Elevated Insights: A TCSD Podcast

In this episode of Elevated Insights, we step onto the mat with members of the Grantsville High School girls wrestling team, one of the Utah's fastest‑growing sports with one of the most successful programs. Joined by Superintendent Ernst and student cohost Rebekah Smith, the athletes share what motivates them, how the sport has shaped their confidence and resilience, and what it’s like to be part of a program that has earned multiple state titles and top finishes in its early years. With stories of teamwork, grit, and personal growth, this episode showcases the heart of a program that’s inspiring students and redefining what’s possible in girls wrestling across Utah.

In this episode of Elevated Insights, we take listeners inside the GEM program, where students explore creative thinking, problem‑solving, and hands‑on academic challenges. Joined by gifted‑and‑talented teacher Stacie Blake and several GEM students, Superintendent Ernst talks with them about what makes the program meaningful, how it supports different learning styles, and why providing additional learning options helps students grow. The students even share a fun challenge for the Superintendent to try on air. It’s a fun, uplifting look at how the GEM program sparks curiosity and confidence in young learners.

As the Winter Olympics conclude in Italy, Elevated Insights brings the Olympic spirit close to home. Superintendent Dr. Mark Ernst sits down with Tooele County’s own Olympian, Amy Palmer.

Amy represented the United States in the hammer throw at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games after a record‑breaking career at Grantsville High School and Brigham Young University. Today, she teaches at Stansbury Junior High School, inspiring students in the classroom and in life.

In this episode, Amy reflects on her journey from local competition to the world stage, the lessons she learned as a competitor, and how she now brings that experience into her teaching. Join us for this fun and insightful discussion with our own Olympian... and did anyone notice the “6/7” reference Amy made along the way? Her students are sure to catch it.

Join us as we visit schools across TCSD to share the sounds of the season! Hear performances from West Elementary, Grantsville Junior High, Tooele Show Choir, and our transition students. It’s a festive celebration of talent and togetherness.

Listen now and enjoy this holiday of music!

While recording a previous episode in a French Dual Language Immersion classroom, we decided to pull in a few students for an "OFF THE RECORD" conversation about their experience in the DLI program. This bonus clip offers a fun, candid perspective from the students themselves... and they were even allowed to speak in English (a rare treat in a DLI class!).

Hear what Ashlyn, Amanda, and Keith love about learning in two languages and how the program is shaping their education in unique ways.

Celebrate the season of gratitude with our Thanksgiving special! We asked elementary students from Sterling, Old Mill, and Twenty Wells what they’re thankful for and their favorite Thanksgiving foods. From preschoolers to sixth graders, their answers range from sweet and simple to wonderfully unexpected. Tune in for a heartwarming collection of perspectives that will make you smile and remind you what Thanksgiving is all about.

In this episode of Elevated Insights, Superintendent Dr. Mark Ernst talks with three educators whose careers began outside the classroom. Chad Valdez (Criminal Justice), Brianna Rounds (Dental Assisting), and Jodi Cook (Computer Technology) share how their real-world experiences in law enforcement, healthcare, and tech influence their teaching, connect with students, and prepare learners for life beyond school. Discover the challenges, benefits, and unique perspectives that come from bringing industry expertise into education.

Our “Off the Record” episodes shares some of the conversations that happen after the official recording ends, at least unofficially. These short bonus episodes capture candid thoughts, extra stories, and fun insights that we still want to share with you. It’s a quick listen with a lot of personality.

This week listen as the Bookmobile crew talks Off the Record about building relationships, how literacy opens up the world, and the new Reading Rainbow.

What happens when the library hits the road? In this episode of Elevated Insights, we’re taking you inside the world of the Utah State Library’s Bookmobile—a rolling library that brings thousands of books and digital resources to rural communities across Utah. Join us as we visit Vernon Elementary and talk with the Bookmobile driver about the magic of delivering stories on wheels, the joy of connecting kids with reading, and the adventures that happen when the library comes to you. You’ll hear stories that spark laughter—and maybe even a few tears—as we explore the power of books to change lives.

Welcome back to Elevated Insights, the official podcast of Tooele County School District! We’re kicking off a new season with an inspiring episode that highlights the global reach and local impact of our French Dual Language Immersion (DLI) program.

In this on-site recording straight from Grantsville High School, Superintendent Dr. Mark Ernst sits down with three remarkable educators whose journeys span continents and classrooms:

• Jean Charconnet – French DLI Teacher, Grantsville High
• Cloe Remila – 2nd Grade DLI Teacher, Grantsville Elementary
• Isabelle Nadeau-Baxellerie – 7th Grade DLI Teacher, Grantsville Junior High

Together, they share their personal stories, teaching philosophies, and the unique experiences that brought them from France to Tooele County. Listeners will gain insight into the DLI program’s structure across grade levels, the importance of bilingual education, and the recent recognition TCSD received from the French government through the prestigious LabelFrancÉducation designation.

Whether you're a parent, educator, student, or community member, this episode offers a powerful reminder of how language, culture, and education intersect to shape global citizens right here in our schools.