The INK! Podcast
Investing in Kids, or INK! as it's affectionately known, is the non-profit education foundation that provides direct support to the St. Johns County School District. On The INK! Podcast we will talk about the innovative programs, resources, and community efforts dedicated to supporting the St. Johns County public school district. The hosts for this podcast are Ian MacDonald, and Jim Wheeler. Ian is a volunteer and advisor with Take Stock in Children in St Johns County which INK! oversees. Jim is the Student Programs Director with INK! They each bring their own personal experience, love for supporting education and engagement with the St. Johns County School District to The INK! Podcast. Check it out to learn more about what INK! is doing to support the teaches, students, and public school district in St. Johns County Florida.
Episodes
21 episodes
Episode 21: Leveling Up Learning: Expanding Opportunities for Every Student
Get an inside look at how the St Johns County School District is helping students reach higher levels of success through accelerated learning opportunities. In this episode of The INK! Podcast, we sit down with Deputy Superintendent Dawn Sapp a...
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28:36
Episode 20: Honoring Excellence: A Conversation with 2026 - 2027 St. Johns County Teacher of the Year, Sabina Atic.
In this episode of The INK! Podcast, Ian and Jim sit down with Sabina Atic, the 2026-2027 St Johns County Teacher of the Year from Beachside High School. Sabina shares her journey in to teaching, how she keeps students engaged in today's distra...
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29:17
Episode 19: Community First Credit Union x INK!: Supporting Local Educators
Missy Peters and Sabrina Papovitch share how Community First Credit Union partners with INK! to fuel innovative classroom projects across St. Johns County Schools through the Champions for Children Teacher Grants - helping teachers bring big id...
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28:14
Episode 18: Ready to Learn: Deputy Superintendent Dawn Sapp on Literacy and Reading Readiness
Deputy Superintendent Dawn Sapp shares insights on how literacy and early reading skills prepare students to thrive in the classroom and beyond. Discover how St Johns County Schools and community partners are working together to ensure every ch...
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27:00
Episode 17: Leading the Way: Superintendent Asplen Reflects on the Start of the School Year and What's Ahead.
The INK! Podcast kicks off the school year with St Johns County Schools Superintendent Dr. Brennan Asplen. Hear how the district is preparing for more growth, new schools, and fresh opportunities for students and teachers. Whether you are a par...
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27:00
Episode 16: Running and Readiness: INK's Jailbreak 5k and Tools 4 Schools.
In this episode of The INK! Podcast, hosts Ian and Jim are joined by David Chatterton, General Manager of Old Town Trolley Tours, to talk about the upcoming Jailbreak 5k - a entertaining, themed race that brings the community together for fun, ...
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29:35
Episode 15: Meet Dr. Brennan Asplen: Leading the St. Johns County School District Into the Future.
In this episode of The INK! Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Brennan Asplen, the new Superintendent of the St. Johns County School District. Dr Asplen shares his personal and professional connection to the community, his extensive background in ed...
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28:50
Episode 14 - Two Votes, One Decision...Special Edition w/ Superintendent Tim Forson.
St Johns County School District Superintendent Tim Forson joins Ian and Jim to talk about two referendums that will be on the ballot on November 5, 2024. Both of the referendums are critical for providing funding to St Johns County Schools. Lis...
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28:33
Episode 13: Suicide Awareness and Prevention
On this episode we’re joined by INK! Executive Director Cathy Newman, Director of Fund Development at EPIC Behavioral Healthcare Teresa Andrews, and Emma Benoit. Emma is a suicide attempt survivor that shares her story to inspire hope and chang...
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27:22
Episode 12: Kicking the year off with Superintendent Forson
On this episode of The INK! Podcast, St. Johns County School District Superintendent Mr. Tim Forson joins Ian and Jim to give an update on the start of the new school year. Tune in to hear more about INK!'s offerings and how you can become invo...
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28:22
Episode 11: All about Take Stock In Children (TSIC) and why mentoring matters.
Jim and Ian are joined by Marci Poston, Director of Take Stock In Children, to talk about the program and all the latest happenings within the program. Some key takeaways on this episode are that every student's path is unique and mentors matte...
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29:47
Episode 10: FLY! Update
Mary Alice Hayes joins Jim and Ian to talk about the latest with FLY! (Five Learning Years). FLY! is an early literacy intervention program for children entering VPK, kindergarten, and first grade. Mary Alice returns to bring us up to speed on ...
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26:08
Episode 9: Learn about the latest happenings with INK! and how INK! is supporting the students and teachers of the St. Johns County Public School District
In the latest episode of The INK! Podcast, Ian and Jim talk about upcoming INK! events and programs that INK! facilitates. Dive a little deeper and learn more about not only the events but also the programs which INK! provides to support the te...
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28:46
Episode 8 - Starting off the school year with St Johns County School District Superintendent Tim Forson
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28:51
Episode 7: Free Money Time!
Episode 7: Free Money Time! College and post-secondary education costs money. That's a fact. In this episode of The INK! Podcast, Jim and Ian talk about free money (a.k.a. scholarship opportunities) for graduating seniors as well as application...
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28:17
Episode 6: Teacher of the Year!
In this episode of The INK! Podcast, Ian and Cathy are joined by the reigning Teacher of the Year and Rookie Teacher of the Year for the St Johns County School District. 2021-2022 T.O.Y. Andrew Burk and 2021-2022 R.T.O.Y. Kaitlyn Holle share th...
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28:25
Episode 5:Donors Choose Match Campaign and Beaver Toyota
In this episode of The INK! Podcast, Nick Reuther, General Manager of Beaver Toyota join Ian, Donna, and Jim to discuss Beaver Toyota's support of INK!'s Teacher of the Year and DonorsChoose grant matching program. Beaver Toyota has been an inc...
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25:10
Episode 4:Five Learning Years (FLY) Program
FLY aims to prepare students for academic success through early literacy intervention. INK! Executive Director Donna Lueders along with FLY Director Marcy Alice Hayes join Ian and Cathy to discuss the history of the FLY program, the great succe...
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23:55
Episode 3: Davidson Cares and Take Stock In Children
In this episode, Sherry Davidson joins The INK! Podcast to talk about why she is so passionate about partnering with INK and supporting Take Stock In Children. Jim and Ian host this episode where they talk with Sherry about her experience with ...
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28:46