The Vestavia Hills City Schools Podcast

October 2022 -- Vestavia Hills City Schools partners with a workforce development program called the Academy of Craft Training. At their campus in downtown Birmingham, students have the opportunity to learn industrial crafts including building construction, electrical, welding, HVAC, and interior-exterior finishes. Many students receive high-paying job offers upon graduation and unlock numerous postsecondary opportunities based on their skills and expertise in the construction industry. In this episode, Whit and Brooke talk with Academy of Craft Training Director of Education Russ Cofield, welding instructor Darren Ledbetter, and Vestavia Hills High School senior Emily Salas who is in the Academy's welding program.

Each year, Vestavia Hills City Schools serves more than 3,000 students through the district's Exceptional Education programs which include students with special needs, English language learners, preschoolers, and gifted students.  In this episode, Brooke and Whit talk with Dr. Sandy Ritchey, Vestavia Hills City Schools Director of Exceptional Education, about how the school system is working to support its exceptional students.

In this episode, Whit and Brooke talk with Dr. Patrick Martin, Assistant Superintendent of Operations and Services, about the school system's facilities and operations team that create a safe and nurturing environment for students and staff.

Vestavia Hills High School students have numerous opportunities to earn college credit while still in high school through Advanced Placement and Dual Enrollment. In this episode, Whit and Brooke discuss these programs with Dr. Amy England, Vestavia Hills High School assistant principal, and Dr. Antonio Cooper, director of curriculum and instruction. 

Vestavia Hills City Schools superintendent, Dr. Todd Freeman, joins Whit and Brooke to talk about the start of the 2022-23 school year and a new plan being unveiled called "1Rebel 1Future."

May 2022 -- In this episode, Brooke and Whit talk with Dr. Todd Freeman, Vestavia Hills City Schools superintendent, in a look back on the 2021-22 school year and the tireless work of the school system's teachers. Professional development is discussed as well as information about how families can learn about the school system's teaching standards.

April 2022 -- In this episode, Brooke and Whit talk with two Vestavia Hills City Schools arts teachers who discuss opportunities for participation in the arts and why it's important for student development. Guests include Vestavia Hills Elementary East art teacher Lee Ellen Sharp and Vestavia Hills High School performing arts chair Faith Lenhart.

March 2022 -- In this episode, Brooke and Whit sit down with new Vestavia Hills High School head football coach Robert Evans to discuss the football program, his memories as a VHHS alumnus, and what he learned about leadership from some of the school's legendary coaches.

In this episode, Brooke and Whit sit down with Vestavia Hills City Schools' 2021-22 District Teachers of the Year to discuss their background and motivations for teaching. Guests are Elementary Teacher of the Year Cortney McKinney, school counselor at Vestavia Hills Elementary Cahaba Heights; and Secondary Teacher of the Year Jill Wiggins, English Language Arts teacher at Louis Pizitz Middle School.

(January 2022) -- In this episode, Brooke and Whit talk with Dr. Aimee Rainey, Vestavia Hills City Schools' Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning. Dr. Rainey discusses some of the school system's recent work to enhance value and meaning in the work provided to students and provides a preview of future growth objectives.