The One Podcast - Momence Schools

From graduating college at the height of a global pandemic to becoming an educator, a soccer coach, and an exhibiting artist, Tomlyn Brza has carved out a path that blends creativity, leadership, and a deep commitment to students. Whether she’s guiding young artists through self-expression, leading athletes on the field, or showcasing her own work in galleries, she embodies the power of lifelong learning and exploration.

Today,...

Today, we’re taking a look behind the scenes at one of the most essential roles in keeping Momence Schools running smoothly. Often, when we think about the people who make a school function, we think about teachers, coaches, principals, and counselors. But there’s an entire team working behind the scenes to ensure that bills get paid, budgets are balanced, and the financial foundation of the district stays strong. Today, I’m sittin...

Welcome to The One, Momence Schools' podcast where we dive into the remarkable stories shaping our students, educators, and the community. I’m Craig Williams, publisher of The One magazine, and today’s episode takes us inside the classroom to meet an exceptional trio of fifth-grade teachers at Momence Junior High School. Together, Jonna, Kelly, and Ralph are redefining what teamwork means in education, each specializing in a c...

I’m excited to introduce you to Madison Meyer, the Agriculture teacher and FFA advisor here at Momence Schools. Madison’s passion for agriculture education goes beyond the farm. She’s committed to fostering leadership, inclusion, and opportunity for every student, whether they come from an agricultural background or not. In today’s conversation, we’ll dive into the incredible work she’s doing with her students, the innovative progr...

Today I am excited to introduce you to Jodi Tobias, an interventionist with Momence Schools. Jodi’s story is one of deep empathy, expertise, and an unwavering commitment to ensuring that every child has the support they need to thrive. In her role, Jodi works tirelessly to help students navigate academic and personal challenges, from credit recovery to advanced coursework, all with the goal of helping them graduate and succeed. Her...

Today, we have the privilege of sitting down with Joey Baud, a man whose journey from the baseball diamond to the kindergarten classroom has redefined what it means to be a teacher in Momence. Joey is not just any educator—he's a man who embodies the values of collaboration, authenticity, and heart, bringing a unique perspective to everything he does. In a world where kindergarten teachers are often seen through a singular len...

I'm honored to bring you a conversation with a truly inspiring figure in the field of education. Dr. Lynette Thrasher, the Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment for the Momence School District, is a beacon of innovation and dedication. Her journey into education is anything but conventional. From a career in politics to an unexpected calling as a teacher, Dr. Thrasher has continuously demonstrated an ability to s...

Over the past, nearly two years, I have had a unique line of sight into the lives of dozens of Momence students, their teachers, administrators, coaches, and volunteers. I’ve spoken to young readers, athletes, scientists, and kids who’ve already laid tracks to their future through enrollment in dual credit coursework, preparation for college, and time spent gaining certifications of all kinds in the skilled trades. And it is this l...

I have a profound appreciation for the work of educators. I’ve met enough of them to know that they are not perfect human beings but, as a group, they make an incredible contribution to the quality of our communities and to life itself. Through the work they do, obstacles are overcome, paths are paved, and doors are opened.  And when I have the opportunity to interview alumni from various schools — including Momence — I find that s...

Today I sit down with Dr. Ashley Luft, a board member with the Momence School District, a former teacher in the district and the current Director of Student Retention at Olivet Nazarene University. She has dedicated her professional life to the support of young people, families, and the communities they share. Ashley strikes me as someone who is living a very purposeful life in the service of a greater good. Someone once said that ...

Today, I have the privilege of sitting down with Amanda Cantwell, our district’s Occupational Therapist. when I interviewed Amanda’s son, Gaven, last Spring for our Summer 23 issue of the Momence One magazine, I might have known that he had a pretty special set of role models at home. But my conversation today with Amanda confirmed it. All of us are the sum total of our experiences. They shape us, sometimes according to plan and so...

It is always an honor to sit down with educators and others committed to helping our children make the most of their potential. Momence is loaded with people like this. People who volunteer their time for a whole range of support of our youth, from coaching to scouting, to faith-based activities and so much more. But to do so professionally is a very deliberate life choice that creates both liberation and limitation; it is almost a...

Today, I sit down with Lucas Bielecki and I couldn’t be happier about it. When Mr. Anderson made the introduction, and explained that Lucas was a Momence product, I had already had a brief opportunity to meet with him as an interview subject for the Momence Magic video we recently produced, and so I was excited to get to know him better through today’s discussion. A 2014 alumnus of Momence High School, Lucas is a lifelong member of...

Today, I’m honored to bring you an insightful conversation with someone who truly lives and breathes this transformative power of language—Oraia Jaramillo. Serving dual roles as a High School Spanish teacher and the Director of the Bilingual Program in Momence Schools, she is a living testament to the power of words to connect worlds. A Kankakee native and a Loyola University alum, Oraia has had a global journey that took her teach...

Today, I have the pleasure of speaking with Mr. Ryan Drenth, 6th grade math teacher at Momence Junior High School. But Ryan is a man who devotes time and energy in several other important ways to the development of our young people, as you’ll learn from our conversation. The work of teachers at Momence like Ryan is critical to the opening of doors our children experience and to the positive outcomes to which those doors lead not on...

Today, we hear from someone who is shaping young lives at Je-Neir Elementary—Alexis Johnson. Like other professional educators in the Momence District we’ve spoken with, Alexis is building bridges for learning through the power of relationship. Her Fourth Graders know she is there for them. They understand that they are important to her. And they see empathy, kindness, and humor modeled in her classroom every day. The role of teach...

Today, I have the pleasure of speaking with Frank Petkunas, the Regional Superintendent for Iroquois and Kankakee Counties. As the head of the Regional Office of Education, Frank plays an important role in the delivery of a range of services with which many of our listeners may not be particularly familiar. Sometimes, in education, we speak in what seems like a foreign language to some, using acronyms and jargon for things that att...

In this episode, I have the opportunity to speak with a man who worked with students in, perhaps, one of the most challenging environments in the country. Before he came to Momence, Jack Richards taught in an Alaskan community where the only packaged meat he purchased was bacon. Everything else was freshly caught. Hard work was in no short supply, but neither were deeply impoverished children a thousand miles from what you and I mi...

School is out, baseball and grilling are in full swing, and our summertime rituals have us about as far away from the day-to-day, kids-to-school rituals as they could have us. And yet, speaking with educators, the lives they lead, and the impact they have is still our favorite thing to pack into a podcast. Today, we have the privilege of chatting with 19-year teaching veteran, Kristi Porter, who joined us here in Momence about 9-ye...