Épisodes

  • The Future of the GISH Girls Basketball Program w/ Chris Ladwig & Kathryn Langrehr

    The Future of the GISH Girls Basketball Program w/ Chris Ladwig & Kathryn Langrehr
    Jan 21 2025
    "We're making an environment and creating an environment where collectively, we're lifting it together... It's not about wins and losses. It's not about the can or can't. It's about the hard decision to lift it up as a group."

    What’s next for Girls Basketball at Grand Island Senior High?

    Kathryn Langrehr, GISH Girls Basketball Coach, and Chris Ladwig, GISH Activities Director, join The GIPS Cast to unpack that very question.

    Earlier this school year, they made the tough decision that GISH would not be offering a Varsity or JV schedule for this season.

    Why?

    The short answer is mainly due to numbers. Back in October, with the season set to start, GISH didn’t have any Junior or Senior student athletes set to go out for the sport.

    The long answer, as with most things, is much more nuanced. But truly, the decision — as difficult as it was to make — was 100% rooted in a commitment to providing meaningful, competitive, fun, and life-enriching experiences for students. And at the end of the day, sometimes you have to be innovative and — yes — even make a painful decision in order to move forward.

    While the initial decision may have felt like a shock, the intentionality towards supporting student athletes has given the players and coaches reason to be proud today and optimistic about the next few years.

    Because the Islanders aren’t going anywhere — they're building for the future.

    --

    GUESTS:
    Chris Ladwig - GISH Activities Director
    Kathryn Langrehr - GISH Girls Basketball Coach

    HOST:
    Mitchell Roush, GIPS Communications Director

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    FB: facebook.com/GrandIslandPublicSchools

    https://www.gips.org/
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    32 min
  • Welding & Building a Brand w/ Bryn Otto, GISH Class of 2022

    Welding & Building a Brand w/ Bryn Otto, GISH Class of 2022
    Jan 14 2025
    "There's no shame in getting your hands dirty for your money. I think the trades are great! I don't want anybody to ever feel discouraged about being a tradesman or tradeswoman."

    Bryn Otto (GISH Class of 2022), has been making a splash in the welding arena and [around the world] on social media ever since high school.

    Bryn sits down with "The GIPS Cast" to share his journey from "settling" for welding as his high school Pathway, to finishing college early thanks to high school dual credits, to a young, international leader in the arena of welding with over 55,000 social media followers. Along the way, he shares his passion for Career Technical Education (CTE) and how sometimes finding one lightbulb moment is all it takes.

    Because building a career you're proud of starts by saying 'yes' to opportunities.

    --

    GUEST:
    Bryn Otto, GISH Class of 2022

    HOST:
    Mitchell Roush, GIPS Communications Director

    --

    FB: facebook.com/GrandIslandPublicSchools

    https://www.gips.org/
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    34 min
  • Learning How to Learn: The Science of Pre-School w/ Amber O'Hara & Beki Piel

    Learning How to Learn: The Science of Pre-School w/ Amber O'Hara & Beki Piel
    Dec 31 2024
    "There is intentionality behind all of our activities."

    How do students learn to learn?

    For a few hundred students at GIPS, it starts with Pre-School.

    Amber O'Hara, Howard Elementary, and Beki Piel, Starr Elementary, are two of the Pre-School Teachers at GIPS. Both educators join the GIPS Cast to share about the fun taking place in their classrooms but, more importantly, how they empower 4 year old students to be ready for Kindergarten.

    What you’ll hear in the conversation is a window into the science of teaching that goes into helping a child learn how to learn. From spelling their name, to cutting with scissors, to recognizing shapes, to breaking down syllables, and so much more.

    Because in order to be successful [and have fun] in school, students need to know how to learn.

    --

    GUESTS:
    Amber O'Hara, Pre-School Teacher - Howard Elementary
    Beki Piel, Pre-School Teacher - Starr Elementary

    HOST:
    Mitchell Roush, GIPS Communications Director

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    FB: facebook.com/GrandIslandPublicSchools

    https://www.gips.org/
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    25 min
  • GISH Senior Launch & Completing the FAFSA w/ GISH Counselors & EducationQuest

    GISH Senior Launch & Completing the FAFSA w/ GISH Counselors & EducationQuest
    Dec 10 2024
    Preparing graduates for their next chapter.

    Grand Island Senior High (GISH) has developed a new Senior Launch Program to help support all graduating Seniors be more confident in venturing to their next chapters after high school.

    Specifically, how our dedicated staff at GISH and GearUp help Seniors and their families for complete the FAFSA form.

    Starting this school year, the state of Nebraska has a new graduation requirement for all public school districts: Every graduating Senior must complete the FAFSA form in order to graduate.

    As you’ll hear in the following discussion, the FAFSA form isn’t new. But having it as a graduation requirement is. So, as forward-thinking educators, our team at GISH & GearUp wanted to take a proactive approach to helping Seniors and their Families navigate this requirement — by helping all graduates better understand the exciting opportunities and choices they have in front of them. And yes, the FAFSA form helps in that regard quite a bit – especially when considering college opportunities.

    With this information being so important, we wanted to provide these conversations in both English and Spanish so we may reach as many families as we can in a helpful way.

    This episode will be in English. We’ve added a second episode to our feed covering the same conversation completely in Spanish as well.

    Because it's all about empowering students to be College, Career, & Community Ready.

    --

    GUESTS:
    - Julie Markvicka, GISH Counselor
    - Nuria Lemus, EducationQuest


    HOST:
    - Mitchell Roush, GIPS Communications Dir.

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    FB: facebook.com/GrandIslandPublicSchools

    https://www.gips.org/
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    23 min
  • Lanzamiento de GISH Para Estudiantes en su último año de High School y cómo Completar la FAFSA

    Lanzamiento de GISH Para Estudiantes en su último año de High School y cómo Completar la FAFSA
    Dec 10 2024
    Preparando a los graduados para su próximo capítulo.

    Grand Island Senior High ha desarrollado un nuevo Programa de Lanzamiento para Estudiantes de último año para ayudar a que todos los estudiantes que se gradúan tengan más confianza para aventurarse en sus próximos capítulos después de la escuela secundaria.

    Específicamente, cómo nuestro personal dedicado en GISH y GearUp ayuda a las personas mayores y sus familias a completar el formulario FAFSA.

    A partir de este año escolar, el estado de Nebraska tiene un nuevo requisito de graduación para todos los distritos escolares públicos: cada estudiante de último año debe completar el formulario FAFSA para poder graduarse.

    Como escuchará en la siguiente discusión, el formulario FAFSA no es nuevo, pero sí lo es que sea un requisito para graduarse. Por eso, como educadores con visión de futuro, nuestro equipo de GISH y GearUp quería adoptar un enfoque proactivo para ayudar a los estudiantes de último año y a sus familias a cumplir con este requisito, ayudando a todos los graduados a comprender mejor las emocionantes oportunidades y opciones que tienen por delante. Y sí, el formulario FAFSA ayuda bastante en ese sentido, especialmente cuando se consideran las oportunidades universitarias.

    Siendo esta información tan importante, queríamos ofrecer estas conversaciones tanto en inglés como en español para que podamos llegar a tantas familias como sea posible de una manera útil.

    Este episodio será en español. Hemos agregado un segundo episodio a nuestro canal que cubre la misma conversación completamente en inglés también.

    Porque se trata de capacitar a los estudiantes para que estén preparados para la universidad, su carrera y la comunidad.

    --

    HUÉSPEDES:
    - Stacy Quinteros, Consejera de GISH
    - Nuria Lemus, EducationQuest

    ANFITRIÓN:
    - Mayra Ramallo, asesora financiera universitaria de GISH GearUp

    --

    Facebook: facebook.com/GrandIslandPublicSchools

    https://www.gips.org/
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    12 min
  • A Heart for Teaching & Celebrating Students w/ Michelle Thorne - Wasmer Elementary

    A Heart for Teaching & Celebrating Students w/ Michelle Thorne - Wasmer Elementary
    Nov 19 2024
    "I really believe that we can change the world one child at a time."

    34 years deep in public education and Mrs. Thorne still lives that truth every day.

    Mrs. Michelle Thorne, Academic Support Coach at Wasmer Elementary, joins The GIPS Cast to share why teaching is the best way to change the world. She speaks to the importance of welcoming all students while also providing consistent expectations and how she's seen that approach impact thousands of scholars. Thorne also reflects on how her unique role allows her to take part in the daily passion of collaborative teaching and mentor staff all throughout the school. And what the honor of being named 2024 GIPS Specialist of the Year means to her.

    Because it's all about daring to believe that students — thru the influence of dedicated teachers — can achieve great things.

    --

    GUEST:
    Michelle Thorne, Academic Support Coach at Wasmer Elementary School

    HOST:
    Mitchell Roush, GIPS Communications Director

    --

    FB: facebook.com/GrandIslandPublicSchools

    https://www.gips.org/
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    33 min
  • Inspiring Kids & Impacting Community One Dance at a Time w/ Nicole Hicken, GISH Class of 2006

    Inspiring Kids & Impacting Community One Dance at a Time w/ Nicole Hicken, GISH Class of 2006
    Nov 5 2024
    "My hope for my kiddos is to jump out for those dreams. Don't give up hope when things get tough. Keep going, keep trying."

    Nicole Hicken (GISH Class of 2006), has found a way to make a positive impact across a community through the power of dance.

    Nicole sits down with "The GIPS Cast" to share her journey of teaching summer dance lessons as a teen in her parents' basement to launching Studio N Dance Center which serves 280 students. Along the way, she salutes the GIPS teachers who inspired her and speaks to the power of self-expression through the Fine Arts.

    Because it's more than just dance — it's about discovering who you are and what you love.

    --

    GUEST:
    Nicole Hicken, (GISH Class of 2006) Owner - Studio N Dance Center

    HOST:
    Mitchell Roush, GIPS Communications Director

    --

    FB: facebook.com/GrandIslandPublicSchools

    https://www.gips.org/
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    24 min
  • Planting Seeds for Success Thru Alternative Programs w/ Dr. Ken DeFrank

    Planting Seeds for Success Thru Alternative Programs w/ Dr. Ken DeFrank
    Oct 22 2024
    "Opportunity and chances. That's what we're here for. We're here to remove obstacles; we're here to provide opportunities."

    Dr. Ken DeFrank is more than an educator, he's an advocate for students.

    Dr. DeFrank, Principal of Success Academy, joins The GIPS Cast to share his philosophy of education and why alternative learning programs are vital to any public school system. He shares his experiences of more than 20 years in public education dedicated to building systems and leanring environments for students in need. He also unpacks his passion for personalized learning, the rise of student anxiety, the power of compassion, and playing the long game for building relationships with every student.

    Because it's all about planting seeds and fostering healthy learning environments.

    * TRIGGER WARNING *
    The conversation you’ll hear on this episode touches briefly on a few topics that may be triggering for some listeners. This episode contains conversation on things such as anxiety, suicide ideation, psychosis, emotional trauma, and seeking support for those struggles.

    Please know it is our intention to discuss these topics with sensitivity and empathy. We at GIPS want to do our part to normalize empathetic conversations around mental health and wellness.

    --

    GUEST:
    Dr. Ken DeFrank, Success Academy Principal

    HOST:
    Mitchell Roush, GIPS Communications Director

    --

    FB: facebook.com/GrandIslandPublicSchools

    https://www.gips.org/
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    47 min