This week on the Bulldog Pride Podcast, we're celebrating Iola ISD Elementary's Special Teams! Host Amanda Rollert sits down with PE teachers - Ryanne Jolly and Coach Jayme Timm, Art/Music teacher - Gayla Blenden, and Library/GT teacher - Kylie Hammack to discuss how they build relationships, foster creativity, and help every student discover their unique gifts.
These dedicated educators share how they connect with students they see on rotation—through movement in PE, creativity in art and music, and discovering new worlds through reading. Coach Timm emphasizes teaching lifetime sports like pickleball and tennis because "you can't pay somebody else to exercise your body for you." Coach Jolly highlights the joy of seeing kids try new activities and share their stories daily.
Memorable moments include: a student who struggled with confidence now embracing "the power of yet," fifth graders audibly gasping during a World War II novel study when pieces clicked together, and daily excitement from kids asking "Is it art day? Is it music day? Where do we get to travel to today?"
This episode celebrates the educators who teach kids that movement matters, everyone is creative in their own way, and reading opens infinite possibilities.
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