Episode 101: New at school, Tough talks, and Money matters

Welcome to you.

Thank you.

So how were those first days? You guys went back last week.

We did.

Did you

have those whole first day of school jitters?

You know, I've been in public education for over three decades, and I, like many educators, usually don't sleep very well the night before.

We have the

same

anxiety.

But it was really a smooth start, I think, for our students and our families, so we're ready to have that first full week under our belt this week, but it's been great.

Where did you come from to come to Topeka?

So I most recently was living in the Overland Park area and left that school district here.

Before that, I worked in the state of Missouri for well over 20 years.

So I just have just over three decades of experience in public education as teacher and administrator at various levels.

What did you think stood out about USD 437?

You know, I had the opportunity to visit with all of our staff just last week and I told them that there were so many characteristics that drew me here.

There is a strong sense of family here.

Topeka is a lovely place to raise families and I've come to learn that.

it is a school district that has high expectations for students and there's this amazing circle of support around our schools and that just benefits our students that you know we're all working to benefit so really that the community and the high expectations and this really strong tradition of excellence drew me here

Now you have a lot of new that's been going on in the district as well.

So what are some of the new things that students came back to this year?

Well, we were excited to welcome back our early childhood students as well.

And so we've opened up additional early childhood classrooms throughout the school district.

That's been a high priority for the community.

Welcome to you.

Thank you.

So how were those first days? You guys went back last week.

We did.

Did you

have those whole first day of school jitters?

You know, I've been in public education for over three decades, and I, like many educators, usually don't sleep very well the night before.

We have the

same

anxiety.

But it was really a smooth start, I think, for our students and our families, so we're ready to have that first full week under our belt this week, but it's been great.

Where did you come from to come to Topeka?

So I most recently was living in the Overland Park area and left that school district here.

Before that, I worked in the state of Missouri for well over 20 years.

So I just have just over three decades of experience in public education as teacher and administrator at various levels.

What did you think stood out about USD 437?

You know, I had the opportunity to visit with all of our staff just last week and I told them that there were so many characteristics that drew me here.

There is a strong sense of family here.

Topeka is a lovely place to raise families and I've come to learn that.

it is a school district that has high expectations for students and there's this amazing circle of support around our schools and that just benefits our students that you know we're all working to benefit so really that the community and the high expectations and this really strong tradition of excellence drew me here

Now you have a lot of new that's been going on in the district as well.

So what are some of the new things that students came back to this year?

Well, we were excited to welcome back our early childhood students as well.

And so we've opened up additional early childhood classrooms throughout the school district.

That's been a high priority for the community.