Public School Podcast

In this episode of the Public School Podcast, Sara Hornick and Bobbi Schaefbauer sit down with Valley View Kindergarten teacher and former Teacher of the Year Kennedee Goodro. A proud alum of Rapid City Area Schools, Kennedee shares what it means to teach in the very community that shaped her. From watching light bulbs turn on midyear to helping five year olds learn the “game of school,” this conversation dives into the magic of kindergarten, social emotional learning, conscious discipline, and the impact of junior kindergarten. With stories about breathing buddies, classroom jobs, Macy’s Day balloon parades, and cinnamon roll and chili days, this episode celebrates the joy, patience, and purpose behind those first school experiences that shape a child’s future.

In this episode of the Public School Podcast, Sara Hornick and Bobbi Schaefbauer sit down with Amanda Christensen, a special education program specialist who proudly describes herself as the district’s special ed help desk. Amanda shares her journey from Walmart management to education, how she found her purpose working with students, and why humor and humanity matter in some of the hardest conversations families face. The conversation explores early intervention, mental health, workforce development, IEP meetings, and the deep heart behind special education. Honest, funny, and deeply human, this episode shines a light on the people who never truly clock out and who work every day to do what’s best for kids.

What happens when first graders and high school artists team up on one creative project? Magic. In this episode of the Public School Podcast, Sara Hornick and Bobbi Schaefbauer sit down with Luke Gorder from Central High School and Ashley Whitehead from Wilson Elementary to talk about a cross-school art collaboration that turned student drawings into custom plushies. This conversation dives into imagination, mentorship, empathy, and the power of art to build community across age groups. From joyful first grader reactions to motivated high school artists, this episode is a reminder that creativity connects us and that learning does not stop at classroom walls.

In this episode of the Public School Podcast, Sara Hornick and Bobbi Schaefbauer welcome Robbinsdale Elementary paraeducator Toni Sabrowski, the school’s Support Person of the Year. Toni shares what it means to work in a K-2 Life Skills classroom, where small moments become big victories and every milestone is worth celebrating. Drawing from her personal experience as a mother of an autistic son, Toni talks about patience, teamwork, burnout, self-care, and the power of showing up with love and consistency. This heartfelt conversation shines a light on the often unseen heroes of public education and reminds us why paras are the cheerleaders, helpers, and steady presence students need to thrive.

In this upbeat and thoughtful episode of The Public School Podcast, Sara Hornick and Bobbi Schaefbauer sit down with Adam Dannenbring, freshman seminar teacher, personal finance instructor, and multi-sport coach at Rapid City Stevens High School.Adam walks listeners through what freshman seminar really is and why it may be one of the most important classes a student ever takes. From organization and goal setting to job interviews, mental health, relationships, and real-world readiness, he explains how the course helps students navigate one of the biggest transitions of their lives.The conversation also dives into the powerful overlap between classroom teaching and coaching. Adam shares how athletics build discipline, accountability, and confidence, and how public schools create opportunities for students to try new things, discover passions, and learn what does and doesn’t fit them. With humor, honesty, and a few classic dad jokes, Adam reminds us that education is about far more than grades. It’s about opportunity, growth, and preparing students for life beyond high school.

Season two of The Public School Podcast opens with one of the most powerful conversations yet. Sara Hornick and Bobbi Schaefbauer sit down with Anita Deranleau, Rapid City Area Schools’ McKinney-Vento Coordinator, whose work ensures students experiencing housing instability can still show up, belong, and succeed.Anita pulls back the curtain on what houselessness really looks like for families in our community and why it often goes unseen. From 6:30 a.m. transportation calls to emergency food runs, clothing closets, and late-afternoon problem-solving, she shares what it takes to remove barriers so students can stay in school, stay connected, and keep hope alive.With honesty, compassion, and deep personal insight shaped by her own experience growing up in poverty, Anita explains why stability matters, how trust is built, and why schools must serve the whole child. This episode is emotional, eye-opening, and a powerful reminder that public schools are often the last safety net for families in crisis.

In this energetic and insightful episode of The Public School Podcast, Sara Hornick and Bobbi Schaefbauer welcome Jocelyn Hafner, principal of Stevens High School, a proud Raider, passionate leader, and self-proclaimed rule follower doing her best to survive two Type B hosts. Jocelyn shares what makes Stevens truly special, from its academic excellence and nationally competitive ACT scores to its award-winning fine arts, athletics, and real-world learning opportunities. She dives into innovative classroom strategies, student voice and participation, and why inclusiveness and belonging are at the heart of Stevens culture.The conversation highlights meaningful traditions, student leadership, community partnerships, and exciting initiatives like the Johnson Trust, student-designed spaces, a student-run coffee shop, and a brand-new senior service day focused on giving back. With humor, heart, and data to back it up, Jocelyn reminds listeners why public schools matter and why Stevens High School continues to thrive.

In this feel-good, joy-filled episode of The Public School Podcast, Sara Hornick and Bobbi Schaefbauer welcome Knollwood Elementary’s dynamic duo Ali Williams, Teacher of the Year, and Tina Rank, Support Person of the Year.These two bring sunshine everywhere they go, and this conversation proves it. Tina shares her 14-year journey as the heart of Knollwood, supporting tier-two and tier-three students, running crosswalk duty, mentoring kids who need a little extra love, and keeping spirits high through the school’s beloved Sunshine Committee.Ali gives us a peek into her wildly creative first-grade classroom from human-body units that turn into ice-skating lessons to published class books, writing celebrations, and the breakthrough moments that make teaching magical.Together, they talk about collaboration, community, patience, and the power of asking for help. Their stories from terminally ill students who changed their lives to fifth graders who still hug them in the hallways remind us why public schools matter and why the people inside them are everyday heroes.This episode is warm, funny, heartfelt, and an absolute celebration of the people who keep our schools going.