Winnetka Voices Podcast

Dr. Kelly Tess, Superintendent, interviews The Skokie School students Andrew, Anya, and Sawyer about the middle school experience in 2025. This candid conversation ranges from what students wish adults understood about today's tweens, strategies to manage busy schedules and homework, how personal technology impacts communication (i.e. it is apparently no longer socially acceptable to ring a friend's doorbell to see if the...

Dr. Pat Greco, Senior Director of Thought Leadership at Studer Education, chats with Dr. Kelly Tess regarding the District’s current Strategic Planning process. Facilitated by Dr. Greco, the next iteration of the District’s Strategic Plan is significantly simplified from previous interactions, intended to pivot based on student needs. Dr. Greco reflects on how her 38 years in public education inform her approach to this process, no...

A bold decision was made in The Winnetka Public Schools to counter the growing disruption of personal technology in our learning environments. Yondr, a secure storage system for personal technology was implemented in grades 5-8 in September 2024. Dr. Kelly Tess is joined by Flossmoor School District 161 Superintendent, Dr. Dana Smith, who spearheaded the adoption of this program in Illinois. The conversation touches on research hig...

Dr. Kelly Tess chats with Department of Communications, Safety & Security leaders, Mr. Ray Finnerty (Director of Safety & Security in his first year in the District) and Ms. Kate Hughes (Director of Communications in her tenth year in the District). A retired police officer and former publicist seem to be an unlikely team–and what purpose does this Department serve? Mr. Finnerty shares how he has enhanced safety and securit...

Luke Livingston, Principal, discusses the state of affairs at Crow Island School, which is in the midst of significant construction and the Districtwide Literacy curriculum rollout. He describes his background as an educator and how mentors helped him become a strong leader focused on meeting goals, providing clarity, building trust, and advocacy for children. “We all have to grow in the same direction to make good use of our resou...

In this episode, Dr. Kelly Tess, Superintendent, interviews Ms. Lindsay Kopinski, Principal of Greeley School. Ms. Kopinski reflects on the varied experiences that led her to her current role. In the midst of several initiatives, such as the rollout of new Literacy curriculum and a new Structured Learning Environment classroom to better serve the needs of students, Ms. Kopinski shares her leadership philosophy. “We have to give eac...

Dr. Tess is joined by Ms. Ivory Ajavon, Principal of Hubbard Woods School. Ms. Ajavon describes her leadership journey, which has involved serving as an educator through Teach for America, teaching and leading in a variety of elementary school environments throughout the country, and earning a Masters degree in School Leadership at Harvard University. She shares how mentors “cared, nurtured, championed and encouraged” her and how s...

Ms. Michelle Cooney, Principal, and Mr. Larry Joynt, Assistant Principal, of The Skokie School provide a glimpse into what led them into their leadership roles. These cumulative experiences include reflections on Ms. Cooney playing detective as a rising 5th grader and leaking all of the class lists over the summer and Mr. Joynt procrastinating a book report and being assigned “Pride and Prejudice” as a consequence. Ms. Cooney share...

Dr. Tess chats with Carleton Washburne School Leadership, Dr. Andrew Fenton, Principal, and Mr. Ben Horwitz, Assistant Principal, who take us behind-the-scenes on leading a middle school–where no day is the same. They ponder the challenges of leading during the pandemic, yet highlight the resilience and positive practices that were developed as a result. “What is rewarding about this job–when I first started as a teacher and is sti...

Crow Island School, an internationally recognized beacon of Progressive Education, turns 85-years-old in 2025. Dr. Kelly Tess, Superintendent, reflects on the school’s enduring legacy with Dr. Luke Livingston, current Principal, and Dr. Julie Pfeffer, who served as Principal for 11 years. Listeners will also receive a review of extensive renovations that will occur in 2024-2025, retaining the building’s original historic details bu...

March is Women’s History Month! Dr. Kelly Tess, Superintendent, is joined by three impactful women in our school community: Denise Dubravec, Winnetka Campus Principal/Assistant Superintendent at New Trier High School; Winnetka Public Schools alum Norah; and Marena Rudy, a Winnetka Public Schools Board Member. The women reflect on how they have been inspired and encouraged in order to lead with confidence. As Norah recognizes, “We h...

Think back to a favorite project you experienced when you were a student. Was there something about it that was highly engaging, unique, and allowed you freedom to discover and explore your own interests? Dr. Kelly Tess, Superintendent, has a conversation with Carleton Washburne School students, Ms. Tip Walker (The Skokie School), and Ms. Jennifer Bertacchi (Carleton Washburne School) reflecting on the profound impact of Project Ba...

Dr. Kelly Tess, Superintendent, has a conversation with Resource Center Directors Ms. Liz Delzell (Hubbard Woods) and Ms. Katie Nelson (Carleton Washburne School) about how connection is inspired through literature and the dynamic environments in which we learn. “We try to make students feel welcome no matter what,” says Ms. Nelson. “The library is the heart of the school,” affirms Ms. Delzell. As you listen to this episode, you’ll...

This episode centers on a growing topic of interest in education today: the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Guest Mr. Patrick Dawson, Director of Innovation, Teaching and Learning, joins Dr. Kelly Tess, Superintendent, to provide background on the topic. He shares insights on how parents can best be equipped to address concerns surrounding AI and tools connected to the technology. According to Dr. Tess, “If we’re doing our ...

The second season of “Winnetka Voices” begins with an episode highlighting the impact of Progressive Education, Winnetka’s educational philosophy for over 100 years, and how it shaped our newly developed Portrait of an Educator.  Two beloved members of The Winnetka Public Schools community, Betty Carbol (alum and former Crow Island art teacher) and Patti Van Cleave (alum and former parent) reflect on how their lives were shaped by ...

Dr. Kelly Tess, Superintendents, speaks to middle school  reading specialists Sheri Johnston and Suzanne Savard about how to best foster childrens’ literacy during the summer months. Along with summer reading recommendations, they provide tips on what may support your child to grow in confidence in their reading skills–whether they are an avid or reluctant reader. You may be surprised by how simple and natural supporting your child...

Dr. Kelly Tess speaks to Denise Matthews, Director of Student Services, Equity and Inclusion and Erick Taft, District alum, parent, and a leader of a community organization “Winnetka for Belonging.” The episode centers on how fostering an environment where high-quality teaching and learning is accessible to all starts with supporting the fundamental need for belonging. A few Washburne students also share their thoughts on belonging...

Dr. Kelly Tess speaks to School Board President Emily Rose, Crow Island Kindergarten teacher Melissa Brody (both of whom are alumni of The Winnetka Public Schools) and Tom Flemma, Head of School at North Shore Country Day, a private school in Winnetka with a unique shared history in progressive education. Throughout the episode, learn about the unique legacy of Progressive Education in Winnetka, and how our public and private insit...

In this episode Dr. Kelly Tess discusses the national teacher shortage with The Skokie School Principal, Michelle Cooney; Jeff Knapp, Assistant Superintendent of Professional Learning and Human Resources; and Daniel Walsh, Interim Dean of the School of Education and Associate Professor at North Park University. The guests reflect on the landscape when they initially began their careers in education, the need to enhance recruitment ...