In Episode 34 of the West Aurora 129 Podcast, Dr. Jeff Craig hosts Valerie Brown Dykstra, an integral member of the Board of Education and an administrative law judge. With a unique perspective as a district graduate and parent, Brown Dykstra shares her educational journey, reflecting on her school days and the evolution of the district. Her discussion covers her multifaceted career path from education to law, emphasizing the importance of giving back to the community. Brown Dykstra also highlights her commitment to ensuring equal educational opportunities for all students, illustrating her dedication to public service and education.

In this episode of the West Aurora 129 podcast, Dr. Jeff Craig interviews Mike Lehman, a veteran educator with over three decades of experience in the district. Lehman, who started as a student teacher in SD129 in 1990, has a remarkable journey from teaching fifth grade and kindergarten to becoming the President of the Aurora Education Association-West. He reflects on his early influences, the evolution of his teaching methods, and his tenure as a teacher's union president. Lehman also discusses the challenges and changes in education, emphasizing the importance of teacher-parent collaboration for student success.

In this episode, Dr. Jeff Craig, Superintendent of West Aurora Schools, interviews Kelly Person, principal of Hope D. Wall School. With nearly 20 years of experience in early childhood and special education, Ms. Person shares her journey to becoming an educator and emphasizes the impact of early influences and pivotal moments, such as working with a student with autism, on shaping her commitment to the holistic development of children. Ms. Person discusses the unique offerings at Hope D. Wall School, the extraordinary staff she gets to work alongside, and the special programs catering to students with diverse needs. Mr. Person also reflects on the district's focus on addressing the whole child and family, providing support beyond the classroom, and fostering a unique sense of community and care at Hope D. Wall School.

In this episode, Dr. Jeff Craig, Superintendent of West Aurora Schools, welcomes Ms. Laura Edwards, the new Curriculum Coordinator for West Aurora's Career and Technical Education Department. Ms. Edwards shares her educational journey and insights on the evolving significance of CTE in schools, including recent program updates in SD129. Join us as we uncover her perspective on the role of CTE in student development, addressing some common misconceptions surrounding CTE in our schools.

Jewel Middle School Assistant Principal for Teaching and Learning, Mr. Pete Martino sits down for a conversation with Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Jeff Craig.

In this episode, Dr. Craig is joined by veteran teacher Kevin Briars and first-year teacher Will Marks. The two are paired together as mentor/mentee as a part of the SD129 induction program for new teachers. Together, they discuss the challenges and rewards of being a mentor and mentee in the teaching profession. Kevin shares his years of experience in the classroom, while Will offers a fresh perspective as a new teacher navigating the demands of the job. Don't miss this engaging discussion on the power of mentorship in shaping the next generation of educators.

As a valued stakeholder of School District 129, we want to share with you our annual State of the District Message. In an effort to reach a larger audience, the message has taken the form of a podcast, featuring district leaders who reflect upon the accomplishments of the past year and share key initiatives for the coming year. We have also created condensed video summaries of each segment of the podcast, which will be shared via email and across our social media platforms. Segments include Leadership, Teaching & Learning (22:23), School Safety and Communication (52:02) and Operations (1:14:57).

West Aurora School District Executive Director of Student and Family Services, Marti Neahring sits down with Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Jeff Craig.

SD129 District Athletic Director, Jason Buckley, sits down with Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Jeff Craig.

Get to know the next SD129 Superintendent of Schools and current Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources, Dr. Michael P. Smith. He joins Superintendent Dr. Jeff Craig for a conversation that spans growing up in Aurora, what inspired him to become an educator, and his 23-year career in School District 129.