As the holiday season approaches, this episode celebrates the spirit of giving and service in our schools and community. We welcome guests from the Lake Oswego Rotary Club and Lake Oswego High School’s Interact Club, organizations that exemplify “Service Above Self.”

Meet Auveen Shafei, a student award recipient, and Sicily D’Orazio, student chair of the Interact Club, who share how service and leadership are shaping their lives and inspiring others. You’ll also hear from Brian Bice and Malcolm Mathes, co-chairs of Rotary’s Educational Excellence Awards, as they reflect on ten years of honoring students, educators, and community members who go above and beyond in education. Tune in for stories of generosity, mentorship, and community connection, a true reflection of what makes Lake Oswego shine.

Dr. Jennifer Schiele, Superintendent, LOSD

Mary Kay Larson, Executive Director of Communications, LOSD

Auveen Shafei, Student, Lake Oswego High School

Sicily D’Orazio, Student, Lake Oswego High School

Brian Bice, Educational Excellence Awards Co-Chair, Lake Oswego Rotary Club

Malcolm Mathes, Educational Excellence Awards Founder and Co-Chair, Lake Oswego Rotary Club

To learn more about the topics we discussed, ask a question, or share ideas for future episodes, please visit LOSDSchools.  org.  And remember to like and follow us wherever you get your podcasts.  Thank you for engaging with Learning in Lake Oswego. We appreciate your support and look forward to having you with us for our next episode.

What’s it like to see Lake Oswego schools through the eyes of a family from Finland, a country known for having one of the best education systems in the world? In this episode, we sit down with Inna King and her children, Sisu and Lumi, to explore what brought them from Finland to Oregon, what drew them to Lake Oswego, and how their experiences here compare to the schools they knew back home.

From their cross-country travels to their first impressions of our classrooms and community, the King family shares heartfelt reflections on what makes Lake Oswego feel like home. Their perspective offers valuable insight into how our schools create belonging for families worldwide and reminds us of the universal hopes parents share for their children’s education.

Dr. Jennifer Schiele, Superintendent, LOSD

Mary Kay Larson, Executive Director of Communications, LOSD

Inna King, Parent, Forest Hills Elementary School

Sisu King, Student, Forest Hills Elementary School

Lumi King, Student, Forest Hills Elementary School

To learn more about the topics we discussed, ask a question, or share ideas for future episodes, please visit LOSDSchools.  org.  And remember to like and follow us wherever you get your podcasts.  Thank you for engaging with Learning in Lake Oswego. We appreciate your support and look forward to having you with us for our next episode.

We take listeners inside one of Lake Oswego’s most hands-on and flavorful CTE pathways: Culinary Arts at Lakeridge High School. Guests Culinary Arts teacher Jennifer Jillions and senior student and teaching assistant, Jacen Wilber, share how the Culinary pathway blends real-world skills with personal passion. From knife skills and menu planning to leadership and confidence, this program shows how CTE connects classroom learning to future college, career, and life success.

Listeners will hear what Career Technical Education (CTE) is and why it matters for all students, how Culinary Arts courses build practical skills that extend far beyond high school, and how industry-experienced teachers make a meaningful impact in the classroom. Jacen offers a student’s perspective, reflecting on the creativity, collaboration, and leadership he discovered through the program. 

Dr. Jennifer Schiele, Superintendent, LOSD

Mary Kay Larson, Executive Director of Communications, LOSD

Jennifer Jillions, Teacher, Lakeridge High School

Jacen Wilber, Student, Lakeridge High School

Instagram: culinary_lakeridge

To learn more about the topics we discussed, ask a question, or share ideas for future episodes, please visit LOSDSchools.  org.  And remember to like and follow us wherever you get your podcasts.  Thank you for engaging with Learning in Lake Oswego. We appreciate your support and look forward to having you with us for our next episode.

In this episode of Learning in Lake Oswego, we sit down with Tony Vandenberg, LOSD’s Executive Director of Project Management, to discuss how our district is strengthening safety and resilience across all schools. Student safety and well-being are our top priority at all times. From secure entrances and advanced visitor management systems to seismic retrofits and modern HVAC upgrades, LOSD is making significant investments to ensure our schools are not only safer but also healthier and more resilient for the future.

Dr. Jennifer Schiele, Superintendent, LOSD

Mary Kay Larson, Executive Director of Communications, LOSD

Tony Vandenberg, Executive Director of Project Management, LOSD

LOSD Safety & Security Information

LOSD Capital Bond Improvement Program

To learn more about the topics we discussed, ask a question, or share ideas for future episodes, please visit LOSDSchools.  org.  And remember to like and follow us wherever you get your podcasts.  Thank you for engaging with Learning in Lake Oswego. We appreciate your support and look forward to having you with us for our next episode.

In this episode of Learning in Lake Oswego, we sit down with longtime CTP teachers Rollie Wilson and Jane White to explore one of LOSD’s most unique and impactful programs—the Community Transition Program. Serving students ages 18–21 with developmental delays, CTP focuses on building the life skills, independence, and confidence young adults need to thrive beyond high school. Rollie and Jane share how the program works, the kinds of experiences students gain, and the powerful ways CTP partners with families, local businesses, and the community. Whether you’re new to learning about CTP or already connected to it, this episode offers an inspiring look at how the program transforms lives and strengthens our community.

Dr. Jennifer Schiele, Superintendent, LOSD

Mary Kay Larson, Executive Director of Communications, LOSD

Rollie Wilson, Learning Specialist, Community Transition Program, LOSD

Jane White, Learning Specialist, Community Transition Program, LOSD

To learn more about the topics we discussed, ask a question, or share ideas for future episodes, please visit LOSDSchools.  org.  And remember to like and follow us wherever you get your podcasts.  Thank you for engaging with Learning in Lake Oswego. We appreciate your support and look forward to having you with us for our next episode.

In this Season 3 kickoff episode of Learning in Lake Oswego, we dive into one of the most innovative and impactful enrichment programs in the district: robotics.

Our featured guests are Lakeridge High School teacher and robotics advisor John Sperry, along with Mila Kaplan, a graduating senior and student leader on one of the school’s four robotics teams. Recorded just before Mila’s graduation and her next chapter at MIT, this episode explores how robotics in LOSD fosters creativity, collaboration, and real-world problem-solving, preparing students for success in college, careers, and beyond.

Tune in to hear how this growing program is inspiring students, building community, and shaping the future of STEM education in Lake Oswego.

Dr. Jennifer Schiele, Superintendent, LOSD

Mary Kay Larson, Executive Director of Communications, LOSD

John Sperry, Teacher, Lakeridge High School, and Advisor, Lake Monster Robotics Program

Mila Kaplan, Student, Lakeridge High School, Class of 2025, and Lake Monster Team Captain

To learn more about the topics we discussed, ask a question, or share ideas for future episodes, please visit LOSDSchools.  org.  And remember to like and follow us wherever you get your podcasts.  Thank you for engaging with Learning in Lake Oswego. We appreciate your support and look forward to having you with us for our next episode.

In this episode, we spotlight a local nonprofit that started with one high school student’s idea and grew into a vital resource for families across the region. From its humble beginnings in repurposed spaces in our schools, Hunger Fighters Oregon now operates permanently in Mountain Park, providing food assistance to hundreds of families in our community. Simone Coker-Kamna, Executive Director of Hunger Fighters Oregon, and Julianna Cahill, a Lakeridge student serving on the nonprofit’s Board of Directors, share the journey and ongoing impact of Hunger Fighters. Together, we will discuss how Hunger Fighters addresses food insecurity, empowers student leadership, and creates meaningful community connections.

Dr. Jennifer Schiele, Superintendent, LOSD

Mary Kay Larson, Executive Director of Communications, LOSD

Simone Coker-Kamna, Executive Director, Hunger Fighters Oregon

Julianna Cahill, Student, Lakeridge High School, and Board Member, Hunger Fighters Oregon

hungerfightersoregon.org

To learn more about the topics we discussed, ask a question, or share ideas for future episodes, please visit LOSDSchools.  org.  And remember to like and follow us wherever you get your podcasts.  Thank you for engaging with Learning in Lake Oswego. We appreciate your support and look forward to having you with us for our next episode.

In this special episode of Learning in Lake Oswego, we sit down with Lake Oswego High School drama teacher Bobi Bergh to explore the power of theater in education and community. Since joining LOHS in 2021, Bobi has infused the drama program with fresh energy and vision, creating a space where students feel seen, supported, and inspired. Together, we discuss the program’s growth, the challenges and triumphs of staging major productions like Sweeney Todd, and how theater builds connections both within the school and throughout the community. We’re also joined by student performer Rowan Ducker, who shares what being part of the drama program has meant to him.

Dr. Jennifer Schiele, Superintendent, LOSD

Mary Kay Larson, Executive Director of Communications, LOSD

Bobi Bergh, Drama Teacher, Lake Oswego High School

Rowan Ducker, Student, Lake Oswego High School

To learn more about the topics we discussed, ask a question, or share ideas for future episodes, please visit LOSDSchools.  org.  And remember to like and follow us wherever you get your podcasts.  Thank you for engaging with Learning in Lake Oswego. We appreciate your support and look forward to having you with us for our next episode.

In this episode, we're spotlighting LOSD CARES (Connection and Resilience in Education Series). This powerful initiative began during the early days of the pandemic and continues to support students and families across our district. Our guest, Brittany Erspamer, an elementary school counselor and one of the founders of LOSD CARES, joins us to share the origins and evolution of the program; how it’s helping families navigate social-emotional challenges; and what’s ahead including an upcoming parenting workshop on building resilience in a digital age

We’re also thrilled to welcome Kaylee Meier, a Hallinan Elementary student, who shares what she’s learned through social-emotional learning and the positive impact her school counselor has had on her. As Dr. Schiele reminds us, this is a timely and vital conversation, especially as we approach Mental Health Awareness Month. LOSD CARES is a model that demonstrates how schools, families, and communities can collaborate to support the whole child every day.

Dr. Jennifer Schiele, Superintendent, LOSD

Mary Kay Larson, Executive Director of Communications, LOSD

Brittany Erspamer, School Counselor, Hallinan Elementary

Kaylee Meier, Student, Hallinan Elementary

LOSD CARES

To learn more about the topics we discussed, ask a question, or share ideas for future episodes, please visit LOSDSchools.  org.  And remember to like and follow us wherever you get your podcasts.  Thank you for engaging with Learning in Lake Oswego. We appreciate your support and look forward to having you with us for our next episode.

In this Learning in Lake Oswego episode, we’re talking about something fun and fresh—new high school sports! One sport that’s been picking up momentum across the country and in our community is bowling. That’s right—bowling! It’s already a big deal nationwide, and interest is growing fast in our schools. High school athletes Sadie Brix, Georgia Miller, and Berit Ballew, members of the Pacer and Laker bowling teams, join us on the show. They share what it’s like to be part of these new teams, how they got started, and what keeps them returning to the lanes.

Dr. Jennifer Schiele, Superintendent, LOSD

Mary Kay Larson, Executive Director of Communications, LOSD

Berit Ballew, Student, Lake Oswego High School

Sadie Brix, Student, Lakeridge High School

Georgia Miller, Student, Lakeridge High School

To learn more about the topics we discussed, ask a question, or share ideas for future episodes, please visit LOSDSchools.  org.  And remember to like and follow us wherever you get your podcasts.  Thank you for engaging with Learning in Lake Oswego. We appreciate your support and look forward to having you with us for our next episode.