Making Moments Matter: Weisler Alumni (Pt. I) — Mandy Lanier & Ryan Romero on Student Voice, Creativity, and Authentic Classrooms

🎧 Episode Synopsis: In this special roundtable episode—the first in a new, ongoing Weisler Alumni series—Dr. Joey Weisler reconnects with two of his former eighth-grade students: Mandy Lanier, a dance and neuroscience major at the University of Florida, and Ryan Romero (aka DJ Romi), a communications major and campus DJ at Nova Southeastern University.Together, they reflect on what it means to be a student within—and beyond—a school system shaped by testing, trauma, and transformation. Mandy and Ryan offer honest insights about what helped, what hurt, and what stuck with them, speaking candidly about the long-term impact of educational choices, teacher authenticity, and classroom memories.Part of a sporadic sequence of alumni conversations, this “Weisler Alumni” roundtable series offers former students a space to tell their truths, acknowledge the past, and help shape a better, more human-centered system for those still inside it.To learn about Mandy Lanier: Follow hereTo learn about Ryan "DJ Romi" Romero: Youtube channel and IG Handle @_djromi