They are putting school pride firmly in the hands of students and building strong connections at the same time at Fort Herriman Middle School.
On this episode of the Supercast, hear why “Battle of the Grades” has become a big hit throughout the entire year at Fort Herriman. It is a battle resulting in a big win for everyone, with students taking care of one another and taking greater pride in their school.


Audio Transcription
Coming Soon 

It is a full circle moment for two former students and their teachers at Rose Creek Elementary School.
On this episode of the Supercast, listen as the former students are reunited with the teachers they grew to love in elementary school. They are reunited as co-workers, now teaching side by side in classrooms at Rose Creek. It is a story that speaks to the life-long impact a good teacher can have on his or her students, leading to lasting friendship and future success.


Audio Transcription
Rebecca Chandler:
I was so lucky to have this amazing little girl in my class named Sariah, and wouldn't you know it, she interviewed for our school kindergarten position last year.
Sariah Schmelter:
She really was a great teacher and set the mood right off the bat for me and I just grew up knowing I was gonna be a teacher.
[Music]
Anthony Godfrey:
Hello and welcome to the Supercast. I'm your host Superintendent Anthony Godfrey. It is a full-circle moment for two former students and their teachers at Rose Creek Elementary School. On this episode of the Supercast, listen as former students are reunited with the teachers they grew to love in elementary school. They are reunited as co-workers, now teaching side-by-side in classrooms at Rose Creek. It is a story that speaks to the lifelong impact a good teacher can have on his or her students, leading to lasting friendship and future success.
[Music]
Anthony Godfrey:
Talking now with two kindergarten teachers at Rose Creek Elementary. Introduce yourselves and how you know each other.
Rebecca Chandler:
Well, my name is Rebecca Chandler and I have been a teacher for 14 years in Jordan School District; took a little bit time off in the middle for about six years before returning back to teaching. I know this teacher when I started teaching at Hayden Peak Elementary in kindergarten and it was my second year teaching and I was so lucky to have this amazing little girl in my class named Sariah. And, wouldn't you know it, she interviewed for our school kindergarten position last year. Wow.
Sariah Schmelter:
I'm Sariah Schmelter. This is my first year teaching here at Rose Creek and I'm teaching kindergarten, and like Becca mentioned, I had Becca as a kindergarten teacher which was amazing. One of the reasons I actually wanted to come to Rose Creek was because I remembered how amazing she was as my teacher and I knew that she would be a good leader and mentor to me.
Anthony Godfrey:
You just called your kindergarten teacher ‘Becca’ twice. So how long did it take for you to get used to that or are you used to it yet?
Sariah Schmelter:
It was really weird, especially around my family, because my younger sister actually had her the year after. She to this day is still my mom's favorite teacher and so we always talk about Miss Chandler, Miss Chandler, Miss Chandler. So when I started calling her Becca, my mom's like “wait, wait, wait, wait, wait! This doesn't make sense.” Yeah, it's taken a while.
Anthony Godfrey:
I remember that as I have maintained contact with some students that I taught as well, they called me Godfrey for a while like they would drop the beginning. They finally called me by my first name a few times but I think it's still uncomfortable for them. Thirty years later, they still do, you know. It's ingrained, it's ingrained. Now you taught or you sought out the opportunity to teach with your kindergarten teacher. Tell me about that.
Sariah Schmelter:
Yeah, so I was just looking for jobs last year and I would do like a little bit of snooping, I guess, through the websites for each school, and just kind of seeing who's teaching there because I had a couple friends that taught at different schools.
Anthony Godfrey:
And it makes a difference who you're teaching with.
Sariah Schmelter:
It does, it really does.

You could say students are really ‘rockin it’ at River’s Edge School this year.
On this episode of the Supercast, find out how music in a brand-new school band is enriching the educational experience for students at River’s Edge and how teachers are taking note, loving the experience as well.


Audio Transcription
Transcription coming soon.

They took the audience back in time to the 1940’s with period costumes, a creative set design, and delightful music.
On this episode of the Supercast, listen as Midas Creek Elementary School students take the stage in a lively and uplifting performance of the musical “Don’t Say No to the USO.” It is a family-friendly production with a focus on humor, suspense, and nostalgia, combined with a student performance which had everyone clapping and doing some toe tapping.


Audio Transcription
Transcription coming soon.

Some high school Welding, Construction Trades, and Teacher Ed students are using skills they learned in the classroom to make it easier for younger kids to make friends at school.
On this episode of the Supercast, we take you to Monte Vista Elementary School where there was a big surprise unveiled during a schoolwide assembly. The big surprise was a “Buddy Bench,” made entirely by high schoolers who want to help their younger counterparts combat loneliness and bullying behavior at school.


Audio Transcription
Transcription coming soon.

She is known for her custodial skills keeping classrooms clean and everything in working order at Joel P. Jensen Middle School. But in her free time, Allison Kunz is passionate about cleaning up and beating the competition in the sport of speed puzzling.
On this episode of the Supercast, we find out what speed puzzling is, what it takes to win, and how Allison Kunz has managed to qualify for world championships in the sport.


Audio Transcription
Allison Kunz:
In training for things like Nationals and Worlds, they'll throw anything at it. I will buy anything and try it. The more you do something, the less intimidating it is.
Anthony Godfrey:
Sure. That was fast. That was really fast.
Allison Kunz:
Ten minutes?
Anthony Godfrey:
Seven minutes, thirty-eight seconds.
Allison Kunz:
So, probably ten minutes with the sword.
Anthony Godfrey:
Very fast, yeah.
[Music]
Anthony Godfrey:
Hello and welcome to the Supercast. I'm your host, Superintendent Anthony Godfrey. She is known for her custodial skills, keeping classrooms clean and everything in working order at Joel P. Jensen Middle School. But in her free time, Allison Kunz is passionate about cleaning up and beating the competition in the sport of speed puzzling.
On this episode of the Supercast, we find out what speed puzzling is, what it takes to win, and how Allison Kunz has managed to qualify for world championships.
[Music]
We're here today at Joel P. Jensen Middle School to talk with a speed puzzler. Introduce yourself. Tell everyone what you do here at Joel P. Jensen.
Allison Kunz:
I am Allison Kunz. I'm the lead custodian here at Joel P. Jensen. It's my job to come in, typically, at the end of the day and turn the school around, get it all clean, fixed, and ready for the next day.
Anthony Godfrey:
The lead works the swing shift and really brings the school back together from the day's activities, readying it for the next day.
Allison Kunz:
Yep. I like to say we turn the chaos back into order.
Anthony Godfrey:
Very good. Very good. And how long have you been here at Joel P. Jensen?
Allison Kunz:
I've been at Joel P. almost a year. I was at Oquirrh Hills Middle School for a year before I came here.
Anthony Godfrey:
Awesome. Well, we're very glad to have you.
Allison Kunz:
Thank you.
Anthony Godfrey:
Tell me about speed puzzling. First of all, you are decked. You've got your puzzle pants on with puzzle pieces all over. You've got your competition shirt from Nationals. Tell me about what is speed puzzling exactly.
Allison Kunz:
So speed puzzling is you take a 500-piece puzzle, they count down, three, two, one, go. You open a bag, dump out the puzzle, and do it as fast as you can.
Anthony Godfrey:
And what got you started on this?
Allison Kunz:
I fell into it by accident. A Facebook group I'm involved in did a kind of informal speed puzzling competition, and I just thought it was great fun.
Anthony Godfrey:
So what was the Facebook group initially related to puzzling or no?
Allison Kunz:
Yeah, it's called Dowdle Puzzle Lovers. It features Eric Dowdle's puzzles.
Anthony Godfrey:
So you've been a fan of Eric Dowdle's puzzles for a long time.
Allison Kunz:
I have a calendar of Eric Dowdle’s from 2001.
Anthony Godfrey:
Oh, wow.
Allison Kunz:
I've loved his artwork for many, many years. So, yeah.
Anthony Godfrey:
Wow. And so the group had a competition, and you jumped in.
Allison Kunz:
They did. It was a kind of informal thing. I jumped in and said, "That could be fun. Why not? I've never tried that."
Anthony Godfrey:
And you wrecked everyone the first time around.
Allison Kunz:
I did not. I did not.

They were hungry for donations and had a big desire to help those in need.
On this episode of the Supercast, we take you to Terra Linda Elementary School where students and staff recently held a huge community food drive. A food drive that was so successful, it taught students if you have a huge appetite to help others and to be kind, you can make it happen.


Audio Transcription
Kinley:
I feel good about how I collected so much food for like families that need it, because I might end world hunger.
Anthony Godfrey:
You might end world hunger. You're on your way to doing that. I'm so proud of you guys. How do you feel about having collected so much food?
Grayson:
I feel amazing because now people don't starve.
[Music]
Anthony Godfrey:
Hello and welcome to the Supercast. I'm your host, Superintendent Anthony Godfrey. They were hungry for donations and had a big desire to help those in need.
On this episode of the Supercast, we take you to Terra Linda Elementary School, where students and staff recently held a huge community food drive. A food drive that was so successful, it taught students if you have a huge appetite to help others and be kind, you can make anything happen.
[Music]
We're here at Terra Linda Elementary talking about the canned food drive. Introduce yourself and tell us a little bit about what's been happening.
Natalie Newbold:
So my name is Natalie Newbold. I'm a fifth-grade teacher, and I'm also in charge of the student council. Every year, we do a canned food drive, and we focus on points which are the most needed food items from the food bank rather than just simple food items. 
Anthony Godfrey:
So if I brought a bunch of ramen, my points might be a little bit lower. 
Natalie Newbold:
Actually, no, those are double.
Anthony Godfrey:
Okay, ramen is double. Oh, I guessed wrong. What are some of the foods that get the most points?
Natalie Newbold:
So the most points are peanut butter, mac and cheese, chili, SpaghettiOs, canned meats such as tuna, chicken, or beef, and anything boxed or packaged.
Anthony Godfrey:
Oh, okay. Very good. So, you turn it into a competition, I understand.
Natalie Newbold:
Yes, we do a competition where our first-place winner gets to be Mrs. Martinez for the day. Our second-place winner gets to be Mr. Davis for the day, and our third-place winner gets to be Mrs. Fuell for the day. Everyone goes crazy to try to get to be them for the day because they get to miss out on their school day, and they get to take over with her or them.
Anthony Godfrey:
I just saw some fist pumps from the students who have won that prize. Let's talk with each of them. First, let's talk with our third-place winner. Tell me your name and what grade you're in.
Grayson:
I'm Grayson, and I'm in fourth.
Anthony Godfrey:
And how does it feel to be in third place?
Grayson:
Very good. 
Anthony Godfrey:
So you get to be the administrative assistant in the office where really everything is coming through the office. There's a lot of organization going. What are your plans as the administrative assistant in there?
Grayson:
Just to make people be their happiest, and if they're sick, get them home immediately or try to make them not sick.
Anthony Godfrey:
You have a really good sense of the job. That's awesome. So tell me your name in grade.
Kinley:
My name is Kinley. I'm in fourth grade.
Anthony Godfrey:
How about you as assistant principal? What are you looking forward to the most?
Kinley:
Maybe I can make it an early out day.
Anthony Godfrey:
Oh, an early out day. Get those buses over here. Get people home.
Kinley:
Yes.
Anthony Godfrey:
Okay. Well,

What if there was a tool to help your student discover their natural ability to do something pretty amazing? Well, that tool exists and it is being used right here in Jordan School District.
On this episode of the Supercast, we meet some students involved in an aptitude-based program called YOU Science. Hear the exciting ways this program is helping students uncover natural talents they didn’t even know they had and in turn, helping them find their personalized pathways to future success.


Audio Transcription
Kellie Openshaw:
I want them to see the different exploratory classes, like maybe it tells them you're a good fit for marketing, and manufacturing, and health science.
Anthony Godfrey:
You don't always think about what industries or what jobs might be right for you, and YOU Science is exactly that. It's a scientific approach to helping connect kids with opportunities.
[MUSIC]
Anthony Godfrey:
What if there was a tool to help your student discover their natural ability to do something pretty amazing? Well, that tool exists and it's being used right here in Jordan School District.
On this episode of the Supercast, we meet some students involved in an aptitude-based program called YOU Science. Hear the exciting ways this program is helping students uncover natural talents they didn't even know they had, and in turn, helping them find their personalized pathways to future success.
We are here at Fort Herriman Middle School talking with Kellie Openshaw about YOU Science and how it's used in Jordan School District. Thanks for joining us.
Kellie Openshaw:
You're welcome. I'm glad to be here.
Anthony Godfrey:
You are the Director for YOU Science for the state of Utah, correct?
Kellie Openshaw:
That is right.
Anthony Godfrey:
So, tell us about YOU Science. What is it? And, now, the state provides that for every student in the state, and Jordan has really worked hard to take advantage of this great program. So, tell us about what it does.
Kellie Openshaw:
Absolutely. So, YOU Science is a college and career readiness platform, and it's a place where we want our students to cultivate their career and their life, and really see success for their future. So, as you mentioned, every student in Utah has access to a YOU Science account, and you know, there's a lot of college and career readiness platforms out there, and the thing that makes us unique is that we start with an aptitude assessment. We're the only company that provides an online aptitude assessment where we give the students a series of brain games and help them figure out their natural talents, like numerical reasoning, spatial visualization, 3D visualization, things like that. And so, by understanding those talents, we can show students careers that would be a good fit for them that they may not have otherwise considered.
Anthony Godfrey:
Tell us about when this is administered, when do students get access to this, and play the brain games?
Kellie Openshaw:
Sure, absolutely. So, we usually start with the aptitude assessment in seventh grade, and so we do a more simplified version. There's five brain games and then one interest survey, and we want our students, those results, to show them different industries that they're a good fit for. Because they're still in seventh grade, we want them to explore at this point, so we want them to see the different exploratory classes, like maybe it tells them you're a good fit for marketing, and manufacturing, and health science. Well, that helps them and their counselors know what kind of exploration classes to take in eighth or ninth grade to start figuring out what they may want to study more later. And then in ninth grade or after, we have them take the more advanced version, and that gets them to specific careers that they can start to discover.

He is a Herriman High teacher who makes every student know they really matter. Someone who impacts the course of student lives and their future success every single day.
On his episode of the Supercast, we take you inside Randy Kammerman's classroom where he has become an award winning DECA advisor, building a wildly popular program, leading students to high level careers in marketing and business.
Listen and find out how Mr. Kammerman inspires a love for learning in his classroom, mixed with a couple of laughs along the way.


Audio Transcription
Transcription coming soon.

They are sharing culture and building community in a class, that’s also a club, called “People of the Pacific” at West Jordan High School.
On this episode of the Supercast, find out how students are unleashing lots of talent, taking to the stage in dance competitions to showcase their rich cultural traditions from various Pacific Island nations. They are students proudly supporting one another on a path to greater academic success.


Audio Transcription
Transcription coming soon.

They are teachers doing groundbreaking work, redefining what traditional learning looks like in the classroom.
On this episode of the Supercast, we explore the history of digital learning, how it’s impacting students today, and how teachers are seeing big benefits, using all of the new technology now at their fingertips.


Audio Transcription
Kelli Cannon:
It’s just really fun to see how far education has come. 
Megan Dahlgren:
So to be able to take this and learn and see how it's grown from Oregon Trail to you know whatever, however you're using it in your classroom now. 
Kelli Cannon:
There are old programs that they used to actually print out and hand out to the attendees and there are topics like WordPerfect and AOL.
[Music]
Anthony Godfrey:
Hello and welcome to the Supercast. I'm your host, Superintendent Anthony Godfrey. They are supporting teachers in doing groundbreaking work, redefining what traditional learning looks like in the classroom. 
On this episode of the Supercast, we talk with a Digital Learning Specialist and an Instructional Coach to explore the history of digital learning, how it's impacting students today, and how teachers are seeing big benefits using the technology that is now at their fingertips.
We're here at UCET in the UEN Homeroom Podcast Studio talking about how UCET impacts your practice and we're talking now with Kelli Cannon. Tell us a little bit about your role in Jordan School District, with UCET, and how being at UCET and being involved has impacted your practice. 
Kelli Cannon:
Okay, so yeah, my name is Kelli Cannon. I am a Digital Learning Specialist in Jordan School District and I'm also a UCET Board member. This is my third year on the board and I love everything about UCET. My first UCET conference was my first year of teaching, 2014. It feels like a long time ago. When I think about that time I think we didn't even have laptops. So we had desktop computers and people were just kind of like sitting on the floor with like the first generation iPads trying to learn things and do things and just how much the conference has grown in the last 11 years has been just really fun to see. Just the impact that technology has had on education. 
Anthony Godfrey:
So when someone comes to UCET what sorts of things will they learn about in breakouts and keynotes and in talking with vendors? 
Kelli Cannon:
Okay, so the way we have the UCET Conference sorted out right now is in strands. In the strands there are different topics so there's like a robotic strand, and there's a tech basic strand, and a tech advanced strand, and so there's a little something for everybody here. There's also leadership and coaching because we have a lot of instructional and digital coaches as well who want to improve their practice. Then coming into this vendor hall as I look around I see a lot of tech companies. This year our theme is “Authentic Intelligence” and it's a little– like we say it's a little bit cheeky to AI in a way. There are so many AI vendors here and how AI is really shaping the landscape of education in Utah right now. 
Anthony Godfrey:
Tell us more about what “Authentic Intelligence” means. Why that theme? 
Kelli Cannon:
So when we were sitting around at our– we planned these conferences a year in advance. So we were sitting around in our meeting last July and we said “We know AI is gonna be really big it's not going away, so what can we do to kind of play off that theme?” So we said, “Let's use AI, but when we say Authentic Intelligence we mean how can we use AI or keep the human skills in a technology-driven world?” So we're still looking for that human input. I think that's what keeps teaching like personalized and relevant is having that human interaction. 
Anthony Godfrey:
I really think artificial intelligence propels human intelligence...

It is a rigorous, time-consuming, and challenging process, one that produces some of the very best and highly trained teachers in the entire nation.
On this episode, we meet two Jordan School District educators who recently achieved National Board Certification. Find out how this personal drive for perfection is taking their teaching practices to new heights, benefiting students and colleagues in other classrooms alike.


Audio Transcription
Transcription coming soon.

They are high school students crafting mouth-watering masterpieces in a sizzling hot competition where culinary talents are put to the test.
On this episode of the Supercast, we join students from four Jordan School District high schools dishing up delicious food in a very impressive ProStart competition. It’s a competition where rising young chefs are on a fast track, turning their love of food service into successful careers.


Audio Transcription
Transcription coming soon.

It is a fast-growing club at Riverton High School where students are using their imagination, relying on teamwork, and growing their storytelling skills in a unique way.
On this episode of the Supercast, we meet members of the Dungeons and Dragons Club at Riverton High. It’s a club where students are bonding over their love of exploring dungeons, defeating dragons, and finding treasure in a fantasy world where critical thinking and creative minds are key to success.


Audio Transcription
Transcription coming soon.

It is a beautiful story of one teacher’s true love for her students …how her big heart is not only impacting lives, but changing them.
On this episode of the Supercast, we visit Megan Dotson’s third grade class at Antelope Canyon Elementary School. Find out what Ms. Dotson is doing to support one of her beloved students battling cancer. Hear how her caring heart is lifting not just Lucas, who has leukemia, but the entire class in the process.


Audio Transcription
Transcription coming soon.

They are nailing it in a unique class designed to get students career ready in the construction trades industry.
On this episode of the Supercast, we take you to JATC South where it is all hands-on deck as high school juniors and seniors build a “tiny home,” on site, as part of a new Construction Trades class. How are students measuring up? Let’s find out.


Audio Transcription
Ryan Clayton:
My goal for the program is that it's all student run from management to building and I'm just here as an advisor.
Anthony Godfrey:
Talk about meaningful learning. It's a big deal. It's an outcome that helps improve people's lives. 
Ryan Clayton:
It's an amazing opportunity to put on your resume. You are actually taking somebody out of homelessness by building this house for them.
[Music]
Anthony Godfrey:
Hello and welcome to the Supercast. I'm your host, Superintendent Anthony Godfrey. These students are nailing it in a unique class designed to prepare them to be career ready in the construction trades industry.
On this episode of the Supercast, we take you to JATC South where it is all hands on deck as high school juniors and seniors build a tiny home on site as part of a new construction trades class.
[Music]
We're here at JATC South outside watching a new class and talking with a new instructor. Introduce yourself and tell us a little bit about this class.
Ryan Clayton:
Yeah, so I'm Ryan Clayton. I'm coming from industry. I own my own construction business. And what this program is is basically taking what you would see in industry and bringing it into our high school. So we are a construction crew here and currently we're building a house for a homeless community in Salt Lake City. It's all completely built by high schoolers. I mean I pitch in here and there to help with something, but 95% of the work is done by our students. All the way from the foundation, they put our center blocks down to raise it up and put our floor in, framing it. At some point we'll get to the point where they're going to do the siding on it, they'll do the flooring, the walls, everything.
Anthony Godfrey:
So this is construction management, so they're not only learning the actual construction, but they're also learning how to oversee a project and make it all fit together.
Ryan Clayton:
Correct, yeah. So this year we've kind of combined a trades class and a management class. Next year we'll do a trades class that will focus more on the trades, learning the trades. And we're doing a separate management class that will be managing those trades classes. So they're going to get that managing experience. So what you would see is what a superintendent would do or what a foreman would do or a project manager. So my goal for the program is that it’s all student run from management to building and I'm just here as an advisor.
Anthony Godfrey:
And this really gets on two needs in the industry, and you know better than anyone. I've heard that the need is not just for those who have the skills and the trades, but those who can lead and manage projects, as well, who also have those skills and the knowledge of construction.
Ryan Clayton:
Yeah, so for sure one of the biggest deficits we have in construction is management positions, and especially managers who know the skills. Because you can have someone with an MBA come in, a business major has all this business experience, but has no construction experience, and it's really hard for them to manage. So what we need is individuals who have that construction knowledge but can also manage a team. So this strikes a good balance between that and prepping those students for it.
Anthony Godfrey:
I know that not only is there an industry need, but there's also been a high interest from students in being able to participate in a program like this.

It is a fun way to recognize and reward good deeds at West Hills Middle School and it has become a big hit.
On this episode of the Supercast, find out why a local vinyl record shop has established a presence with a “Pop Up” inside West Hills Middle, creating a nostalgic vibe and rewarding students for positive behavior.


Audio Transcription
Transcription coming soon.

It’s that time of year when Mother Nature brings rain, sleet, snow, and ice in combinations that can create some slick conditions around our schools and buildings.
On this episode of the Supercast, we talk to custodians who are constantly working throughout the day and sometimes into the night to prevent slips, trips, and falls for students, teachers, staff, and parents. Listen and find out how you can help.


Audio Transcription
Transcription coming soon.

They are in it to win it on and off the basketball court at Herriman High School.
On this episode of the Supercast, it’s “game on” as we talk to players and coach Doug Meacham about their love of basketball and how it builds character in a culture of teamwork and camaraderie.


Audio Transcription
Transcription coming soon.

Her teaching time adds up to more than two decades in the classroom, every day dedicated to transforming the way students learn and experience math.
On this episode of the Supercast, we sit down with Riverton High School nationally recognized math teacher Melissa Brown to talk about her greatest passion and how it led her to receive the very prestigious "Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching."
For listeners who would like to see the YouTube video “Operation Tin Man” created by Melissa Brown’s students and referenced in this episode, click here.


Audio Transcription
Transcription coming soon.