The GIPS Cast
The official podcast of Grand Island Public Schools in Nebraska. The GIPS Cast is a conversation-based podcast exploring the world of public education thru the voices of one of Nebraska’s largest, most diverse school districts. #WeAreGIPS
Episodes
June 17, 2025 • 40 mins
"I see [our students] building long, lasting friendships, a sense of belonging to something very special; boosting their self confidence. Each one of my athletes and partners together, they value each other's talents and skills."
Andrea Hill has been leading the Unified Track & Field Team for seven years at Grand Island Senior High, and, well, she’s on a mission. And she’s got the whole school and the whole GIPS district behind...
Andrea Hill has been leading the Unified Track & Field Team for seven years at Grand Island Senior High, and, well, she’s on a mission. And she’s got the whole school and the whole GIPS district behind...
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June 4, 2025 • 22 mins
"Number one for me is building relationships with my students... That right there is my number one classroom strategy — just building relationships and having conversation with my students."
Mrs. Kari Thornton has been teaching 2nd Grade at Engleman Elementary for 16 years.
Every year Mrs. Thornton aim to make the learning in her classroom an active experience for her students. Which means building opportunities for students to inte...
Mrs. Kari Thornton has been teaching 2nd Grade at Engleman Elementary for 16 years.
Every year Mrs. Thornton aim to make the learning in her classroom an active experience for her students. Which means building opportunities for students to inte...
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May 14, 2025 • 22 mins
"We do it [teach] because we care and we want to raise really great humans to make a really great world."
It’s not just an activity — it’s students finding their voice.
At least, that’s what Mrs. Zeller will tell you.
Kathryn Zeller has been a teacher at Westridge Middle School for a number of years. And anyone who’s stepped into her classroom will tell you — she’s passionate, she’s creative, and she will find a way to reach every s...
It’s not just an activity — it’s students finding their voice.
At least, that’s what Mrs. Zeller will tell you.
Kathryn Zeller has been a teacher at Westridge Middle School for a number of years. And anyone who’s stepped into her classroom will tell you — she’s passionate, she’s creative, and she will find a way to reach every s...
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April 24, 2025 • 31 mins
"The weight room is just an avenue for how we prepare kids for life."
Coach Pat Doyle is the Strength and Conditioning Coach at GISH. He’s also the Islander Powerlifting Coach. With over 700 athletes coming through his weight room and working with the strength staff, Coach Doyle has a lot going on.
How does he balance it all? Consistency.
He joins 'The GIPS Cast' to share why he has the best job in the world.
In just five short yea...
Coach Pat Doyle is the Strength and Conditioning Coach at GISH. He’s also the Islander Powerlifting Coach. With over 700 athletes coming through his weight room and working with the strength staff, Coach Doyle has a lot going on.
How does he balance it all? Consistency.
He joins 'The GIPS Cast' to share why he has the best job in the world.
In just five short yea...
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April 9, 2025 • 28 mins
"It brings me joy to spread the joy."
Students are changing the world, and they’re making it happen through the power of connection.
And that’s where we meet Alexia Nunez, a Sophomore at Grand Island Senior High and the President of the GISH chapter of 'GlamourGals'.
'GlamourGals' is a national organization that empowers teenagers to make intergenerational connections with folks at Retirement Homes and Assisted Living Facilities thr...
Students are changing the world, and they’re making it happen through the power of connection.
And that’s where we meet Alexia Nunez, a Sophomore at Grand Island Senior High and the President of the GISH chapter of 'GlamourGals'.
'GlamourGals' is a national organization that empowers teenagers to make intergenerational connections with folks at Retirement Homes and Assisted Living Facilities thr...
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March 18, 2025 • 21 mins
"I also just love seeing how much my students grow... when you see those kids and where they went in life, and knowing that you played a part in that, that's what keeps you coming back."
Mr. Jason Weseman has been teaching 5th Grade at Howard Elementary for 13 years.
Every year Mr. Weseman sees first-hand how much students grow in just a few months. Whether it be academically, socially, or in self-confidence, investing in students a...
Mr. Jason Weseman has been teaching 5th Grade at Howard Elementary for 13 years.
Every year Mr. Weseman sees first-hand how much students grow in just a few months. Whether it be academically, socially, or in self-confidence, investing in students a...
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March 5, 2025 • 40 mins
"We're here for everybody — not just select people... It's a humanity thing. We're here for humanity and I think that's the great thing about public schools. We care about the kids."
In her 27 years with Grand Island Public Schools, Kris Spellman has proudly worn the title, “Lunch Lady”. Her official job title for nearly three decades has been “Director of Nutrition Services”. But if you ask her what she does, she’ll smile at you ...
In her 27 years with Grand Island Public Schools, Kris Spellman has proudly worn the title, “Lunch Lady”. Her official job title for nearly three decades has been “Director of Nutrition Services”. But if you ask her what she does, she’ll smile at you ...
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February 13, 2025 • 36 mins
"I just wanted to do something where I could go out and take that information out into the community, or to people that I know that don't have access to that [healthcare resources]."
Students are capable of accomplishing great things. Our job as educators is to give them opportunity.
HOSA is a national organization that exists to provide leadership, learning, and service opportunities for students who look to be future professionals...
Students are capable of accomplishing great things. Our job as educators is to give them opportunity.
HOSA is a national organization that exists to provide leadership, learning, and service opportunities for students who look to be future professionals...
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January 21, 2025 • 32 mins
"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 t...
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 t...
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January 14, 2025 • 34 mins
"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...
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...
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December 31, 2024 • 24 mins
"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 Kindergar...
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 Kindergar...
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December 10, 2024 • 22 mins
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...
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...
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December 10, 2024 • 11 mins
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 f...
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 f...
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November 19, 2024 • 33 mins
"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 imp...
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 imp...
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November 5, 2024 • 24 mins
"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...
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...
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October 22, 2024 • 47 mins
"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 educ...
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 educ...
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October 10, 2024 • 40 mins
"My teachers really created that support, that backbone, support for me, and encouraged me to know, it's okay to make mistakes. So for that, I really thank my elementary teachers."
Ashley Parra Valencia (GISH Class of 2020), recently return to Grand Island for one reason: To make a positive impact in the community that gave so much to her.
Ashley sits down with "The GIPS Cast" to share her journey of EL student, to high school stud...
Ashley Parra Valencia (GISH Class of 2020), recently return to Grand Island for one reason: To make a positive impact in the community that gave so much to her.
Ashley sits down with "The GIPS Cast" to share her journey of EL student, to high school stud...
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September 26, 2024 • 24 mins
"Here within the walls of this public school is where the American dream can really begin for people."
That's why Mr. Balcom believes in the power of public education.
Mr. Nate Balcom, Principal at Newell Elementary School, joins The GIPS Cast to share his committment to cultivating a positive culture for all – students, staff, and families. He shares his experience going from Media Integration Specialists to a Building Principal....
That's why Mr. Balcom believes in the power of public education.
Mr. Nate Balcom, Principal at Newell Elementary School, joins The GIPS Cast to share his committment to cultivating a positive culture for all – students, staff, and families. He shares his experience going from Media Integration Specialists to a Building Principal....
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September 10, 2024 • 44 mins
Another school budget season is here!
Matt Fisher, GIPS Superintendent, and Virgil Harden, GIPS CFO, join The GIPS Cast again to share an in-depth look at the 2024-25 district budget.
Throughout the conversation they share how nearly 80% of the general fund budget is dedicated to our staff, why GIPS will be lowering its tax levy for the second-straight year, and why school budgeting looks differently from year to year.
Because it'...
Matt Fisher, GIPS Superintendent, and Virgil Harden, GIPS CFO, join The GIPS Cast again to share an in-depth look at the 2024-25 district budget.
Throughout the conversation they share how nearly 80% of the general fund budget is dedicated to our staff, why GIPS will be lowering its tax levy for the second-straight year, and why school budgeting looks differently from year to year.
Because it'...
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August 27, 2024 • 28 mins
"I want you to love learning when you leave my class."
That's Mr. Madison's philosophy — sparking curiosity so the learning continues long after you've walked out of his classroom.
Mr. Tyler Madison, U.S. History Teacher (8th Grade) at Walnut Middle School, joins The GIPS Cast to share his passion for bringing history to life for students. He recounts how the Walnut D.C. Diplomats program has grown to a year long community-based end...
That's Mr. Madison's philosophy — sparking curiosity so the learning continues long after you've walked out of his classroom.
Mr. Tyler Madison, U.S. History Teacher (8th Grade) at Walnut Middle School, joins The GIPS Cast to share his passion for bringing history to life for students. He recounts how the Walnut D.C. Diplomats program has grown to a year long community-based end...
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