Voices United in Education

Escambia County Public Schools
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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.

  1. 4D AGO

    Ep 185 | The REAL trick to get your kids to read

    Send a text 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 by the Bay and Emerald Coast Writers Association. In this episode, she shares proven strategies to develop a generation of readers and how Books by the Bay is not just a book fair, but a literary extravaganza inspiring the next generation. Guests: Anne MacDonald https://www.booksbythebay.info/  Parents & kids will get to interact with free and low-cost educational and community resources & district leaders, enjoy a live animal presentation by animal tales, get giveaways from the vendors & amazing food from local food trucks! Plus one lucky guest will win a $250 Amazon gift card! The event is free so mark your calendars for Saturday, February 28th. 10am-1pm at Booker T Washington High School. Learn more about Escambia County School District: https://www.escambiaschools.org/ Find additional links: https://www.voicesunitedineducation.com/podcast-episodes Host: Meredith Hackwith Edwards

    27 min

  2. FEB 10

    Ep 184 | Myth busting with the PTA

    Send a text 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 isn’t, how it benefits parents and students, and what’s next for the 100-year-old organization. Parents & kids will get to interact with free and low-cost educational and community resources & district leaders, enjoy a live animal presentation by animal tales, get giveaways from the vendors & amazing food from local food trucks! Plus one lucky guest will win a $250 Amazon gift card! The event is free so mark your calendars for Saturday, February 28th. 10am-1pm at Booker T Washington High School. Learn more about Escambia County School District: https://www.escambiaschools.org/ Find additional links: https://www.voicesunitedineducation.com/podcast-episodes Host: Meredith Hackwith Edwards

    22 min

  3. FEB 3

    Ep 183 | Where do you turn if your child has cancer?

    Send us a text 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 cancer in kids is different than adults and how they are working to provide support, fund research and raise resources for these Panhandle families. Guests: Jessica Siderio & Haley Brown https://rallyfoundation.org/rally-gulf-coast/  Parents & kids will get to interact with free and low-cost educational and community resources & district leaders, enjoy a live animal presentation by animal tales, get giveaways from the vendors & amazing food from local food trucks! Plus one lucky guest will win a $250 Amazon gift card! The event is free so mark your calendars for Saturday, February 28th. 10am-1pm at Booker T Washington High School. Learn more about Escambia County School District: https://www.escambiaschools.org/ Find additional links: https://www.voicesunitedineducation.com/podcast-episodes Host: Meredith Hackwith Edwards

    30 min

  4. JAN 27

    Ep 182 | Vaping: Giving students a second chance

    Send us a text Does your child vape? How would being expelled change their educational trajectory? During the 2022-2024 school years, numerous students were alternatively placed for vape pens throughout Escambia County. Stephanie Shepard is the founder and Executive Director of Hope Above Fear, a non-profit dedicated to help educate, de-stigmatize and overcome addiction in youth. In this episode, she shares how this program stands out from others and how this may be a good fit for your child. Guest: Stephanie Shepard https://hopeabovefear.org/early-intervention | https://hopeabovefear.org/impact-over-time  Parents & kids will get to interact with free and low-cost educational and community resources & district leaders, enjoy a live animal presentation by animal tales, get giveaways from the vendors & amazing food from local food trucks! Plus one lucky guest will win a $250 Amazon gift card! The event is free so mark your calendars for Saturday, February 28th. 10am-1pm at Booker T Washington High School. Learn more about Escambia County School District: https://www.escambiaschools.org/ Find additional links: https://www.voicesunitedineducation.com/podcast-episodes Host: Meredith Hackwith Edwards

    25 min

  5. JAN 20

    Ep 181 | From F to Honor Roll: the SOAR Academy story

    Send us a text For students who struggle in school, something and someone special is accelerating them toward their diploma and career opportunities. Marquette Oliver is the Director of SOAR Academy at Pine Forest High School, a program began as an acceleration program for incoming over age freshman but now includes other students as well. He is the someone and is more than happy to share how both the students and program are evolving and what students have to say about its impact. Guest: Marquette Oliver Parents & kids will get to interact with free and low-cost educational and community resources & district leaders, enjoy a live animal presentation by animal tales, get giveaways from the vendors & amazing food from local food trucks! Plus one lucky guest will win a $250 Amazon gift card! The event is free so mark your calendars for Saturday, February 28th. 10am-1pm at Booker T Washington High School. Learn more about Escambia County School District: https://www.escambiaschools.org/ Find additional links: https://www.voicesunitedineducation.com/podcast-episodes Host: Meredith Hackwith Edwards

    24 min

  6. JAN 13

    Ep 180 | Social Media: Holding big tech accountable

    Send us a text Is social media designed to be addictive? Why are multiple lawsuits seeking damages for the damage it is causing to our kids? Emmie Paulos is an attorney at Levin Papantonio and the Court Appointed Leadership in the Federal Social Media Addiction Litigation. In this episode, she shares why the firm is taking social media seriously and why you should too. Guests: Emmie Paulos https://levinlaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Social-Media-Addiction-Litigation-Booklet.pdf  https://levinlaw.com/social-media-harm-lawsuits/?fbclid=IwY2xjawOm9ZhleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFER2c1ODdYZDIwc0hlUWtxc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHqZLKvdZuxCrJVqTvpNV_Pz7G2JWxfdmHDYxmalNCJ3dLQra-XTMMnkam3C2_aem_HuSyyf09Hrgdedvry1FREg  Parents & kids will get to interact with free and low-cost educational and community resources & district leaders, enjoy a live animal presentation by animal tales, get giveaways from the vendors & amazing food from local food trucks! Plus one lucky guest will win a $250 Amazon gift card! The event is free so mark your calendars for Saturday, February 28th. 10am-1pm at Booker T Washington High School. Learn more about Escambia County School District: https://www.escambiaschools.org/ Find additional links: https://www.voicesunitedineducation.com/podcast-episodes Host: Meredith Hackwith Edwards

    29 min

  7. JAN 6

    Ep 179 | Special Olympics: Passing the torch & uniting us

    Send us a text Did you know that Pensacola has hosted a Special Olympics event for the last 20 years? Do you know what school continues to pass the torch? Sondra Hill is the Director of Exceptional Student Education and Laura Touchstone is the Principal of Tate High School. Together, they share the exciting impact to students, staff and the community, and dynamic logistics of hosting an event like this. Guests: Sondra Hill & Laura Touchstone Parents & kids will get to interact with free and low-cost educational and community resources & district leaders, enjoy a live animal presentation by animal tales, get giveaways from the vendors & amazing food from local food trucks! Plus one lucky guest will win a $250 Amazon gift card! The event is free so mark your calendars for Saturday, February 28th. 10am-1pm at Booker T Washington High School. Learn more about Escambia County School District: https://www.escambiaschools.org/ Find additional links: https://www.voicesunitedineducation.com/podcast-episodes Host: Meredith Hackwith Edwards

    26 min

  8. 12/30/2025

    Ep 178 | Public education: Funding the future!

    Send us a text Why do our public schools need a foundation? Don’t taxes fund our public schools? Jo McArthur, Executive Director of the Escambia County Public Schools Foundation, shares behind the scenes of the foundation, what it has contributed to our community and why it matters. Guests: Jo McArthur https://www.escambiaschools.org/departments/ecpsf/home Text Tools to 850-930-9939 or Foundation to 850-930-9939 to make a donation Parents & kids will get to interact with free and low-cost educational and community resources & district leaders, enjoy a live animal presentation by animal tales, get giveaways from the vendors & amazing food from local food trucks! Plus one lucky guest will win a $250 Amazon gift card! The event is free so mark your calendars for Saturday, February 28th. 10am-1pm at Booker T Washington High School. Learn more about Escambia County School District: https://www.escambiaschools.org/ Find additional links: https://www.voicesunitedineducation.com/podcast-episodes Host: Meredith Hackwith Edwards

    20 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Escambia County Public Schools
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    186
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Voices United in Education
  • Show Website
    Voices United in Education