Cheyanne used to hate school. She missed most of her freshman and sophomore years and was ready to give up... until something shifted. 

In the rural school district of Jewell, Oregon, with just over 100 students, educators, families and students came together to rebuild what school could be. In the course of one school year, attendance skyrocketed by 25 percentage points. In real numbers, that means about 30 more students from Jewell’s class of 115 were coming to school nearly every day.

Northwest Regional ESD’s Whitney Wagner tells the story of how one community learned that showing up starts with feeling seen.

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What does it take to help a student stay on track in ninth grade and why does it matter so much? In this episode, hear from educators and students in Northwest Oregon who are rethinking what success looks like for freshmen. From personalized support and grading reform to student-led solutions and schoolwide culture shifts, this story highlights how collective effort is helping more students start strong and stay on course to graduate.

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Originally released as a video in February 2025,  this extended audio cut revisits Superintendent Dan Goldman’s conversation with Mike Potter and Jacob Doxtator from our cybersecurity team. As digital infrastructure becomes increasingly essential to education, we’re sharing this archival audio to spotlight the people safeguarding our systems—and the humor, humanity, and high stakes behind their everyday work.

In Forest Grove, Oregon, students are designing 3D puzzles, printing miniature tugboats, and learning advanced robotics, all powered by one essential tool: fast, reliable internet. Hear how educators and tech leaders are revolutionizing school connectivity across rural and urban districts alike, future-proofing learning and quietly building the infrastructure that keeps classrooms running.

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Originally released as a video in January 2025, this extended audio cut revisits Superintendent Dan Goldman’s home visit with Danie Benjamin, a physical therapist at Tualatin Early Childhood Center. As we reflect on the progress made this year, we’re sharing this archival audio to highlight the everyday care, connection, and challenges at the heart of our Early Intervention program.

Originally released as a video in December 2024, let's take a look back at the progress made this year. This extended audio cut revisits the first edition of our Backstage Pass series. Superintendent Dan Goldman meets with Caitlan Freese, who was instrumental in launching the social emotional learning school in Columbia County.

In Vernonia, Oregon, students like 10-year-old Paige are thriving thanks to the science of reading. Once struggling, Paige is now reading at grade level and writing her own fantasy stories. Discover how dedicated teachers, innovative literacy techniques, and community support are helping students succeed—and why this small rural district is inspiring change statewide.

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Los equipos del Distrito de Servicios Educativos para la Región del Noroeste mejoran su capacidad de escucha para avanzar en el Diseño Liberador. Escucha a Katie Jones del Departamento de Equidad y Alianzas Familiares (OEFP, por sus siglas en inglés) que nos habla de la importante labor que llevan a cabo estos equipos.

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Teams across Northwest Regional Education Service District sharpen listening skills to advance Liberatory Design work. Hear from Katie Jones from the Office of Equity & Family Partnership as she shares the important work these teams are leading.

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