Shows
Superintendents UnpluggedScaling Success: Inside the 96% Graduation Rate at Orange County Public SchoolsIn this episode of Superintendents Unplugged, host and former superintendent Addison Davis sits down with Dr. Maria Vazquez, Superintendent of Orange County Public Schools (OCPS), to explore the heart of educational leadership at scale. As the first Latina superintendent of Florida’s eighth-largest district—with over 208,000 students and 213 schools—Dr. Vazquez shares a deeply personal and powerful journey from a first-generation American to a trailblazing educational leader.Dr. Vazquez, the daughter of Cuban immigrants, recounts how her early struggles as an English learner shaped a lifelong mission: ensuring every child, regardless of background, feels safe, supported, and positi...2025-06-3019 min
Mondays with Maria PodcastMondays with Maria presented by Addition Financial – Final episode of 2024-25 school yearSuperintendent Vazquez highlights the Top 3 for 2024-25 and the Top 3 for 2025-26 2025-05-1918 minMondays with Maria PodcastMondays with Maria presented by Addition Financial – How OCPS will continue to lead students to successSuperintendent Vazquez highlights the district's new Strategic Plan 203012025-05-1213 minMondays with Maria PodcastTeacher Appreciation WeekSuperintendent Vazquez highlights Project Impact.2025-05-0511 minMondays with Maria PodcastMondays with Maria presented by Addition Financial – Crystal AwardsSuperintendent Vazquez highlights OCPS Partners and ADDitions volunteers 2025-04-2815 minMondays with Maria PodcastMondays with Maria presented by Addition Financial – Why enrolling now is so criticalSuperintendent Vazquez explains all of the avenues to register for the 2025-26 school year 2025-04-2115 minMondays with Maria PodcastAdvice From Middle School StudentsSuperintendent Vazquez brings you peer to peer advice for middle school.2025-04-1613 minMondays with Maria PodcastFinish StrongSuperintendent Vazquez talks about the last quarter of the 2024-25 school year.2025-04-0712 minMondays with Maria PodcastStudent Town HallsSuperintendent Vazquez takes more questions from high school students.2025-03-3116 minMondays with Maria PodcastOur 100th Episode!Join Dr. Maria Vazquez and Nancy Alvarez as they celebrate the 100th episode of the Mondays with Maria video series!2025-03-2415 minMondays with Maria PodcastOur Most Requested GuestSuperintendent Maria Vazquez introduces you to the OCPS security staff who work with Coco the dog. 2025-03-1012 minMondays with Maria PodcastNew storyteller for The SlicePositive news about OCPS gets a new storyteller. Meet Danelia Buitrago. 2025-03-0312 minMondays with Maria PodcastBest Advice From Middle School TeachersMiddle school teachers offer some reassurance to parents who are nervous about middle school for their child. 2025-02-2617 minMondays with Maria Podcast2025 Stellar Award WinnersMeet Oange County Public Schools 2025 Stellar Award winners, Teacher of the Year, Support Person of the Year, Principal of the Year, Assistant Principal of the Year and Administrator of the Year. 2025-02-1013 minMondays with Maria PodcastHow to keep one of your New Year resolutionsThe importance of annual health screenings.2025-02-0310 minMondays with Maria PodcastLet's Read OCPS!Superintendent Vazquez and School Board Member Byrd discuss the new Let's Read OCPS Challenge.2025-01-2713 minMondays with Maria PodcastWhat Is Resiliency?Superintendent Vazquez explores how resiliency is helping develop positive characteristics in students.2025-01-1310 minMondays with Maria PodcastSecond Semester PreviewSuperintendent Vazquez and Nancy Alvarez give a preview of the exciting OCPS events happening during the upcoming second semester.2025-01-0615 minMondays with Maria PodcastAngel Tree - Season of GivingSuperintendent Vazquez found out how all of your Angel Tree gifts get distributed to students.2024-12-1612 minMondays with Maria PodcastNew School Board MembersMeet the newest school board members for OCPS.2024-12-0913 minMondays with Maria PodcastGuess who is nominated for a Grammy?Superintendent Vazquez reveals two employees who are nominated for a Grammy.2024-12-0216 minMondays with Maria PodcastMiddle School ConcernsA discussion about the concerns parents may have about sending their child to middle school.2024-11-1814 minMondays with Maria PodcastOCPS Celebrates Veterans DayDr. Maria Vazquez introduces you to three OCPS staff who are also veterans.2024-11-1113 min
Sex on CallBirth Control & LibidoBirth control is used by many individuals for prevention of pregnancy, but also to help control their bleeding month-to-month. One of the most commonly used types of birth controls are pills, also referred to as oral contraceptives (OCPs).Our episode today focuses on a specific side effect often reported for individuals on OCPs: low libido or low sex drive. We unpack the science behind why certain individuals may experience low libido on OCPs and while others may not. We also break down studies that reflect the percentage of patients that experience these symptoms as well as which O...2024-11-1123 minMondays with Maria PodcastOCPS Alumni Network with Olympian Omari JonesSuperintendent Maria Vazquez speaks with 2024 Summer Olympics medalist Omari Jones who is also an OCPS graduate.2024-11-0413 minMondays with Maria PodcastWhere You Can Find Academic Help For Your ChildSuperintendent Maria Vazquez goes over some important academic resources students can use to supplement their classes.2024-10-2812 minMondays with Maria PodcastTown HallsSuperintendent Maria Vazquez previews this year's Superintendent Town Hall meetings.2024-10-0717 min
Inspiring WholenessHow parents, health care providers and educators are supporting youth mental health — with Orange County Public Schools superintendent and AdventHealth for Children“Fifty percent of all life-time mental illnesses begin by age 14,” says Jessica Galo, director of specialty care at AdventHealth for Children and member of the Orange County Youth Mental Health Commission. As exciting as going back to school can be, students in Orange County and across the country are facing numerous challenges. Some include social media, bullying and the pressure to perform and succeed both during and after high school, just to name a few. In this episode of the Inspiring Wholeness podcast, presented by AdventHealth in partnership with the Orlando Business Journal, Galo joins Maria Vazquez, Ed.D...2024-10-0331 minMondays with Maria PodcastEmergency PreparednessSuperintendent Maria Vazquez shares how OCPS prepares for an emergency.2024-09-3010 minMondays with Maria PodcastProgress ReportsWhat you need to know about progress reports and your child.2024-09-2412 minMondays with Maria PodcastGlobal Family Welcome CenterSuperintendent Maria Vazquez takes you inside the new OCPS Global Family Welcome Center.2024-09-1619 minMondays with Maria PodcastHot TopicsSuperintendent Maria Vazquez provides an update on A/C issues and school security.2024-09-0922 minMondays with Maria PodcastTransportationSuperintendent Dr. Maria Vazquez addresses concerns that some families might have about transportation. With guests Scott Howat, OCPS Chief of Communications, Shari Bobinski, Director of Media Relations, and Bri MacNaught, Multimedia Manager.2024-08-2613 min
Monica May's Point Of ViewGetting our House in Order for the Upcoming Elections, BLK JOY Festival and Meadowbrook M.S. is “Going Places” this new school yearWe began the morning with our State Representative Lavon Bracy-Davis. Lavon emphasized advocating for your rights and researching the views of various representatives. “If your views do not Rep Lavon Bracy Davis reminds us that while some are trying to flip the script with Project 2025, we need to be prepared with Project 2024. That means we need to Get Our House in Order and Vote! The Primary is August 20th and early voting begins Monday August 5th and goes through August 18th. Aside from Florida being a closed primary state, there are non-partisan representatives to vote for in addition to Democrat an...2024-08-041h 58
All My Favorite PeopleSetting OCPS Students Up For Success with Jeni GriegerEp. 103- Join me and Orange County Public School board candidate for District 6 Jeni Grieger as we discuss the abysmal literacy rates through OCPS schools, and what she plans to do once elected to turn things around for good. With a focus on what best sets students and teachers up for success and a determination to disrupt the status quo, Jeni shares her vision for her district. As the only former teacher running in her race, Jeni is passionate about solving the many problems facing our school district with a non-partisan approach and a loud voice that puts kids...2024-07-2437 min
Dr. Chapa’s Clinical Pearls.Do OCPS Cause Hypothyroidism?Oral Hormonal contraception gets the blame for a lot of
things, including the development of hypothyroidism. Hypothyroidism is one of the most common endocrine disorders affecting 5 to 10 times more women than
men, and its prevalence increases with age. This association of OCPs with hypothyroidism comes from a controversial article in BMJ published in 2021, but
is still very active in current social media posts. Does combination oral birth control cause hypothyroidism with prolonged use? Are birth control pills responsible for “micronutrient depletion” which negatively affects the thyroid? In this episode, we will explore and dissect this study and look at a Ja...2024-06-2834 min
The Minimalist Educator PodcastEpisode 035: Navigating the Art of Parent-Teacher Collaboration with Alina DavisUnlock the secrets to fostering strong family engagement in schools with Alina Davis, a visionary from Orange County Public Schools. Our candid discussion peels back the layers of the Parent Academy's success and shares how to tailor family initiatives to meet diverse needs. Discover the art of effective communication and how a strategically organized committee can orchestrate impactful events that resonate with students’ success. We delve into the nuances of cultural diversity, inclusivity, and the dual capacity-building framework that strengthens the bonds between educators and families. Alina provides an arsenal of strategies, from optimizing parent-teacher conferences to employing the qu...2024-05-0727 min