The PHPS Difference

PHPS

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Education

The PHPS Difference Podcast—an inside glance into how PHPS celebrates students who learn differently. At PHPS, we focus on equipping students with the skills, confidence, and passion to be successful in their futures. Through this podcast we will share resources and expert insights to help families and our community support learners beyond the classroom. We invite families and community members to walk alongside us in supporting extraordinary learners.

11h ago

Moving with Purpose: How Movement Supports Learning and Growth

Send us Fan Mail Movement is more than just physical activity. It plays an important role in helping students develop the skills, confidence, and independence they need to thrive, both inside and outside the classroom. In this episode, Lauren welcomes Rachael Butris to explore how occupational therapy and Motor Lab support motor development, coordination, and learning, particularly for students with learning differences. We also hear from Jeff Rosen, PHPS Director of Athletics, who shares how physical education and athletics help students build confidence, teamwork, and resilience. With 24 years at PHPS, Jeff reflects on the growth of our athletics program, our new facilities, and the exciting opportunities available to middle school students through our new athletic league. 🌟 In This Episode How movement supports learning, attention, and self-regulationThe role of occupational therapy and Motor Lab in developing foundational motor skillsWhy intentional movement is especially important for students with learning differencesHow PE builds confidence, teamwork, and important life skillsCreating opportunities for every student to participate and experience successThe growth of PHPS athletics, including our new facilities and expanded middle school sports opportunities🎯 Our Goal To help families understand the important connection between movement and learning, and how intentional opportunities through Motor Lab, PE, and athletics support the development of the whole child. From building foundational skills to encouraging confidence, independence, and resilience, movement helps every learner grow and thrive. 💛 Special Thanks A special thank you to Rachael Butris for sharing her insight into occupational therapy and Motor Lab, and to Jeff Rosen for his 24 years of dedication to PHPS and for highlighting how PE and athletics help our students discover their strengths and reach their potential. 📚 Keep Listening Subscribe and join us throughout Season 2 as we continue sharing conversations, strategies, and stories that celebrate the PHPS Difference and empower every learner to thrive.
Oct 23

Dyslexia Awareness Month: Decoding & Comprehension

Send us Fan Mail 🎧 Show NotesThe PHPS Difference Podcast – Season 2 Dyslexia Awareness Month: Decoding & Comprehension October is Dyslexia Awareness Month, and we're continuing the conversation about how students with dyslexia learn and grow. In this episode, Becky and Lauren welcome back Dr. Nicole Bell, Head of School at PHPS, to take a closer look at two essential components of reading: decoding and comprehension. Together, we explore how these skills work together, why a child may understand a story when it's read aloud but struggle to read it independently, and how intentional instruction and support can help dyslexic learners build skills and confidence. 🌟 In This Episode The difference between decoding and comprehensionHow challenges with decoding can show up in dyslexic learnersWhy a child's ability to understand may be different from their ability to read independentlyHow decoding difficulties can impact reading comprehensionPractical ways families can support reading at home🎯 Our Goal To help families better understand how decoding and comprehension impact dyslexic learners, recognize their individual strengths and challenges, and discover ways to support reading development while building confidence and a love of learning. 💛 Special Thanks A special thank you to Dr. Nicole Bell for joining us again and sharing her expertise and insight into how we can better understand and support students with dyslexia. 📚 Keep Listening Subscribe and join us throughout Season 2 as we continue sharing conversations, strategies, and stories that celebrate the PHPS Difference and empower every learner to thrive.
Sep 29

The Arts at PHPS

Send us Fan Mail 🎧 Show Notes The PHPS Difference Podcast – Season 2, Episode 2 The Arts at PHPS We’re kicking off a new series exploring the many ways PHPS supports the whole child—through the arts, Motor Lab, athletics, PE, and more. In this episode, Ashley Peters (Music) and Jacinta Stewart (Art) share how creativity and self-expression help students build confidence and discover their strengths. You’ll also hear from PHPS students about what they love most about music and art. 🌟 In This Episode What music and art look like at PHPSStudent perspectives on music and artHow the arts build confidence and self-expressionHow creativity supports different learning strengthsFavorite projects, performances, and classroom momentsWhy the arts are an important part of the PHPS experience🎯 Our Goal To highlight the experiences beyond the core classroom that help PHPS students grow, create, move, connect, and thrive. 💛 Special Thanks A special thank you to Ashley Peters, Jacinta Stewart, and our PHPS students for sharing their voices and love of the arts. 📚 Keep Listening Subscribe and join us as this series continues with a closer look at Motor Lab, athletics, PE, and more—all part of the PHPS Difference.
Sep 4

Back to School...The PHPS Way

Send us Fan Mail 🎧 Show Notes The PHPS Difference Podcast – Season 2, Episode 1 Back to School...The PHPS Way Welcome to Season 2 of The PHPS Difference Podcast! In our season premiere, veteran PHPS educators and parents Jamie Gibbons (2nd Grade) and Kate Hatch (6th Grade) share practical tips to help families start the school year with confidence, purpose, and partnership. You'll also hear from several PHPS students as they share what they're most excited about this school year and a glimpse into their after-school routines. Together, we discuss how intentional routines, meaningful family connections, and everyday moments can help every child thrive—both in and out of the classroom. 🌟 In This Episode Student perspectives on the new school yearWhy routines matterPractical ways to be intentional as a familySupporting learning at home without making home feel like schoolBalancing academics, extracurricular activities, and family timeEncouragement for the school year ahead🎯 Our Goal To help families build intentional routines, strengthen the home-school partnership, and support every child's growth academically, socially, and emotionally. 💛 Special Thanks A special thank you to Jamie Gibbons, Kate Hatch, and our PHPS students for sharing their experiences and encouragement. Your voices help make the PHPS Difference come to life. 📚 Keep Listening Subscribe and join us throughout Season 2 as we continue sharing conversations, strategies, and stories that celebrate the PHPS Difference and empower every learner to thrive.
Jul 20

Hootie’s Story Nest: Mrs. Ganzer

Send us Fan Mail 🎧 Show Notes Hootie’s Story Nest – Episode 8 Featuring Mrs. Ganzer, PHPS 4th Grade Teacher Welcome back to Hootie’s Story Nest, part of the PHPS Difference Podcast Summer Series! In this episode, Mrs. Ganzer shares an excerpt from The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate, published by HarperCollins. This powerful and heartwarming story celebrates friendship, courage, and seeing the world in new ways. 🌟 In This Episode An excerpt from The One and Only IvanA story about friendship, empathy, and resilienceMrs. Ganzer shares that one of her favorite books growing up was Goofy the GardenerA conversation about the value of reading favorite books again and again, and how rereading helps build confidence, comprehension, and a lifelong love of readingA celebration of imagination and meaningful storytelling🎯 Our Goal To inspire a love of reading, spark curiosity, and help students connect with stories that build empathy and understanding. 📚 Keep Listening Join us each week as a new PHPS teacher shares their favorite stories and helps keep our students connected to books all summer long. 💛 Special Thanks Before we wrap up, we want to give full credit to the authors, illustrators, and publishers of the books shared in today's episode. These excerpts are shared to celebrate and support reading. Hootie's Story Nest is an educational summer series on the PHPS Difference Podcast, created to inspire a love of reading, spark curiosity, and keep students connected to books all summer long.
Jul 13

Hootie’s Story Nest: Mrs. Fleischer

Send us Fan Mail 🎧 Show Notes Hootie’s Story Nest – Episode 7 Featuring Mrs. Fleischer, PHPS Kindergarten Teacher Welcome back to Hootie’s Story Nest, part of the PHPS Difference Podcast Summer Series! In this episode, Mrs. Fleischer, one of our PHPS Kindergarten Teachers, shares an excerpt from Pig the Tourist by Aaron Blabey. This hilarious story follows Pig on a vacation full of laughs, adventure, and a few lessons along the way. 🌟 In This Episode An excerpt from Pig the TouristA fun-filled story full of humor and adventureMrs. Fleischer shares that the Ramona series by Beverly Cleary was one of her favorites growing up.Book recommendations:The Pout-Pout Fish series by Deborah DiesenThe Rainbow Fish by Marcus PfisterA celebration of laughter, imagination, and the joy of reading🎯 Our Goal To inspire a love of reading, encourage imagination, and help students discover books that make them laugh, learn, and love reading. 📚 Keep Listening Join us each week as a new PHPS teacher shares their favorite stories and helps keep our students connected to books all summer long. 💛 Special Thanks Before we wrap up, we want to give full credit to the authors, illustrators, and publishers of the books shared in today's episode. These excerpts are shared to celebrate and support reading. Hootie's Story Nest is an educational summer series on the PHPS Difference Podcast, created to inspire a love of reading, spark curiosity, and keep students connected to books all summer long.
Jul 6

Hootie's Story Nest: Mrs. Peters

Send us Fan Mail 🎧 Show Notes Hootie’s Story Nest – Episode 6 Featuring Mrs. Peters Welcome back to Hootie’s Story Nest, part of the PHPS Difference Podcast Summer Series! In this episode, Mrs. Peters shares an excerpt from Wayside School Is Falling Down by Louis Sachar, published by HarperCollins. A favorite of hers beginning in third grade, this hilarious and imaginative story is filled with quirky characters, unexpected twists, and plenty of laughs. 🌟 In This Episode An excerpt from Wayside School Is Falling DownMrs. Peters shares why this book has been one of her favorites since third gradeMrs. Peters' favorite childhood books and series:Ramona and Beezus and Henry Huggins by Beverly ClearyThe Fudge series by Judy BlumeThe Lemonade War by Jacqueline DaviesMary Poppins by P. L. TraversMrs. Peters also shares that one of her family's favorite traditions is reading the Harry Potter series together.A celebration of imagination, humor, and the joy of reading🎯 Our Goal To inspire a love of reading, encourage imagination, and help students discover books they'll want to revisit again and again. 📚 Keep Listening Join us each week as a new PHPS teacher shares their favorite stories and helps keep our students connected to books all summer long. 💛 Special Thanks Before we wrap up, we want to give full credit to the authors, illustrators, and publishers of the books shared in today's episode. These excerpts are shared to celebrate and support reading. Hootie's Story Nest is an educational summer series on the PHPS Difference Podcast, created to inspire a love of reading, spark curiosity, and keep students connected to books all summer long.
Jun 29

Hootie’s Story Nest: Mrs. Gibbons

Send us Fan Mail 🎧 Show Notes Hootie’s Story Nest – Episode 2Featuring Ms. Gibbons, PHPS 2nd Grade Teacher Welcome back to Hootie’s Story Nest, part of the PHPS Difference Podcast Summer Series! In this episode, Ms. Gibbons, one of our wonderful 2nd grade teachers, shares the heartwarming story Bear's Lost Glasses. Join Bear as he searches for his missing glasses and discovers that a little help from friends can make all the difference. 🌟 In This Episode A read-aloud of Bear’s Lost Glasses Student book recommendations: Books by Judy Blume The Mercy Watson series The Magic Tree House series How to Eat Fried Worms Adult reading recommendations: The Theo of GoldenStrangers: A Memoir 🎯 Our Goal To inspire a love of reading, spark curiosity, and remind students that books can take us on wonderful adventures all summer long. 📚 Keep Listening Join us each week as a new PHPS teacher shares their favorite stories and helps keep our students connected to books all summer long. 💛 Special Thanks Before we wrap up, we want to give full credit to the authors, illustrators, and publishers of the books shared in today’s episode. These excerpts are shared to celebrate and support reading. Hootie’s Story Nest is an educational summer series on the PHPS Difference Podcast, created to inspire a love of reading, spark curiosity, and keep students connected to books all summer long. 📚🦉☀️

5

out of 5

5 Ratings

The PHPS Difference Podcast—an inside glance into how PHPS celebrates students who learn differently. At PHPS, we focus on equipping students with the skills, confidence, and passion to be successful in their futures. Through this podcast we will share resources and expert insights to help families and our community support learners beyond the classroom. We invite families and community members to walk alongside us in supporting extraordinary learners.

Creator

PHPS
Years Active

2025 - 2026
Episodes

24
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© 2026 The PHPS Difference
Show Website

The PHPS Difference