Claim OwnershipWest Ada School District Podcast
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© 2025 West Ada School District Podcast
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The West Ada School District podcast is about informing and empowering families. Co-hosts Katie Rhodenbaugh and Ken Hyde will bring you guests and topics that will allow you to build trust with your kids and the passionate teachers that have a heart for educating them. At our core, we’re about preparing today's students for tomorrow’s challenges. Our first full episode will drop August 9, 2023. Stay tuned!
31 Episodes
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Did you know our students have access to an ambulance simulator!? Well, they do, and today’s conversation with a pair of our Career & Technical Education (CTE) advocates takes place right in front of it! Join us in the health lab. That’s just one of the hands-on opportunities available to our CTE students.William Schumaker is the director of Career & Technical Education, and Wendy Small is the CTE College & Career Counselor. If you’re wondering if one of We...
There is an invisible problem in West Ada, and our social workers are on the front lines of addressing it. Some facts: over 845 students are experiencing homelessness throughout the district, and 24% of our students experience financial hardship. Today, we're joined by Shannon Shayne, our Community Schools Lead, and Anne Edwards, a district social worker, who shed light on these crucial aspects of our district.It's inspiring to learn how our social work team works tirelessly to support o...
West Ada’s goal of remaining on the cutting edge of education is as strong as ever. One of the most recent examples of that is on display with the opening of the Flyers Center.Flyers is a unique facility designed to empower our youngest K-5 learners. The emphasis is on teaching these students how to correctly address the behavioral problems that are hindering their education and development. We’re joined by Kelli Knowles, the Principal of Flyers Center, and Jamie Giebler, a behavi...
Let’s be honest, “those kids” don’t have the greatest reputation – and that’s not fair. Students choose to attend West Ada’s alternative high schools for various reasons; they’ve had to repeat a grade, attendance issues, essentially any at risk category. If you have a student you’re concerned about, this episode is for you.Kristen Haener and Mike Hanneman join us to talk about how West Ada’s academies meet those students where they are and formulate a plan for success. Haene...
Mental health and teacher retention have been topics of conversation across the country the past few years. We’re joined by a father and son teaching duo to discuss what they see in the profession and why they do what they do.Alan Heikkila is in his 37th year of teaching. He’s a West Ada Ag instructor focusing mainly on small engines. His son, Daniel, also teaches welding at Meridian High. You’ll be encouraged and perhaps surprised by some of what they reveal about tea...
We all pay taxes. But are you aware of how our tax bill has gone down over the past 20 years, while the quality of education has improved in West Ada? It’s phenomenal!We’re joined in this episode by Chief Financial Officer Jonathan Gillen and Zone 4 Trustee David Binetti. If you’ve never gotten excited about spreadsheets, today is your day! 😀In all seriousness, the fiscal responsibility in the district is leading to a smaller tax bill for all of us, and a higher qualit...
The task of helping your student become career or college ready can seem overwhelming. There is A LOT to know and consider. Thankfully, we’ve got outstanding College and Career Counselors throughout West Ada.We’re joined in this episode by two of them; Anna Bemis from Eagle High School and Rae Peppley from Owyhee. We discuss everything from career or military readiness, to navigating the college scholarship maze.Mark your calendars for March 5 and this year’s College and Career Fa...
Season two of the West Ada School District Podcast has arrived! We’re joined by Jennifer Swindell and Kevin Richert of Idaho Education News. If you’re not familiar with their work, Ed News is a nonprofit covering public education in Idaho. These two veteran journalists chat with us about everything from what it’s like covering the legislature to the controversial library bill that was recently passed.We’ll also dig into what West Ada families and educators need to have on their ra...
For the first time ever, the West Ada Podcast is on location! Thank you to our friends at Roaring Springs for hosting us. For many West Ada students, Roaring Springs serves as their first foray into employment. Parents, how did you help your kids navigate landing that first job? What advice do you have for other parents? Join the conversation, respond here, or send us an email at communicate@westada.org.We’re joined by Elizabeth Martin and Kade Andrus. Elizabeth ...
Another amazing school year recently ended. Superintendent Dr. Derek Bub joins us for a look back at the year that was and discusses what’s next for West Ada. We talk through the sheer size of the school district – we’re the 9th largest employer in the state! We discuss the levies that passed and failed, and we dig into what cell phone use will look like next year.On the lighter side, you might be surprised to learn that Dr. Bub once entertained the thought of a career in the FBI,...
Ready or not, it’s time to start planning for summer break. Unfortunately, summer learning loss is real, but we’re joined by a couple of experts to help us brainstorm ways to keep our students happy, healthy, and engaged.Monique Bosse is West Ada’s Student and Family Engagement Liaison and Andrew Fletcher is the Executive Director of Child Development at the YMCA. We discuss everything from healthy minds and bodies to the community partners investing in our families and students o...
Artificial Intelligence is reshaping the world around us in what feels like real time. For educators, the technology is both challenging and exciting. Gina Kwid is one of our guests. She teaches second grade at Galileo Stem and is one of the teachers leading the AI charge in West Ada. She’s a doctoral candidate at BSU in the Educational Technology Department and is part of West Ada’s AI working group.We’re also joined by Dr. Paul Bodily, an assistant professor of Compu...
Boise State head football coach Spencer Danielson joins us for a wide-ranging interview. Seriously, we talk about A LOT...everything from what it’s like to be a #GirlDad, to his faith, to the leadership principals that drive him.Promise, you don’t need to know the definition of “cover 2” or a “hook and ladder” to enjoy this one. Whether you lead a classroom, a school, a business, or your family, there’s something in this episode for everyone.Specifically, if you have a child that ...
We’re doing something new with the podcast, West Ada. Join us for “The Pulse,” which is a special pop-up edition. We’ve got our finger on the pulse of the district and when something great happens, we’re going to bring that to you right away.To that end, the Owyhee basketball team won their 2nd state championship in three years over the weekend! Head Coach Andy Harrington and senior guard Liam Campbell join us to talk about it.You can listen here…https://www.buzzsprout.com/2...
For the first time, two of our outstanding students join the West Ada Podcast! Rylee Chung is the ASB President at Centennial High School and Colby Bond is the Junior Class Vice President at Renaissance High School.These two are extremely involved in their schools and communities. You’ll be impressed by their leadership and academic accomplishments. In addition, what they have to say about culture, social media, and what adults should know about their generation is both insp...
West Ada’s school counselors make a positive impact on our student’s lives every day! Lisa Hale and Sarah Everett are two of them. They join us for a wide-ranging conversation concerning everything from navigating friendships to the mental health challenges facing our kids. Lisa is a counselor at Paramount Elementary and Sarah is a counselor at Owyhee High School – so we’re discussing a wide range of ages. Buckle up parents, these counselors approach their jobs with em...
Idaho Fine Arts Academy (IFAA) Principal Chris Housel joins Katie and Ken for an extension of our conversation concerning The Arts in West Ada.Housel is a lifelong educator, but he’s also been a working piano player and composer for decades. He addresses everything from IFAA’s audition process to some of the misconceptions concerning the free, publicly funded, school of choice.To learn more, or purchase tickets to the Rhythm & Roots performance at the Morrison Center, click here…To ...
Camilla Boylan and T.J. Eriksen join us for the first podcast of 2024! Both are massively decorated West Ada teachers in The Arts. Camilla teaches acting at Mountain View High School and was West Ada’s Teacher of the Year and the Velma V. Morrison Performing Arts Educator of the Year award winner last year. T.J. is a past Music Educator of the Year winner and has been pursuing excellence as the Director of Bands at Eagle High School for the past 16 years. He’s performe...
With the holiday season upon us, how do you juggle it all? Bri Eggers is a parent and someone who knows a thing or two about navigating obligations both at work and home. The former KTVB meteorologist joins Katie and Ken for a wide-ranging conversation.Bri left Channel 7 last spring. She talks about the joys of being a mom, and her passion for introducing kids to science in classrooms across the Treasure Valley. You’ll also want to hear her perspective on cutting throu...
Our Schools of Choice application deadline is November 30. To learn more about what’s best for your child, you’re in the right place. Meg McGroarty is the principal at Renaissance High School and David Jakious is the principal at Pioneer School of the Arts. No one knows more about West Ada’s Schools of Choice than these two experts!This conversation runs the gamut; everything from STEM Academies and Art Schools to the processes and procedures of the random lottery draw in De...
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