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The Become Here Project
By Des Moines Public SchoolsEducation
The Become Here Project episodes
- 29. The Voices of the Class of 2026
Graduation season is always a time of reflection, pride, and hope for what’s ahead. No moment captures that more than the words shared by our student commencement speakers.
In this special episode, we’re bringing you the voices of the Class of 2026. You’ll hear speeches from the graduating seniors of East, Hoover, Lincoln, North, and Roosevelt high schools -- students who represent the heart, determination, and diversity of our district.
Let’s celebrate the Class of 2026.
Watch the full graduations here and watch DMPS graduation higlights here.
Come Here. Become Here.
dmschools.org.
Follow DMPS:Instagram, Flickr, Facebook, YouTube.
Hosted by Amanda Lewis
Produced by Kyle Knicley, DMPS-TV
43 min - 28. That's News to Me Crew
This special episode features award-winning Hiatt Middle School student podcasters of the That's News to Me Crew. Having won the District-wide Middle School Podcast Competition, teacher Tonya Richards and students Kenya De La Cruz Jimenez, Chemya McGee, and Jose Calderon Galvan speak with host Amanda Lewis about their experience producing a podcast.
Learn more about Reimagining Education here.
Come Here. Become Here.
Follow DMPS: Instagram, Flickr, Facebook, YouTube.
Hosted by Amanda Lewis
Produced by Kyle Knicley, DMPS-TV
17 min - 27. 2026 DMPS State of the Schools
Welcome to The Become Here Project: A Des Moines Public Schools podcast. This episode is live in front of a studio audience at the Central Campus auditorium for the 2026 State of the Schools event.
Amanda Lewis' student co-host is Irene Alobo of North High School and Central Campus. Guests joining the Reimagining Education discussion are: Des Moines Mayor Connie Boesen, DMPS Interim Superintendent Matt Smith, Reimagining Education Project Manager Dr. Bekah Harris, and By Degrees CEO Emily Westergaard.
Learn more about Reimagining Education here.
Come Here. Become Here.
Follow DMPS: Instagram, Flickr, Facebook, YouTube.
Hosted by Amanda Lewis
Produced by Kyle Knicley, DMPS-TV
29 min - 26. Community Partnerships 101
In the spirit of the proverb "It takes a village to raise a child," we discuss the importance of community partnerships in meeting the needs of students and families. Kayli Becker, DMPS Chief of Staff, and Jo Christine Miles, Head of Principal Foundation and Principal Community Relations, speak with Amanda Lewis of the flagship literacy partnership between Principal Financial Group and Garton Elementary School.
Click here to learn more about volunteer opportunities and how to become a community partner.
Come Here. Become Here.
Follow DMPS: Instagram, Flickr, Facebook, YouTube.
Hosted by Amanda Lewis
Produced by Kyle Knicley, DMPS-TV
19 min - 25. Career & Technical Education
Central Campus is the flagship of Career & Technical Education offerings in the state, and expanding equitable CTE opportunities throughout DMPS is a pillar of the Reimagining Education plan.
In this episode, we speak with Kelsie Mouchka, Interim Director of Central Campus, and Tasha Brown, Districtwide Director of Career & Technical Education and Post-secondary Readiness.
Don't miss the Central Campus Expo 2025 on Thursday, October 16, from 3:30–7:00 PM.
✨ What to Expect:
Live Aquarium Feedings 🐠 led by our Marine Science students
Culinary Tastings 🍴 prepared by our Culinary Arts program
Flying the Simulator ✈️ with our Aviation program
Hands-on demonstrations, interactive displays, student leaders ready to share their learning - and a prize wheel!
This year will also feature the grand opening of the Central Campus School Store, where students will showcase and sell products they’ve created.The Expo is a way to explore career pathways and connect with Central Campus teachers and students.
Learn more about Central Campus, Career & Technical Education, and Reimagining Education.
Come Here. Become Here.
Follow DMPS: Instagram, Flickr, Facebook, YouTube.
Hosted by Amanda Lewis
Produced by Kyle Knicley, DMPS-TV
16 min - 24. What is New for the 2025-26 DMPS School Year
We're covering the most important things to know heading into the 2025-2026 school year. Our list includes exciting changes for every grade level and for families connecting with schools. Our guests include school and district leaders with the information you need to be "in the know."
Learn more at dmschools.org.
Come Here. Become Here.
Follow DMPS: Instagram, Flickr, Facebook, YouTube.
Hosted by Amanda Lewis
Produced by Kyle Knicley, DMPS-TV
25 min - 23. Reimagining Education at Des Moines Public Schools
Reimagining Education at Des Moines Public Schools means providing the best educational choices to prepare all students for successful futures.
Listen in as Superintendent Dr. Ian Roberts and Associate Superintendent Matt Smith present the vision and details of Reimagining Education during a press conference held at North High School July 17th.
Come Here. Become Here.
dmschools.org.
Follow DMPS:Instagram, Flickr, Facebook, YouTube.
Hosted by Amanda Lewis
Produced by Kyle Knicley, DMPS-TV
16 min - 22. Diploma+ : Reflecting Unique Strengths, Passions, and Future Goals of Students
High school graduation is a proud milestone for students and families. A diploma represents achievement, perseverance, and the start of a new journey.
But what if that diploma carried even greater value? What if it reflected not just the completion of high school but also a student’s unique strengths, passions, and future goals?
That’s the idea behind Diploma+, a new program at Des Moines Public Schools designed to make high school more meaningful by giving students opportunities to explore their interests, gain valuable experience, and graduate better prepared for what comes next.
In this episode, host Amanda Lewis speaks with Chief Academic Officer Dr. Robert Lundin about this new program.
Learn more about Diploma+ by clicking here.
Come Here. Become Here.
dmschools.org.
Follow DMPS:Instagram, Flickr, Facebook, YouTube.
Hosted by Amanda Lewis
Produced by Kyle Knicley, DMPS-TV
23 min - 21. The Voices of the Class of 2025
Graduation season is always a time of reflection, pride, and hope for what’s ahead. No moment captures that more than the words shared by our student commencement speakers.
In this special episode, we’re bringing you the voices of the Class of 2025. You’ll hear speeches from the graduating seniors of East, Hoover, Lincoln, North, and Roosevelt high schools -- students who represent the heart, determination, and diversity of our district.
Let’s celebrate the Class of 2025.
Watch the full graduations here.
Come Here. Become Here.
dmschools.org.
Follow DMPS:Instagram, Flickr, Facebook, YouTube.
Hosted by Amanda Lewis
Produced by Kyle Knicley, DMPS-TV
31 min - 20. Pt 2 - DMPS Schools Earn National Counseling Recognitions
Three DMPS schools have earned the prestigious RAMP designation from the American School Counselor Association (ASCA), and East High School is receiving the Program of Promise Award. Let’s explore what these awards mean and why they matter.
Joining the discussion is Erin Kruger Cavazos, the K-12 Counseling Coordinator at DMPS, Mike Freund, a school counselor from East High School, and Barbara Hogan who is the counselor at The Downtown School, and formerly at Wright Elementary.
We had so much to cover, we made it a two-parter! Join Erin, Mike, and Barbara as they continue the conversation on school counseling, diving deeper into Social Emotional Learning and Iowa's pediatric mental health crisis.
Learn more about counseling at DMPS.
Come Here. Become Here.
dmschools.org.
Follow DMPS:Instagram, Flickr, Facebook, YouTube.
Hosted by Amanda Lewis
Produced by Kyle Knicley, DMPS-TV
35 min
About The Become Here Project
From the publisher's feed
Welcome to The Become Here Project: A Des Moines Public Schools Podcast. Tune in here for the latest and greatest stories and conversations regarding the largest provider of public education in Iowa. Our diverse community consists of more than 30,000 students and nearly 5,000 teachers and staff working in more than 60 schools in Iowa's capital city.
Thank you for your interest in DMPS, an enriched school district that’s proud of its past and prepared for the future.