Building Inclusion and Leadership: The Power of Unified at West Middle

Lessons from Three Retiring Principals: A Journey Through Education

This episode features three retiring elementary school principals, Mary McKasy of Gleason Lake, Karen Keffeler of Meadow Ridge, and Ross Williams of Sunset Hill, they share insights on their careers, the evolution of education, and their personal journeys. Discover their motivations, memorable moments, and advice for future educators. 00:00 Introduction of Guests and Setting the Scene 01:12 Favorite School Lunches and Last Meals 02:01 Deciding to Retire: Personal Reflections 03:17 What Keeps Principals Coming Back Year After Year 09:29 Experiencing Growth in the School Community 20:24 Changes in Classroom Teaching Over the Years 23:39 Building Trust with Staff, Students, and Families 27:29 Advice for Successors and Final Words of Wisdom 31:39 Surprising Aspects of Being a Principal 36:11 Summing Up a Career in Education 37:46 Reflections on Retirement and Future Plans

Building Inclusion and Leadership: The Power of Unified at West Middle

In this episode, we explore how West Middle School’s innovative Unified program fosters inclusion, leadership, and community engagement among students, staff, and families. Join us for insights on creating a culture of belonging that extends beyond the classroom. 00:00 - Introduction to West Middle School’s Unified program 01:17 - What is the Unified program? A detailed explanation 05:06 - Principal Ryan’s insights on implementing Unified 09:02 - Student perspectives: Kenzi’s motivations and experiences 12:17 - The role of leadership opportunities in middle school development 16:36 - How the program has changed West’s school culture 19:51 - Expanding involvement and the excitement of new students 24:52 - Student pride and leaving a legacy in Unified 27:36 - Advice for students considering involvement 28:23 - Principal Ryan’s vision for the future: fostering a mindset of inclusivity 29:25 - Wrap-up and ways to connect for more information

Meet the New Superintendent! - The Inside Wayzata Podcast

In this episode, Dr. Robb Virgin shares his journey to becoming the superintendent of Wayzata, his leadership philosophy, and his vision for the district's future. Topics include community engagement, student voice, high standards, innovation, and the importance of relationships in education. Leadership transition and community involvement The importance of student voice and community feedback Maintaining high standards while fostering innovation Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Dr. Robb Virgin 03:08 Navigating the Hiring Process 07:59 Building Relationships and Trust 12:40 Long-Term Vision for Education 17:05 The Impact of Education and Community 20:20 Coaching and Leadership Parallels 26:31 The Importance of Student Voice 29:21 Creating a Thriving School Environment 33:36 Balancing Excellence and Innovation in Education 36:04 Listening and Learning: Building Connections 42:18 Career and Technical Education: Bridging Academics and Workforce 47:35 Lightning Round: Personal Insights and Community Commitment

Let's Talk to Some Teachers for Teacher Appreciation Week

In this episode, Zach Nelson chats with Carter Berkelman and Terah Knutsen about their experiences in teaching, the evolving classroom environment, and what keeps them motivated. Discover heartfelt stories, insights on building relationships, and the importance of community in education. 00:00 - Welcome and episode overview 00:26 - Introduction of teachers and their backgrounds 02:12 - Moments that inspired their choice to teach 04:24 - Heartwarming student interactions and reflections on the school year 08:44 - Classroom evolution and relationship-building over the years 16:34 - Changes in teaching from past to present with personalized learning 20:49 - School culture, support systems, and collaboration among staff 28:17 - Building relationships with families and community engagement 30:54 - Fun rapid-fire questions about teaching myths, talents, and favorite foods 35:03 - Words of encouragement for fellow teachers as the school year ends

Winter Storm Warning Ride Along with Dr. Chace Anderson

We tried something different for this episode of The Inside Wayzata Podcast. Overnight on April 2, 2026, we were under a Winter Storm Warning. When we have chances for heavy snow or ice, Dr. Chace Anderson often gets up extra early to get the lay of the land and have first hand experience when deciding whether to cancel or delay school. Listen as we join Chace on, maybe his last winter weather drive before he retires.