Voices of District 303
The Voices of District 303 Podcast is designed to open a window into the daily lives of our students, staff members, and community. Launched in 2021, Voices of District 303 strives to take you into schools, classrooms, and departments that make District 303 a special place to teach, learn, and grow.
Episodes
35 episodes
Transparency, Teamwork, and Teaching: The Impact of PLCs at Corron Elementary
Effective 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 dist...
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Season 5
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Episode 6
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30:29
Formative Assessments & Their Role In Elevating Excellence
For 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 instruc...
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Season 5
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Episode 5
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36:44
Career Connections: Students Talk Self-Advocacy & Efforts To Increase Opportunities For All
Extracurricular 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 Voice...
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Season 5
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Episode 4
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27:15
Conversation with Distinguished Alumni Class of 2024
District 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 ...
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Season 5
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Episode 3
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30:10
How Brain Science Is Enhancing Student Learning
District 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 ...
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Season 5
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Episode 2
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45:09
Hyped for Homecoming
Homecoming 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...
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Season 5
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Episode 1
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27:40
High School Students Talk Passions, Overcoming Challenges
High 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 ...
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Season 4
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Episode 4
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49:12
The Power of PLCs
Renewed 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 ...
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Season 4
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Episode 3
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33:00
Finances and Facilities
School 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 Attawa...
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Season 4
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Episode 2
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28:18
How District 303 Developed its Strategic Plan
District 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 succes...
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Season 4
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Episode 1
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31:19
Blue Ribbon Achieved: Norton Creek Elementary and North High School
District 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 a...
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Season 3
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Episode 2
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21:47
Get to Know Superintendent Dr. Paul Gordon
New 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...
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Season 3
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Episode 1
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21:30
"The World is Better With You in it" Turning Positivity into a Business
St. 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 sp...
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Season 2
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Episode 6
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25:26
Women in Leadership Speaker Series
When 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 Se...
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18:48
Yes, Sir! One Student's Journey to the United States Military Academy at West Point
A 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 ...
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Season 2
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Episode 4
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35:31
Illinois State Board of Education Student Advisory Committee
Each 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 p...
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Season 2
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Episode 3
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15:36
How Woods and Autos Classes Help Build Students' Futures
October 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, ...
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21:04
The Launch of Empower
Empower 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...
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26:10
National Board Certified Teachers in District 303
National 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 educa...
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27:44
Fermilab Internship and A Muon Detector
St. 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 Detec...
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Season 1
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Episode 15
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20:54
Stories of Simultaneous High School and College Diplomas
The 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 col...
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Season 1
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Episode 14
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26:45
Are 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 learnin...
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Season 1
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Episode 13
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27:47
A North Star and a Silver Medal
How 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 receivin...
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Season 1
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Episode 12
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20:24
The Wheels on the Bus Go Round and Round
What 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 Dir...
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Season 1
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Episode 11
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29:31