Voice Of Vashon

A Dynamic Stage of Life It takes a special person to appreciate and love middle school students—and Tracie is that person.  Her love of youth shines through.    In this interview she talks about her job in substance abuse prevention at McMurray Middle School.  She tells us about her Sources of Strength prevention club and […]

How Many High Fives? Did you know that 70% of youth drop out of team sports by the age of 13?  In this fascinating interview Scott tells us how he learned about Positive Coaching and how it has impacted his athletes and parents. We talk about the role of coach being so much more than […]

Sally Adam,  Family Support Specialist for ECEAP (Early Childhood Education Assistance Program) Helping Kids Enter Kindergarten Prepared and Ready To Thrive Did you know that Vashon Island is the recipient of state funds for an ECEAP preschool?  Just like Head Start the goal is a comprehensive preschool program that provides free services and support to […]

Fortress Invasion and other PE Innovations These days, Physical Education is a place to learn to love fitness!  On any given day you will see pool noodles, bike safety lessons, scooters and students sitting in circles to focus on sportsmanship and mindful breathing.  Alex explains to us a tricky and complex game that the 4th […]

How to Grow a Community What do mask making, comics, throwing paint at each other, Willy Wonka, and screen printing have in common?   Yep, they have all been offered as part of the arts education program at the Vashon Center for the Arts. In addition to stumping both Woody and Peggy in a game of […]

If you have been wondering how we were lucky enough to have a school-based health clinic and what exactly they provide, listen in as Peggy and Woody chat with Stephanie Keller, clinic manager and Anna Waldman, mental health therapist with Neighborcare Health’s school-based clinic.  Anna and Stephanie talk about how the school-based clinic was funded and […]

There is Music in this House Join Peggy and Woody as we talk to Camille Reeves about teaching music to young people.  We chat about intrinsic vs. extrinsic motivation, nurturing a love of music,  the effect that screen time has on our stamina for sustained practice and how to make practicing fun.   Camille sings a […]

Peggy and Woody talk with Alex Craighead about Journeymen, an organization that tackles the unspoken rules of masculinity with mentorship circles, rites of passage nature journeys, and father/son events.    Alex tells us how he and his childhood friend founded the organization and what they hope to achieve:  a world where boys and men can experience […]

Peggy and Woody chat with our new superintendent, Slade McSheehy.  Topics we cover include his new life on an island, creating a sense of belonging for all students and staff members, the way in which his school counseling and teaching background inform his current role, the importance of gratitude, and ways to open academic doors […]