Hart of the Matter

Why do so many Hart District students return years later to teach, lead, and mentor the next generation? In this episode of Hart of the Matter, Superintendent Mike Vierra chats with three alumni educators who walked our halls as students and now shape the future of our schools. From nostalgic classroom memories and favorite teachers to evolving teaching practices, student leadership, and community roots—discover why families stay, alumni return, and district pride runs deep.Meet the Guests• Loni Anderson – Principal at Sierra Vista Junior High School.• Amber Feldman – AP Psychology & Social Studies Teacher at Saugus High School, Hart District Teacher of the Year and LA County Teacher of the Year.• Kris Ornelas – Choir Director at Rancho Pico Junior High and West Ranch High School.Video Chapters

00:00 - Podcast Welcome

00:25 - District Highlights & Academic Excellence

01:21 - Introducing Our Alumni Educators

02:03 - Loni Anderson’s Story: From Student to Principal

04:26 - Amber Feldman’s Journey: History, Psychology &Teaching

07:46 - Kris Ornelas’ Path: Inspiring the Next Generation ofMusicians

11:08 - Favorite Memories as Hart District Students

18:33 - How Teaching Practices Have Evolved

28:34 - What Makes the Hart District Stand Out

30:05 - Deep Community Roots & Parent Support

30:46 - Trusting Our Schools With the Next Generation

32:13 - Raising the Bar for Student Success

32:50 - Encouraging Students to Get Involved

34:43 - Loni on Building Meaningful Connections

37:05 - Amber on Teaching Your Passion

40:03 - Kris on Mindset

46:21 - What We Love About Our District (and How We KeepImproving)

52:51 - Rapid Fire Round Begins!

53:08 - Proudest Accomplishments

54:37 - Book Recommendations

56:34 - Quotes That Inspire

58:13 - Parenting Life Hacks

01:01:44 - Songs That Energize

01:03:16 - Favorite Snacks

01:04:21 - Advice for Being "Opportunity Ready"

01:08:05 - Finding Your "Why" in Life

01:09:18 - Final Thanks & Wrap-Up

Recorded at The Signal Studio

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Superintendent Mike Vierra hosts the Hart District’s second “Hart of the Matter” podcast featuring four graduating seniors from Canyon, Valencia, Castaic, and Saugus high schools—Josh Ighodaro, Kaela Martinez, Pedroangel Castaneda, and Makea Leonard—who share their backgrounds, favorite Hart District experiences, challenges, and future plans. Josh discusses theater roles and heading to Columbia University to study drama; Kaela highlights Valencia’s Medical Science Academy, HOSA, Future Health Professionals leadership as California State Parliamentarian, and attending Seton Hall’s 3+3 biology/physician assistant program; Pedroangel describes STEM research opportunities, including work connected to College of the Canyons and the University of Chicago, and plans to attend the U.S. Air Force Academy; and Makea reflects on soccer and committing to the University of Oregon. They credit supportive teachers, CTE pathways, athletics, and research programs, and they share ideas for communicating all the opportunities available to students in the Hart District.

00:00 Podcast Intro

00:31 Host Welcome

01:18 District Highlights

02:05 Meet The Seniors

03:19 Josh - Canyon Theater

04:02 Kaela - Valencia Medical Science Academy

05:50 Pedroangel - Castaic, STEM opportunities

07:37 Makea -  Saugus Soccer

08:13 College Plans Ahead

10:40 How Hart District Schools Prepared Them For Their Futures

17:22 Favorite Memories

22:04 Challenges And Advice

24:58 Be Your Own Fan

25:53 High School Drama Perspective

26:59 Hart District Highlights

30:47 How To Improve Support

32:39 Better Student Communication

33:42 SAT Prep And College Readiness

34:39 Parting Advice For Everyone

38:03 Rapid Fire Favorites

42:25 Opportunity Ready Mindset

43:46 Shoutouts And Final Thanks

Recorded at The Signal Studio

More information at hartdistrict.org

Follow us:

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Facebook @WSHUHSD

YouTube @hartschooldistrict

In the inaugural episode of the Hart School District podcast “Hart of the Matter,” Superintendent Mike Vierra introduces the district’s mission to ensure every student is seen, supported, inspired, and “opportunity ready.” Vierra welcomes two guests - Jim Klipfel (Saugus HS social studies/AP and construction) and Casey Cuny (Valencia HS honors English and mythology), both California Teachers of the Year (Klipfel 2021, Cuny 2024). They describe their paths into teaching, the Teacher of the Year selection process and pressures, and how the honor brought responsibility and national relationships. Klipfel reflects on teaching through the Saugus tragedy and COVID, shifting toward a coaching mindset, mental health support, high expectations, and addressing challenges tied to phones, focus, and anxiety. Cuny discusses becoming involved in AI, speaking nationally, and developing an app to support instruction through faster feedback while still valuing teacher grading. Both emphasize toughness, dreaming, kindness, strong community respect for educators, expanding CTE opportunities, and preparing students to be “Opportunity Ready.”

In this episode:

00:00 Podcast Mission Intro

00:29 Why This Podcast

00:49 Hart District Highlights

01:43 Meet the Guests

03:20 Jim - Teaching Journey

04:13 Casey - Teaching Journey

05:24 Teacher of the Year Path

05:38 Casey - Award Experience

08:06 Jim - Award During Crisis

12:15 After the Award Impact

16:09 Evolving Teaching Today

16:32 Jim - Coaching Mindset

19:03 Casey - Improvisation Shift

22:39 Jim - Construction Pathway

26:14 Scheduling for Opportunity

27:15 Casey - AI Leadership

29:19 Building an AI Teacher App

31:28 Prompting for Better AI Outcomes

32:40 Message to the Community

34:14 Staff Rooted Locally

34:38 Parenting is Humbling

35:01 Support Over Control

38:23 Know the Whole Student

39:24 District Strengths

41:46 CTE and AI Rethink

44:08 Dreams and Toughness

48:45 Rapid Fire Round

56:57 Opportunity Ready Advice

01:02:22 Closing Thanks

Recorded at The Signal Studio

More information at hartdistrict.org

Follow us:

Instagram @hartdistrict

Facebook @WSHUHSD

YouTube @hartschooldistrict