Shows
Voices of District 303Transparency, Teamwork, and Teaching: The Impact of PLCs at Corron ElementaryEffective Collaboration is one of three key priorities in the District 303 Strategic Plan, and Professional Learning Communities, or PLCs, play a vital role in bringing this priority to life. PLCs are thriving in every school across the district, including Corron Elementary, where educators are seeing a significant impact from collaborative teaching. Corron Principal Christine Balaskovitz and 5th Grade PLC Leader Erik Robinson recently joined the Voices of District 303 podcast to share their insights on what makes PLCs so effective.A key theme of their discussion was the importance of vulnerability—te...2025-01-3130 minVoices of District 303Formative Assessments & Their Role In Elevating ExcellenceFor many educators in District 303, formative assessments serve as a diagnostic tool, helping them to analyze the effectiveness of their teaching methods. Receiving real-time feedback on student achievement encourages flexibility, as instructors are able to tailor lessons to each individual class and revisit concepts that kids may be struggling with. Tina King, Senior Director of Learning and Teaching, compares formative assessment data to mission control. “If I don’t get good feedback along the way when we’re flying the shuttle, we’re not going to hit that target,” King said. “[Forma...2025-01-1036 minVoices of District 303Career Connections: Students Talk Self-Advocacy & Efforts To Increase Opportunities For AllExtracurricular academic programs or internships take learning outside of the classroom and can be instrumental for students looking to discover their passions. St. Charles East juniors Kunal Gaind and Rahil Bukhari recently joined the Voices of District 303 podcast to talk about what they’ve learned by getting involved. Kunal discussed how rewarding it was to take STEM classes at Johns Hopkins University, while Rahil shared that volunteering to learn more about health care professions through the Northwestern Medicine Discovery Program was a life-changing experience. “(I learned a lot that was) scienc...2024-12-1327 minVoices of District 303Conversation with Distinguished Alumni Class of 2024District 303 graduates Cheryl Denz, Rick Gibson, Jeffrey LaDeur, and Karen Schmidt were recently honored as the Distinguished Alumni Class of 2024. As part of their return to their former schools, the four award winners joined the Voices of D303 podcast to discuss the honor and what it means to be recognized. “My time at this school is very close to my heart, but I haven’t lived here in 15 years,” said LaDeur, a 2004 graduate of East High School who now works as a successful pianist and music mentor. “It brought back a lot of beautiful memories a...2024-12-0630 minVoices of District 303How Brain Science Is Enhancing Student LearningDistrict 303 educators are embracing new brain research that suggests that caring teachers can alter a student's brain chemistry for the better. Gifted Coordinator Yvette Stahl cites one study that showed students may respond more favorably to stressful situations when in the presence of a trusted adult. “The results were clear, and they weren’t behavioral in nature- they were biochemical. Those children who had an established caring adult in the room with them did not have any of the stress hormone release,” said Stahl. The research is reinforcing for educators the value of building relationships to impro...2024-09-2445 minVoices of District 303Hyped for HomecomingHomecoming week is a time for high schoolers to showcase their school pride while making lifelong memories. Three students who are involved in planning their school’s homecoming celebrations recently joined the Voices of District 303 podcast to discuss their favorite traditions at both East and North, and offer advice to underclassmen who may not know about all the different ways that they can participate. Between Small Games competitions, class volleyball, and the parade and football game, organizers stressed that there is something for everyone. “It’s not about always winning- it’s honestly just about having fun...2024-09-0627 minVoices of District 303High School Students Talk Passions, Overcoming ChallengesHigh school is a transformational time for students, as they begin to establish their independence as young adults. Four members of Dr. Gordon’s Superintendent Student Advisory Council recently joined the Voices of District 303 podcast to talk about their high school experiences and share secrets for success. One key takeaway from their conversation was the importance of getting involved. “While academics are such a big important thing, having the different clubs and extracurriculars to be a part of, that gives you more of a drive to go to school. You meet so many new people, and yo...2024-05-0949 minVoices of District 303The Power of PLCsRenewed emphasis on professional learning communities (PLCs) is elevating student growth in District 303. Chief Academic Officer Dr. Christine Igoe, ELA Coordinator Dr. Amanda Wojcik, and Davis Primary School Instructional Support Coach Meghan Madigan recently joined the Voices of District 303 Podcast to share their perspectives.“Our teachers are really taking the time to come together and collaborate, and think about what we want our kids to be able to do,” said Igoe. Topics of discussion included how educators are leveraging PLCs to share effective strategies and best practices, and the impact that is having on student lear...2024-04-0233 minVoices of District 303Finances and FacilitiesSchool finance can be confusing. From the size of a school district’s budget and types of funds it includes to the percentage of local, state and federal revenue it receives, there’s a lot to understand. Chief Operating Officer Justin Attaway shares insights into District 303’s budget, the tax levy process, and addresses school finance misconceptions. This episode also reviews the financial considerations of maintaining and improving District 303 facilities. Additionally, hear an update on the school attendance boundary process and how you can get involved and stay informed. Learn more fro...2023-10-2028 minVoices of District 303How District 303 Developed its Strategic PlanDistrict 303 is in its first year of implementing a new five-year Strategic Plan, which was approved by the Board last summer. The plan guides the District’s long-term priorities, resources and intended outcomes in order to drive student success. The plan is the culmination of work from the Strategic Plan Development Committee. Over the course of eight months, the committee of nearly 20 individuals from across the District met often to research and deliberate elements of the plan, and gathered feedback from staff and stakeholders. Two members of the committee, Becky Prebble and Sabreena Kapadia, recently dis...2023-09-2131 minVoices of District 303Blue Ribbon Achieved: Norton Creek Elementary and North High SchoolDistrict 303’s Norton Creek Elementary and St. Charles North High School have been named 2022 National Blue Ribbon Schools by the U.S. Department of Education. They are among 297 schools in the nation to be recognized and just 17 in the state of Illinois.Norton Creek Principal Tony White and North High School Principal Shanna Lewis discuss how they were notified of the honor, the celebrations that ensued, and how this recognition speaks to the strengths of the District and community as a whole. “The system that we’ve built here in St. Charles really kind of nurture...2022-10-0521 minVoices of District 303Get to Know Superintendent Dr. Paul GordonNew D303 Superintendent Dr. Paul Gordon talks about his professional journey from teacher to superintendent and getting reacclimated to the Midwest. Prior to joining St. Charles on July 1, Gordon held roles in Colorado as a high school football coach, principal and chief academic officer, and later served as superintendent for school districts in Glen Ellyn, Illinois and Wenatchee, Washington.It’s what drives me,” said Gordon on helping students succeed. “It’s my why for doing the work that we do. It’s really to engage students and to help each of our students find their journey in life… B...2022-08-2321 minVoices of District 303"The World is Better With You in it" Turning Positivity into a BusinessSt. Charles North junior Sara Tenbrock spent the first 16 years of her life in Texas and attended her entire sophomore year virtually. During that time she noticed that social media often had negative messages and she wanted to find a way to spread positivity on Instagram. Using her iPad and an apple pencil, she began creating positive messages and posting them on her Instagram account. The simple gesture gained her followers and she realized she had the power to do more. Join Dr. Pearson as he talks with Sara about her journey from posting on social media to creating a...2022-04-2225 minVoices of District 303Women in Leadership Speaker SeriesWhen two St. Charles East freshmen noticed they were only part of a small number of girls in their Introduction to Business class, they decided to find a way to encourage more girls to be interested in business. The Women in Business Speaker Series was formed. In this episode, Dr. Pearson talks with now juniors Natalie Gibbard and Elyse Jens about how their series has evolved into Women In Leadership and what the students who attended the forums both in person and virtually have learned from the women leaders who have shared their stories. Natalie and Elyse also talk a...2022-03-1118 minVoices of District 303Yes, Sir! One Student's Journey to the United States Military Academy at West PointA standout athlete in track and field since middle school, Joshua Duncan set his sights on competing at a Division 1 college. The pandemic and an injury at the state track meet derailed those plans. Little did Joshua know that a coach from one of our nation’s oldest and most prestigious military academies watched him race at state before he was sidelined with his injury. Dr. Pearson talks with Joshua about how “plan B” is now his dream of a lifetime. 2021-12-2235 minVoices of District 303Illinois State Board of Education Student Advisory CommitteeEach year a group of students is chosen from around the state to be student advisors to the Illinois State Board of Education. Students have the opportunity to see the State Board’s policymakers in action and work with them to provide student perspectives and concerns on the state’s education policies. Students come together several times throughout the year and work remotely on a research project that is presented to the Board. St. Charles East Senior Serena Thakkar is now serving in her second year on the committee. She talks with Dr. Person about why she applied to serv...2021-12-1015 minVoices of District 303How Woods and Autos Classes Help Build Students' FuturesOctober is manufacturing month and Dr. Pearson takes the opportunity to talk with 3 students enrolled in both Autos and Woods at St. Charles East High School. They have a conversation about what they like about being hands-on in the classroom, some of their favorite projects, and what they hope to do in the future. They also discuss how the challenges of learning during the pandemic from a book and videos provided important background knowledge about vocabulary and tools that helped them hit the ground running when in-person school resumed. These 3 passionate, articulate, and skilled craftsmen share how they hope...2021-10-2921 minVoices of District 303The Launch of EmpowerEmpower is now part of the school day in all District 303 elementary schools. Although the launch of the innovative program was delayed due to COVID, students and teachers alike are excited to create, problem-solve, collaborate and learn during the time allotted for all students in kindergarten through 5th grades. Dr. Pearson talks with Sarah Cann, Assistant Director of Instruction, and Empower teachers Tanya Hernandez and Lauren Schaaf about the origin of Empower, skills students are building, and how parents can talk to their children about what is happening in the classroom. 2021-09-0326 minVoices of District 303National Board Certified Teachers in District 303National Board Certification (NBC) is a voluntary, advanced teaching credential that goes beyond state licensure. NBC has national standards for what accomplished teachers should know and be able to do. Dr. Pearson talks with District 303 educators Michelle Poelsterl, Lindsay Boynton, and Dr. Katherine McCleary about how earning their National Board Certification transformed the way they teach, interact with students, collaborate with peers, and reflect on their practices to improve student outcomes. 2021-07-0227 minVoices of District 303Fermilab Internship and A Muon DetectorSt. Charles North High School senior Tyler Strohl was able to put his love of science and engineering to work while interning at Fermilab. He worked with Dr. Mark Adams, QuarkNet Cosmic Ray Coordinator on a project to build and study Muon Detectors. Listen to this fascinating episode where Dr. Pearson and his guests take you into the world of astrophysics and give you a glimpse inside America's particle physics and accelerator laboratory. 2021-06-1120 minVoices of District 303Stories of Simultaneous High School and College DiplomasThe Accelerate College program, in partnership with Elgin Community College, allows students to earn their high school diploma and Associate’s degree simultaneously. This unique program meets the needs of students who are ready to engage in college coursework, experience the college environment, and develop skills and mindsets that support the transition from high school to postsecondary life. In this episode, Dr. Pearson talks with three students who are part of the second Accelerate College cohort.2021-06-0426 minVoices of District 303Are you Ready for iReady?In this episode, Dr. Pearson talks with Teacher on Special Assignment Tina King and Director of Professional Learning Jennifer Phillips about iReady. This interactive tool that is used in kindergarten through 8th grades supports student learning, provides teachers with immediate feedback about students' progress, and provides a dashboard students can use to share their learning with parents. They also talk about ways in which students can use iReady, including games, over the summer to enhance the learning they did during the school year. 2021-05-2827 minVoices of District 303A North Star and a Silver MedalHow does a photography assignment about shadows turn into an award-winning piece of art? Dr. Pearson interviews St. Charles North junior Natalie Lamb about how she convinced her brother to be the subject of a photo that resulted in her receiving a prestigious Silver Medal from the 2021 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards. Now in its 98th year, the awards are the nation’s longest-running and most prestigious scholarship and recognition program for young artists and writers in grades 7–12. Natalie is joined by Mrs. Sally Vincent, Lead Teacher Art Department, and Mrs. Stephanie Dodd, Photography teacher who assigned the project. 2021-05-2120 minVoices of District 303The Wheels on the Bus Go Round and RoundWhat does it take to transport 10,000 District 303 students safely to school and home every day, and how do we keep all those buses running? Dr. Pearson gets answers to these questions and more when he interviews District 303 Transportation Director Terry Primdahl and Head Mechanic Chris Bork. They go into detail about safety protocols, building bus routes, and the benefits of being a bus driver in District 303. If you are interested in becoming a bus driver, visit the District 303 website to apply.2021-05-1429 minVoices of District 303The Science of ReadingIn this week's episode, Dr. Pearson has a conversation with three women who are passionate about reading. Whether they are working one on one with a student who needs some additional help or providing professional development to District 303 staff members about phonics and the way that sound production can affect writing, Reading Specialist Becky Jordahl, Lead Speech-Language Pathologist Meghan Martin, and Instructional Interventions Coordinator and Lead School Psychologist Karen Pratt find ways to collaborate. They decode the science behind reading and encourage parents to do one simple task over the summer that will build their child's love of reading. 2021-05-0727 minVoices of District 303The Role of an Instructional Support Coach in District 303Dr. Pearson talks with Dr. Amanda Wojcik, Dr. Elizabeth Vander Woude, and Dr. Monica Boehle, three Instructional Support Coaches about the program that has been a part of the District 303 culture for the last 13 years. The coaches discuss how they partner with teachers in their buildings to promote professional learning in a "just in time" model to improve student learning. They also discuss the impact the pandemic had on their positions, how they support each other, and the lessons they learned this year that will help them in the future. 2021-04-3027 minVoices of District 303Hungry for MusicSt. Charles North Senior William Laskey talks to Dr. Pearson about his love of music, his District 303 band experiences, and the Tri-M National Honor Society community service project with the organization Hungry for Music. William and his fellow musicians collected more than 30 instruments that will be donated to students in need across the country. You will get a chance to hear a snippet of music recorded by William's band and produced by him. William also shares his future plans to study music at Dr. Pearson's alma mater Belmont University. 2021-04-2321 minVoices of District 303St. Charles East Senior Bilal Karim on Science and Volunteer WorkDr. Pearson interviews St. Charles East senior Bilal Karim about his volunteer work as one of 10 students from across the State of Illinois who have been chosen to serve on the Illinois Science Olympiad Youth Advisory Committee. Students were chosen based on their outstanding leadership skills and their passion for science. Bilal has shown his leadership skills through his work in school, at the St. Charles Public Library, with Rotary, and as part of the D303 Reopen Task Force Committee.2021-04-1620 minVoices of District 303A Conversation about Black History and PoetryWredling Middle School Social Studies teacher Laura Franklin asked her 8th-grade students to use The Fierce 44: Black Americans Who Shook Up the World to research outstanding contributions made by people of color. Students had to create something to show what they learned. Elin Foreman and Isabella Adriatico chose prominent poets who inspired them to write and perform their own original poems. Dr. Pearson talks to these wonderful articulate middle school students about the project, who they chose, what they learned, and how they were inspired.2021-04-0225 minVoices of District 303Dr. Pearson and Mayor Ray Rogina Look Back and AheadMayor Ray Rogina has dedicated his life to public service in St. Charles. He and Dr. Pearson talk about the Mayor's time as an economics and law teacher at St. Charles High School and the contributions he made to District 303. As he gets ready to retire from City Government, Mayor Rogina reflects on his teaching experience, some notable students he taught, and how he and his wife have created a legacy gift for students who are pursuing careers in education.2021-04-0224 minVoices of District 303Compass AcademyIn the fall of 2021, District 303 will open Compass Academy in the Haines Center. Key features of the Academy that is open to all students in grades 9-12 include flexible scheduling, project-based learning, interdisciplinary courses, and competency-based education. Link to Compass Academy page on the District 303 website. Guests:Sharon Stanley, Director Compass AcademyDr. Melissa Byrne, Director of College and Career ReadinessAubree Schuett, Associate Director of Interventions2021-03-0231 minVoices of District 303Compass AcademyIn the fall of 2021, District 303 will open Compass Academy in the Haines Center. Key features of the Academy that is open to all students in grades 9-12 include flexible scheduling, project-based learning, interdisciplinary courses, and competency-based education. Link to Compass Academy page on the District 303 website. 2021-03-0131 minVoices of District 303INCubator and ThermostickIn 2018, District 303 high school students had the opportunity to take an entrepreneurial class called INCubatoredu. The class takes students on a journey of solving problems through designing a product or service. This episode tells the story of St. Charles East student Chelsea Campagna who has been working to develop and market her product Thermostick over the last three years. She is joined by her teachers and community mentor as she describes the process, challenges and her future plans.GuestsChelsea Campagna, St. Charles East SeniorShannon Stone, INCubator Instructor2021-02-2223 minVoices of District 303Health Services in District 303District 303 Head Nurse, Juanita Gryfinski talks with Dr. Pearson about the role of school nurses. This year, school nurses continued to support students who manage chronic conditions like diabetes, while also being responsible for making recommendations to their districts about contact tracing, data collection, and communication related to COVID-19. Mrs. Gryfinski and nurses from around the country collaborated on an article entitled, "Framework for 21st Century School Nursing Practice," published in the National Association of School Nurses Journal. 2021-02-0721 minVoices of District 303What Does Kindergarten Look Like?Kindergarten looks different than what many of us remember. In this episode, Dr. Pearson talks with veteran kindergarten teacher Julie Fothergill about what a day in the life of a kindergarten student looks like, how students learn, and tips for parents on ways to prepare their children for school. Jan Geier, Assistant Superintendent for elementary education and her administrative assistant Lynne Schwartz also discuss the registration process and how it is different for the 2021-2022 school year.2021-02-0721 min