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© 2026 Voices United in Education
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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.
180 Episodes
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Send us 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 fr...
Send us 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-co...
Send us 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 & k...
Send us 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...
Send us 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 educati...
Send us 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 a...
Send us 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...
Send us 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 Schmit...
Send us 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...
Send us 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 edu...
Send us 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....
Send us 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 ...
Send us 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.facebo...
Send us a text Caitlin Rhea, Curator of Education and Public Programs for the Pensacola Museum of Art, shares how this free monthly art program for children on the autism spectrum is benefiting everyone. Guest: Caitlin Rhea https://pensacolamuseum.org/learn-engage/publicprograms/ 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 giveaways from the vendors & ...
Send us a text Tara Palasciano is the principal of Bailey Middle School and Amy Roby is the principal of Hellen Caro Elementary School. In this episode, they talk about working together to turn the age-old apprehension with moving to middle school into an opportunity, sharing what this new collaboration looks like and how it could benefit the entire community. Guests: Tara Palasciano & Amy Roby https://www.escambiaschools.org/jbms | https://www.escambiaschools.org/hces Parents &...
Send us a text Bill Davis is the Aviation Maintenance Technology Coordinator at George Stone Technical College. In this episode, he shares how a special collaboration with King Aero has delivered a cutaway version of a real turbine engine into the classroom for hands-on learning, streamlining instruction and changing lives. Guest: Bill Davis https://www.escambiaschools.org/Page/6125 Parents & kids will get to interact with free and low-cost educational and community resources & ...
Send us a text Nancy Barger is the Pre-Nursing Instructor in the Health Science Academy at Booker T Washington and the 2025-2026 High School Career Academy Teacher of the Year. In this episode, she shares her journey of nursing to education and how the Health Science Academy may be a set up for success for both students and the community. Guests: Nancy Barger Parents & kids will get to interact with free and low-cost educational and community resources & district leaders, enjoy ...
Send us a text Matt MacGregor, Marine Science Teacher at West Florida High School, shares how a group of his students are designing Pensacola’s latest reef through the new Artificial Reefs Curriculum. You’ll hear how this not only gives student education a boost, but our local economy as well. Guests: Matt MacGregor https://ccaflorida.org/ | http://alturl.com/6qf8q Parents & kids will get to interact with free and low-cost educational and community resources & district leaders, ...
Send us a text Lee Gilreath is the Criminal Justice Academy Instructor at West Florida High School. In this episode, he brags on his students, tells stories from his experience as a Miami cop and shares how this academy is facilitating excellence for future 911 dispatchers and beyond. Guest: Lee Gilreath 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 giveaway...
Send us a text Jenn Montoya is the Learning Management Coordinator for Escambia County Public Schools. In this episode, she shares how one learning management app has officially replaced all the others, making keeping up with your child’s classroom assignments & deadlines seamless. Guest: Jen Montoya canvas@ecsdfl.us | https://escambia.instructure.com/courses/63591/pages/ecps-canvas-login-portal | https://www.khanacademy.org/ Parents & kids will get to interact with free and low...
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