Mustang Moments

In this episode of Mustang Moments, Superintendent Dr. R.J. Webber sits down with former school board member, local historian, and community champion Martha Nield. Having lived in the area since 1972, Martha shares what Northville Public Schools were like when Taft and Haggerty roads were still gravel and entire school buildings were temporarily closed due to low enrollment.

Dr. Webber and Martha explore her 50-plus years of volunteer leadership in Northville, touching on:

• Local Underground Railroad History: The story of the Cady Inn, local stops, and Northville's connection to freedom seekers traveling toward the Rouge River.

• Educational Milestones: How Martha and a small group of parents advocated to bring the very first Advanced Placement (AP) classes to Northville High School.

• District Leadership: Reflections on her time on the school board, navigating bond elections for the high school, and contributing to initiatives like International Baccalaureate (IB), the Northville Educational Foundation, and the Galileo Leadership Academy.

• Fun & Personal Touch: Rapid-fire questions covering local dining spots, a dream trip to Iceland, and her surprising family connection to the Mayflower.

Tune in for an inspiring conversation about service, local history, and the power one person has to make a lasting difference in public education.

🎺🥁 Talk about coming full circle! In Season 5, Episode 2 of Mustang Moments, Superintendent RJ Webber sits down with Adam Kollipara, the new Band Director at Meads Mill Middle School!

As a Northville alum stepping into the band room to lead the program—and taking over for a true district legend—Adam shares what it’s like to return home to inspire the next generation of Mustang musicians. Tune in to hear his vision for the music program, how his time as an NPS student shaped his career, and how he plans to honor tradition while building his own legacy.

Listen on Spotify: [Insert Link]

#MustangMoments #NorthvillePublicSchools #MeadsMillMiddleSchool #MustangPride #MusicEducation #StayCurious #NPSCommunity

SEASON 5 IS HERE! 🎙️🧡

We are kicking off a brand-new season of Mustang Moments with a heartwarming and powerful conversation! Superintendent RJ Webber sits down with our new Assistant Principal, Jessica Fisher.

In this episode, Jessica shares a touching story from her career about helping a student from Ukraine find his footing, make friends, and build a lasting connection that continues to this day. Tune in to hear her perspective on why every single student deserves individualized support, and how she plans to bring that student-first heart to her new role in Northville.

You won't want to miss the Season 5 premiere!

What do a State Championship hockey ring and a guitar have in common? They both belong to our latest guest!

In Season 4, Episode 9 of Mustang Moments, Superintendent RJ Webber sits down with J Lee, the Head Coach of Northville’s state title-winning Girls Hockey team. But this conversation goes way beyond the ice.

Coach Lee pulls back the curtain on their historic championship run while diving deep into his background as a music educator. Tune in as he and RJ discuss the surprising parallels between mastering an instrument and mastering a sport, the importance of being multi-talented, and how he helps our student-athletes harmonize grit and creativity.

Listen on Spotify: [Insert Link]

#MustangMoments #NorthvillePublicSchools #MustangPride #StateChampions #GirlsHockey #MusicEducation #StayCurious

In Season 4, Episode 8 of Mustang Moments, Superintendent RJ Webber sits down with Jen Coker to discuss the vital work of supporting student success from the inside out.

With a deep background in alternative education and behavioral support, Jen brings a wealth of expertise to our district. Tune in as she discusses her mission to improve school climate, increase attendance, and ensure every student feels supported and seen within our schools. It’s an insightful look at the heart of our "Stay Curious" philosophy!

Talky Beat by Twin Musicom is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Source: http://www.twinmusicom.org/song/265/talky-beat

Artist: http://www.twinmusicom.org

Superintendent RJ Webber sits down with the woman behind our student meals: Carolyn Morfino, Director of Food Service!

From nutritional standards to the logistics of feeding thousands of students daily, Carolyn shares how her team fuels our Mustangs so they’re ready to learn and grow. Whether you’re curious about the "why" behind the menu or the SMART goals driving our wellness initiatives, this episode is a must-listen!

Ever wonder who’s behind the camera and the captions at Northville Public Schools? In our latest episode of Mustang Moments, Superintendent RJ Webber sits down with our new Communications Specialist, Anthony Writer. From his days on the soccer field at Adrian College to his vision for sharing the NPS story, get to know the man tasked with keeping our community connected and curious.

🐾 New Episode Alert: Meet Northville’s Newest Mustangs! 🐾

We are wagging our tails with excitement for Season 4, Episode 5 of our podcast! Superintendent Dr. RJ Webber and Communications Specialist Anthony Writer sit down with the team behind Campus K9s to discuss a very special addition to our district family.

Joining the conversation are Kristy Green (Co-Founder & Executive Director of Campus K9s) and Jennifer Jones-Tims (Educator & SEL Dog Handler) to introduce our four newest Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) dogs: Kane, Jesper, Nick, and Brulee!

• The Mission: How Campus K9s was formed to support student mental health and resilience.

• The Selection: How these dogs are meticulously selected and raised to provide world-class emotional support.

• The Installation: The careful process of bringing these four-legged professionals into our school buildings.

• The Impact: Why these dogs are essential "instructional tools" for empathy and regulation within the Northville community.

Whether they are providing a calming presence in the hallway or a furry shoulder to lean on in the classroom, these dogs are opening new doors for our learners every day.

In this episode, we dive into:

In this inspiring episode, Superintendent Dr. RJ Webber and District Communications Specialist Katie Rork sit down with Northville Public Schools’ new Assistant Superintendent of Instructional Services, Emily Pohlonski. A Northville native and Presidential Award-winning math and science educator, Emily shares her journey from the classroom to district leadership — and the teachers who shaped her along the way.

Hear how her early experiences as a student, her passion for seeing every child, and her drive to create meaningful learning opportunities have guided her work. From leading a hospital partnership program that gave students hands-on healthcare experience to helping design an entirely new school, Emily’s story is one of empathy, perseverance, and vision.

Tune in as Emily talks about the power of being seen by a teacher, the importance of opening doors for all learners, and what excites her most about joining the Northville community.

Join Dr. RJ Webber as he chats with Kate Mitchell, Executive Director of the Northville Educational Foundation, about how NEF is transforming classrooms and lives. From $3 million in grants to programs like Parent Camp, STEAM Fair, and the Baseline Blitz, discover how innovation, creativity, and community come together to support every student in Northville Public Schools. Stay curious!