. 31
Send us a text 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 solves: apathy to learn, lack of follow through & relationship disconnect. Guest: Alexander Fitzge...
Feb 28, 2023•26 min•Ep. 30
Send us a text 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 tie with Pensacola string music history & its lasting impact on kids. Guest: Christina Frierdich Lea...
Feb 21, 2023•22 min•Ep. 29
Send us a text 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 Host: Meredith Hackwith Edwards...
Feb 14, 2023•19 min•Ep. 28
Send us a text 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 best served at Hope Horizon & the services they provide. Guests: Donna Perry & Dr. Jared Stanle...
Feb 07, 2023•22 min•Ep. 27
Send us a text 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 difference for students in Escambia County. Guest: Tristan Harris Learn more about Escambia County School ...
Jan 31, 2023•22 min•Ep. 26
Send us a text 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.voicesunitedineducation.com/podcast-episodes Host: Meredith Hackwith Edwards...
Jan 24, 2023•20 min•Ep. 25
Send us a text 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.voicesunitedineducation.com/podcast-episodes Host: Meredith Hackwith Edwards...
Jan 17, 2023•26 min•Ep. 24
Send us a text 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.escambiaschools.org/ Find additional links: https://www.voicesunitedineducation.com/podcast-episodes Host: Meredith Hack...
Jan 10, 2023•26 min•Ep. 23
Send us a text 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: Meredith Hackwith Edwards...
Jan 03, 2023•29 min•Ep. 22
Send us a text 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: Meredith Hackwith Edwards...
Dec 27, 2022•25 min•Ep. 21
Send us a text 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.escambiaschools.org/ Find additional links: https://www.voicesunitedineducation.com/podcast-episodes Host: Meredith Hackwith Edward...
Dec 20, 2022•29 min•Ep. 20
Send us a text 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 about Escambia County School District: https://www.escambiaschools.org/ Find additional links: https:/...
Dec 13, 2022•31 min•Ep. 19
Send us a text 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 Registered team that provides individualized attention as part of a structured competitive swim team ...
Dec 06, 2022•35 min•Ep. 18
Send us a text 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.escambiaschools.org/ Find additional links: https://www.voicesunitedineducation.com/podcast-episodes Host: Meredith...
Nov 29, 2022•17 min•Ep. 17
Send us a text 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 generation. In this episode they share what’s happening on the 320 acres of the Roy Hyatt Center & how it...
Nov 22, 2022•25 min•Ep. 16
Send us a text 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 Learn more about Escambia County School District: https://www.escambiaschools.org/ Find additional links...
Nov 15, 2022•18 min•Ep. 15
Send us a text 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/ Find additional links: https://www.voicesunitedineducation.com/podcast-episodes Host: Meredith Hackw...
Nov 08, 2022•16 min•Ep. 14
Send us a text 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 Host: Meredith Hackwith Edwards...
Nov 01, 2022•21 min•Ep. 13
Send us a text 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 more about Escambia County School District: https://www.escambiaschools.org/ Find additional links: ht...
Oct 25, 2022•20 min•Ep. 12
Send us a text 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: https://www.escambiaschools.org/ Find additional links: https://www.voicesunitedineducation.com/podcast-epi...
Oct 18, 2022•21 min•Ep. 11
Send us a text 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.voicesunitedineducation.com/podcast-episodes Host: Meredith Hackwith Edwards...
Oct 11, 2022•33 min•Ep. 10
Send us a text 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.voicesunitedineducation.com/podcast-episodes Host: Meredith Hackwith Edwards...
Oct 04, 2022•16 min•Ep. 9
Send us a text 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 additional links: https://www.voicesunitedineducation.com/podcast-episodes Host: Meredith Hackwith Edwards...
Sep 27, 2022•29 min•Ep. 8
Send us a text 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 additional links: https://www.voicesunitedineducation.com/podcast-episodes Host: Meredith Hackwith Ed...
Sep 20, 2022•27 min•Ep. 7
Send us a text 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 Navigator Support Request . Guests: Jen Montoya & Lindsey Cannon Learn more about Escambia County School Di...
Sep 13, 2022•24 min•Ep. 6
Send us a text Ever wish you had a manual on how to be a parent? Tune into this week's episode on Parent University Pensacola to learn how parents, grandparents and others are getting the training they need to help traverse the public school system in Escambia County and their student's homework including subjects like new math. Guest: Michael O'Neal Learn more about Escambia County School District: https://www.escambiaschools.org/ Find additional links: https://www.voicesunitedineducation.com/p...
Sep 06, 2022•24 min•Ep. 5
Send us a text Over 17,000 backpacks. Over 500 children. Learn how our community is coming together for every student to be successful in school. Big hearts helping little stomachs with nutritional meals. Volunteers and partners united against food insecurity and hunger that makes learning hard. Learn more about Take Stock In Children by visiting their website . Guest: Tiffany Clark Learn more about Escambia County School District: https://www.escambiaschools.org/ Find additional links: https://...
Aug 30, 2022•15 min•Ep. 4
Send us a text Avoiding college debt is key to setting up students for a strong start in adulthood, but how do you avoid student loans when you can barely make ends meet? The County Coordinator of Take Stock in Children, Sally Lee, shares the surprisingly simple way Escambia County students can qualify for free college scholarships and guidance from mentors as early as the seventh grade. She shares how a bright future can impact the student, the school and the community. Guest: Sally Lee Learn m...
Aug 23, 2022•21 min•Ep. 3
