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Hear the positive stories in education that don’t make the news. You’ll hear uplifting stories of student, parent and teacher impact in Escambia County. Meredith Hackwith Edwards interviews teachers, staff, parents, students, graduates, community mentors and members, so that we can become more united inside and outside the classroom to support the success of every student in Florida’s Escambia County Public Schools.
187 Episodes
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Send a text Is your child using a companion bot? How can you help your child navigate the promise and risks of technology? Curiosity is a good place to start. Jamie Nuñez is the Senior Manager of Outreach and Training at Common Sense Media, a nonprofit that supports parents, school districts and state education agencies in integrating digital literacy skills into real life. In this episode, he shares how parents can stay connected to their kids and keep them safe, while setting them up for su...
Send a text Do you ever wish your kid would put their phone down? How do you get them to improve their reading stamina & comprehension? Anne MacDonald is a mom, author, podcaster, teacher at Scenic Heights Elementary School, and board member at Books by the Bay and Emerald Coast Writers Association. In this episode, she shares proven strategies to develop a generation of readers and how Books by the Bay is not just a book fair, but a literary extravaganza inspiring the next generation. Gu...
Send a text Do you have a child or grandchild in our public schools? Are you a member of the PTA? Hear what the President and Vice President of the Escambia County Council PTA have to say. Melanie Gambill and Samantha Strickland share what the PTA is and isn’t, how it benefits parents and students, and what’s next for the 100-year-old organization. Parents & kids will get to interact with free and low-cost educational and community resources & district leaders, enjoy a live animal pre...
Send a text Did you know 50 families in the Panhandle face this question every year? Jessica Siderio is the Rally Foundation Development Manager and Haley Brown is the Rally Kid and Program Manager for Rally Gulf Coast. In this episode, they share why cancer in kids is different than adults and how they are working to provide support, fund research and raise resources for these Panhandle families. Guests: Jessica Siderio & Haley Brown https://rallyfoundation.org/rally-gulf-coast/ Pa...
Send a text Does your child vape? How would being expelled change their educational trajectory? During the 2022-2024 school years, numerous students were alternatively placed for vape pens throughout Escambia County. Stephanie Shepard is the founder and Executive Director of Hope Above Fear, a non-profit dedicated to help educate, de-stigmatize and overcome addiction in youth. In this episode, she shares how this program stands out from others and how this may be a good fit for your child. Gu...
Send a text For students who struggle in school, something and someone special is accelerating them toward their diploma and career opportunities. Marquette Oliver is the Director of SOAR Academy at Pine Forest High School, a program began as an acceleration program for incoming over age freshman but now includes other students as well. He is the someone and is more than happy to share how both the students and program are evolving and what students have to say about its impact. Guest: Marque...
Send a text Is social media designed to be addictive? Why are multiple lawsuits seeking damages for the damage it is causing to our kids? Emmie Paulos is an attorney at Levin Papantonio and the Court Appointed Leadership in the Federal Social Media Addiction Litigation. In this episode, she shares why the firm is taking social media seriously and why you should too. Guests: Emmie Paulos https://levinlaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Social-Media-Addiction-Litigation-Booklet.pdf https:/...
Send a text Did you know that Pensacola has hosted a Special Olympics event for the last 20 years? Do you know what school continues to pass the torch? Sondra Hill is the Director of Exceptional Student Education and Laura Touchstone is the Principal of Tate High School. Together, they share the exciting impact to students, staff and the community, and dynamic logistics of hosting an event like this. Guests: Sondra Hill & Laura Touchstone Parents & kids will get to interact with free ...
Send a text Why do our public schools need a foundation? Don’t taxes fund our public schools? Jo McArthur, Executive Director of the Escambia County Public Schools Foundation, shares behind the scenes of the foundation, what it has contributed to our community and why it matters. Guests: Jo McArthur https://www.escambiaschools.org/departments/ecpsf/home Text Tools to 850-930-9939 or Foundation to 850-930-9939 to make a donation Parents & kids will get to interact with free and low-cost ...
Send a text Who would pair Saturdays with science? Who is using Saturdays to spark young minds in Pensacola? Heath Parr is the STEM teacher at Brown Barge Middle School and instructor at Science Saturday. Shannon Nickinson is the Communications Director at IHMC. In this episode, they share how this free monthly event is getting kids excited about science and inspired for the future. Guests: Heath Parr & Shannon Nickinson https://www.ihmc.us/life/science_saturdays/ Parents & kids...
Send a text Where do you look for IT jobs in Pensacola? What’s the difference between IT education at George Stone vs a four year University? Snyder is the Instructor of Computer Systems & Information Technology at George Stone Technical College where programs cover everything from taking computers apart to cyber security. In this episode, Joe shares the potential and the practical of all things Pensacola IT. Guests: Joe Snyder https://gstc.escambiaschools.org/programs/computer-systems-in...
Send a text Is combining elementary & middle school a good idea? What does this look like logistically? Dr. Michael Roberts, Director of Middle Schools for Escambia County Public Schools, talks about moving to K-6 at Cordova Park and West Pensacola and how K-8 at Longleaf will impact students, parents and teachers. You’ll hear what inspired these changes & the parent feedback so far. Guests: Michael Roberts, EdD Parents & kids will get to interact with free and low-cost educationa...
Send a text How do you support your child’s transition into adulthood? How early should you start thinking about that? For parents of students with disabilities, these are tough questions. Pam Cebula is the ECPS Program Specialist, supporting parents through their child’s education and development into the early years of adulthood. Stacey Shelnut is the ECPS Resource Teacher for pre-K through adults and a parent of a child with a disability. In this episode, these educators share details abou...
Send a text Why Latin club? What does a Latin club competition look like? What unconventional methods are working for students? Dr. Dana Boddy is the Principal of Escambia High School and Amy Hornick is the Latin teacher as well as the record holder for longest time taught at the school – 36 years! In this episode, they share how Latin club is not just a competitive outlet, but gives students a competitive & social edge. Guests: Amy Hornick & Dana Boddy, EdD Parents & kids will ge...
Send a text How can six different courses be taught within one program? What does computer technology have to do with boats? What benefits are students graduating with? Stefan Schmitt is the marine service technology instructor at George Stone Technical College, recognized by Yamaha as the top US school for student job placement. He is also the host of BoatSmart on NewRadio Pensacola. In this episode, he gives us an insider look into the program, students and industry. Guest: Stefan Schmitt h...
Send a text How are teachers using AI to save time in and out of the classroom? How do they mitigate cheating? Can AI make us MORE human? Sarah Wallace is a World History, AP Human Geography and AP World History teacher and Gary Moore is a Geometry & Statistics teacher at West Florida High School. Two very different subjects, but two very similar teachers in the ways they use AI tools to innovate lesson plans and instructional time. In this episode, they share how AI is impacting their cl...
Send a text What are the magic ingredients that make behavior program benefits last? What would cause a 13-year-old girl to give up on life? Laurie Rodgers is the Executive Director of the Pace Center for Girls. In this episode, she shares the stories of the girls who got their spark back & how this holistic program for girls works when other interventions haven’t. Guest: Laurie Rodgers https://www.pacecenter.org/ Parents & kids will get to interact with free and low-cost educat...
Send a text Is music critical to education? What impact does orchestra have on academic performance? What influence have string musicians in pop culture had on student engagement? Cathy McConnell is the Director of Orchestras for Ransom Middle School and Tate High School. In this episode, she shares stories from her 29 years in music education including recent participation at Stringfest 2025 and explains how orchestra is a path to higher academic performance, scholarships and life skills. Gu...
Send a text Bryan Dawson is the digital media teacher at Pine Forest High School. In this episode, he shares how the New Media Academy is helping kids develop skills deeper than internet fame and opening them up to a range of careers options with good income potential. Guest: Bryan Dawson https://www.bls.gov/ Parents & kids will get to interact with free and low-cost educational and community resources & district leaders, enjoy a live animal presentation by animal tales, get giv...
Send a text Monica Willis is the District Military Liaison for ECPS and Bruce Cummins is the Pensacola Public Affairs Officer for NAS Pensacola. In this episode, they are going to share why they have added a third day, STEAM Day, to the annual Blue Angels Homecoming Show, why it’s just for kids, how it’s different from the public shows & how it connects with classroom learning standards to not just educate, but inspire. Guests: Monica Willis & Bruce Cummins https://www.facebook....
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