The GNSF ”We Belong Here” Podcast
Weekly update on the latest news and information in the Grinnell School District
Episodes
Episode #47 features special guests Jan Phifer and Andrea Zhorne—better known to many students and families as Miss Jan and Miss Andrea. As Early Childhood Special Education teachers at Fairview Elementary, they’ve spent more than 30 years shaping the earliest learning experiences of Grinnell students.
In this episode, we take a look back at their remarkable careers, sharing stories and memories from decades of teaching preschool i...
Episode #46 of the We Belong Here Podcast features special guest Josh Smith, Principal of Fairview Elementary. Josh has strong roots in the area—he grew up just down the road in Victor and made his way to Grinnell in 2018 as a first-year administrator after many years of teaching in the HLV Community School District and other districts.
In this episode, we dive into a variety of topics, including exciting developments like the new ...
Episode #45 features special guest Kevin Hosbond, an 11th grade English teacher and Speech Coach at Grinnell High School.
In this episode, we dive into this year’s Large Group Speech season, highlighting standout performers and celebrating the groups that advanced to All-State. Kevin also shares insights from his experience coaching and working with students throughout the season.
We’ll also take time to recognize Kevin’s recent ho...
🎙️ Episode #44 – Jill Harris This week on the We Belong Here Podcast, we welcome special guest Jill Harris, retired vocal teacher from Grinnell Middle School.
Join us as we take a journey through Jill’s 33 years of teaching in Grinnell, reflecting on the memories, lessons, and impact she made on generations of students. We’ll also talk about what she’s doing today to stay connected...
Episode #43 – Zane Strawser-Picado
This week on the We Belong Here Podcast, we’re excited to welcome our special guest — Zane Strawser-Picado, Grinnell alumnus and President of the GNSF Board.
In this episode, Zane shares his journey through the Grinnell-Newburg Community School District and reflects on how his experiences shaped his path forward. He continued his education at Wartburg College and Southern New Hampshire University,...
This week on the We Belong Here Podcast, we’re excited to welcome Kayla (Juni) Kelly, the new 4th grade teacher at Grinnell Middle School. A proud GHS alum, Kayla shares her inspiring journey back home and the path that led her to the classroom.
Sit back and listen—by the end of the episode, you’ll agree: Kayla is a perfect fit to say, “We Belong Here.”
Stay connected. Stay inspired. Because We Belong Here.
Episode #41 – Bill Kostow This week on the We Belong Here Podcast, we’re excited to welcome our special guest — Bill Kostow, Treasurer and GHS Student advisor liaison for the GNSF board.
In this episode, Bill shares a little bit about himself — where he grew up, what brought him to Grinnell, and different roles he plays in the Grinnell community. Bill also visits about his involvement with the Link Mentoring in the Grinnell Elemen...
🎙️ Episode #40 – Peyton Stensrud and Sam Hatcher
This week on the We Belong Here Podcast, we dive into the “Great Debate” with Grinnell High School senior Debate Team members Peyton Stensrud and Sam Hatcher.
We often welcome GHS students to the podcast to talk about the clubs and activities they’re involved in, and this episode is another great example of student leadership and engagement. Peyton and Sam share how they got started...
Episode #39 – Blake Walker
This week on the We Belong Here Podcast, we’re excited to welcome a special guest — Blake Walker, Class of 2019 and Social Media Manager at Bound-Iowa.
Even though it has only been five and a half years since Blake graduated from Grinnell, we take a step back to explore his journey through high school and college. His story fits right alongside the student voices featured in recent weeks, showing how the ...
Episode #36 – Harper Benesh & Lucy Skouson
This week on the We Belong Here Podcast, we’re excited to welcome our special guests — Harper Benesh and Lucy Skouson, both juniors and dedicated members of the FCCLA (Family, Career and Community Leaders of America) chapter at Grinnell High School.
Harper and Lucy share their experiences from the National FCCLA Competition in Orlando last June, as well as their recent service trip to ...
This week on the We Belong Here Podcast, we’re excited to welcome our special guests — Peyton Stevenson, a senior, and Lucy Truley, a junior — both proud members of the Grinnell High School Thespian Troupe.
Peyton and Lucy join us to share their experiences at the State Thespian Festival held at the University of Northern Iowa. They also reflect on their time in high school theatre — from the energy of Fall and Spring plays and mus...
Episode #36 – Maggie Dayton, Aden Wolfe & Ashley Wolfe
This week on the We Belong Here Podcast, we’re excited to welcome our special guests — Maggie Dayton, a senior; Aden Wolfe, a junior; and Ashley Wolfe, Agricultural Science and FFA Teacher at Grinnell High School.
Maggie and Aden share their experiences in the FFA program, discuss the annual Fruit Sales fundraiser, and reflect on their trip to the National FFA Conference in...
Episode #35– Rebecca Sallee Hanson This week on the We Belong Here Podcast, we’re excited to welcome our special guest — Rebecca Sallee Hanson, At-Large Candidate for the Grinnell-Newburg School Board.
In this episode, Rebecca shares a bit about herself — where she grew up, what brought her to Grinnell, and what inspired her to run for the Grinnell-Newburg School Board.
Sit back, tune in, and get to know Rebecca Sallee Hanson, Scho...
Episode #34 – Ben Cooprider This week on the We Belong Here Podcast, we’re excited to welcome our special guest — Ben Cooprider, At-Large Candidate for the Grinnell-Newburg School Board.
In this episode, Ben shares a bit about himself — where he grew up, what brought him to Grinnell, and what inspired him to run for the Grinnell-Newburg School Board.
Sit back, tune in, and get to know Ben Cooprider, School Board Candidate.
Episode #33 – Chris Starrett This week on the We Belong Here Podcast, we welcome our special guest — Chris Starrett, current Grinnell-Newburg School Board President.
As Chris winds down his first 4-year term on the school board, we will discuss challenges over the past four years and items that he is prioritizing as he prepares for another 4 years on the GHS School Board.
When we are done, you will see why Chris Starrett is yet an...
This week on the We Belong Here Podcast, we’re excited to welcome our special guest — Aaron Backlin, 9th–12th Grade Spanish and Computer Science Teacher at Grinnell High School.
Aaron began teaching at GHS in 2009 after starting his career in the Tri-County School District. He was recently honored with the “Pack the Backpack” award from KIX 101.1 in Marshalltown after being nominated by a student’s parent.
In this episode, we take ...
🎙️ Episode #31 – 2025 GHS Homecoming Candidates This week on the We Belong Here Podcast, we’re thrilled to welcome 10 incredible students from the GHS Class of 2026 — the 2025 Homecoming Court, elected by their peers.
These students didn’t shy away from the tough questions and delivered thoughtful, high-quality answers. Of course, there were plenty of laughs and lighthearted moments along the way!
The Homecoming Court is a shining...
Episode #30 – Lisa Sharp
This week on the We Belong Here Podcast, we’re excited to welcome a very special guest — Lisa Sharp, Interim Principal for the 4th- and 5th-grade “school within a school” at Grinnell Middle School, while also assisting with the Special Education Program for the Grinnell-Newburg School District.
This is truly a conversation you won’t want to miss! Lisa reflects on her remarkable 43 years as an educator, but ...
🎙 Episode #29 – Mike Baker
This week on the We Belong Here Podcast, we’re honored to welcome Mike Baker, retired math teacher and long-time coach at Grinnell High School.
Join us as we sit high above TT Cranny Field in the press box, taking in the Grinnell vs. Cedar Washington freshman football game, while diving deep into Mike’s journey. From the classroom to the sidelines, Mike shares the values, stories, and experiences that sh...
Episode #28 – Brandon Sharp This week on the We Belong Here Podcast, we’re excited to welcome a special guest — Brandon Sharp, S.A.M. at Grinnell High School and Special Education Coordinator for the Grinnell-Newburg School District.
As Brandon begins his second year in these roles, we take a step back to explore his story: growing up in Grinnell, his college journey, and the path that ultimately led him back home.
Through our conv...
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