Shows
Iola ISD: Bulldog Pride Podcast12 - Elementary Special Teams: Where Every Kid ShinesThis 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 "yo...
2026-03-0531 minIola ISD: Bulldog Pride Podcast11 - Keeping Iola Running: Meet the Maintenance TeamThis week on the Bulldog Pride Podcast, we're going behind the scenes with the crew that keeps Iola ISD running smoothly! Host Amanda Rollert sits down with Maintenance Director Mr. Anthony Marks and team members Mr. Michael Evans and Mr. Rudy Galvan.These dedicated team members share what their day looks like—arriving before students and staff, responding to urgent issues with an "all hands on deck" approach, and handling everything from AC repairs and door closures to mowing fields and retrieving tennis balls from rooftops!The crew shares projects they're especially proud of: building a...
2026-02-2622 minIola ISD: Bulldog Pride Podcast10 - Tenacious & Revolutionary: Senior Band SpotlightThis week on the Bulldog Pride Podcast, we're celebrating the sound and spirit of Iola Band! Host Amanda Rollert sits down with Band Director Mr. Taylor Fowler and six incredible seniors: Head Drum Major - Haley Hejl, Assistant Drum Major - Fallon Smith, and Band Members - Emmy Renfro, Addy Cerrillo, Blake Whitaker, and Steven Chavez.These seniors—most playing their instruments for seven years—share what makes band so special: the lifelong friendships, leadership opportunities, and the constant pursuit of improvement. From learning consistency and problem-solving to appreciating how hard the band works in the Texas sun...
2026-02-1241 minIola ISD: Bulldog Pride Podcast9 - New Year, New Beginnings: Staff Spotlight at Iola ISD’s Middle School & High SchoolThis week on the Bulldog Pride Podcast, we're kicking off 2026 by celebrating Gold Star Peer Award winners from Iola’s High School & Middle School campuses and welcoming a new staff member to the Iola family!Meet our award winners: January Paraprofessional - Wendy McKown, December Employee of the Month - Cathy Oliver (US & TX History), Paraprofessional Newcomer - Kamryn Michael, Overall Newcomer - Taylor Fowler (Band Director), and September Employee of the Month - Debbie Lero (Algebra 2, Pre-Cal & Calculus). We also recognize Coach Eric Blenden (Nov...
2026-01-0843 minIola ISD: Bulldog Pride Podcast8 - Honoring Excellence: Elementary Employee SpotlightThis week on the Bulldog Pride Podcast, we're celebrating some truly exceptional educators! Host Amanda Rollert sits down with Iola Elementary's Employees of the Month, Newcomer Teacher of the Semester, and Paraprofessional of the Semester for a heartwarming conversation about what it means to serve with grace, grit, and growth.Meet this incredible group of award winners: August Employee of the Month Christy Steinmann, September Cathy Wheaton, October Kara Shive, November Shaina Bostick, December Kylie Hammack, and Paraprofessional of the Semester Ashley Bunch...
2025-12-0945 minIola ISD: Bulldog Pride Podcast7 - Grateful Hearts & Holiday Traditions with the 4th Grade Teaching TeamThis week on the Bulldog Pride Podcast, we're getting cozy with Iola Elementary's 4th grade teaching team just in time for Thanksgiving! Host Amanda Rollert sits down with ELAR teacher - Brinley Bennett, Math teacher - Michele Sullivan, and Science/Social Studies teacher - Shayanne McKown for a heartwarming conversation about traditions, gratitude, and what makes teaching 4th grade so special.These three teachers share their journeys to Iola and what keeps them here—from Ms. Sullivan calling it "the best district I've worked in by far" to Ms. McKown's incredible nine-year connection with this group of st...
2025-11-2033 minIola ISD: Bulldog Pride Podcast6 - Playoff Pride: Football & Volleyball Battle for GloryThis week on the Bulldog Pride Podcast, it's all about playoff season! Host Amanda Rollert sits down with both the volleyball and football programs as they make their postseason runs. We've got Girls Varsity Coach, Miss, and Varsity Football Coach, Eric Blenden, alongside their senior leaders who are leaving it all on the court and field.On the volleyball side, seniors Ava Bessette (Libero), Rylee Goodney (Setter), Kylan Thomas (Defensive Specialist), and Shaylee McKowan (Outside Hitter/Defensive Specialist) share what it's like heading into the state semifinals after winning district and qualifying for the fifth round of...
2025-11-1338 minIola ISD: Bulldog Pride Podcast5 - Elementary Student Council Spotlight: Leadership in ActionThis week on the Bulldog Pride Podcast, we're hanging out with the rock stars of Iola Elementary's Student Council! Host Amanda Rollert sits down with President Kroy Larson, Vice President Teddy Fowler, Secretary Eve Hurst, and Treasurer Sadie Steinman for a fun and heartfelt conversation about what it means to be a leader.These young leaders share their thoughts on responsibility, kindness, and what being an Iola Bulldog is all about. Spoiler alert: it's about doing your best even when no one's watching (integrity in action!), helping friends when they fall down, and treating everyone—including new st...
2025-10-3029 minIola ISD: Bulldog Pride Podcast4 - Junior High & High School LeadersOn today's episode, I sit down with Iola's Junior High & High School leadership team: High School Principal - Brian Fowler, High School Assistant Principal - MISS, Junior High Admin & Teacher - Mandy Schwanke, Junior High History Teacher - Cathy Oliver, and High School Math Teacher - Debbie Lero. This crew shares their diverse paths into education, from former jocks to psychology majors who took math classes for fun, to late bloomers who found their calling in their thirties.The team discusses how they define student success, the importance of getting involved in activities, and how they support...
2025-10-1633 minIola ISD: Bulldog Pride Podcast3 - First Grade Magic: Light Bulbs & BreakthroughsWe spend time with Iola's 1st grade teaching team: Steven McGuire, Leighton Brackin, and Denise Frazier. These teachers share what makes first grade so special - the incredible growth students make in reading and writing, those "light bulb moments" when concepts finally click, and how they create a classroom community where kindness is practiced daily.Mr. McGuire talks about keeping learning fast-paced and hands-on with brain breaks and dance parties. Ms. Brackin shares how her students have taught her about fresh starts and new mercies every day. Ms. Frazier reminds us about the power of flexibility when...
2025-10-0227 minIola ISD: Bulldog Pride Podcast2 - Elementary Excellence: Grit, Grace & GrowthWe sit down with the powerhouse team from Iola Elementary: Principal - Hollie Guilbeau, Assistant Principal - Lauren Sanders, School Nurse - Saundra Elliott, and GT Teacher - Kylie Hammack. These ladies share what makes their campus special - the "grit, grace, and growth" motto, morning huddles that set the tone, and how relationships are at the center of everything they do.They recap this week's successful grandparent lunch and look ahead to upcoming events like homecoming spirit week, a mobile STEM lab coming to campus, and their childhood cancer awareness fundraiser. The team talks a...
2025-09-1838 minIola ISD: Bulldog Pride Podcast1 - Introducing the Bulldog Pride Podcast: Small Town, Big Impact!Welcome to the very first Bulldog Pride Podcast! We kick things off by getting to know the folks steering the ship at Iola ISD. Superintendent, Jeff Dyer, shares his unique story of being a hometown kid who came back home after 20+ years to lead the district where he grew up. Athletic Director and Head Football Coach, Eric Blenden, talks about finding his perfect fit in Iola after 16 years in education - a place where he's excited to raise his own kids.We dive into what makes Iola special: the Friday night lights tradition that brings the whole...
2025-09-0340 min
In The Loop Grimes County PodcastGrimes County Grads Spotlight Series- Iola ISDIn this episode we talk to Iola High School Class of 2025 Valedictorian, Sierra Waneck, Salutatorian, Cotulla Shive, along with Principal Brian Fowler, and Volleyball Coach Jamie McDougald about graduation, highlights of the school year, and future plans.
2025-05-2333 min