Send us a text We all fondly remember that teacher who made a positive impact on us during our formative years. For many at Pine Meadow, I’ts 4th grade teacher, Cassi McGee, the 2025 ECPS Teacher of the Year. She returned to her first love of teaching after working as a stock broker & is now in her 21st year of teaching thriving in her element. Guest: Cassi McGee Learn more about Escambia County School District: https://www.escambiaschools.org/ Find additional links: https://www.voicesunited...
May 07, 2024•22 min•Ep. 92
Send us a text Where can kids with physical disabilities go to exercise both their mindset and their bodies? Tara Blackwell was a softball superstar at Pine Forest High School in the late 90s-early 2000's. In her sophomore year of college, an accident left her paralyzed. Unable to find accessible fitness options, she made her own, founding Project 7 , Pensacola’s only adaptive gym. Listen as she shares the importance of pursuing physical fitness regardless of ability and how she is making that p...
Apr 30, 2024•23 min•Ep. 91
Send us a text It’s safe to say there are two things everyone likes: options and money. So how do you help your kid have both after they graduate from high school? College is expensive and time consuming, and job options are entry level with no upward trajectory. Rob Wise and Ben Weldon are in the talent acquisition department of the Ingalls shipbuilding employment program in Pascagoula, Mississippi. Listen as they share how students can get paid to learn a trade to become skilled in a craft and...
Apr 23, 2024•30 min•Ep. 90
Send us a text Esports programs are quickly becoming the number one requested program for new student enrollment. Monica Willis, the Grants Management Specialist and District Military Liaison for the county shares why esports may not be what you think it is. In this episode, she shares what esports teams, coaches & practice look like, how it’s facilitating relationships & team building & (importantly) how your kid can get a college scholarship. She is the Grants Management Specialist...
Apr 16, 2024•24 min•Ep. 89
Send us a text Kids are a mystery. One day you can’t get them to sit still. The next day you can’t get them out of bed. Some homework is a breeze. Other homework is a battle. What is the best way to set goals with kids who are more focused on learning the latest TikTok dance than getting good grades? Larry Knight knows a thing or two about both kids and goals. He’s the principal at N.B. Cook Elementary School, a parent, and someone who has achieved admirable fitness milestones. Learn about the m...
Apr 09, 2024•30 min•Ep. 88
Send us a text 75% of new teachers in Escambia County are Alternative Certification Teachers, which means they didn’t start out on the educational track and took a different route to the classroom. Rachel Rodriguez Schrimsher is the program support specialist at the Professional Learning Certification Program. Hear from her why this program is so popular, why it could be a good fit for you and how it works. Guests: Rachel Rodriguez Schrimsher Learn more about Escambia County School District: htt...
Apr 02, 2024•22 min•Ep. 87
Send us a text We all know how hard it is to work when you're starving or seriously low on the right kind of fuel. The same is true in the classroom; when your child's stomach is louder than the teacher and your child's energy level bottoms out. All learning stops at that point. Jaleena Davis, Director of School Food Services shares what foods your kids are actually getting and meal solutions you may not know you already had access to — like special diets and how to maximize mealtime. Guests: Ja...
Mar 26, 2024•18 min•Ep. 86
Send us a text Clothing insecurity impacts a large number of Escambia County students. It’s a dynamic that can distract them from learning and hurt social development. One program at CA Weis Elementary School is helping kids dress confidently. It’s called Care Closet. Lisa Smith Coleman, community partnerships school director and Janeisha Robinson, family community engagement coordinator at Children's Home Society are here to share how Care Closet is leveling the playing field and instilling con...
Mar 19, 2024•27 min•Ep. 85
Send us a text Talk to any parent of a middle schooler and you’ll hear about the struggle of early adolescence – them becoming their own person, their friend choices, and their need for deodorant. But don’t forget their academic motivation. How do you keep your kid engaged? Michelle Givens, Tate High graduate and teacher on special assignment at Flight Adventure Deck , a unique program where middle school students learn STEM concepts first hand in a very unique atmosphere. Learn how the program ...
Mar 12, 2024•20 min•Ep. 84
Send us a text Teachers are the eyes and ears of what their students need. But teachers didn’t become teachers just to observe. That's why you’ll find that behind every successful person is a story of a dedicated educator who took an outside the box approach to help them learn. But what happens when teachers have great ideas, but no resources to implement their teaching techniques? Jo McArthur, executive director of the Escambia County Public Schools Foundation, details how “ Grants for Excellen...
Mar 05, 2024•22 min•Ep. 83
Send us a text It’s said that afterschool hours of 3-6pm are primetime for risky youth behavior, but as a working parent, your options can feel limited. Kimberly Scott is helping head up a program that not only facilitates a safe space, but an atmosphere that enhances school performance. It’s Pensacola Little Theatre’s new program, “Character Building through Building Character,” a 3-hour afterschool theatre and reading program that brings literature and school to life. In this episode, we spotl...
Feb 27, 2024•20 min•Ep. 82
Send us a text When we think about growing confident kids, we think of sports, academic achievement, even making friends, but what about children’s chorus? Alex Gartner, the Artistic & Executive Director at Pensacola Children's Chorus shares why the arts are the unsung heroes for holistic success. Hear how the “Sing to Succeed” program is striving to eliminate the barriers of affordability and transportation for low-income and at-risk youth in Escambia County. Guest: Alex Gartner Learn more ...
Feb 20, 2024•23 min•Ep. 81
Send us a text One of the challenges parents face is helping their kids overcome academic setbacks. Statements like “I don’t like science” and “I’m just not good at math” can be bigger obstacles than the homework itself. Rita Miller, the Director of Department of Defense STARBASE Pensacola, explains how this immersive STEM experience program for 5th graders is creating unique memories and confidence to last a lifetime. Guest: Rita Miller Learn more about Escambia County School District: https://...
Feb 13, 2024•24 min•Ep. 80
Send us a text Playing catch up not only makes learning not fun, but parenting as well – extra parent teacher meetings, IEPs, tutoring and even being held back a grade, but what can a parent do? ReadyKids is doing something to support parent efforts with early literacy for kindergarten readiness. In this episode, Kristy Craig, West Florida High School graduate and the organization’s executive director, shares stories of impact, what kindergarten ready looks like and how you can help. Guest: Kris...
Feb 06, 2024•20 min•Ep. 79
Send us a text No one wants their kid kicking off their next school year to a slow start, but how do you prevent your child from the summer slide in their reading skills? Torrey Jones, Tate High graduate and Executive Director of Freedom Schools , discusses how a free, six-week summer program is helping K-8 grade students in Escambia County start their next school year strong. Guest: Torrey Jones Learn more about Escambia County School District: https://www.escambiaschools.org/ Find additional l...
Jan 30, 2024•23 min•Ep. 78
Send us a text Every parent wants their child to have the best quality education possible, including having the proper tools and resources, but how do we ensure every classroom has what it needs without teachers buying their own supplies? David Gardner & Jo McArthur share how they’ve united to solve this widespread problem by establishing the Tools for Teachers initiative. Learn more about the Escambia County Public Schools Foundation or donate today. Guests: David Gardner & Jo Mcarthur ...
Jan 23, 2024•30 min•Ep. 77
Send us a text Ever wonder how we can make the world a better place? It starts here. Vanessa Mays, Executive Director of Global Corner, talks about how bringing the whole world to the classroom brings skills and solutions to our hometown. Learn more about Global Corner on Facebook . Guest: Vanessa Mays 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 16, 2024•28 min•Ep. 76
Send us a text Every parent needs a little pick me up now and then – a real reminder you’re on the right path as a parent and your kid is gonna be ok. More than ok. Derreck Brooks, NFL Superstar and Washington High School class of 1991, shares his roots in Escambia County, why success is a team sport and how his charity is setting kids up for a winning future. Guest: Derrick Brooks https://db55.org/ | https://www.facebook.com/DBC55 Learn more about Escambia County School District: https://www.es...
Jan 09, 2024•27 min•Ep. 75
Send us a text Many local people express a desire to help others when asked about their hopes for their future careers, but getting there can often be a winding path. Cathy Rudd, principal of Escambia Westgate School and Dr. Keri Fogle, director of the Para-to-Teacher Tuition Support Program , talk about how this unique program could be a fit for people wanting to work as paraprofessionals. Guests: Cathy Rudd & Dr. Keri Fogle Learn more about Escambia County School District: https://www.esca...
Jan 02, 2024•22 min•Ep. 74
Send us a text "I'm fine!" Grief is complex. It's more than sadness and can manifest is all kinds of ways. It can impact school. But it's never too late to connect grieving kids with each other in order to open up and find healthy ways to cope with the grief. Crista Brandt, the Director of Valerie's House opens up about her grief journey and shares how peer-to-peer model can help kids where traditional counseling alone can't. Learn more by visiting the Valerie's House Facebook . Guest: Crista Br...
Dec 26, 2023•32 min•Ep. 73
Send us a text We attribute fundraising and caretaking as characteristics of successful adults, but one student at Northview High School is showing out for his generation. Tyler Riggs has not only operated the school's greenhouse for the last 3 years, but got a $1,100 grant for much-needed upgrades. Student Tyler Riggs and teacher Brandon Korinchak share their connection to the greenhouse project, their passion for agriculture and how both are impacting what's next. Learn more about Northview FF...
Dec 19, 2023•18 min•Ep. 72
Send us a text How do you, as a parent, help your academically strong child get to college when you're struggling to make ends meet? Elise Glidden, counselor at Booker T. Washington High School, explains Questbridge , a special college scholarship program for high-achieving, low-income students that matches the students with prestigious universities. You'll hear the details of eligibility and about a local student standout from this program. Guest: Elise Glidden Learn more about Escambia County ...
Dec 12, 2023•16 min•Ep. 71
Send us a text Let's face it, helping with your child's homework can raise more questions than solving problems. Thankfully, there’s a solution. Tutor Me is a FREE 7 day a week virtual tutoring service available to all students in Escambia County. Jen Montoya and Rashena White will get you up to speed on how you can free yourself from the homework blues. Guests: Jen Montoya & Rashena White Learn more about Escambia County School District: https://www.escambiaschools.org/ Find additional link...
Dec 05, 2023•21 min•Ep. 70
Send us a text Some people like putting a face to name. In this episode, we like putting a voice to a title, to let you, the parent, get to know the people behind the email signatures and more importantly, our mission to be united for every child to succeed. So with that, meet Mr. Keith Leonard, the interim superintendent of Escambia County Public Schools. A teacher at heart, learn about him and what he hopes to contribute to the future of our kids. Guest: Superintendent Keith Leonard Learn more...
Nov 28, 2023•24 min•Ep. 69
Send us a text Thomas TJ Rollins is the principal at George Stone Technical College , a trade school providing quality academic, career, and technical education. He shares how these work-based learning programs may be the fast track to financial stability, job security, and successful careers for the next graduating class of Escambia County high schoolers. Guests: Thomas TJ Rollins Learn more about Escambia County School District: https://www.escambiaschools.org/ Find additional links: https://w...
Nov 21, 2023•28 min•Ep. 68
Send us a text Wouldn't it be great to know what did your child did in school today and what assignments, tests, activities, events and even scholarship deadlines are looming in the near future? Well, there is an app for that. Jen Montoya and Rashena McWhite discuss how Canvas is streamlining and opening communications between parents, teachers and K-12 students. Learn how this single platform is helping students be more successful in the classroom and reducing panicked mornings for parents in E...
Nov 14, 2023•26 min•Ep. 67
Send us a text Emma Meyers is a senior at Booker T Washington High School. At just 17, she is ranked third in the world in her triathlon level 4 class. She is also an amputee. Always up for a challenge, Emma jumped at the chance to do this podcast with us. Emma shares her experiences traveling the world, her goals and her ambitions for the future while her mom shares what it’s like raising a differently abled athlete and Paralympic hopeful for 2024 . Guests: Emma Myers & Leah Finneseth Learn...
Nov 07, 2023•26 min•Ep. 66
Send us a text Join us as this Pine Forest High School graduate and former Escambia County educator shares why fitness matters in and out of the classroom, and what parents can do to set kids up for success. Dacia May is the CEO of Pensacola's first black-owned youth fitness studio, Healthy Habits & Opportunities, which is better known as H20. Guest: Dacia Mays Learn more about Escambia County School District: https://www.escambiaschools.org/ Find additional links: https://www.voicesunitedin...
Oct 31, 2023•25 min•Ep. 65
Send us a text They say it takes a village to raise a child, but what happens when the villagers are busy, tired and fighting with rising housing and living costs? Chris McFarland, Director of Enrollment Services and Coordinator of Student Services talks about community partnerships and resources to lighten the load and help us to rally around our kids. Guest: Chris McFarland Learn more about Escambia County School District: https://www.escambiaschools.org/ Find additional links: https://www.voi...
Oct 24, 2023•20 min•Ep. 64
Send us a text College is an opportunity to learn and grow. You don't have to have it all figured out before you enroll, but there are things you need to know to prepare for college. Layla Zandi-Karimi, a UWF admissions counselor and Pensacola local, helps create a path for parents and students by sharing 5 mistakes to avoid. Guest: Layla Zandi-Karimi Learn more about Escambia County School District: https://www.escambiaschools.org/ Find additional links: https://www.voicesunitedineducation.com/...
Oct 17, 2023•28 min•Ep. 63
