Learning in Lake Oswego

Mary Kay Larson, Dr. Jennifer Schiele
  • 5.0 (17)
  • SELF-IMPROVEMENT
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Join Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Schiele as she gives us an inside look at the Lake Oswego School District. With over 20 years of experience as a school counselor, principal, and administrator, Jenn provides invaluable insight into K12 education and our district. In this podcast, you will hear candid conversations with knowledgeable guests who care deeply about our learning community. Mary Kay Larson, the communications director, district parent, and community resident, will host the show and add her perspective to the conversation. Whether you are new to the community or have been with the district for decades, there is always something to learn in the Lake Oswego School District. Tune in bi-weekly to learn more.

  1. 4D AGO

    The Joy and Power of SMART Reading

    Reading is foundational to everything we do in schools. Across Oregon and the nation, too many children are struggling to meet early literacy benchmarks. While our teachers and families are working incredibly hard to support young readers, literacy is not something schools can do alone. It takes time, consistency, partnership, and a shared belief that reading opens doors. In this episode, we explore one powerful example of that partnership in action: the SMART Reading program. Active in one of our elementary schools and serving children across Oregon for more than 30 years, SMART Reading connects trained volunteers with students to build confidence, skills, and, most importantly, the joy of reading.  Together, we discuss why early literacy matters now more than ever; how consistent one-on-one reading time makes a difference; the power of community volunteers in supporting student success; and what it looks like when a child discovers the joy of reading. This episode is a reminder that literacy is a shared responsibility, and when schools and community partners work together, students thrive. Dr. Jennifer Schiele, Superintendent, LOSD Mary Kay Larson, Executive Director of Communications, LOSD Lisa Stephens, Instructional Specialist, River Grove Elementary School Kevin Faris, SMART Reading Volunteer and Lake Oswego Resident Lukas Gardner, Kindergartener, River Grove Elementary School   To learn more about the topics we discussed, ask a question, or share ideas for future episodes, please visit LOSDSchools.  org.  And remember to like and follow us wherever you get your podcasts.  Thank you for engaging with Learning in Lake Oswego. We appreciate your support and look forward to having you with us for our next episode.

    25 min

  2. FEB 3

    Finding Your Voice: Speech & Debate in Middle School

    In this episode of Learning in Lake Oswego, we’re diving into speech and debate in middle school, one of the most powerful ways students build confidence, sharpen critical thinking, and learn how to communicate respectfully, even when perspectives differ. Joining us are Jay Ashiknos, a teacher at Lakeridge Middle School, and Connor Rozgo, a seventh grader experiencing speech and debate firsthand. Together, they share what speech and debate looks like in middle school classrooms, why it resonates with students, and how it supports skills that extend far beyond the podium. Tune in to hear how students are learning to think deeply, speak confidently, and engage thoughtfully with the world around them. Dr. Jennifer Schiele, Superintendent, LOSD Mary Kay Larson, Executive Director of Communications, LOSD Jay Ashkinos, Teacher, Lakeridge Middle School Connor Rozgo, Student, Lakeridge Middle School To learn more about the topics we discussed, ask a question, or share ideas for future episodes, please visit LOSDSchools.  org.  And remember to like and follow us wherever you get your podcasts.  Thank you for engaging with Learning in Lake Oswego. We appreciate your support and look forward to having you with us for our next episode.

    44 min
  3. College Athlete Recruiting: A Candid Conversation with Coach Coury and Coach Phillips

    JAN 20

    College Athlete Recruiting: A Candid Conversation with Coach Coury and Coach Phillips

    This episode pulls back the curtain on one of the most exciting and often confusing parts of the high school journey: the college athletic recruiting process. In this episode of Learning in Lake Oswego, Superintendent Jennifer Schiele leads a candid, practical conversation designed for student-athletes and families. With her perspective as both an educational leader and a parent who recently navigated recruiting firsthand, Dr. Schiele helps ground the discussion in what truly matters: growth, balance, and finding the right fit. Joining her are two trusted voices who see recruiting from every angle: Steve Coury, head football coach at Lake Oswego High School, and Spencer Phillips, head coach at Lakeridge High School. Fierce competitors on the field and respected colleagues off it, both coaches share insights from their own college playing days and decades of experience guiding student-athletes through recruiting. Together, they address common misconceptions, shifting timelines, scholarship realities, the role of academics, and how social media and early specialization fit into today’s landscape. Whether a student-athlete dreams of competing at the next level or is simply curious about what recruiting really looks like, this episode offers candid insights. Listeners will hear practical advice about what students can control, how families can support, and how to evaluate fit beyond athletics. While this episode talks about playing at the next level, the key takeaway is clear: make the most of your time in our schools. Dr. Jennifer Schiele, Superintendent, LOSD Mary Kay Larson, Executive Director of Communications, LOSD Steve Coury, Head Coach, Football, Lake Oswego High School  Spencer Phillips, Head Coach, Football, Lakeridge High School To learn more about the topics we discussed, ask a question, or share ideas for future episodes, please visit LOSDSchools.  org.  And remember to like and follow us wherever you get your podcasts.  Thank you for engaging with Learning in Lake Oswego. We appreciate your support and look forward to having you with us for our next episode.

    54 min
  4. Learning, Leadership, and Belonging at the Lakeridge School Store

    JAN 6

    Learning, Leadership, and Belonging at the Lakeridge School Store

    What happens when students are trusted to run a business that serves their entire school community? In this episode of Learning in Lake Oswego, we take you inside one of the most active hubs of learning and connection at Lakeridge High School: the student-run school store. The store brings together students from across campus—including DECA, ASB, and the Pathways LifeSkills program—offering meaningful, real-world experience in customer service, money management, marketing, teamwork, and leadership. Even more importantly, it’s a place where students of all abilities work side by side, building confidence, relationships, and a strong sense of belonging. To help tell this story, we’re joined by two remarkable student leaders: Margaret Fleming, a Lakeridge sophomore in the Pathways program, and Beatrice Madden, a Lakeridge senior and DECA president. Together, they exemplify the leadership, collaboration, and inclusive spirit that make the school store such a powerful learning space. Dr. Jennifer Schiele, Superintendent, LOSD Mary Kay Larson, Executive Director of Communications, LOSD Margaret Fleming, Student, Lakeridge High School Beatrice Madden, Student, Lakeridge High School To learn more about the topics we discussed, ask a question, or share ideas for future episodes, please visit LOSDSchools.  org.  And remember to like and follow us wherever you get your podcasts.  Thank you for engaging with Learning in Lake Oswego. We appreciate your support and look forward to having you with us for our next episode.

    25 min
  5. Women in STEM: Building Confidence, Belonging, and Opportunity

    12/16/2025

    Women in STEM: Building Confidence, Belonging, and Opportunity

    What happens when students see a need and step up to create change? In this inspiring episode of Learning in Lake Oswego, we spotlight a powerful new student-led initiative at Lake Oswego High School: Women in STEM. Alexis Zou, a Lake Oswego High School senior and the co-founder and president of Women in STEM, is joined by Susan Wentzien, LOHS biology teacher and the club’s advisor. Together, they explore what inspired the launch of the Women in STEM club; the barriers and patterns girls and young women still face in STEM fields; why representation and mentorship matter; how student leadership builds confidence and belonging; and the role educators play in helping students see themselves in STEM careers. They also share their hopes for the club's future and the legacy it will leave behind. Alexis reflects on her personal journey, the club’s mission, and offers advice for students who may feel uncertain about entering STEM spaces. Susan brings an educator’s perspective, grounding the conversation in research, classroom practice, and her own path into science and teaching. Dr. Jennifer Schiele, Superintendent, LOSD Mary Kay Larson, Executive Director of Communications, LOSD Alexis Zoh, Student and co-founder of Women in STEM, Lake Oswego High School Susan Wentzien, Teacher and Women in STEM Club Advisor, Lake Oswego High School To learn more about the topics we discussed, ask a question, or share ideas for future episodes, please visit LOSDSchools.  org.  And remember to like and follow us wherever you get your podcasts.  Thank you for engaging with Learning in Lake Oswego. We appreciate your support and look forward to having you with us for our next episode.

    38 min
  6. Bringing Art to Life: Inside LOSD’s Art Literacy Tradition

    12/02/2025

    Bringing Art to Life: Inside LOSD’s Art Literacy Tradition

    In this episode of Learning in Lake Oswego, we highlight one of LOSD’s most cherished volunteer programs: Art Literacy. Guests Kristin Saco, districtwide Art Lit Board member, and Macy Walkenhorst, a Lakeridge High freshman who participated in Art Lit from K–8, share how this program brings art, culture, and creativity into classrooms across the district. Tune in to learn how volunteers make Art Lit possible, why it leaves a lasting impact on students, and what makes this decades-strong program such a beloved part of the LOSD experience. Dr. Jennifer Schiele, Superintendent, LOSD Mary Kay Larson, Executive Director of Communications, LOSD Kristin Saco, Parent Volunteer, Art Literacy Board Macy Walkenhorst, Student, Lakeridge High School LOSD Art Literacy Program To learn more about the topics we discussed, ask a question, or share ideas for future episodes, please visit LOSDSchools.  org.  And remember to like and follow us wherever you get your podcasts.  Thank you for engaging with Learning in Lake Oswego. We appreciate your support and look forward to having you with us for our next episode.

    29 min
  7. Celebrating Service in Our Schools and Community

    11/18/2025

    Celebrating Service in Our Schools and Community

    As the holiday season approaches, this episode celebrates the spirit of giving and service in our schools and community. We welcome guests from the Lake Oswego Rotary Club and Lake Oswego High School’s Interact Club, organizations that exemplify “Service Above Self.” Meet Auveen Shafei, a student award recipient, and Sicily D’Orazio, student chair of the Interact Club, who share how service and leadership are shaping their lives and inspiring others. You’ll also hear from Brian Bice and Malcolm Mathes, co-chairs of Rotary’s Educational Excellence Awards, as they reflect on ten years of honoring students, educators, and community members who go above and beyond in education. Tune in for stories of generosity, mentorship, and community connection, a true reflection of what makes Lake Oswego shine. Dr. Jennifer Schiele, Superintendent, LOSD Mary Kay Larson, Executive Director of Communications, LOSD Auveen Shafei, Student, Lake Oswego High School Sicily D’Orazio, Student, Lake Oswego High School Brian Bice, Educational Excellence Awards Co-Chair, Lake Oswego Rotary Club Malcolm Mathes, Educational Excellence Awards Founder and Co-Chair, Lake Oswego Rotary Club To learn more about the topics we discussed, ask a question, or share ideas for future episodes, please visit LOSDSchools.  org.  And remember to like and follow us wherever you get your podcasts.  Thank you for engaging with Learning in Lake Oswego. We appreciate your support and look forward to having you with us for our next episode.

    37 min
  8. From Finland to Lake Oswego: Finding Home in Our Schools

    11/04/2025

    From Finland to Lake Oswego: Finding Home in Our Schools

    What’s it like to see Lake Oswego schools through the eyes of a family from Finland, a country known for having one of the best education systems in the world? In this episode, we sit down with Inna King and her children, Sisu and Lumi, to explore what brought them from Finland to Oregon, what drew them to Lake Oswego, and how their experiences here compare to the schools they knew back home. From their cross-country travels to their first impressions of our classrooms and community, the King family shares heartfelt reflections on what makes Lake Oswego feel like home. Their perspective offers valuable insight into how our schools create belonging for families worldwide and reminds us of the universal hopes parents share for their children’s education. Dr. Jennifer Schiele, Superintendent, LOSD Mary Kay Larson, Executive Director of Communications, LOSD Inna King, Parent, Forest Hills Elementary School Sisu King, Student, Forest Hills Elementary School Lumi King, Student, Forest Hills Elementary School To learn more about the topics we discussed, ask a question, or share ideas for future episodes, please visit LOSDSchools.  org.  And remember to like and follow us wherever you get your podcasts.  Thank you for engaging with Learning in Lake Oswego. We appreciate your support and look forward to having you with us for our next episode.

    37 min
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Trailer

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About

Join Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Schiele as she gives us an inside look at the Lake Oswego School District. With over 20 years of experience as a school counselor, principal, and administrator, Jenn provides invaluable insight into K12 education and our district. In this podcast, you will hear candid conversations with knowledgeable guests who care deeply about our learning community. Mary Kay Larson, the communications director, district parent, and community resident, will host the show and add her perspective to the conversation. Whether you are new to the community or have been with the district for decades, there is always something to learn in the Lake Oswego School District. Tune in bi-weekly to learn more.

Information

  • Creator
    Mary Kay Larson, Dr. Jennifer Schiele
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    46
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Show Website
    Learning in Lake Oswego

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