Willmar Wisdom: Beyond the Classroom

What does school lunch look like today — and how has it changed from the meals many of us remember from our own school days?

In this episode of Willmar Wisdom, we head into the cafeteria with Danaca Jensen, Director of Food & Nutrition Services, and Katie Van Der Hagen, Head Cook, to talk about the meals fueling Willmar students every school day.

We’ll explore what goes into providing nutritious school meals, the benefits they offer students, how today’s lunch options compare to those of the past, and questions and ideas submitted directly by our community.

And with National School Lunch Week coming up, there’s no better time to take a closer look at the people and meals behind the lunch line.

Season 3 kicks off on the pitch with members of the Willmar Cardinals soccer team! In this episode, we explore the role athletics plays in building character, discipline, teamwork, and leadership.

Hear from our student-athletes about what it takes to compete at a high level, how they overcome adversity together, and the lessons they’ve learned both on and off the field.

Whether you’re a diehard Cardinal fan or simply love seeing our students succeed, this is an episode you won’t want to miss!

What does it take to turn an idea into a business?

Dr. Adams sits down with Willmar Senior High Business teacher Terrin DeBoer to explore entrepreneurship, real-world business experience, and the opportunities available to students in the Business Management and Entrepreneurship class.

Students learn the fundamentals of starting and running a small business, develop their own business plans, and put their ideas into action through the student-run Mini Shop Market at the Willmar Civic Center. Along the way, they gain hands-on experience with everything from identifying opportunities to investing their own money and earning their own profits.

Terrin also shares her own journey as a former business owner and how those experiences have shaped the way she teaches the next generation of entrepreneurs.

Plus, students can earn articulated college credit through the Minnesota Community and Technical College Credit Program while gaining valuable real-world business experience.

Dr. Bill Adams explores the Scholars of Teacher Apprenticeship (SOTA) Program, an innovative partnership that is helping prepare the next generation of educators through hands-on experience, mentorship, and classroom-based learning.

Joined by a current apprentice, a journeyworker mentor, and the program coordinator, Dr. Adams discusses how SOTA provides aspiring teachers with real-world experience while they complete their education. The conversation highlights the unique benefits of the program, the importance of mentorship, and how this grow-your-own model is creating new pathways into the teaching profession.

Tune in to learn how Willmar Public Schools is investing in future educators and preparing learners for tomorrow's opportunities.

In this special episode, Dr. Adams sits down with graduating Willmar seniors as they prepare to close one chapter and begin the next. From college and careers to military service, these students represent the dedication, growth, and spirit of our entire community.

They reflect on their journey through Willmar Public Schools, sharing favorite memories, meaningful experiences, and what they’ll miss most. They also offer thoughtful advice for younger students just beginning their own path.

Join us as we celebrate the Class of 2026 and hear directly from our soon-to-be graduates about their stories, their gratitude, and what comes next.

In this episode of Willmar Wisdom: Beyond the Classroom, we highlight the power of student leadership and service in action. Hear from Willmar High School Key Club members as they share how they’re making a difference both locally and beyond.

From organizing a large-scale food packing event to supporting school and community initiatives, these students are learning what it means to lead with purpose. Their work goes beyond volunteering—it’s about building character, creating connections, and becoming engaged, global citizens.

Tune in to hear how Key Club is bringing people together and why service matters now more than ever.

In this special episode of Willmar Wisdom: Beyond the Classroom, we step away from the district office and into the world of our youngest learners. Join us as five first graders from Kennedy Elementary take the lead in a guided read-along of Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon by Patty Lovell.

Through their honest, funny, and thoughtful perspectives, these students explore themes of confidence, embracing what makes us unique, and standing tall in the face of challenges. It’s a heartwarming reminder that even the smallest voices can share the biggest lessons.

In this episode, Dr. Adams sits down with longtime educator and boys swimming & diving coach Carl Shuldes as he reflects on nearly four decades at Willmar Public Schools. From starting in the late 1980s to coaching swimming and track for decades, Carl shares what it meant to spend his entire career in one district and build a program rooted in consistency and commitment.

He talks about the culture of swimming — the early mornings, the demanding practices, and the pride that comes from pushing beyond what you think you can do. As he retires from coaching, this episode celebrates a legacy built not just on competition, but on helping student-athletes grow in confidence, resilience, and identity.

In this episode, Superintendent, Dr. Bill Adams talks with Rochelle Peterson, a Willmar Public Schools parent who has open enrolled her three children into the district. Rochelle shares what led her family to explore open enrollment and why Willmar Public Schools felt like the right fit for each of her kids.

She reflects on the importance of feeling supported, known, and confident in where your children are learning, and offers helpful insight for families considering open enrollment.

In this episode, Dr. Adams sits down with four members of the Hulstein family, all of whom work within the Willmar Public School District.

The conversation explores what it’s like to serve students and families not only as educators, but as a family rooted in the same community.

From funny moments of being mistaken as related with staff everywhere they go, to thoughtful reflections on education, connection, and showing up for the work, this episode offers a meaningful and lighthearted look at life inside our schools.