Petey Podcast

Petey Podcast

Petey Podcast puts the professionals and partners of the Elyria Schools at your fingertips. Tune in for casual conversation and expert commentary on matters of education and student well-being, and keep with us for your regular dose of Pioneer positivity!

Episodes

July 14, 2025 44 mins

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The trivia battles continue! In Round four of Basinski's Brain Busters, two more of our quick-witted school principals--Stacey Gatten and Michelle Nimene--step up to the mic for a head-to-head showdown of fast facts, funny guesses and racing to beat the buzzer (literally!)

With the Ultimate Showdown just around the corner in August, the pressure is on—only the top-scoring principals from the series will earn a cov...

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The competition is heating up! In this third installment of our wildly fun Basinski's Brain Busters series, principals from across the district go head-to-head in a spirited battle of wits, random facts and ridiculous questions. From pop culture curveballs to school-themed stumpers, no topic is off-limits—and no answer is too silly.

Who will rise to the top and who will crack under the pressure of the buzzer?

This ...

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In this episode of our Fall Sports Spotlight Series, we sit down with the Head Coach Matt Wilson of the Elyria High Pioneer Football program as he heads into his second season at the helm—energized, focused and excited about the direction the program is heading. With summer training in full swing, he talks about how a strong, structured sports performance program is already paying off, setting athletes up for a compet...

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As part of our Fall Sports Spotlight series, we welcome Donovan Belizaire, Head Coach of the Elyria High School Pioneers Boys Soccer Team. Donovan is a leader who’s making an impact both on the field and during the school day. As a dedicated high school counselor by day and coach by season, he brings a powerful combination of mentorship and motivation to the lives of student-athletes.

We talk about what makes the socce...

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Welcome back to Basinski's Brain Busters on Petey Podcast! This is Episode 2 in our special trivia showdown series — where knowledge meets personality, and the stakes are bragging rights!

Today, things are getting competitive between two of our district principals, Jim Rollence and Brett Heighberger--middle school versus high school. Who will rule the trivia throne in this episode? Who will move on to the next rou...

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With the end of another school year, we sit down with Elyria Schools Superintendent Ann Schloss to reflect candidly on the year: where we’ve been and where we’re headed. There've been major milestones this year, and some unexpected challenges, but all along the way -- many achievements to celebrate. And, don’t miss our next chat in August with the superintendent in our official welcome back to school update! 

It&a...

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 In this inspiring episode of Petey Podcast, we sit down with Elyria High School's newest assistant principal — someone who’s truly grown with us, Amanda Belcher. From walking the halls as a student herself, to returning as a dedicated teacher, and now stepping into a leadership role, her journey is one about roots, vision and leading in the very place that helped shape her. Take a listen!

It's a great day to...

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In this kickoff episode of our Petey Podcast Fall Sports Spotlight series, we sit down with Coach Jerry Chizmar, head coach of Elyria High School's cross country team, to dive into what makes the program special, how student-athletes can get involved and what it means to compete at a high level. Coach shares insights on training, team culture and the unique challenges and rewards of distance running.

Whether you&a...

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May 28, 2025 42 mins

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In this episode of Petey Podcast, we sit down with a former standout Elyria High School football player, Tracy Sprinkle, who rose to play at The Ohio State University, and has now returned to Elyria with a powerful mission. Hear his journey from the gridiron to giving back, as he shares how his passion for fitness and the community in which he was raised led him to open a fitness center for youth athletes and adults. ...

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May 28, 2025 56 mins

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This episode of Petey Podcast delves into a beloved summer tradition that’s been shaping young performers in Lorain County for decades. We’re joined by Lorain County Children's Pioneer Theater Director, Maddie Riley (a preschool teacher with Elyria Schools),  and Director/Producer Alex Craig (an Elyria High School graduate). Pioneer Theater will boast a brand-new home this summer at Elyria High School. At Pioneer...

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May 5, 2025 17 mins

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In this episode of Petey Podcast, we celebrate a groundbreaking victory for the Elyria Robotics Team 44113T of middle school students who made history by earning the State Championship Title at a VEX Robotics tournament held at the Museum of the US Air Force in Dayton —the first time ever for any middle school in our district. Hear from the young champions themselves as they share what the win means to them, and meet ...

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Join us for a courtside conversation with Elyria's middle school basketball coaches, Head Coach Kyle Rospert, and Assistant Coach Tavon Kurtz, and Athletic Director Mat Siwierka, as they reflect on an unforgettable season. Their seventh grade team went undefeated, claiming the championship title in the Southwestern (SWC) Conference. Hear how unity, athleticism and genuine friendship powered these young athletes t...

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April 3, 2025 38 mins

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In this fun episode, we’re chatting with a group of incredible high school special education teachers who’ve gone above and beyond to create a one-of-a-kind program that’s changing lives. Meet the masterminds behind Pioneer Perk Cafe--Sharri Goodsite, Maison Belshaw, and Kelsey Montgomery--a student-run coffee shop inside their school where their high school students are not only learning valuable job skills, but also...

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March 31, 2025 20 mins

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Join us on this episode for a fun look into our upcoming Preschool Enrollment Fair on Saturday, April 5. Principal Jackie Plantner is our guest on Petey Podcast, and she shares all the great things she and her staff have planned for that day.

On April 5, parents can take a tour of the Early Childhood Village (EECV)--see the classrooms, meet the staff and see for themselves what makes EECV preschool so special. (Psst! R...

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March 31, 2025 13 mins

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The Elyria Special Olympics Spring Craft and Vendor Fair is back--April 12, 10AM to 3PM at Elyria High School! This EGG-citing event benefits the Elyria Special Olympics and offers a day of fun for the whole family. Join us as we chat with the amazing organizers behind this community event--Teachers, Sam Boneta and Sharri Goodsite.

This year you'll find over 60 unique vendors at the fair, showcasing their crafts, ...

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March 27, 2025 43 mins

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Welcome to a new series in Petey Podcast called, The Grad Chat Chronicles, where we reconnect with amazing graduates and hear about their journeys after high school! In this episode, we’re catching up with the incredible Lilly Parker, a 2024 Elyria High School graduate, who’s been a leader and go-getter from the start. From being active in academic and extracurricular clubs at high school to now studying as a music ma...

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Northwood Middle School Principal, Mike Basinski, Elyria Schools' trivia champ, is back on Petey Podcast as the host of a brand-new special trivia show—Basinski’s Brain Busters! In this exciting new series, Mike takes the reins and tests the knowledge of our Petey Podcast guests. First up, he’s putting Principals Jackie Plantner (Early Childhood Village) and Elizabeth Andrachik (Northwood Middle) in the hot seats...

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March 18, 2025 34 mins

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The talk of summer for the five-year old "littles" of Elyria is Safety Town--a program where kindergarteners discover essential rules for walking, biking, and everyday safety. And no one knows the ins and outs of Safety Town better than Nicole Edwards, the Recreation Supervisor for the city of Elyria and a wonderful friend of Elyria Schools! With Safety Town registration fast approaching, be sure to catch th...

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March 13, 2025 41 mins

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"If it doesn't fill your heart with happiness, you need to take a long, hard look in the mirror." This wise insight comes from Dan Blatt, the Unified Sports Program Coordinator for the district. We had a wonderful time discussing a whole range of topics with Dan, who also teaches visually impaired students at Elyria Schools. 

Unified Sports is a branch of Special Olympics that brings together students wh...

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In this episode of the Petey Podcast, we're welcoming the incredibly talented Kathy Pero, an Intervention Specialist from Eastern Heights Middle School! Get ready for a fun chat as Kathy dives into the amazing project her students have been working on—owning and operating their very own art gallery!

These young artists have unleashed their creativity, producing individual masterpieces, plus, they’ve collaborated o...

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