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* Offers Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA) special program
** Offers Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA) & Gifted Academy special programs
*** Offers Adult Education program
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Season Five

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Jason Barthel, Earl Dotson Jr., Fred Diehl
Episode 39: School Safety Update

We chat with Fred Diehl, RPS 205 Director of Security Services, and Jason Barthel, RPS 205 Chief Information Officer. Hear what the district is doing to continuously improve security.

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5 Things to know: IB School
5 Things to Know: International Baccalaureate in RPS 205

Rockford Public Schools will launch an International Baccalaureate (IB) program at Conklin Elementary School. We sit down with IB Principal Mrs. Sarah Brenner to find out five things families should know about the globally recognized program. Learn more about the IB program here. https://rps205.com/ib

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Educational Outlook Podcast 2022 Graphic
Episode 38: 2022 Education Outlook with Superintendent Ehren Jarrett

Education Outlook: Superintendent Ehren Jarrett was a guest on the Community Priority Series with the Rockford Chamber of Commerce in November. Dr. Jarrett shared insight about the district’s work in preparing students for the workforce and how the business community can support our students and schools.

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Season Four

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Episode 36: Dawn Williamson, RPS 205 Director of Athletics, Activities & Program Development
Episode 36: Dawn Williamson, RPS 205 Director of Athletics, Activities & Program Development
 
We get to know Dawn Williamson, who started in April as the Director of Athletics, Activities and Program Development. Hear how she became passionate about sports and why she is excited to serve Rockford Public Schools students and the Rockford community.
 
You can also listen on:
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Photo of Kim Nelson
Episode 35: Kimberly Nelson, RPS 205 Executive Director of Early Childhood

We discuss a child’s first five years and the importance of high-quality early childhood education with Kimberly Nelson, RPS 205 Executive Director of Early Childhood. We take a look at a day in the life of an early childhood student and how teachers facilitate learning through play. We chat about what it means to be kindergarten ready.

You can also listen on:
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Photo of Dr. Ehren Jarrett speaking at Education Outlook
Episode 34: Rockford University Partnership: Growing RPS 205 Graduates into RPS 205 Teachers

We sit down with three Rockford Public Schools alumni enrolled in the Education Pathway program at Rockford University. Ryan Callahan, Jessica Pequena-Mendoza and Tony Ramirez are RPS 205 graduates who are now student teaching. Ryan, Jessica and Tony share insight on the importance of connecting with students and developing relationships to increase student engagement, being culturally sensitive to create a welcoming environment, and the impact the pandemic has had on teaching and learning.

You can also listen on:
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Season Three

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0 Total number of plays Episode 30: Teaching, Finding & Loving Art in Rockford
Episode 30: Teaching, Finding & Loving Art in Rockford
Three RPS 205 art teachers discuss teaching during the pandemic, plus finding art – and teaching others to love art – in Rockford and Rockford Public Schools. This podcast features art teachers Jason Judd from Auburn High School, Veronica Soria-Martinez from West Middle School, and Iga Puchalska from Cherry Valley Elementary and Maria Montessori. Listen LIVE on the 205 VIBE!
 

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Image of Scott Clark
Episode 29: Student Engagement, Dad Jokes & New Teaching Strategies During Remote Learning
We chat with Scott Clark, fourth grade remote teacher at Johnson Elementary School, about his challenges and successes this school year. We hear how he builds relationships with families and keeps students engaged to create lifelong memories and make an impact beyond the classroom.
 

You can also listen on:
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Photo of Jeanine Shumaker, Michele Irlacher and Beth Conkling.
Episode 28: Remote Teachers Focus on Engagement, Creativity & Connection During Pandemic
Hear candid conversation about remote teaching in RPS 205: “There is messiness to it. And it is hard. It’s hard to see what my kids are working on. But if you look at all of those negatives, and you don’t focus on what you can do, and what you’re going to do and what you’d like to do, and what the kids are able to do, then you’re going to be stuck in the messy.”
 

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Season Two

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"The important thing about academies is that we're exposing kids to things that they don't know about..."
Episode 24: College & Career Academies: A Conversation with RPS 205 Academy Coaches

 

Learn About College & Career Academies in RPS 205 and what they are and why they are a unique approach to education in high school in an ever changing world.

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“Everyone is chipping in to get the job done. It says a lot about the School District.”
Episode 22: COVID-19 Conversation with Mayor McNamara & Superintendent Jarrett

 

We talk with Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara and Superintendent Ehren Jarrett about the challenges and successes of the school district and the city during the COVID-19 pandemic.

You can also listen on:
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Curtis Sockwell sitting in front of a microphone
Episode 21: School Resource Officer Curtis Sockwell

 

We sit down with Rockford Police Officer Curtis Sockwell, a member of the Rockford School Liaison Unit. Officer Sockwell spends most of his time at Auburn High School as a School Resource Officer. He talks about what it’s like working at Auburn and how he makes a difference connecting with RPS 205 students.

You can also listen on:
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Season One

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Episode 15: Hon. P. Michael Mahoney
 

Judge Mahoney served as the only magistrate judge in the Western Division until he resigned his position in 2012 and accepted recall. Judge Mahoney remained on recall through 2014.

Judge Mahoney has done settlement conferences in literally thousands of cases during his tenure as magistrate judge.

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Episode 14: Wally Haas, Rockford Register Star Opinion Editor
 
Wally Haas is the Opinion Editor for the Rockford Register Star. We talk to him about what it is like working for the paper and his experiences with how Rockford counties to evolve.
 
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Episode 13: Jonathan Logemann, alderman, teacher and National Guardsman
 
Jonathan Logeman, is a teacher at Auburn High School he is also alderman for the City of Rockford, and National Guardsman. Listen to him talk about serving his community and his country.
 
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