Inside the Den

On this St. Patrick's Day, Mrs. Bishop chats with 6 members of the Class of 2026 who are preparing for graduation and the next chapter of their lives.

What happens when you put three legendary teachers and the Head of School in a room with a microphone? You get decades of history, uncontrollable laughter, and a heartwarming look at what "School Choice" really means.

In honor of National School Choice Week, Head of School Kristen Bishop sits down with three of AGCS's absolute "GOATs"—two of our beloved Kindergarten teachers and a 2nd-grade veteran. These aren't just colleagues; they are old friends with a shared history that spans decades. And each one of them sent their own kids to Charter.

In this episode, the group takes a trip down memory lane, trading funny stories and poking fun at the early days. But they also tackle a serious question: Why choose AGCS?

These three educators (and our CEO) didn't just choose to spend their careers here; they made the ultimate choice to entrust their own children's education to AGCS. Tune in to hear why the teachers who know the school best believe in it the most.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The "Decades" factor: What has kept these teachers at AGCS for so long?

• The dual perspective: Navigating life as both a teacher and an AGCS parent.

• The evolution of the school (and the hilarious growing pains along the way).

• Why "School Choice" matters more than ever.

Grab a cup of coffee and join us for one of our favorite conversations yet.

Mrs. Bishop welcomes two special guests into the Den for a behind-the-scenes look at the journey to our new 7-12 Upper School building. Joining her are AGCS senior Wyatt Nelson and Dr. Brian Ladman, AGCS board member and longtime Facilities Committee member who has been part of the process every step of the way, from those early dreams to final USDA approval.

Together, they revisit the many iterations of the building's design, the thoughtful considerations that shaped each decision, and the excitement around the new opportunities this space will offer our students. It's an honest and insightful look at the planning, the persistence, and the passion that brought this project to life.

In this special Unity Day episode, Mrs. Bishop sits down with Dr. Ryan Taylor, AGCS Director of Student Services, to discuss this year's powerful school-wide project: a tie-dye and shirt-decorating event where every student and staff member chose colors that represent a cause close to their heart.

They're joined by upper school science teacher, Ms. Marielle Veilleux, who opens up about why she tie-dyed with the color green as she's navigating a new and life-changing diagnosis, and by an anonymous high school student who shares what it's like growing up with parents struggling with addiction — and the surprising hope she's found through it all.

This episode is about connection, courage, and the colors that unite us.

Resources and Notes:

Pennsylvania KinConnector: Resources and support for grandparents raising other relatives' children https://www.kinconnector.org/

National Association for Children of Addiction: https://nacoa.org/

Psychology Today: Find resources to help https://www.psychologytoday.com/us

Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA): https://www.mda.org

In the very first episode of Inside the Den, Head of School Mrs. Bishop sits down with 4–6 Assistant Principal Ms. Tara Delgado to share a powerful and deeply personal story. Living in New York City during the tragic events of September 11, 2001, while her husband worked in the World Trade Center, Ms. Delgado reflects on the fear, uncertainty, and resilience of that day.

More than twenty-five years later, she opens up about the lessons learned, the importance of community, and how moments of tragedy can inspire strength and hope.

🎙️ Inside the Den is the official podcast of Avon Grove Charter School in West Grove, Pennsylvania, where we highlight the voices and stories that bring our K–12 Wolfpack community to life.

⚠️ Listener Note: This episode contains personal reflections on 9/11 that may be sensitive for some listeners. Parents and guardians are encouraged to preview before sharing with younger children.

9/11 resources for families and children:

🔗 https://www.nea.org/professional-excellence/student-engagement/tools-tips/teaching-about-911 🔗 https://t2t.org/ 🔗 https://www.911memorial.org/learn/students-and-teachers 🔗 https://www.brainpop.com/topic/september-11th/

Sommer Kelly is a First Grade Special Education Teacher at Avon Grove Charter School's Early Learning Center. She and I discuss her history as a teacher and with AGCS, keeping goals and confidence front and center while working with students, and much more.

This month's episode is co-hosted by Avon Grove Charter School's Director of Teaching and Learning, Jen Weaver. Jen and I discuss upcoming events, reflect on April wins, and we learn about Jen's lengthy history at AGCS.

Amanda Norris is a third grade teacher at the Early Learning Center. She has been with Avon Grove Charter School for many years and only recently took on her current role. In this episode, we discuss what that transition has been like among many other topics.