NKC Schools

Notes in the Margin host Nick Pettit speaks with first-year fourth-grade teachers Landis Johnson and Preston Biggler ahead of their first day at Crestview Elementary. This episode captures their nerves, excitement and preparations one week before school starts.   

Both William Jewell College graduates share their motivations to serve as positive male role models and supportive mentors for their students. Facing their first year, they focus on balancing routines with community-building, remaining adaptable and establishing approachable, human-first connections in the classroom.

Notes in the Margin host Nick Pettit speaks with first-year fourth-grade teachers Landis Johnson and Preston Biggler ahead of their first day at Crestview Elementary. This episode captures their nerves, excitement and preparations one week before school starts.   

Both William Jewell College graduates share their motivations to serve as positive male role models and supportive mentors for their students. Facing their first year, they focus on balancing routines with community-building, remaining adaptable and establishing approachable, human-first connections in the classroom.

Notes in the Margin host Nick Pettit speaks with Abby Slater, a fourth-grade teacher and math demonstration teacher at Clardy Elementary. The episode explores mathematical instruction, number relationships, conceptual understanding, student discourse and productive struggle.   

Slater shares her approach of using real-world contexts to spark student curiosity and build conceptual understanding before teaching algorithms. 

She emphasizes that intentional planning allows teachers to anticipate student thinking, address misconceptions and foster a culture where students view math as meaningful. Ultimately, she strives to help students recognize the connections between numbers and believe in themselves as capable mathematicians.

Notes in the Margin host Nick Pettit speaks with Kim O'Hara, a Project SEARCH instructor for North Kansas City Schools with over 20 years of special education experience, about work-based learning opportunities and internships designed to help students with disabilities gain competitive, inclusive employment after high school.

Through partnerships with organizations like Children's Mercy Hospital, Bright Horizons and University Health, interns gain experience in fields ranging from distribution, IT and supply stocking to childcare and mailroom operations.

Demonstrating the program's impact, O'Hara shares the story of a former intern who built strong communication skills during his rotations and secured full-time employment with benefits at University Health, earning over $20 per hour.

Notes in the Margin host Nick Pettit speaks with Cammy Neth, coordinator of the Future Ready Lab in North Kansas City Schools, about student innovation and creative courage. Drawing on her experience as a former fifth-grade teacher and director of the nation's largest animatronics lab outside California, Cammy reframes creativity as engineering and strategic thinking rather than just art or technology. 

She shares practical strategies to make learning authentic and engaging by using "what if" questions and normalizing failure as a vital part of the design process. Cammy also highlights the importance of teachers modeling lifelong learning alongside their students to build trust and encourage experimentation. 

Ultimately, these hands-on, problem-solving experiences give all students, particularly those who struggle in traditional settings, the autonomy, resilience and confidence to see the genuine value in their ideas.

In the inaugural episode of Notes in the Margin, host Nick Pettit sits down with Leah Plummer, a fourth-grade teacher at Maplewood Elementary and a district demonstration teacher in both math and writing, to discuss the transformative power of literacy. 

Leah shares her insights on how intentional interactive read-alouds can beautifully bridge multiple content areas while fostering deep emotional connections for students. The conversation dives into a profound perspective on the concept of "mirrors" in literature, emphasizing the necessity for books to reflect children's lived experiences rather than just their physical appearances. 

Drawing from her own journey and classroom practices, Leah highlights the critical responsibility educators have to intentionally select, preview, and truly know their classroom libraries to successfully engage and inspire young readers.

Students at Winnetonka High School are working at a bank located inside the school. A business partnership with CSD Credit Union focuses on financial literacy and ensures students learn about all aspects of banking. President and CEO of CSD Credit Union, Edward Watts and students Adam Magnuson and David Milosovich who work at the branch join host Susan Hiland to talk about this first of its kind in the state opportunity. 

NKC Schools students are learning all aspects of the automotive industry from mechanics to marketing through the 
award winning and nationally recognized Auto Technology program.  Teacher Jack Stow and student Wyatt Cullen join host Susan Hiland to talk about this unique real world learning experience and why many students find employment right after graduation. 

Dr. Rochel Daniels joins  host Susan Hiland to share how students would benefit from a bond before voters April 8th. If passed, the bond would fund new Performing Arts Centers for Oak Park and Winnetonka. It would also add a new gym to three schools and provide updates to all schools throughout out the district.  

Cammy Neth joins host Susan Hiland to talk about the animatronics featured in the brand new Future Ready Lab.  It's a unique collaborative learning lab for students to experiment in coding, voice overs, costuming and more all while creating project for a presentation.