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Welcome back! In this season premiere, Alexis takes you on a quick journey of one of Idaho’s long-running education funding battles—stretching from the 1960s fight for a sales tax to today’s heated debates over vouchers.

She'll revisit the Save Our Schools campaign that united teachers, parents, and school board trustees more than 55 years ago, and connect it to the 2025 town halls carrying the same spirit of protecting public education. Then, she'll dig into today’s voucher fight: what vouchers really are, why they matter, and how they shape the future of Idaho schools and communities.

This episode blends history, policy, and personal experience to uncover the fiscal and moral questions at the heart of education funding: Who benefits? Who pays? And what does real choice in education look like?

In This Episode:

• The origin of The Purple Zone and what’s new this season
• Idaho’s 1960s education funding and the creation of the sales tax
• The original Save Our Schools campaign—and its echoes today
• Breaking down school vouchers: history, myths, and modern-day impacts
• Fiscal and moral questions Idaho families need to consider
• How you can get involved and protect public education in 2026 and beyond

The Purple Zone is about bridging policy, practice, and people—because community is where policy comes to life.

Cheers, everyone!

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What does it take to build a school culture that kids, teachers, and families all want to be part of? In this episode, I sit down with Tim Sperber, longtime educator, self-described Culture Keeper, and incoming superintendent of the Lewiston School District. With experience as an administrator at every level: elementary, middle, high school, and alternative. Tim shares what he's learned about trust, connection, and the kind of leadership that brings a whole community together.

We talk about what it really means to lead from within, how to engage every corner of a school community, and why his next chapter as superintendent is rooted in decades of showing up. 

On a personal note, Tim is the only principal who had all four of my kids in his building. What I saw, as a parent, changed my understanding of what’s possible. This conversation is a reminder: the right leadership can shape a child's entire journey, from kindergarten to graduation.

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A year in the making, I was fortunate to sit down with Tami Pyfer, co-creator of the Dignity Index, for a conversation that could truly change the way we engage with the world around us.

The Dignity Index is more than a measurement—it’s a movement. It’s a tool for self-reflection and public dialogue that helps us recognize the tone and impact of how we communicate—especially when we disagree.

And it’s not just for political debates or social media threads. The Dignity Index has powerful relevance in our school communities. At a time when:

• Politicians are reshaping how they talk about education,
• Parents are expressing evolving hopes and concerns, and
• Educators are navigating profound shifts in their profession—

...this tool can help us show up differently. More aware. Less reactive. More human.

In this episode, we talk about:

• How the Dignity Index began and why it matters now more than ever
• The difference between being "nice" and offering dignity
• Why contempt is so corrosive—and how we can move away from it
• What it looks like to hold strong views while still honoring others as human

I love to say: Respect is earned. Dignity is offered.

💬 Join the conversation. Be part of the dignity movement: dignity.us

🙌 Follow along and connect with me on social media—and please share this episode with someone you know. It takes courage to speak with dignity. Let’s lead the way.

Follow the Dignity Index on Instagram

Connect with Tami Pyfer on Instagram

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Explore how Troomi is helping parents stay connected while setting healthy boundaries—because safer tech leads to stronger families.

"Troomi is the kids safe phone for digital wellness and positive mental health."           --Bill Brady

In this episode, I sat down with Bill Brady, co-founder and CEO of Troomi—a kid-safe smartphone alternative designed with both connection and protection in mind. We dive into the why behind Troomi, exploring how it aims to give parents peace of mind through powerful features like integrated upstream prevention tools and a uniquely intuitive parent dashboard that goes beyond what most of us knew was possible.

Bill shares inspiring and eye-opening stories that will both warm your heart and make you pause—because this is not just about tech; it’s about raising kids in a world that’s changing fast. As parents, we are in a defining moment where being informed isn’t optional—it’s essential. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to tech and teens, which is why knowing your options matters more than ever.

We also touch on themes from The Anxious Generation, especially the importance of encouraging real-life risk-taking and reducing screen dependency—at home and in our schools. This conversation took place just before the More Social, Less Media summit, so we also unpack the importance of creating more real-world, social experiences for kids and teens.

Whether you're curious about safer tech solutions or looking to understand how entrepreneurial thinking can shape a better future for our children—this episode is one you won’t want to miss.

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What’s it really like to be an elementary school teacher in Idaho? In this episode, I chat with Teri Smith, a dedicated educator from the Middleton School District, about the joy, heart, challenges, and everyday realities of teaching.

We talk about what it feels like walking into the classroom on the first day of school versus the last, how much goes into prepping for class, what caring for our students truly looks like—and yes, even the need to plan ahead just to use the bathroom!

Teri also shares what it’s like teaching in an overcrowded building, what overcapacity means for Idaho kids, and why she’s still all in on the work she loves. Plus, we explore the push for a new elementary school to meet the growing needs of the community.

🎧 Join us for stories, laughter, and real talk from inside the classroom.
 💬 Love what you hear? Leave a review and hit follow!
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Join Alexis as she sits down with Jeff Simmons, Superintendent of the Idaho Digital Learning Alliance (IDLA), to explore the incredible opportunities this online school provides to students across Idaho. From elementary to high school, IDLA offers courses for students at every level, including summertime classes designed to combat the "summer slide." Not sure what the summer slide is? Tune in to find out! They also discuss how IDLA enables students to take dual credit courses, earn CTE certifications, and utilize Advanced Opportunities funding to cover all costs. 

Plus, don't miss the HUGE announcement that WILL impact families statewide. This episode is packed with valuable insights for every parent in Idaho—be sure to listen and share! Have questions? Reach out to Alexis directly!

About IDLA:

Idaho Digital Learning Alliance was created by the Idaho State Legislature (Title 33, Chapter 55 Idaho Code, 2002) and Idaho educators, developed for Idaho students, and is recognized as a leader across the nation in online virtual education. Idaho Digital Learning Alliance was created to provide access, equity, and flexibility for students in the state of Idaho according to its statutory authority, and Idaho Digital Learning Alliance enables the state to meet its constitutional requirement to provide a uniform and thorough educational system.

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BONUS EPISODE!

We welcome Jake Dempsey, a dedicated school board trustee for the Middleton School District. Jake joins us to discuss Middleton's efforts to pass a critical school bond in the upcoming May election — a feat that requires a supermajority of 66.67% voter approval, a notably high threshold to meet in Idaho. This won't be Middleton’s first attempt, but this time the school board approached the proposal differently, revising it based on community feedback to ensure their patrons' voices were heard. Jake shares insights into the collaborative process behind proposing a school bond and highlights key changes made to improve its chances.  

Additionally, we explore the dos and don'ts of being an effective school board member, especially in a role that demands significant volunteer time and a passion for the school community. Whether you're interested in the complexities of school bonds or want to better understand the responsibilities of a school board trustee, this episode offers an engaging look into leadership, community interaction, and the perseverance needed to support local education. Take a listen to learn more about Middleton's school bond initiative and the valuable lessons from Jake’s experience!

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Alexis sat down with Lance Hansen, the Superintendent of the Year, from Lewiston School District #1. Lewiston is a community known for its collaborative spirit, and the school district plays a key role in this dynamic. Recently, Lance and the Vice President of the Lewiston School Board presented to the Senate Education Committee during the Idaho School Boards Association Day on the Hill. In their presentation, Lance shared the unique features of the district and school board, highlighting their commitment to working in collaboration with our community — a vision that drives everything they do.

Lance dives into the strategies that are helping students achieve success, creating spaces for teachers to collaborate, and how they convene committees with their school community to address challenges. Lewiston isn't just known for its academic success, but also for some impressive accolades: the district was recently honored with Teacher of the Year recognition, and one of their schools was the first in Idaho to be nationally recognized as a Professional Learning Community.

Why does Lewiston receive these distinctions? Listen to find out how a strong sense of community and innovative strategies are making Lewiston School District stand out and achieving remarkable success!

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Dr. Marc Gee, Superintendent of Middleton School District, sits down with Alexis to dive into the important role of a superintendent and how Middleton is working to support its school community. In this conversation, Dr. Gee provides an in-depth look at the district’s upcoming bond request on the May 20th, 2025 ballot. He breaks down the details of the proposal, explaining what’s at stake and how it will impact the future of Middleton schools. Learn how the district has engaged with the community, prioritizing transparency and open communication throughout the process. Dr. Gee also discusses the differences between the superintendent's and school board members' roles in bond elections, giving listeners a clear understanding of the decision-making behind school funding. We discuss the highlights of the calendar year, from exceptional student achievements to innovative teaching and strong parent involvement. Middleton continues to rise in rankings, securing top places compared to other districts around the state. The community is also looking forward to the new CTE building, which will offer students even more opportunities for hands-on learning and career exploration. This episode is essential for all Middleton School District community members and anyone interested in how school districts navigate the complexities of funding and leadership.

Learn more about the Middleton School District Bond Proposal: HERE

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Have you heard of PLCs? These Professional Learning Communities are transforming education by improving student outcomes, enhancing teaching experiences, and fostering stronger school cultures. In this episode, Alexis sits down with Emalee Merrell, Coordinator of Professional Learning Community and Tiered System of Supports from the Idaho Department of Education, to explore how Idaho schools are successfully integrating the PLC model. 

Join us as we discuss the fundamentals of PLCs, their evidence-based impact on education, and how the Idaho Department of Education is supporting schools in their implementation. From real-world success stories in Idaho to strategies for fostering collaboration among educators, this episode dives deep into the why and how of PLCs. Whether you're an educator, administrator, or a parent simply curious about innovative approaches in education, this conversation is packed with actionable insights. Tune in now! 

Are you and Idaho educator and have questions for Emalee Merrell regarding PLCs? Send her an email. [email protected]

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Find great resources, info on school communities, and other current projects regarding public policy:
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