Voices United in Education
Hear the positive stories in education that don’t make the news. You’ll hear uplifting stories of student, parent and teacher impact in Escambia County. Meredith Hackwith Edwards interviews teachers, staff, parents, students, graduates, community mentors and members, so that we can become more united inside and outside the classroom to support the success of every student in Florida’s Escambia County Public Schools.
Episodes
208 episodes
Ep 207 | A tale of two teachers: New teacher mentorship
What’s it REALLY like to be a new teacher? Are you on your own? Laylah Holiday is an alternatively certified teacher at Workman Middle School and Rachel Rodriguez Schrimsher is a traditionally educated teacher and the Program Specialist for the...
Ep 206 | Classroom to coffee shop? Blending in student artwork!
Who doesn’t love the aroma of coffee? How about a local success story brewed in the bitterness of COVID? What about a coffee shop for creatives? In this episode, Summer Sevi, ECPS 5th grade teacher turned coffee roaster and founder of Alla Prim...
Ep 205 | FREE BOOKS? Keep your child reading at grade level!
What if your child got a new book in the mail every month? What if they got to pick the books? What if they came with workbooks, too? The University of Florida has a FREE at-home literacy program for VPK - 5th graders. Shelli Payne is the Senio...
Ep 204 | Modern Etiquette: Who do you want to be when you grow up?
Is there a NEW & OLD way of approaching etiquette? How does it support academics? Brianna English is the Assistant Principal and Priteyja Olige Brannon is the Curriculum and Expanded Curriculum Coordinator at CA Weiss Elementary School. In ...
Ep 203 | 2025-2026 Teacher of the Year: Finding inspiration in error!
According to Albert Einstein "Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new." Trinity Barnett is the 2025-2026 teacher of the year, using art to build confidence and create comfort around experimentation. In her life and clas...
Ep 202 | From Walnut Hill to Senegal: One IB student’s story
Laura Wiggins is a 1st grade teacher at Kingsfield Elementary who completed Pensacola High School’s IB program thanks to School Choice. In this episode, she shares how her path went from rural northwest Florida to Senegal, and from “I’m never b...
Ep 201 | What’s it ACTUALLY like to mentor a child?
What do you talk about with a 7th grader? Do mentorship programs work? Two organizations in Escambia County are united in providing mentorships and college scholarships to deserving local students. In this episode, Alexandra Bach, Student Servi...
Ep 200 | HALF of Middle School kids are enrolled in music class?!
In 2026, one of the largest music education professional learning events in the US awarded Ferry Pass Middle School and Ransom Middle School with Music Enrollment Awards for having over 45% of students enrolled in choir, band, or orchestra. In ...
Ep 199 | Try THIS formula for quality conversations with your kid!
How was your day? What did you learn today? Are you tired of eye rolls from your kids? In this episode, Lynn Knighton, publisher of Greater Pensacola Parents magazine, shares how she has learned to facilitate car conversations with kids and how...
Ep 198 | Teens in crisis: therapy without the waiting room!
Is your child struggling with mental health issues? How do you know? How can you help them? Shawn Salamida is the President of Lakeview Center and Dustin Perry is the Director of Residential Services and leader of the Virtual Intensive Outpatie...
Ep 197 | Building race cars: STEM on wheels?
Why are we turning classrooms into pit lanes? Chad Cherry is West Florida High School Electrathon Racing team coach, helping students work together to build and race lithium battery powered cars. In this episode, he shares how what many would c...
Ep 196 | More than babysitting: earning & learning
What exactly is a certified babysitter? How do both girls and boy become certified babysitters? Jennifer Smith Richardson is the Patient Education Specialist and Janna Jones is the Health Screening Specialist for Ascension Sacred Heart Communit...
Ep 195 | Adaptive Exercise for Special Needs Students
Where are individuals with mental, physical and cognitive challenges building confidence and self-esteem? Kristina Guadagnoli is the owner of Special Strong, an adaptive fitness company removing barriers to healthy living. In this episode, she ...
Ep 194 | How is new leadership changing our middle schools?
Does the principal of a school make a difference in the quality of your child’s education? Is new leadership that important? Hear what the 2025-2026 Principal of the Year has to say about it. In this episode, Tara Palasciano, principal of Baile...
Ep 193 | Can your child swim? Local AFFORDABLE option
In Pensacola, where can K-8th graders learn to swim without soaking your wallet? Megan Oberholzer is the Aquatics Director for Escambia County Public Schools and she shares a summer program that’s affordable and competitive to help kids keep sw...
Ep 192 | What mental health support are students getting?
According to the CDC, nearly 1 in 5 young people ages 12 to 17 experienced a mental health disorder in 2024. Melissa Williams is the Coordinator of Mental Health Services and Dr. Lisa Joyner is the Student Services Director. In this episode, th...
Ep 191 | Academically talented middle schoolers have a new home at PHS
What are the options for your academically talented 7th or 8th grader? Amy Gordon is the Principal of Pensacola High School, where they are launching an on-campus 7th and 8th grade enrollment for bright students. In this episode, hear what she ...
Ep 190 | Sheltering students from homelessness!
Did you know that, on average, one child in every Escambia County classroom is experiencing homelessness? What defines homelessness might surprise you! Casandra Manis is one of the Homeless Liaisons for Escambia County Public Schools. In this e...
Ep 189 | There is a new place for 6th graders!
Not all students are ready for middle school. Christine Baker is the Principal of West Pensacola Elementary School, which is trying something different by adding classes for 6th graders. In this episode, she shares how it’s going and brags on h...
Ep 188 | What if I can’t afford Dr. visits for my child?
What kinds of services are offered through Healthy Kids Escambia? Even the most basic needs can be critical for growing students, but for many parents in the county, there is neither time nor money. Jessica Johnson is the Healthy Schools Progra...
Ep 187 | Success Academy: Where students rebound!
What happens when a student falls behind? Dawn Gibbs is the principal at Success Academy, where her and her team are helping students catch up and get ahead. In this episode, she shares who makes up their student population and just how they ar...
Ep 186 | AI – Supporting our Kids to be more human
Is your child using a companion bot? How can you help your child navigate the promise and risks of technology? Curiosity is a good place to start. Jamie Nuñez is the Senior Manager of Outreach and Training at Common Sense Media, a nonprofit tha...
Ep 185 | The REAL trick to get your kids to read
Do you ever wish your kid would put their phone down? How do you get them to improve their reading stamina & comprehension? Anne MacDonald is a mom, author, podcaster, teacher at Scenic Heights Elementary School, and board member at Books b...
Ep 184 | Myth busting with the PTA
Do you have a child or grandchild in our public schools? Are you a member of the PTA? Hear what the President and Vice President of the Escambia County Council PTA have to say. Melanie Gambill and Samantha Strickland share what the PTA is and i...
Ep 183 | Where do you turn if your child has cancer?
Did you know 50 families in the Panhandle face this question every year? Jessica Siderio is the Rally Foundation Development Manager and Haley Brown is the Rally Kid and Program Manager for Rally Gulf Coast. In this episode, they share why canc...
