The Pulse: Putnam County School District Podcast

S4:E24 Education Foundation of Putnam County

In this special episode of The Pulse, Superintendent Dr. Rick Surrency hosts our first-ever live studio audience to spotlight the impact of the Education Foundation of Putnam County and the students it serves. Executive Director Cathleen Holzknecht and Board Chair Yvette Jones join the conversation to share how the Foundation supports students through Career & Technical Education (CTE), STEM initiatives, early literacy, and the district’s Portrait of a Graduate framework—focused on developing well-rounded, community-minded learners. We also celebrate recipients of the Foundation’s Successful Citizen Award, a scholarship honoring students who lead through service, character, and involvement. Student guests Andrew Walwick, William Cohen, Michael Everette Hammond, and Leora Gonzalez share their inspiring experiences in aviation, JROTC community projects, athletics, band, agriculture programs, and more. The episode highlights the unique opportunities available in Putnam County Schools—including innovative programs like the district’s Flight School, agricultural education, and strong community partnerships that help prepare students for future careers and leadership roles. 🎉 Upcoming Event – Education Foundation Annual Gala Get ready for a night of giving back! Join the Education Foundation of Putnam County for their Annual Gala, supporting programs that benefit students and teachers across the district. 📅 Date: January 23, 2026 🕕 Time: 6:00 PM (Cocktails) | 7:00 PM (Dinner & Program) 📍 Location: Putnam County Fairgrounds Enjoy great food, live music, and auctions—while making a difference in our community. 🎟 Purchase tickets: https://tefpcgala.ticketspice.com/tefpcgala [https://tefpcgala.ticketspice.com/tefpcgala] To learn more or support the Education Foundation of Putnam County, visit www.tefpc.com [http://www.tefpc.com] or follow them on Facebook. #ProudtobePCSD

S4:E6 Coaches’ Corner: PCSD Football 2025

In this episode, Superintendent Dr. Rick Surrency sits down with our 2025 PCSD football coaches: 🏈 Lantz Lowery – Palatka Jr./Sr. High 🏈 Erik Gibson – Interlachen Jr./Sr. High 🏈 Tim Ross – Crescent City Jr./Sr. High The coaches share their expectations for the upcoming football season and talk about the many facets of supporting student-athletes—from nutrition and hydration to mental preparedness. They also emphasize what matters most: academics first. Join us in supporting our student-athletes this season and experience the excitement on the field! #ProudtobePCSD

S2: E30: PCSD Teacher Mentors

Host Rick Surrency and Kristin Carrol from Administrator of Human Resources discuss the district level mentoring program. We have four district level mentors in our teacher mentor program who support new teachers to the Putnam County School District for their first five years. This program addresses various needs to help new teachers to progress, whether they require instructional or behavioral assistance. Our mentors assist with classroom management and aim to support new teachers in navigating their classrooms effectively. This comprehensive support has led to an increase in our teacher retention rate from 67% to 90%.

S2: E29: The North East Florida Educational Consortium (NEFEC)

Superintendent Rick Surrency sits down with Dr. Patrick Wnek from NEFEC on this week's episode of The Pulse.

S2: E25: PCSD Top Scholar

Superintendent Rick Surrency sits down with PCSD Top Scholar, Emme Delaney on this week's episode of The Pulse.