Best ACSD Podcasts (2025)

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Let's Talk About... How G.O. Bonds Benefit Student Activities 25:11

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18d ago25:11

25:11

Are you curious about how the 2025 G.O. Bond benefits your student's activities? Activities Directors Mike Bakker (AHS) and Nate Lingren (CHS) are on our latest podcast! They discuss the positive impact the bond will have on stage technology, fine art classroom expansions, and relief for overcrowded spaces with athletic performance centers. Listen …

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Let's Talk About... The Student Voice Symposium 20:10

28d ago20:10

20:10

Ankeny Schools is committed to building the next generation of leaders. Today's guests, students Josalie Buban, Quincee Hansen, Cherop Kipruto, Zina Ishibwammi, and Kayci Piva, with Northview Middle School team member Renee Potts, share their experience at the Student Voice Symposium, where they and 50 other Ankeny high school and middle school stu…

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G.O. Bond Defined (10-Year Academic & Facility Plan Series) 15:26

1M ago15:26

15:26

Dr. Pruitt breaks down the G.O. (General Obligation) Bond. He and his guests explain the process of getting the bond on the ballot for a vote, and the academic and facility school projects it will pay for. Learn about the rules surrounding bonds, including what school officials can and can't say in support of the bond, and how the funds are require…

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Let's Talk About... How Schools are Funded, Ep. 2 (10-Year Academic & Facility Plan Series) 17:09

2M ago17:09

17:09

This episode breaks down how our public school funding works — where the money comes from and how we’re allowed to budget those funds. As Ankeny Schools collects petition signatures for a 2025 General Obligation (G.O.) Bond, Dr. Pruitt, CFO Eric Brown, and Chief Communications Officer Samantha Aukes as they explain why it’s never as simple as shari…

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Let's Talk About... The Big Picture, Ep. 1 (10-Year Academic & Facility Plan Series) 23:17

3M ago23:17

23:17

Have you heard of Ankeny School's Long-Range 10-Year Academic and Facility Plan? Get the big picture in this first episode of a new series on this plan with Superintendent Dr. Erick Pruitt and Assistant Superintendents Dr. Amy Dittmar and Dr. Darin Haack. Know why it matters and what’s ahead. Future episodes will cover school funding, proposed faci…

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Learning Series: Nourishing Schools... Student Volunteers 18:12

3M ago18:12

18:12

It's the final installment of the Nourishing Schools series. Dr. Pruitt finds out nothing is off-topic when you have 9th graders on the mic. Brandon, Destinee, and Aniyah prove that giving back is not just about building resumes and share what brought them to volunteer at the Northview Middle School food pantry and what motivates them to continue.…

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Let's Talk About PreK, TK, Kindergarten & Building a Foundation 44:16

4M ago44:16

44:16

Preschool, Transitional Kindergarten, and kindergarten are the topics in this episode. Joining Dr. Pruitt are Sheila Schmidt, Principal of Terrace Learning Center Preschool; Tara Owen, Executive Director of Elementary Education for Ankeny Schools; and Kelli Olson Babcock, a dedicated transitional kindergarten teacher in the Ankeny School District a…

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Let's Talk About It... From Student to Staff 44:02

5M ago44:02

44:02

If you are or know someone preparing for their first job in education, you can't afford to miss this podcast! Kevin Biggs - Principal, Southview Middle School, Kristin Barber - Principal, Northeast Elementary School, and Justin Mohr - Asst. Director Human Resources are Ankeny Schools administrators actively involved in the hiring process and sharin…

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Let's Talk About... The It's Been SAId Podcast 27:29

5M ago27:29

27:29

"... And now for something completely different." It's been SAId is a podcast produced by the School Administrators of Iowa (SAI). We're republishing their episode with Ankeny's Assistant Superintendent, Dr. Darin Haack. He shares his experience with SAI's Individualized Leadership Coaching program. Tune in to hear how Ankeny Schools is leading by …

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Learning Series: Pt. 2 Restorative Practice In Action 43:38

6M ago43:38

43:38

Tune in to hear host, Ken Morris, Jr., Ankeny Schools' Chief Diversity Officer with guests Abby Canfield - Southeast Elementary Social Worker, Kelsey Leaper - Prairie Trail Elementary Counselor, Micaela Tuttle - Assistant Principal at Southeast Elementary, as they explore the use of restorative practice as a way to build stronger connections, promo…

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Let's Talk About... Voices of Learning: Connecting Through Language 32:33

6M ago32:33

32:33

Dr. Pruitt is celebrating multilingualism and the journey of our Ankeny students breaking through language barriers and swinging doors to fluency wide open! Ankeny Teachers Lissa Fulkerson, Marcella Mallet, and Brooke Fry have a lot to say about their students and the ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) Program. Despite the added cultura…

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Learning Series: How Leader In Me is Shaping ACSD Student Leadership 30:36

7M ago30:36

30:36

In this episode, Dr. Amy Dittmar, ACSD Assistant Superintendent of Academic Services, sits down with Amy Ingersoll & Kayla Feld, Lighthouse Coordinators at Prairie Trail and Heritage Elementary, and Ben Muller, Principal of Prairie Trail Elementary. They’re talking all about Leader in Me—a powerful program teaching students leadership, accountabili…

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Learning Series: Nourishing Schools Part 2 23:09

8M ago23:09

23:09

When schools, nonprofits like the Food Bank of Iowa, students, and dedicated staff come together, real change happens. Ankeny Schools Community Engagement Specialist, Madisen Gaskin hosts a roundtable discussion with Michelle Book, CEO & President of Food Bank of Iowa, Scott Litchfield the Director of Nutrition Services for Ankeny Schools, and Leah…

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Student Takeover: Maxx Tyler & Alli Macke Have Questions about the Innovative Hub 39:09

8M ago39:09

39:09

Ankeny HS seniors Maxx Tyler and Alli Macke, student interns at Casey's Corporate offices, want to know how their Orbis Program experience is influencing plans for the new Innovative Hub building. Superintendent, Dr. Erick Pruitt and Samantha Aukes, Chief of Communications for Ankeny Schools are answering ALL of their questions. Tune in!…

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Learning Series: Nourishing Students Introduction 26:02

9M ago26:02

26:02

Madisen Gaskin, Community Engagement Specialist for Ankeny Schools hosts Ankeny Schools staff, Leah Clark - Social Worker, Erin Van Dorin - Associate Principal BEYOND & Summit High School programs, and Shawn Beirman - Social Emotional Learning Specialist on this podcast to discuss what led to opening Ankeny's school-based food pantries in partnersh…

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Student Takeover: Ella, CeCi & Lucy Want Answers 32:27

9M ago32:27

32:27

It's another student takeover. 6th graders Ella, CeCi, and Lucy have questions for Dr. Pruitt and they want answers. Testing their investigative reporter skills, these ladies don't shy away from the hard-hitting questions from "Do you decide if there's a snow day?" to "What's it like being a girl dad?". Tune in to a special student takeover of We A…

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Learning Series... Introduction to Restorative Practices 19:01

10M ago19:01

19:01

This is the first of a special topic series we're introducing this season. The topic is Restorative Practice and your host is Shawn Beirman, Social Emotional Specialist for Ankeny Schools. In this episode, Shawn introduces you to restorative practices and three theories that ACSD focuses on in educating administrators and teachers including Social …

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Community Engagement is At Your Service 20:36

10M ago20:36

20:36

Not many people know what a Community Engagement department does, but Madisen Gaskin, Community Engagement Coordinator for Ankeny Schools, and her team have big plans to change that. Madisen is at the mic with Dr. Pruitt talking about how volunteers contribute to schools and the district overall, developing new community education classes and how t…

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New to District Teachers Talk about the Ankeny Experience 31:23

11M ago31:23

31:23

Their experience is the Ankeny Experience! Teachers new to the Ankeny District, Mariah Hoium at Prairie Trail Elementary, Nick Robinson at Centennial High School, and Mary Stewart at Southeast Elementary, share their hopes, expectations, and plans for the 24-25 school year with superintendent Dr. Eric Pruitt on the We Are Ankeny podcast. Listen Her…

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Student Takeover: Miles & Friends Take on 8th & 9th Grade 26:03

11M ago26:03

26:03

The second Student Takeover of Season 4 features host Miles, Xavier, Maddie, and Lou, as they talk about moving from buildings (7th to 8th grade) and becoming high school 9th graders. You can also listen to We Are Ankeny Podcasts on Spotify, Amazon Music, Audible, and Apple Podcast.By Ankeny Community School District

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Let's Talk About It Student Takeover... Soundtrack of Life 35:01

1y ago35:01

35:01

Ankeny High seniors Charles Christensen and Griffen Nye turn the microphones on and interview ACSD Superintendent Dr. Erick Pruitt and Assistant Superintendent Dr. Darin Haack. Music is the topic so sit back and join in on song recommendations, album critiques, and favorite confessions.By Ankeny Community School District

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Let's Talk About It Student Takeover... High School Entrepreneurs 26:15

1y ago26:15

26:15

It's a podcast takeover by Ankeny Centennial graduated senior Mya Maronn. She's invited student entrepreneurs Logan Sobaski, Charli Brady, and Emma Bececk. Hear advice on pitfalls to avoid, pushing boundaries, and pursuing interests for the under-18 entrepreneur.By Ankeny Community School District

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Let's Talk About... the ACSD Summer Food Program 32:29

1y ago32:29

32:29

Burnt ends are on the menu today as the Ankeny Schools' Nutritional Services team launches the 2024 Summer Food Program. Director of Nutrition Services Scott Litchfield, Chef Joe Weitz, and Dietitian Susan Carlson have a lot to discuss and celebrate about this summer and plans for the 2024-25 school meal programs. For more information visit the Nut…

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Let's Talk About It: Parkview Middle School Student Takeover 17:21

1+ y ago17:21

17:21

Parkview Middle School student, Miles, has taken over the "Let's Talk About It" podcast! He takes you on a behind-the-scenes tour of Parkview's 2024 spring play Goldilocks on Trial. Miles (actor) with fellow Parkview student Avery (set designer & builder), and Ms. Alexa Long (teacher sponsor and producer) talk about the process of bringing the play…

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Let's Talk About... Student Leadership 33:00

1+ y ago33:00

33:00

Student voices are crucial to a thriving academic community. This show introduces you to student school board representatives Megan Rembert and Kalyani Baht and Ankeny Centennial student council member Mya Maron. The next generation of leadership begins here, take a listen.By Ankeny Community School District

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Let's Talk About... The Teacher's Academy 20:38

1+ y ago20:38

20:38

Ankeny Schools is preparing the next generation of public school teachers and administrators. Our Teacher's Academy is a concurrent course with Des Moines Area Community College's Foundations of Education where Ankeny students earn college credit and classroom experience. Students Anna Sash and Ingrid Dietrich give you an inside look at their exper…

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Let's Talk About... Core Skills, Soft Skills, and Mental Health 50:10

1+ y ago50:10

50:10

Join guests Kayla Bell-Consolver the Director of the Counseling Center at Broadlawns Community Clinic at Drake University, Shawn Beirman the Social-Emotional Learning Specialist at Ankeny Schools, and Al Neppl, Director of Professional and Leadership Development at Ankeny Schools as they discuss the importance of soft skills like adaptability, empa…

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Let's Talk About... Project-Based Learning in Ankeny Schools 37:16

1+ y ago37:16

37:16

We know students have different learning styles, so in this episode, we're shining a light on project-based learning (PBL). Our guests include Jason Clark, a teacher at Ankeny Centennial High School. He's adopted PBL as his method of teaching. Hannah Robertson is a Des Moines Area consultant on PBL and a recent instructor at Ankeny's summer teacher…

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Let's Talk About... Opening Abbie Grove Elementary 40:16

1+ y ago40:16

40:16

Opening Fall 2024! Dr. Pruitt has the new Abbie Grove principal- Andrew Burg, Executive Director of Elementary Education- Tara Owen, and District K-5 Teacher Librarian- Corissa Thompson on to give you a peek at what it takes to open an elementary building in Ankeny.By Ankeny Community School District

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Let's talk about... Renewal Vote for Physical Plant & Equipment Levy 11:26

2y ago11:26

11:26

On November 7, 2023, Ankeny residents will vote on the renewal of the Physical Plant and Equipment Levy. This renewal happens every 10 years, and the funds are used by Ankeny Community Schools to make building repairs, purchase new equipment, and increase security systems. Listen and learn about PPEL and it's relationship to the Ankeny Community th…

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Let's Talk About... Stepping into 6th Grade 34:41

2y ago34:41

34:41

Podcast Guests: Northeast Elementary 5th grade teacher Kristen Recher, Parkview Middle School Counselor Nate Tobey, and Parkview Principal Ben Huebsch. Ankeny 5th graders have a big transition in the fall when they move from an elementary building to a middle school building. Our guests today are here to let you know what conversations our 5th-grad…

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Let's Talk About... The Superintendent's Life 35:44

2y ago35:44

35:44

What's it like being a school district superintendent? What challenges does education face in the next few years? Our guests answered these questions and more. Host and Ankeny Superintendent Dr. Erick Pruitt asked Des Moines area colleagues Dr. Rosalie Daca from Urbandale Community School District, Dr. D.T. Magee from Norwalk Community School Distr…

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Let's Talk About... Middle to High School Transitions 37:52

2y ago37:52

37:52

New environments can mean excitement to one student, but anxiety to another. This podcast is "almost" everything you need to know about moving into 8th-grade and 10th-grade. Southview Middle School counselor Nicole Wee, Ankeny Centennial High School counselor Ashley Wilson, and Executive Director for Ankeny Secondary Schools Bev Kuehn have advice, …

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Let's Talk About... Filling. Up. Every. Learner. (FUEL) 36:46

2y ago36:46

36:46

Fill The Fund is an annual event focused on supporting the 'Filling Up Every Learner' (F.U.E.L.) fund. Pull up a seat to the table with our guests, IMPACT Community Action Partnership CEO- Anne Bacon, Wiedenman Family Foundation President - Barb Wiedenman, and Scott Litchfield the Director of Nutrition Services for Ankeny Schools as they deep dive …

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Let's Talk About... Ankeny HS's The Talon News 21:34

2y ago21:34

21:34

Ankeny High School is producing the next generation of journalists. Award-winning news source, The Talon, is produced for and by students. Joining Dr. Pruitt to talk about what makes The Talon a great elective choice are editors Ava, Vivian, and Julien.By Ankeny Community School District

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Let's Talk About... Ankeny Area Historical Society 28:35

2+ y ago28:35

28:35

Explore the history of Ankeny in this episode with Ankeny Area Historical Society co-Chairs Jois Thorson ODonnell, JoAnn Kocheiser Adamson, and intern Avan Albaugh. It's a trip down memory lane with a peek into current exhibits and summer events.By Ankeny Community School District

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Let's Talk About... Social Emotional Learning 38:53

2+ y ago38:53

38:53

Today, we are discussing the concept and integration of Social and Emotional Learning in the classroom, also referred to as SEL. Join Ankeny Schools staff members Shawn Bierman, Social Emotional Learning Specialist; Jason Aker, Principal at Prairie Ridge Middle School and Whitney Longtin, Assistant Principal at Southeast Elementary School as they d…

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Let's Talk About... Employee & Family Services' Student Assistance Program 19:55

2+ y ago19:55

19:55

Our guest, Steve Arneson, is from Employee and Family Resources Center. He is a partner with Ankeny Schools for the Student Assistance Program available in our schools and to families. Health and especially mental health are topics that school districts find themselves talking about more and more. Ankeny Community School District believes the healt…

1
Let's Talk About... Student Teaching 19:50

2+ y ago19:50

19:50

Student teachers are the future of our Ankeny Schools. It's a critical phase in the development, and we are committed to providing a unique and rich experience to all placed in our district. It's our goal that every student teacher placed here, wants to stay here. Sit down with a former and current student teacher and hear about their time walking …

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Let's Talk About... Junior Achievement of Central Iowa 30:27

2+ y ago30:27

30:27

Junior Achievement of Central Iowa is expanding their partnership with Ankeny Community Schools by adding the new 6th - 12th grade program, Financial Park©. This program, compliments the 5th grade program Biz Town©. Pull up a seat at the We Are Ankeny table with guests president of JA of Central Iowa, Ryan Osborn; JA Director of Education, Shannon …

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Let's Talk About... Senior Year, The Road to Graduation 43:48

2+ y ago43:48

43:48

Graduation doesn't have to be stressful for students and parents. Let's talk about navigating senioritis, counting credits, and what to expect on commencement day with high school counselors Audrey Bell, Ashley Tatum, and Ashley Wilson. They're sharing advice with Superintendent Dr. Erick Pruitton about the road to graduation.…

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Let's Talk About... School Budgets and Property Taxes 26:28

2+ y ago26:28

26:28

Today's podcast guests are Randy Ripperger, Polk County Iowa's Property Assessor and Bryon Tack, Assistant Assessor. It doesn’t matter if you have children attending public school, if you own property in Polk County - click and turn up the volume. Jennifer Jamison, CFO for Ankeny Schools joins Dr. Erick Pruitt and our guests to add insight on how t…

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Let's Talk About... Innovative Secondary Schools 41:11

2+ y ago41:11

41:11

If you could create an innovative secondary school any way you wanted, what would it be? Today's guests are on a panel reimagining the 6th through 12th-grade experience at Ankeny Schools (ACSD). JoinDr. Erick Pruitt as he hosts ACSD parent Amy Guidry, Vice President of Human Capital at Accumold Grace Swanson, and team facilitator Ankeny Schools' Ch…

1
Let's Talk About the... Mentors In Violence Prevention Program 45:16

2+ y ago45:16

45:16

The threat of school violence is everywhere, even in the Des Moines Metro and surrounding communities. The fear of violence can interfere with learning, friendships, and even how students envision and value their future. Mentors In Violence Prevention was introduced in Ankeny Schools this year to address what students are experiencing. Students pio…

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Let's Talk About... Secondary Math and Computer Science 24:36

2+ y ago24:36

24:36

Dr. Erick Pruitt invites Carol Eddy, Director of Curriculum and Innovation back to the podcast to talk about the upcoming changes Ankeny Schools is making to the secondary math and computer science curriculum. The goal is to have kids understand they are all "math people" even if it looks different from one student to another. The changes for the 2…

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Let's Talk About... Teachers & Mentors 36:15

2+ y ago36:15

36:15

Let's talk about teacher mentoring. Ankeny strives, and succeeds, as an innovator among school districts that surround the Des Moines Metro. The first suburb to expand to two high schools is now reinventing the traditional professional mentor structure for new and new-to-the-district teachers. District mentoring coaches and specialist Elise Jessen,…

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Let's Talk About... the City of Ankeny 18:12

2+ y ago18:12

18:12

We're welcoming David Jones, City of Ankeny's City Manager to our podcast. This episode explores the relationship between the district and the city from using school facilities to economic growth and plans. Join us and let's talk about the city of Ankeny.By Ankeny Community School District

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Let's Talk About... The Robotics Program 35:39

2+ y ago35:39

35:39

Robotics. Two teams with the same mission. To win. Our episode brings Hawk and Jag competitors to the table with a common passion. Competitive teams are growing at both high schools. Learn why you don't need to know programming, engineering, or construction to participate. These teens talk no holds barred about why they showed up to their first clu…

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Let's Talk About... Community Partnerships 21:51

2+ y ago21:51

21:51

Ankeny schools values its community partnerships. This episode brings Ankeny School Foundation President, Kara Hogue, to the studio. Join us as Dr. Pruitt and Ms. Hogue are joined by Ankeny Schools Chief Officer-Jessica Dirks and Heidi Palkovic Community Engagement Manager - Heidi Palkovic as the discuss how community and public schools relationshi…

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Let's Talk About... Winter Weather, Delayed Starts, and Closings 20:42

2+ y ago20:42

20:42

Iowa winters can bring freezing rain, snow, sub-zero temperatures, and severe winds in a matter of hours. This episode will educate our Ankeny community on what goes into making a decision to keep schools open, delaying the starts, letting students out early, and when it's best just to stay closed. Ankeny Schools pulls back the curtain to show how …