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West Ada School District Podcast
The West Ada School District podcast is about informing and empowering families. Co-hosts Katie Rhodenbaugh and Ken Hyde will bring you guests and topics that will allow you to build trust with your kids and the passionate teachers that have a heart for educating them. At our core, we’re about preparing today's students for tomorrow’s challenges. Our first full episode will drop August 9, 2023. Stay tuned!
Episodes
38 episodes
🎙️ Ever wondered what it’s like to work in Idaho’s largest school district?
In this episode of the West Ada Podcast, we sit down with:👩💼 Renée Senander, Chief Human Resources Officer🗂️ Carolyn Olson, Substitute Placement SupervisorThey cover all the essentials for anyone interested ...
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Season 2
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Episode 37
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39:12
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🎙️ West Ada Podcast – Pulse Edition: Exploring Opportunities at the West Ada Career Fair! 🎙️
In this Pulse Edition of the West Ada Podcast, we take you inside the West Ada Career Fair, where student teachers, out-of-state educators, and passionate professionals explored the exciting opportunities within our distric...
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Season 2
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Episode 36
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31:58
Building a Stronger Future: Recruitment, Retention, and Support at West Ada 🏫🌱💼
In this episode concerning Recruitment & Retention, we dive deep into how West Ada School District supports its educators and staff! 🏫✨🔑 Key topics include: • The importance of recruitment & retention in shapi...
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Season 2
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Episode 35
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36:43
🎙️ Unlocking Student Success: The Power of Assessments & Support Systems 🎓📊💡
In our latest episode, we dive deep into the world of assessments and student achievement! 📚✨ From understanding the purpose behind assessments to the importance of feedback loops, our experts share how data can be u...
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Season 2
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Episode 34
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55:43
Maximizing Your College & Career Fair Experience: Expert Tips for Students & Parents 🎓🚀
West Ada’s 4th Annual College & Career Fair is happening Wednesday, March 5! 📅✨🎯 How can students & parents make the most of it?Tammy Schneider (West Ada College & Career Counselor, 25+ years) & C...
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Season 2
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Episode 33
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52:49
🏀 Inside the Stinky Sneaker: The Treasure Valley’s Premier High School Basketball Rivalry 🎟️🔥
For 20 years, Stinky Sneaker has been the must-see high school basketball showdown in the Treasure Valley, bringing together packed crowds, school spirit, and unforgettable sportsmanship and competition!But do...
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Season 2
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Episode 32
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23:31
School Counselors: Guiding Students Through Community, Connection, and Resilience
What are some common challenges students face when transitioning from middle school to high school, and what strategies can be used to help ease that transition? That’s what we’re discussing with Alison Terrill and Brigitte O’Brien.Aliso...
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Season 2
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Episode 31
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50:40
What advice would you give to families who are unsure if CTE is the right choice for their child?
Did you know our students have access to an ambulance simulator!? Well, they do, and today’s conversation with a pair of our Career & Technical Education (CTE) advocates takes place right in front of it! Join us in the health la...
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Season 2
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Episode 30
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1:00:18
What inspires your holiday giving? What charitable organizations do you support during the holiday season, and why do you feel confident in their work?
There is an invisible problem in West Ada, and our social workers are on the front lines of addressing it. Some facts: over 845 students are experiencing homelessness throughout the district, and 24% of our students experience financial hardshi...
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Season 2
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Episode 29
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49:08
What’s the biggest misconception you’ve encountered regarding professional learning days?
As parents, you may wonder, why does West Ada have late start Wednesdays? Or what about those four professional learning days, and why do they happen in the middle of the week?! We’re joined by Patricia Vandenberg, West Ada’s Math C...
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1:02:13
What is your top concern when it come to school safety?
It’s been a while since we’ve checked in with a pulse episode of the West Ada Podcast, but we’ve got some great things to report this week! The district recently secured a grant to cover the salary and benefits of another School Resource ...
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42:54
What behaviors have you observed in your child, or their classmates, that may hinder learning?
West Ada’s goal of remaining on the cutting edge of education is as strong as ever. One of the most recent examples of that is on display with the opening of the Flyers Center.Flyers is a unique facility designed to empower our yo...
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Season 2
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Episode 26
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1:02:41
What assumptions do you have about "those kids" and the West Ada high school academies?
Let’s be honest, “those kids” don’t have the greatest reputation – and that’s not fair. Students choose to attend West Ada’s alternative high schools for various reasons; they’ve had to repeat a grade, attendance issues, essentially any a...
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Season 2
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Episode 25
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1:00:14
What are the challenges that teachers face in the Treasure Valley?
Mental health and teacher retention have been topics of conversation across the country the past few years. We’re joined by a father and son teaching duo to discuss what they see in the profession and why they do what they do.Alan...
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Season 2
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Episode 24
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1:02:22
How well do you understand school district budgets that influence your child’s education?
We all pay taxes. But are you aware of how our tax bill has gone down over the past 20 years, while the quality of education has improved in West Ada? It’s phenomenal!We’re joined in this episode by Chief Financial Officer J...
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Season 2
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Episode 23
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56:03
How have you helped your child navigate high school and their senior year?
The task of helping your student become career or college ready can seem overwhelming. There is A LOT to know and consider. Thankfully, we’ve got outstanding College and Career Counselors throughout West Ada.We’re joined in ...
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Season 2
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Episode 22
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1:00:32
Where Do You Get Your Information? - A conversation with Idaho Education News
Season two of the West Ada School District Podcast has arrived! We’re joined by Jennifer Swindell and Kevin Richert of Idaho Education News. If you’re not familiar with their work, Ed News is a nonprofit covering public educ...
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Season 2
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Episode 21
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47:20
Summertime Fun at Roaring Springs – A Conversation with West Ada Ready Students
For the first time ever, the West Ada Podcast is on location! Thank you to our friends at Roaring Springs for hosting us. For many West Ada students, Roaring Springs serves as their first foray into employment. Parents, how did you ...
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Season 1
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Episode 20
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56:38
Great People, Great Environment, Great Leaders - A Conversation with Dr. Bub
Another amazing school year recently ended. Superintendent Dr. Derek Bub joins us for a look back at the year that was and discusses what’s next for West Ada. We talk through the sheer size of the school district – we’re t...
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Season 1
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Episode 19
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1:01:15
We're Asking the Wrong Question - A Social Media Conversation and Warning
Cell phones and social media are impacting all of us – especially our children. Two leading experts in the field join us in this episode to break down what that affect is from a neurological aspect, and how criminals are utilizing cell ph...
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1:05:06
Soapbox for Parents - How to Keep Our Students Engaged This Summer
Ready or not, it’s time to start planning for summer break. Unfortunately, summer learning loss is real, but we’re joined by a couple of experts to help us brainstorm ways to keep our students happy, healthy, and engaged.Monique B...
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Season 1
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Episode 17
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45:51
"The Sky is the Limit" - A Conversation Concerning the Future of Artificial Intelligence in West Ada
Artificial Intelligence is reshaping the world around us in what feels like real time. For educators, the technology is both challenging and exciting. Gina Kwid is one of our guests. She teaches second grade at Galileo...
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Season 1
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Episode 16
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49:43
“True Success to Me” – A Conversation with BSU Head Football Coach Spencer Danielson
Boise State head football coach Spencer Danielson joins us for a wide-ranging interview. Seriously, we talk about A LOT...everything from what it’s like to be a #GirlDad, to his faith, to the leadership principals that drive him.P...
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Season 1
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Episode 15
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52:46
The Pulse with Owyhee High School Basketball
We’re doing something new with the podcast, West Ada. Join us for “The Pulse,” which is a special pop-up edition. We’ve got our finger on the pulse of the district and when something great happens, we’re going to bring that to you r...
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Season 1
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Episode 14
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24:44
Just Be Patient - A Conversation with West Ada Students
For the first time, two of our outstanding students join the West Ada Podcast! Rylee Chung is the ASB President at Centennial High School and Colby Bond is the Junior Class Vice President at Renaissance High School.These two are e...
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Season 1
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Episode 13
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59:19