Winnetka Voices Podcast
Winnetka Voices is a podcast hosted by The Winnetka Public Schools, featuring candid conversations on issues relevant to education and shared resources to support our students and families.
Episodes
Mr. Phillip Burchell and Ms. Christina Venos, Kindergarten teachers in The Winnetka Public Schools, join Superintendent Dr. Kelly Tess for an engaging conversation about this formative year in school. They share insights into how early literacy, social skills, and curiosity are developed through creating opportunities for play and fostering a love of learning. Tune in to hear how Winnetka’s youngest students begin their educational...
In this episode, Superintendent, Dr. Kelly Tess, explores the essential role of service in Progressive Education. Dr. Tess is joined by Carleton Washburne School teacher and Student Ambassador Faculty Sponsor Mr. DJ Barraca, along with Brian Floriani, founder of Bernie’s Book Bank.
Mr. Barraca shares how engaging in service activities helps shape a well-rounded middle school experience, allowing students to develop an awareness of t...
The Winnetka Public Schools Superintendent (and New Trier alum), Dr. Kelly Tess, and New Trier High School Superintendent, Dr. Peter Tragos, reflect upon the joys and complexities of leading for the next generation in public schools. Dr. Tragos reflects, “We are producing and preparing good people for the world.” “We are all temporary stewards of a long rich history and our job is to make it better,” emphasizes Dr. Tess.
Season 4 of the “Winnetka Voices,” kicks off with a conversation on how new teachers are equipped to succeed in a robust two-year Mentorship program in The Winnetka Public Schools. Superintendent Dr. Kelly Tess and special guests Jeff Knapp, Assistant Superintendent of Professional Learning and Human Resources and Ruthie Helmer, 5th grade math and science teacher and Mentorship Coordinator, reflect on the District’s commitment to s...
Special Summer Series, Episodes #1-3:
A Filter-Free Conversation on Parenting the Digital Generation
In this special book club edition of the podcast, The Winnetka Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Kelly Tess and Dr. Devorah Heitner, bestselling author of Growing Up in Public: Coming of Age in a Digital World, have a candid conversation about helping kids navigate today’s complex digital landscape. From privacy and 'cancel cultu...
A Filter-Free Conversation on Parenting the Digital Generation
In this special book club edition of the podcast, The Winnetka Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Kelly Tess and Dr. Devorah Heitner, bestselling author of Growing Up in Public: Coming of Age in a Digital World, have a candid conversation about helping kids navigate today’s complex digital landscape. From privacy and 'cancel culture' to AI, sexting, going viral,...
A Filter-Free Conversation on Parenting the Digital Generation
In this special book club edition of the podcast, The Winnetka Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Kelly Tess and Dr. Devorah Heitner, bestselling author of Growing Up in Public: Coming of Age in a Digital World, have a candid conversation about helping kids navigate today’s complex digital landscape. From privacy and 'cancel culture' to AI, sexting, going viral,...
In this special series, The Winnetka Public Schools Superintendent, Dr. Kelly Tess, and guests, Dr. Tom Flemma, Head of North Shore Country Day; Dr. Becky Mathison, Assistant Superintendent of Innovation, Teaching and Learning; and Dr. Luke Livingston, Principal of Carleton Washburne School, embark on a deep dive into the history and impact of Progressive Education, including how neuroscience informs current teaching practices. The...
In this special series, The Winnetka Public Schools Superintendent, Dr. Kelly Tess, and guests, Dr. Tom Flemma, Head of North Shore Country Day; Dr. Becky Mathison, Assistant Superintendent of Innovation, Teaching and Learning; and Dr. Luke Livingston, Principal of Carleton Washburne School, embark on a deep dive into the history and impact of Progressive Education, including how neuroscience informs current teaching practices. The...
In this special series, The Winnetka Public Schools Superintendent, Dr. Kelly Tess, and guests, Dr. Tom Flemma, Head of North Shore Country Day; Dr. Becky Mathison, Assistant Superintendent of Innovation, Teaching and Learning; and Dr. Luke Livingston, Principal of Carleton Washburne School, embark on a deep dive into the history and impact of Progressive Education, including how neuroscience informs current teaching practices. The...
In this summer bonus episode, Dr. Kelly Tess, Superintendent, introduces Ms. Anna Trilla, who is the new Principal at Crow Island School as of July 1, 2025. Ms. Trilla shares why she pursued a career in public education (fun fact: she had a brief stint studying meteorology at the University of Illinois prior to shifting to education). Ms. Trilla reflects on how experience gleaned in leadership roles at Walt Disney Magnet School pro...
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...
Open-Mindedness, Consistency & Embracing Change: Best Practices in Safety, Security & Communications
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...
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