1NKCNEWS: Recent Episodes
Susan Hiland
Host Susan Hiland talks with people throughout North Kansas City Schools about news and information that benefit students, teachers and staff.
Is your new treadmill gathering dust? Too busy to use that new gym membership? Need to kickstart your fitness plan? Join Amber Paxton, NKC Schools’ Wellness Specialist and Tim Kuebler, Personal Trainer and teacher at Maple Park Middle School, in this 1NKCNews podcast. Learn strategies to get moving again plus incentives and resources the district provides to help you ge
If your New Year’s resolution was to exercise and lose weight, your motivation may be fading. In this 1NKC News podcast, NKC Schools’ Wellness Specialist, Amber Paxton, and Cami Mottet with NKC Hospital’s Total Weight Loss Center have tips to keep you on track and a free book that helps you manage stress and unhealthy eating.
NKC Schools introduces more initiatives to support students. Host, Susan Hiland, talks with Janelle Porter, Director of Student Services, about how Hope Squad will benefit students. Also, Sarah Boyd, the Public Information Officer with the Clay County Sheriff's Department, talks about the role additional School Resource Deputies will play in schools.
A new program looks to identify high performing low-income students and provide resources to help them prepare, apply, and get accepted into college. Its mission and purpose are very personal for David Persley, who oversees the program. Host, Susan Hiland, talks with David about the goals of the program and how students can become part of the Catalyst program.
In part four, our final writing workshop podcast, host, Susan Hiland, and Instructional Coordinator, Casi Hodge, talk with author and writing consultant, Matt Glover about crafts that cut across genres and how to encourage students to read as writers.
This professional development podcast focuses on craft studies vs process studies. In part three, host, Susan Hiland, talks with District Instructional Coordinator, Casi Hodge, along with author and writing consultant, Matt Glover about how teachers can use their own writing to develop teaching points for craft and process studies.
This podcast features professional development for NKC Schools’ teachers. In part two, host, Susan Hiland, talks with District Instructional Coordinator, Casi Hodge, along with author and writing consultant, Matt Glover about possible reasons students disengage in writing. They explore methods to increase student engagement.
This podcast is to provide professional development for NKC Schools’ teachers. Host, Susan Hiland, talks with District Instructional Coordinator, Casi Hodge, along with author and writing consultant, Matt Glover. In part one of four, the focus is on writing development and how teachers can view student writing through a strengths-based lens to make instructional decisions.
There is a lot happening in NKC Schools’ Transportation Department. Director of Transportation, Mike McQuillen, joins host Susan Hiland with updates on a new app. It shows students the location of their bus in real time eliminating the need for students to wait at the bus stop in cold or rainy weather. Mike also shares big news about the recent state safety inspection. NKC Schools reached a milestone after receiving a 100% approval rating. Looking for a job with great benefits and a competitive salary? We’re hiring bus drivers! Mike explains the benefits of working for NKC Schools and the process to become a bus driver.
Taking care of your health and wellness is even more important now as we cope with the pandemic. Amber Paxton, NKC Schools’ Wellness Specialist, joins host Susan Hiland with some tips on self-care and managing your physical and mental health. Amber shares news about several programs available to support staff. Joyages, a new app, provides encouragement and information on various health topics. A step challenge underway is proving to be successful at motivating staff to exercise. Amber outlines options for counseling whether it’s for nutritional guidance or mental health concerns. In addition, a new book club will create dialogue and support for staff.
We’ll discuss the coursework and experiences for students who choose this school. Topics covered include:
- Careers in each pathway
- Personality type, traits or strengths that would be a good fit for this pathway
- Classes included in this school
- Switching pathways
Host, Susan Hiland, talks with Dr. Chris Sartain, Oak Park principal, and Winnetonka business teacher, Ashley Lee, about how pathway learning can prepare students for post-graduation success.
We’ll discuss what type of student would be interested in this school and how students can engage throughout their high school years. Topics covered include:
- Careers in each pathway
- Resources to help students share their interest
- Real-world experiences for students
- Can I change my mind?
Host, Susan Hiland, discusses the experiences for students who choose this pathway with Dr. Larry Smith, principal at Staley High School, and Eric Whited, business teacher at Oak Park.
We’ll discuss matching a student’s interests to a learning pathway and how building community within the pathway sets students up for success. Topics covered include:
- Careers in each pathway
- Benefits of selecting a school within a school
- Student coursework and authentic experiences
- Resources for parents and students
Host, Susan Hiland, talks with Dr. Drew White, principal at NKCHS, and Lewis McKenzie, computer science teacher, also at Northtown, to learn more about how they are working to individualize learning for each student to ensure success.
We’ll discuss what makes this opportunity exciting and how this selection affects students’ choice of classes. Topics covered include:
- Careers in each pathway
- Incorporating coursework into pathway learning
- Real-world experiences
- Am I locked in after I choose a pathway?
Host, Susan Hiland, speaks with Dr. Eric Johnson, principal at Winnetonka High School, and Susie Helwig, a Staley science teacher, about the advantages for students as they choose a school and a pathway.
Teachers face many challenges during a pandemic. How do you keep students engaged? What can band classes look like? Host, Susan Hiland, discovers how this year is forcing two teachers to reevaluate their approach to educating students. Meara Mitchell, NKC Schools’ Coordinator of Instrumental Music and Kristin Bundy, English Language Arts teacher at New Mark Middle School, explain the changes they believe are making them better teachers. Hear what they plan to continue doing even after the pandemic is over, based on all they’ve learned.
How is the pandemic impacting the way we teach? How are teachers managing all the changes? Two elementary teachers discuss what's working and how they are overcoming the challenge of teaching in-person and virtually at the same time. Host, Susan Hiland, talks with two teachers from Meadowbrook Elementary; Ambra Robinson, 5th grade and Emily Lynch Deegan, 3rd grade.
CONNECT-ED
NKC Schools works to redesign high school so students are more engaged and successful. Learning pathways have been designed to benefit all students no matter their area of interest. Ensuring all classes have practical, real-world experiences is the cornerstone of the program developed by ConnectEd. Susan Hiland delves into the new initiative with ConnectEd CEO and President, Dr. Gary Hoachlander, and NKC Schools' Mark Maus, Executive Director of College and Career Readiness.
Parents as Teachers has turned virtual this year, but connecting with our community is more important than ever during the pandemic. NKC Schools Parent Educators assist new parents with resources, advice and evaluate their children for important benchmarks. Host, Susan Hiland, talks with Early Learning Coordinator, Courtney Holt, and Lead Parent Educator, Jennifer Hansen, about what services Parents as Teachers provide and a recent national honor.
You see a lot of construction throughout NKC Schools and a major project underway at Gladstone's old Hobby Lobby. What's being built? We have the answers! New schools, and updates to existing schools. Some projects were a long time coming. Host, Susan Hiland, talks with Katie Lawson, Director of Early Education, and Jeff Vandel, Executive Director of Facilities, who provide an overview of the projects, the timeline and how these updates will benefit students by creating a better learning environment.
Host, Susan Hiland, talks with Jenna Knuth, NKC Schools’ Director of Food and Nutrition Services. Jenna discusses meal options for students, a possible free meal extension and why parents applying for free and reduced meals may be eligible for even more discounts. Preparing safe meals for thousands of students, some in school and some learning virtually, is a daunting task. Jenna explains the safety protocols in place and why parents should feel good about the nutritious meals the district provides.
Host, Susan Hiland, talks with Superintendent, Dr. Dan Clemens, about how students, teachers and staff are managing during a pandemic. With virtual, in-class and hybrid learning models in place, the district remains dedicated to serving students and staff in a safe environment.
Host, Susan Hiland, talks with North Kansas City Schools leaders about a new learning initiative to benefit students. Superintendent, Dr. Dan Clemens, explains the Board of Education goals for this year. Deputy Superintendent of Academic Services, Dr. Chad Sutton, talks about the North Kansas City Schools Portrait of a Graduate and its role in transforming the learning experiences for PK-12 students. The program will be implemented in several phases and is designed to instill specific characteristics in students which will give them an advantage or edge over other students once they graduate.