Right Moves: A LiiNK Center for Healthy Play Podcast

The LiiNK Project began as a research intervention to bridge the gap between academics and the whole child. Dr. Rhea has partnered with many school districts over the past 12 years to implement four 15-minute unstructured play breaks (recess) daily and a 15-minute character lesson daily.  The research has shown many positive mental, physical, social, and emotional health results for the children and adults in school settings. Despite having this large library of evidence-based, published research, it can still be difficult to convince schools districts that this is the right direction if they want to improve the whole health of their students and staff. In today’s episode, we’re flipping the script yet again, putting Dr. Rhea back in the hot seat with our good friend and colleague, Dr. Michelle Bauml, as the interviewer! Listen in as Dr. Rhea breaks down the essential policies and procedures that are needed to succeed, why this type of change is so challenging for schools to grasp, and what needs to happen if we are going create a healthy school environment for children to thrive. Dr. Michelle Bauml is a Professor of Early Childhood Education in the Department of Teaching and Learning Sciences at TCU with an emphasis in social studies education. As a former elementary teacher, Dr. Bauml’s research and teaching reflect her beliefs that children need ample opportunities for creative expression, play, and meaningful instruction in today’s schools. She conducts qualitative research aimed at helping teachers navigate professional complexities to make thoughtful, effective curricular and instructional decisions in order to promote student learning.

LiiNK Website:

https://liinkproject.tcu.edu/

Dr. Rhea brings back outdoor learning leaders, Pete Silvius and Amanda McMickle, to dive deeper into their nature based, public-private partnership between Seguin ISD’s Irma Lewis Outdoor Learning Center and the Will Smith Zoo School of San Antonio. While public-private, prekindergarten partnerships are common, Pete and Amanda are paving the way for outdoor learning programs to pursue such partnerships, benefitting the whole heath of its students, educators, and community members. Listen in as they describe their goals and objectives while planning the collaboration, the importance of both management and curriculum, and the importance of considering such programs for all grades K-12, not just early childhood.

Pete Silvius is the Director of Whole Child Initiatives for Seguin ISD in Seguin, Texas. This is Pete’s 28th year working in public education.  He has a background in Physical Education and Special Education but his passion is Outdoor Education.  Pete is honored to work for Seguin ISD going on 23 years and is especially thankful for support of innovative programing including the LiiNK Project, Adventure School, The Irma Lewis Outdoor Learning Center, and Adventure Camp Summer Programs.  

Pete is active within the Seguin community serving on the board for the Guadalupe County Children’s Advocacy Center, Parks and Recreation Advisory, Planning and Zoning, and the Guadalupe Appraisal District.  Pete is a founder of the newly formed Community Cycles non-profit organization in Seguin.  Pete is married and has two grown children.  

Amanda McMickle is the Vice President of Education at San Antonio Zoo. She has been a leader of nature schools ranging from public to private, early childhood to Kinder-6th grade. Amanda is the founder of ⁠Southwest Early Childhood Outdoors (SECO) which is a regional group that meets monthly to discuss nature-based philosophy, best practices, and advocacy. Amanda currently sits on the leadership board of ⁠Natural Start Alliance⁠ and the governing boards of ⁠Families in Nature⁠ and ⁠International Play Association-USA Chapter⁠. Amanda is a doctoral candidate in a program at the University of the Incarnate Word entitled Adult Education, Social Innovation, and Entrepreneurship.

Partnerships between public and private early childhood interventions are common and often encouraged to foster benefits and funding opportunities for both parties. What might this look like for nature-based education programs? In this exciting Season 7 opener, Dr. Rhea sits down with long time colleagues, Pete Silvius and Amanda McMickle, who are paving the way for nature-based, public-private school partnerships right here in Texas with their approved partnership between Seguin ISD’s Irma Lewis Outdoor Learning Center and the Will Smith Zoo School of San Antonio. These two truly passionate leaders and advocates for outdoor learning will discuss how their partnership came to be, challenges they’ve faced along the way, and the recent state bill that helped their vision flourish.

Pete Silvius is the Director of Whole Child Initiatives for Seguin ISD in Seguin, Texas. This is Pete’s 28th year working in public education.  He has a background in Physical Education and Special Education but his passion is Outdoor Education.  Pete is honored to work for Seguin ISD going on 23 years and is especially thankful for support of innovative programing including the LiiNK Project, Adventure School, The Irma Lewis Outdoor Learning Center, and Adventure Camp Summer Programs.  

Pete is active within the Seguin community serving on the board for the Guadalupe County Children’s Advocacy Center, Parks and Recreation Advisory, Planning and Zoning, and the Guadalupe Appraisal District.  Pete is a founder of the newly formed Community Cycles non-profit organization in Seguin.  Pete is married and has two grown children.  

Amanda McMickle is the Vice President of Education at San Antonio Zoo. She has been a leader of nature schools ranging from public to private, early childhood to Kinder-6th grade. Amanda is the founder of ⁠Southwest Early Childhood Outdoors (SECO) which is a regional group that meets monthly to discuss nature-based philosophy, best practices, and advocacy. Amanda currently sits on the leadership board of ⁠Natural Start Alliance⁠ and the governing boards of ⁠Families in Nature⁠ and ⁠International Play Association-USA Chapter⁠. Amanda is a doctoral candidate in a program at the University of the Incarnate Word entitled Adult Education, Social Innovation, and Entrepreneurship

Only about 13 of the 50 U.S states have recess requirements for elementary school students. While a state-required recess policy is a huge first step, is it really enough? Some states only require 20 minutes, other 30 minutes. With the success of California’s “Recess for All” in 2023, former senator, Josh Newman, understands there is still much more work to be done to improve his state’s education system. Dr. Rhea brings Former senator Newman back on for this season finale episode, to share his goals as he runs for California’s State Superintendent of Public Instruction position. Newman understands that whether you have kids in school or not, everybody should have a shared stake in education because the kids are the future of our society.

With a career that spans military service, entrepreneurship, teaching, and elected office, Josh Newman brings a uniquely well-rounded perspective to public service. He most recently served as the State Senator for California’s 29th Senate District in Orange County, where he focused on strengthening local communities, supporting economic growth, and championing policies that improve opportunities for veterans and working families.

As Chair of the Senate Education Committee, Josh authored SB 291, landmark legislation guaranteeing every California K–6 student at least 30 minutes of protected, unstructured play each school day ensuring recess can’t be withheld for academic or disciplinary reasons. Josh is currently a candidate for State Superintendent of Public Instruction, running on a vision of healthier students, stronger schools, and a more coherent, equitable public education system.

A graduate of Yale University with a degree in History, Josh served in the U.S. Army with a nuclear artillery detachment in Korea and a field artillery battalion in Hawaii. He lives in Fullerton with his wife, Darcy Lewis, their daughter, and their three quirky rescue Chihuahuas.

California passed their “Recess for All” bill in 2023, effectively defining recess as a right that cannot be taken away as punishment, and requiring a minimum of 30 minutes of recess daily for kindergarten through sixth grade. Former senator, Josh Newman, helped sponsor the bill which was an imperative step to help improve the whole health and academic success of students as they navigated school post COVID. In this penultimate season 6 episode, Dr. Rhea sits down with Former Senator Newman to discuss all that went into writing and passing this bill, and how this is just one small cog in the larger wheel that is the education system. Newman ponders what more can and should be done to further improve the system and the whole health of California’s students.

With a career that spans military service, entrepreneurship,teaching, and elected office, Josh Newman brings a uniquely well-rounded perspective to public service. He most recently served as the State Senator for California’s 29th Senate District in Orange County, where he focused on strengthening local communities, supporting economic growth, and championing policies that improve opportunities for veterans and working families.

As Chair of the Senate Education Committee, Josh authored SB 291, landmark legislation guaranteeing every California K–6 student at least 30 minutes of protected, unstructured play each school day ensuring recess can’t be withheld for academic or disciplinary reasons. Josh is currently a candidate for State Superintendent of Public Instruction, running on a vision of healthier students, stronger schools, and a more coherent, equitable public education system.

A graduate of Yale University with a degree in History, Joshserved in the U.S. Army with a nuclear artillery detachment in Korea and a field artillery battalion in Hawaii. He lives in Fullerton with his wife, Darcy Lewis, their daughter, and their three quirky rescue Chihuahuas.

What should safety look like when children and adolescents play? Parents, educators, and other adults working with outdoor play/recess may have a difficult time sitting back and watching their kids or students climb a tree and tussle with their friends because they fear seeing their child or student get hurt. The safety/risky play topic has come up time and time again, especially after COVID. Dr. Rhea knew she had to bring back Professor in Psychology and Scholar, Dr. Peter Gray, for this important conversation on the natural consequences learned in risky play and how vital it is for our children to push the boundaries, regardless of how nervous it may make the adults watching them. Dr. Peter Gray is a research professor of psychology and neuroscience at Boston College who has conducted and published research in behavioral biology, developmental psychology, anthropology, and education. He is author of an internationally acclaimed introductory psychology textbook (Psychology, Worth Publishers, editions 1-6), which views all of psychology from an evolutionary perspective. Much of his research focuses on the role of play in human evolution and how children educate themselves through play and exploration, when they are free to do so. He has expanded on these ideas in his book,⁠ Free to Learn: Why Unleashing the Instinct to Play Will Make Our Children Happier, More Self Reliant, and Better Students for Life⁠ (Basic Books), which has been translated into 18 languages. He also author of a Substack series entitled ⁠Play Makes Us Human⁠.  He is one of the founders of the nonprofit ⁠Let Grow⁠, the mission of which is to renew children’s freedom to play and explore independently of adult control. You can follow him on ⁠Facebook ⁠and find many of his published articles on his ⁠website ⁠.Other resources mentioned in this episode:

No Rules School in New Zealand

Playwork/Playworkers

Dr. Rhea brings back Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors at Bethany Children’s Health Center, Albert Gray, to share more on the history of the health center, how its focus and mission have been transformed over the years, and the exciting new expansion project into outpatient services they’re calling “Landmark of Hope”. You can read more about Carol and Albert Gray’s powerful testimony that reveals a journey of faith, miracles, and unwavering hope for every child in their new book, A Legacy of Hope.

A native of Lookeba, Oklahoma, Albert Gray currently serves as Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors at Bethany Children’s Health Center. Prior to this role, he served as the Chief Executive Officer for forty-two years. Hired originally to close the Center due to its poor financial performance, Gray instead turned the organization around, leading it to become one of Oklahoma's foremost healthcare providers for children with complex care needs. Albert says, “I love Bethany Children’s and expect the best because the children deserve the best. Albert’s sister, Carol, has also played a major role in the transformation of the health center. The siblings have transitioned from decades-long leadership roles as CEO and COO, respectively, but continue to shape the vision and values of the health center.About Bethany Children’s Health Center
Bethany Children’s Health Center is an innovative leader in the field of pediatric rehabilitation and 24-hour complex care. The private, non-profit hospital, accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC), offers inpatient complex care and outpatient rehabilitation services for children and is the only inpatient pediatric rehabilitation facility in Oklahoma. The hospital is also accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). The multidisciplinary team works with patients and their families to maximize every child’s potential, and ensure the family has the training and resources needed for a smooth transition from hospital to home. Bethany Children’s provides a range of community support services for families nationwide, including the annual Cerebral Palsy Conference and adaptive recreation and sports experiences, and is currently campaigning for the next phase of outpatient services with the Landmark of Hope expansion project.

Starting as an orphanage in 1898, Bethany Children’s Health Center in Bethany, Oklahoma is now one of the largest free-standing, inpatient pediatric rehabilitation centers in the country. Dr. Rhea sits down with Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors at Bethany Children’s Health Center, Albert Gray, to hear about the inspiring journey that he and his sister, Carol have been on over the past few years. From a small town in Oklahoma to transforming the Health Center into one of the nation’s premier pediatric hospitals today, Albert and Carol had one mission: “to maximize the potential of every child”. A native of Lookeba, Oklahoma, Albert Gray currently serves as Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors at Bethany Children’s Health Center. Prior to this role, he served as the Chief Executive Officer for forty-two years. Hired originally to close the Center due to its poor financial performance, Gray instead turned the organization around, leading it to become one of Oklahoma's foremost healthcare providers for children with complex care needs. Albert says, “I love Bethany Children’s and expect the best because the children deserve the best. Albert’s sister, Carol, has also played a major role in the transformation of the health center. The siblings have transitioned from decades-long leadership roles as CEO and COO, respectively, but continue to shape the vision and values of the health center.About Bethany Children’s Health Center
Bethany Children’s Health Center is an innovative leader in the field of pediatric rehabilitation and 24-hour complex care. The private, non-profit hospital, accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Health Care (ACHC), offers inpatient complex care and outpatient rehabilitation services for children and is the only inpatient pediatric rehabilitation facility in Oklahoma. The hospital is also accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). The multidisciplinary team works with patients and their families to maximize every child’s potential, and ensure the family has the training and resources needed for a smooth transition from hospital to home. Bethany Children’s provides a range of community support services for families nationwide, including the annual Cerebral Palsy Conference and adaptive recreation and sports experiences, and is currently campaigning for the next phase of outpatient services with the Landmark of Hope expansion project.

A positive school environment that fosters improved whole health of its teachers and students starts at the top. Dr. Rhea brings back Paul Buckley, Founder and Managing Owner of Ratio Staffing, to continue sharing his experience in education and what led him to start Ratio Staffing to help improve the school environment and connection between schools and teachers. Interested in utilizing Ratio Staffing at your school? Use promo code “LiiNK” for an extended 30-day free trial (60 days total)! Sign up today at https://ratiostaffing.com/

Paul Buckley is the Founder and Managing Owner of Ratio Staffing, a groundbreaking platform reshaping how preschools connect with substitute teachers, enrichment educators, and speech pathologists. A former preschool teacher with nearly 20 years of hands-on experience, Paul’s mission is deeply personal: to help children thrive by supporting the educators who shape their early years.

Before founding Ratio Staffing, Paul spent nearly a decade in biotech manufacturing leadership, where he trained global teams, revised over 300 SOPs, and earned a Six Sigma Green Belt. Today, he fuses that systems expertise with his passion for education to create a platform that offers true flexibility, transparency, and community impact. Ratio Staffing removes the predatory norms of traditional staffing agencies, allowing schools to choose their teachers and educators to negotiate fair rates. Paul’s vision is simple yet powerful: better classrooms, better care, and a better future—for everyone involved.

Passion toward education and the whole health of students is a key trait of educators and school administrators. So if the passion is there, why are educator burnout rates so high? Dr. Rhea sits down with Paul Buckley, Founder and Managing Owner of Ratio Staffing, to share his personal experiences shifting from working in an afterschool program focused on the health and wellbeing of the children and families, to a private pre-school setting with maxed out teacher-student ratios. Paul gives us an inside look into why even the most passionate educators may choose to leave the field. This is part one of a two-part discussion with Mr. Buckley.

Paul Buckley is the Founder and Managing Owner of Ratio Staffing, a groundbreaking platform reshaping how preschools connect with substitute teachers, enrichment educators, and speech pathologists. A former preschool teacher with nearly 20 years of hands-on experience, Paul’s mission is deeply personal: to help children thrive by supporting the educators who shape their early years.

Before founding Ratio Staffing, Paul spent nearly a decade in biotech manufacturing leadership, where he trained global teams, revised over 300 SOPs, and earned a Six Sigma Green Belt. Today, he fuses that systems expertise with his passion for education to create a platform that offers true flexibility, transparency, and community impact.

Ratio Staffing removes the predatory norms of traditional staffing agencies, allowing schools to choose their teachers and educators to negotiate fair rates. Paul’s vision is simple yet powerful: better classrooms, better care, and a better future—for everyone involved.

Interested in utilizing Ratio Staffing at your school? Usepromo code “LiiNK” for an extended 30-day free trial (60 days total)! Sign up today at https://ratiostaffing.com/