ButterCup

Marisa Macy

Here we interview experts in the field of education and play

  1. 13 juli

    Ep 83 Andy Roszak

    Andy Roszak, JD, MPA, EMT-Paramedic, is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Institute for Childhood Preparedness (ICP), where he equips early childhood professionals and child-centered organizations nationwide with practical emergency preparedness training, tools, and resilience strategies. He is also the Founder of Head Start East, a nonprofit organization founded in 2025 to provide high-quality professional development, technical assistance, and events for the early childhood education field. Since 2018, Andy has supported the Region II Head Start Association in advancing preparedness, health, safety, and environmental health initiatives across New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. That work will conclude this year after a strong and impactful run. A trusted advisor to leading organizations including Sesame Street in Communities and the U.S. Marine Corps, Andy has delivered training to early childhood professionals in all 50 states and 35 Native American Tribal Nations. He also serves as an Adjunct Professor in the School of Community and Environmental Health at Old Dominion University. Andy is the author of the award-winning Preparing for the Unexpected book series, developed specifically for early childhood professionals: Preschool Preparedness for an Active Shooter, winner of the 2020 Independent Author Network Book of the Year Award in two categories; Preschool Preparedness for an Emergency; and Recovering and Reopening after a Disaster. With more than twenty years of experience in emergency preparedness across local, regional, state, federal, and nonprofit levels, Andy's previous roles include Senior Director of Emergency Preparedness at Child Care Aware of America, Senior Preparedness Advisor for Super Bowl XLVI, Senior Public Health Advisor at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and Senior Director of Environmental Health, Pandemic Preparedness, and Catastrophic Response at the National Association of County and City Health Officials (NACCHO), where he worked closely with the CDC and 3,100 local health departments to strengthen community preparedness for pandemics, disasters, and public health emergencies. Andy began his career in the Chicago area as a firefighter, paramedic, and certified hazardous materials technician. He holds a Juris Doctor and Master of Public Administration from Southern Illinois University, a bachelor's degree in Fire Science Management, and is a graduate of Harvard University's Early Education Leadership Program. He is admitted to practice law in Illinois, the District of Columbia, and before the U.S. Supreme Court. Andy is the proud father of two young daughters and lives in the Washington, D.C. area with his family.

  2. 2 juli

    Ep 82 Dr. Santa Ono

    Professor Santa J. Ono is a senior academic leader and internationally recognized scientist whose career centers on leading globally connected research universities and large-scale innovation institutions, with a focus on institutional transformation, research expansion, technology-driven innovation, sustainability, and public engagement. He serves as President of the Ellison Institute of Technology Oxford and Global President of the Ellison Institutes, advancing discovery in health, food security, clean energy, climate, and artificial intelligence. He is developing a major new research campus at Oxford Science Park—more than 2.3 million square feet of laboratory space—and overseeing the recruitment of up to 7,000 scientists, engineers, and clinicians. He directs platforms in AI, robotics, generative biology, and clinical research, and leads education initiatives including the Ellison Scholars Programme and doctoral programs conferred by Oxford University. At Oxford he is Professor of Ophthalmology & Immunology and a Senior Research Fellow at Worcester College. Previously, as President of the University of Michigan, he built a $1.2 billion AI research ecosystem, surpassed $2 billion in annual research expenditures, expanded access through the Go Blue Guarantee and Wolverine Pathways, and helped raise $4.3 billion toward a $6 billion campaign. As President of the University of British Columbia, he led major research expansion and sustainability leadership—UBC rose to the top rank in North America for impact on the UN Sustainable Development Goals—and helped establish the $2 billion Digital Technology Supercluster. Earlier, he served as President of the University of Cincinnati and in senior roles at Emory University. He has published 170 papers, served on numerous editorial boards, consulted for leading biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, and advised national science panels in the U.S. and Canada. He is an elected member of the National Academy of Medicine, the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, the Royal Society of Chemistry, and the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences.

  3. 28 mars

    Ep 78 STEM for Children

    Erin Klauk is an Assistant Lecturer in the Department of Geology and Geophysics at the University of Wyoming and Co-Director of the UW Science Initiative Roadshow and Community Engagement Program.  With a background in the earth sciences and geoscience education, Erin is passionate about connecting people of all ages with Earth science through hands-on, place-based learning.  Before joining the university, she spent nearly two decades as a high school Earth science teacher, developing engaging, NGSS-aligned lessons and mentoring students in scientific thinking.  Erin's career in education began as a Yellowstone National Park ranger, where she first discovered the power of sharing science through storytelling and exploration.  Outside of work, she enjoys skiing, mountain biking, hiking, and spending as much time outdoors as possible. Dr. Jessica (Jessie) Marcolini is the Director of the Science and Math Teacher Center (SMTC) within the College of Education at the University of Wyoming. The SMTC is devoted to excellence in preK-20 science and mathematics teaching and learning and facilitates professional development that supports educators in Wyoming and across the United States. Jessie earned her Doctor of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from Florida Gulf Coast University where she investigated the impacts of K-12 STEM professional development on teachers' sense of self efficacy. Her major research and teaching interest include STEM Education, Faculty/Teacher Professional Development, Sustainability, and Environmental Education. Dr. Karagh Brummond is the Co-Director of the UW Top-Tier Science Initiative's Roadshow & Community Engagement Program and an Assistant Instructional Professor in the Honors College at the University of Wyoming. She holds a Ph.D. in Neuroscience from the University of Wyoming and currently teaches Neuroscience and Law. In her engagement role, Karagh helps to lead statewide STEM engagement efforts, partnering with K-12 schools and communities to deliver hands-on STEM learning throughout the state of Wyoming.

  4. 11 feb.

    Ep 77 Sarah Goehring and Kenzee Knott

    "Meet the Helpers" As Director of Programs, Sarah Goehring supports educators and caregivers learning from the life and work of Fred Rogers. Sarah serves as the Director of the Fred Rogers Scholars Program for undergraduate students at Saint Vincent College, supports communities of learning for children's helpers, and assists with programmatic and event coordination for the Institute. Prior to her current role, Sarah joined the Institute as a Fred Rogers Scholar and work-study student while earning a B.S. in Early Childhood Education from Saint Vincent College. She then earned an M.S. in Curriculum and Instruction from Saint Vincent College while working as a Graduate Assistant at the Institute. In her spare time, Sarah enjoys baking and spending time with her husband and son. Kenzee's role as a program associate allows her to celebrate and convey Fred Rogers' values and long-lasting impact on our neighborhood and beyond. Her involvement in Educators' Neighborhood inspires educators to connect in the spirit of empathy, kindness, and community. Kenzee engages in the study of archival material through various speaking and research opportunities. She also collaborates with undergraduate students in the Fred Rogers Scholars program as they embody Fred's important values through community outreach efforts. Before her role as a program associate, she worked at the Fred Rogers Institute as a work-study while obtaining her B.A. in English with a secondary education certification at Saint Vincent College. She was a Fred Rogers Scholar as well. She acquired her M.S. in Curriculum and Instruction from SVC during the fall of 2025. In her spare time, she loves to spend time with her border collie, Winston, and read.

  5. 21 jan.

    Ep 76 Alisha Rone

    Alisha was born and raised in Wyoming and graduated from the University of Wyoming with a BA in Psychology and Communications. Alisha then moved to Boise, Idaho where she spent most of her career as Development and Marketing Director for Saint Alphonsus Hospital. After 10 years in Boise, she returned to Wyoming to be the Executive Director of the Wyoming Medical Center Foundation.  Alisha focused on capital projects such as building a new tower for the hospital and wellness center as well as specific programs such as providing support for cancer patients and a hospitality house for out of town patients. In 2017, Alisha became the Executive Director of the Child Development Center. The CDC serves over 700 children with early intervention therapies, preschool services, and free development screenings for the community. In 2024, Alisha received her Master's in Curriculum and Instruction as well as her Early Childhood Special Education Endorsement from the University of Wyoming. Alisha has sat on Wyoming's Early Intervention Council, the Wyoming State Bar Board of Professional Responsibility, Wyoming's Charter for Plans of Safe Care, and Wyoming's Department of Family Services Steering Committee. She leads a staff of 120 and through her leadership has a 90% staff satisfaction rating. The CDC has excelled under her leadership by opening an outpatient clinic for children birth to twenty-one years of age, a pediatric audiology clinic, and a quick care clinic. The CDC has received number one preschool and development center from Oil City News and the Casper Star Tribune, the State of Wyoming's Model Program for Inclusion, and won the Daniels Fund Salute to Excellence Award. In her spare time Alisha enjoys spending time with her husband Mike and two boys, Max, and Micky, in Wyoming's great outdoors.

Om

Here we interview experts in the field of education and play