Send us a text Ruthie Noel is the Executive Director of Achieve Escambia. In this episode she explains the unique role this organization plays in the community and why their number should be in your phone. We talk navigating local resources, finding paths to financial aid and advocating for families. Guest: Ruthie Noel https://www.achieveescambia.org/ | https://escambiachildrenstrust.org/familyresourceguide24-25/ | https://readykidsfl.org/readyrosie | https://www.fastweb.com/ | https://www.reach...
Dec 03, 2024•23 min•Season 1Ep. 122
Send us a text Patty Hightower is the longest serving school board member in Escambia County history, representing District 4 for 20 years. She will also be the first one to encourage you to run. In this episode, she talks about her experience running for and serving on the School Board. She answers behind the scenes questions and proudly highlights the success and changes over the last two decades. Guest: Patty Hightower Learn more about Escambia County School District: https://www.escambiascho...
Nov 26, 2024•34 min•Season 1Ep. 121
Send us a text Kerri Coots, Director of Alternative Education, answers real parent questions about bullying in schools. You'll hear her share stories to encourage change, tips to help parents of both the bully and the bullied, and why she believes promoting acts of kindness is path to sustainable harmony. Guest: Kerri Coots https://www.escambiaschools.org/Page/2852 | School violence reporting index https://tinyurl.com/8ru9yry9 | Report bullying https://tinyurl.com/5n92cv26 Learn more about Escam...
Nov 19, 2024•27 min•Season 1Ep. 120
Send us a text Cathy Rudd is the Principal and Lindsay Sullivan is the Occupational Therapist at Westgate, an Escambia County Public School for students with intellectual disabilities and autism spectrum disorder. In this episode, they share how the Lacey A. Collier Sensory Complex uses the Snoezelen® concept to increase functional communication, develop gross and fine motor skills, de-escalate inappropriate behaviors, and increase desired learning behaviors. Guest: Cathy Rudd & Lindsay Sull...
Nov 12, 2024•24 min•Season 1Ep. 119
Send us a text Want to know why education is a great career path? Bill Slayton shares his teacher's heart and incredible perspective after a career of 52 years in education in Escambia County, which included 16 years on the School Board for District 5. In the largest and fastest growing district in our county, he has left a legacy centered on the students, not only building the leaders of tomorrow, but finding the teachers of the future. Guest: Bill Slayton Learn more about Escambia County Schoo...
Nov 05, 2024•25 min•Season 1Ep. 118
Send us a text It’s hard to know the important milestones your child might be missing. Teresa Zwierzchowski, the Marketing and Communications Specialist at Help Me Grow Escambia , peels back the curtain on early intervention screenings, shares FREE services you may not know you have access to and what milestones you can screen for at home with your child. Guest: Teresa Zwierzchowski Learn more about Escambia County School District: https://www.escambiaschools.org/ Find additional links: https://...
Oct 29, 2024•21 min•Season 1Ep. 117
Send us a text Keith Leonard, Escambia County Public Schools Superintendent, talks about the history behind the half-cent sales , how it's been spent, future projects and just how much accountability there actually is for these funds. Guest: Keith Leonard Related Links: Half Cent Sales 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 22, 2024•20 min•Season 1Ep. 116
Send us a text Escambia County Public Schools Athletic Director Casey Thiele shares why the change in the Name Image Likeness (NIL) rules are important for high school athletes and students not in sports. You'll learn how free NIL resources can help your child avoid mistakes with their next side business and set them up to be confident, savvy young entrepreneurs. Guest: Casey Thiele Related Links: Florida High School Athletic Association | Escambia Athletics Learn more about Escambia County Scho...
Oct 15, 2024•19 min•Season 1Ep. 115
Send us a text Denny Wilson is the Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction for Escambia County Public Schools and he isn't afraid to answer the question: What schools are good here? In this episode, he shares which schools were awarded Schools of Excellence designation and how other schools are ranking. Guest: Denny Wilson, Escambia County Public Schools School grades: https://tinyurl.com/yc4bax35 Learn more about Escambia County School District: https://www.escambiaschools.org/ F...
Oct 08, 2024•24 min•Season 1Ep. 114
Send us a text Tate High graduate, Adam Norre, who knew from a young age that he wanted to be in law enforcement. What he didn’t know is that just 3 years in, he would be named Escambia County Sheriff’s Office Officer of the Year. In this episode, Adam traces his path to becoming a Sheriff’s deputy and his hopes for what’s next. Guest: Adam Norre Learn more about Escambia County School District: https://www.escambiaschools.org/ Find additional links: https://www.voicesunitedineducation.com/podca...
Oct 01, 2024•16 min•Ep. 113
Send us a text Jennifer Causey is a social studies teacher at Pine Forest High School whose econ class includes a mock investing challenge. She is working to end the cycle of poverty in Escambia county, by not just educating kids on money management basics, but making growing it accessible and fun. In this episode she shares what motivates her to dig in, when others short change this issue, and where to start if you’re feeling behind. Guest: Jennifer Causey: $500 stipend for FL Educator for comp...
Sep 24, 2024•20 min•Ep. 112
Send us a text Sue Straughn may be the most recognizable news anchor in Pensacola, but she has also been an outstanding advocate for children and education—earning a spot in the 100 Most Influential People by INWeekly, the Martin Luther King Junior "Living the Dream" Award, the Ambassador for Education by the Escambia County Public Schools Foundation and more. Listen as Sue, an Escambia High graduate, shares her unique vantage point into the community from both the news desk and her front porch....
Sep 17, 2024•23 min•Ep. 111
Send us a text Hassan Hills is the founder and Director of Youths Left Behind , a nonprofit working to build up at-risk kids in Escambia County. In this episode, he shares his own story of incarceration & how he’s working to reduce gang violence & increase opportunities for youths in Escambia County & meet one of the young teens positively impacted by organization, Michael Jeter. Learn more about Youth Left behind on Facebook or apply today . Guests: Hassan Hills & Michael Jeter ...
Sep 10, 2024•33 min•Ep. 110
Send us a text Jasmine Simms is a Tobacco Prevention Specialist for Tobacco Free Florida . In this episode, she shares vaping myths, why you may not recognize a vape pen if you saw it & practical strategies to talk to your kids about it. Guest: Jasmine Simms 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 03, 2024•27 min•Ep. 109
Send us a text This trio of guests are leveraging a school elective that turns creative problem solving into a competition. Melissa Hughes, Cheri Stoker and Sophia Worley are part of the Ferry Pass Middle School's Odyssey of the Mind Program where seven of their eight teams advanced to the state level. Odyssey of the Mind is an international program designed to help students grow as confident learners and team members. Listen as they share five benefits this program brings to the classroom and b...
Aug 27, 2024•26 min•Ep. 108
Send us a text Dr. Kimberly Thomas and Mr. Derrick Thomas are both principals at Escambia County Public Schools on the rise—C.A Weis Elementary School and Workman Middle School . They share their work/home relationship dynamic & their unique perspectives on successful school outcomes. Guests: Dr. Kimberly Thomas & Derrick Thomas Learn more about Escambia County School District: https://www.escambiaschools.org/ Find additional links: https://www.voicesunitedineducation.com/podcast-episode...
Aug 20, 2024•26 min•Ep. 107
Send us a text According to Boeing, the pilot shortage means that over the next 20 years, we will need 200K new pilots in the US alone. Escambia High School has a unique solution facilitated by a unique leader. Greg Pyle is a flight academy instructor. After 20 years in the United States Air Force, six of which spent as a navigator flying a FB1-11 fighter jet, he has combined his love of aviation with his passion for teaching a special dual enrollment program—created in partnership with Embry-Ri...
Aug 13, 2024•20 min•Ep. 106
Send us a text A House Bill passed in 2021 requires all public school students receive basic first aid training, including CPR. Although simply watching a video satisfies this requirement, Dr. Mary Mehta, pediatric cardiologist, VP & Chief Medical Officer of Nemours Children’s Health Pensacola, explains why they are suppor`ting hands-on training throughout the county. Hear the scenarios that this training prepares families for & why it’s the right combo of practical and empowering. Guest...
Aug 06, 2024•19 min•Ep. 105
Send us a text Kenneth Jordan II is an award-winning artist, graduate of WFHS and alumni of McArthur Elementary School who is lending his brilliance back to his old classroom. Known for his highly realistic portraits using crayons, he’s helping students recognize their feelings and do what he calls, “see their own hand.” Listen to how he illuminates the connection between art, uniqueness and resourcefulness for students in Escambia County. Learn more about Crayola Sensei on Instagram . Guest: Ke...
Jul 30, 2024•23 min•Ep. 104
Send us a text Theory of knowledge asks International Baccalaureate students, "How do you know what you know?" Dylan Patterson and Audrey Foss are recent IB graduates of Pensacola High School. They used their final CAS project as a way to bring civic education to middle schoolers. Together with Gloria Eligio, the IB college counselor, hear what inspired them, how IB works and what’s next. Guest: Gloria Eligio, Audrey Foss & Dylan Patterson https://www.youngcitizensdevelopment.org/ | https://...
Jul 23, 2024•27 min•Ep. 103
Send us a text Chad Cherry is the Building Construction teacher at Northview High School. In this episode, he shares how the building technologies academy is getting the next generation prepared for employment and homeownership through hands-on application of math, safety, critical thinking & interpersonal skills. Guest: Chad Cherry https://hbi.org/ Learn more about Escambia County School District: https://www.escambiaschools.org/ Find additional links: https://www.voicesunitedineducation.co...
Jul 16, 2024•21 min•Ep. 102
Send us a text 45% of Escambia County households are below the ALICE threshold - ALICE stands for Asset Limited, Income, Constrained, Employed. This squeeze is sharply felt for families during back to school time when expenses pile up quickly. In this episode, Chris McFarland, the Coordinator of Student Services for Escambia County Public Schools and Laura Gilliam, the President of the United Way of West Florida , share why Stuff the Bus is more than a feel-good event for those involved and how ...
Jul 09, 2024•23 min•Ep. 101
Send us a text West Florida High’s Juniors went from shock to awe when they found out their AP English teacher is in a band! Joey Truncale is the lead singer of the alternative rock band, Unicorn Wranglers . Grab a spot by the stage to hear how his unusual hobby has helped him better connect with and educate his students. Guest: Joey Truncale Learn more about Escambia County School District: https://www.escambiaschools.org/ Find additional links: https://www.voicesunitedineducation.com/podcast-e...
Jul 02, 2024•22 min•Ep. 100
Send us a text Christie Costello owns Costello’s Butcher Shop & Deli in Pensacola. In this episode she shares not about what she’s selling, but what she is giving away – 100-150 sandwiches to hungry neighborhood kids. She also shares the unusual way this idea came to her, her history with the Pensacola food scene & how she’s also setting up the next generation of chefs & entrepreneurs to give back. Learn more about the Kimberly Tauer Foundation on Facebook . Guest: Christie Costello ...
Jun 25, 2024•17 min•Ep. 99
Send us a text Scottlin Williams is a meteorologist and the program manager for HERicane Escambia , a free summer camp that is a positive force for girls. In this episode, she shares who inspired her into meteorology, what the camp entails & how broadening representation in emergency management and public safety is good for everyone. Guest: Scottlin Williams Learn more about Escambia County School District: https://www.escambiaschools.org/ Find additional links: https://www.voicesunitedinedu...
Jun 18, 2024•16 min•Ep. 98
Send us a text Esi Shannon never expected to be Principal of the Year, but she always expected to be a teacher. In this episode, she shares the story of her career, reluctant leadership, creating joyous learning & the misunderstood struggles of educational leadership. Guest: Esi Shannon Learn more about Escambia County School District: https://www.escambiaschools.org/ Find additional links: https://www.voicesunitedineducation.com/podcast-episodes Host: Meredith Hackwith Edwards...
Jun 11, 2024•17 min•Ep. 97
Send us a text Information is moving at the speed of technology and our kids are learning it all, but how do we keep them safe? Brian Johnson is the Information Systems Security Manager for Escambia County Public Schools. In this episode, he shares insights into how we can support smart internet use for our kids & how the school system is supporting families . Guest: Brian Johnson Learn more about Escambia County School District: https://www.escambiaschools.org/ Find additional links: https:...
Jun 04, 2024•30 min•Ep. 96
Send us a text In 2022, Stephanie Shepard’s son died from a fentanyl overdose. Unfortunately, this is not unusual, as Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa and Walton counties has the highest opioid overdose rate in the state. Vowing that his death not be in vain, she founded Hope Above Fear , a non-profit dedicated to help educate, de-stigmatize and overcome addiction in youth. In this episode, she shares what you need to know as a parent, what you can do and why there is hope. Learn more on Facebook ...
May 28, 2024•34 min•Ep. 95
Send us a text If kids could learn leadership skills, why would it matter? Amy McCrory and Shonna Gilmore have firsthand experience with student leadership. They are the principal and librarian at Bratt Elementary. In this episode, they share how their " Leader in Me " animal shelter drive not only made a concept a reality, but elevated academic performance. Guests: Amy McCrory & Shonna Gilmore Learn more about Escambia County School District: https://www.escambiaschools.org/ Find additional...
May 21, 2024•17 min•Ep. 94
Send us a text Morgan White is the special needs teacher & cheer coach at Tate Highschool. In this episode she shares how she has taken the Aggies cheer team to number 1 in the state three times, overcomes outdated stereotypes of cheerleading & shares how cheer is not just a sport, but a distinctive system to set kids up to be stellar members of the community. Guest: Morgan White Learn more about Escambia County School District: https://www.escambiaschools.org/ Find additional links: htt...
May 14, 2024•18 min•Ep. 93
