Shore Cast

West Shore School District

A podcast dedicated to showcase the great things that teachers and students are doing in the West Shore School District.

  1. Feb 11

    Connecting the Dots: Discovering Opportunities for our Students

    In this episode of Shorecast, Mark Miller joins Justin and Mike to discuss his non-traditional journey into education and his work in Career Development at Cedar Cliff. Mark shares how his background in business ownership and finance helps him mentor students navigating today’s complex job market and rising tuition costs. By bridging the gap between the classroom and the community, Mark explains how real-world internships help students discover their passions before graduation. Ultimately, the episode showcases how diverse experiences and local networking are key to preparing the next generation for professional success.

    42 min

  2. Jan 22

    The Middle School Math Equation: Rigor + Relevance

    In this episode of Shore Cast, hosts Mike Zwatty and Justin Frawley welcome 22-year veteran Beth Hockenbery to discuss her journey from 15 years in learning support to teaching middle school math. The conversation covers the impact of AI in the classroom, the use of data-driven tools like Firefly and Exact Path, and the realities of implementing personalized learning through station rotations. Beth also shares career wisdom on staying flexible and balancing the "ginormous" demands of the middle school curriculum.

    26 min

  3. 11/18/2025 ·  Bonus

    BONUS: West Shore's "Stories of Our Why"

    In this short bonus episode, Mike & Justin discuss Stories of Our Why, a new podcast and video series from the West Shore School District that celebrates the voices and journeys of our students. Each episode features student speakers from Red Land and Cedar Cliff High Schools who have shared their stories at Board of School Directors, giving us a firsthand look at their experiences, challenges, and accomplishments.

    4 min

  4. 10/06/2025

    From Disruption to Discussion: West Shore's New A.I. Policy

    AI is here to stay. Join the West Shore Instructional Technology Team as they unpack the district’s new artificial intelligence policy, why it matters for classrooms, and how they’re keeping learning human in a digital world.

    26 min

  5. 05/19/2025

    Testing Stress to Space Success: How Red Mill changed the PSSA Trajectory

    At Red Mill Elementary, a passionate team of educators has transformed the stressful PSSA testing period into a schoolwide celebration of growth and achievement through creative themes, hallway makeovers, and community involvement. This year’s theme, “To Proficiency and Beyond,” turned the school into a glowing space adventure complete with astronaut costumes, student-made videos, and interactive decorations. The effort has built a powerful, positive culture where students look forward to testing and feel supported by teachers, staff, and peers alike. What began as a way to ease anxiety has grown into a 10-year tradition that motivates, unites, and inspires the entire school community.

    28 min

  6. 04/12/2025

    Solar Panels & Sound Waves: Project-Based Learning in Algebra

    In this episode of Shore Cast, hosts Mike Zwatty and Justin Frawley sit down with Red Land math teacher Maura Yinger to explore her deep dive into project-based learning (PBL). From analyzing solar panel cost-efficiency to composing music with trig functions, Maura discusses the power of PBL to foster student engagement, retention, and 21st-century skills. Whether you’re a seasoned educator or just PBL-curious, this episode offers practical tips, lessons learned, and a fresh take on making math meaningful.

    32 min

  7. 02/28/2025

    PETE & C: Where Teachers Get Paid in Free Chocolate and Knowledge

    In this episode, we dive into all the exciting takeaways from PETE&C, Pennsylvania's premiere educational technology conference. Our team shares their favorite sessions, the best new tools to bring back to the classroom, plus how AI is reshaping the future of education. Tune in for a fun, insightful discussion on how this conference is shaping the way we teach and learn!

    29 min

  8. 02/07/2025

    What It Takes to Launch a New School (Hint: A Lot!)

    In this episode of Short Cast, we sit down with Dr. Michele Trevino and Doug Knepp, the administrators behind the brand-new Old Trail Intermediate School. They share their journey of opening a new school, from assembling a team and shaping a positive culture to navigating the challenges of change. We dive into what makes this intermediate model unique, how PBIS is shaping student behavior, and the exciting programs that are bringing the school to life.

    31 min
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About

A podcast dedicated to showcase the great things that teachers and students are doing in the West Shore School District.

Information

  • Creator
    West Shore School District
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    20
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © West Shore School District
  • Show Website
    Shore Cast