Bluum Together

S2 Ep10- Developing a Culture of Leaders at Pathways Alternative Middle School

With a long tenured background in education and alternative schools, Dr. Eric Eschen highlights his strong belief in developing a culture of leaders. Dr. Eschen is the principal at Pathways Middle School in Meridian, Idaho, a school of choice that focuses on providing a smaller, supportive environment for students who may struggle in traditional settings. Different curriculum that includes programs like the Leader in Me and Sources of Strength are discussed, while also recognizing the importance of accommodating different learning styles in students.

S2 Ep9- It's all about relationships with Future Public Charter School

Emphasizing the importance of relationships and collaboration, Executive Director Amanda Cox and Principal Heather Efaw, share the operations of Future Public Charter School in Garden City, Idaho. The two leaders discuss the school's mission to support all students and families in achieving their desired futures, as well as sharing several success stories of students and families. The team at Future Public Charter School provides comprehensive support, including academic, social, and emotional assistance, extending support outside the classroom with key partnerships such as the Boys and Girls Club nextdoor.

S2 Ep8- Trauma Informed Education Environment with Promise Academy

Emphasizing the importance of trauma informed education, hear from experts at Promise Academy on how they are succeeding with this model. Scott Curtis, CEO of the Idaho Youth Ranch, dives into the holistic approach of the school, elaborating on the significance of family involvement and creating a supportive environment for students to learn and heal. Success stories are shared throughout the episode, as well as different challenges faced such as growing staff capacity and obtaining Medicaid approvals.

S2 Ep7- Trust Based Relational Intervention

Mental health specialists from the Coeur d’Alene School District, Keith Orchard and Raelynn Loken, dive into their trauma-informed approach to mental health. Both of them focus on trauma-informed practices, sharing how they approach this within schools, emphasizing different interventions like TBRI. They share importance of understanding adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and how trauma affects brain development, as well as the significance of building connections with students and promoting regulation skills.

S2 Ep6- Going "All-In" with a Community School Approach

S2 Ep5- Creating Connection and Belonging with Kelly Gonser

Leader of Timberline High School's Wolf Connection Program, Kelly Gonser, shares insights into the program, born in 2002 from Challenge Day. With 29 years of educational experience, Gonser highlights the program's impact and discusses the challenges of fostering connection in a society that often prioritizes competition over collaboration. The Wolf Connection Program focuses on mentoring, leadership, and community service, encouraging introspection and team-building through activities like ropes courses and a retreat.

National School Choice Week with Shelby Doyle

Hear from Shelby Doyle, VP of Public Awareness for the National School Choice Awareness Foundation, as she describes the importance of National School Choice Week. Creating momentum for what school choice looks like nationally, Shelby describes the importance of making parents aware of practical information needed to find a school for their children. 

S2 Ep4- From the Voices of Students with Rian, Olivia, and Mason

Discover the experiences of three exceptional Timberline High School students—Rian, Olivia, and Mason—as they discuss their involvement in the impactful Wolf Connection Program. Learn more into their insights on the significance of school culture, fostering a sense of belonging, and explore ways schools can actively contribute to mental well-being. These students also share their perspectives on peer-to-peer interactions and address various challenges faced by their peers.

S2 Ep3- Digging into Local Research with Dr. Megan Smith, Boise State University

Megan Smith, an Associate Professor in the School of Public and Population Health at Boise State University, discusses her background as a teacher and researcher, emphasizing her focus on creating the best possible environments for students. The conversation dives into Megan's work on Upstream Prevention for youth mental health, drawing inspiration from the successful Icelandic Prevention Model for substance use.

S2 Ep2- Unpacking Acronym Soup with Katie Azevedo

Katie Azevedo, dives into this episode discussing mental health support systems in Idaho schools, specifically focusing on the Interconnected Systems Framework (ISF). She explore the three-tiered model of Positive Behavior Intervention Supports (PBIS), as well as touching on the Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) framework, emphasizing the interconnectedness of academic and behavioral supports.