Good Things in Glenwood

Students in grades 3 & 5 were assigned to write about their hero. The essays in this episode were chosen to be read aloud on the podcast.

Principal Duitsman joins the show to talk about the good things going on in the High School, including the opening of the Pathways Center and some good student leadership examples. Shout outs include teacher, Kyle Gerdes and students, Emersyn Howard, Isabella Duncan, and those who have committed to military service after high school.

Principal Huisman joins the show to discuss the science camp and give some shoutouts to SFA Marissa Briley, the Mills Co. ISU Ext. office, Math Counts students.

(This is a repost of an episode that had some technical issues) Activities Director Jeff Bissen does a review of Fall activities. But we also dive into the bigger topics of conference realignment and the general landscape of HS Activities. Lots of student, staff, and volunteer shout-outs on this episode too.

Principal Salazar joins the show to talk about good things going on at NE during the first quarter, including the first ever Trunk or Treat night. With this, there are LOTS of shout-outs on this episode. Maybe one of the shout-outs goes to you?? Listen and find out.

We start season 3 by talking to Superintendent Nicole Kooiker about some big projects in GCSD over the past year, her first in the district. This is one of our longer episodes with lots of celebrations, shout outs, and good things being discussed.

On S2, E11 we are joined by members of the first ever GHS ESports team. Josh, Jack, and Blaine talk about getting ESports started, their undefeated reg. season, and their trip to State. But they also talk about what competing for their school meant to them after dreaming of the opportunity.

In episode 10 of season 2 we are talking with members of the IJAG class from Glenwood High School. These students talk about IJAG and an upcoming Trades Fair, which has been completely student planned by this class.

To finish out Read Across America Week 2025, we were joined by Jude, Eden, and Stasi who talk about activities for the week, but also took the chance to read directly to you.

To help celebrate Read Across America Week, some students from West Elementary joined the show to talk about the Read-a-Thon happening at West Elementary. Lincoln, Vivian, and Ty are some of the top readers at West and joined the podcast to talk about Read-a-Thon and their favorite books.

Season 2, Episode 7 is our first with students on the podcast. In this episode, students from the Glenwood Community High School FFA Chapter discuss FFA and FFA Week. FFA Advisor Jessica Miller and students Joli Johnston, Stella Mayberry, Grant McCollester, and Dylan Powles talk about FFA Week activities and the benefits of being involved in the FFA programming. FFA Week runs from Feb. 15 to Feb 22 and include dress up days at the HS from Feb. 18-21 and culminates with a community breakfast at the HS on Feb. 22. Listen in for all the details.

Season 2, Episode 6 is a visit with Lorraine Duitsman, the Principal at Glenwood Community High School. She details the good things going on at the High School during the first half of the school year. Shout outs in this show go to teachers Heather Roberson & Hannah Doorenbos, and students Maya Schau & Megan Hughes.

Season 2 Episode 5 is a visit with Julie McMullen, the Asst. Principal at Glenwood Community Northeast Elementary School. She details the good things going on within the Preschool program at NE during the first quarter of the school year. Shout outs in this show go to teacher Jasey Segebrecht and students Brody, Bronson, Jakenn, and Scarlett

Season 2, Episode 4 is a visit with Ashlie Salazar, the Principal at Glenwood Community Northeast Elementary School. She details the good things going on at the Northeast during the first quarter of the school year. Shout outs in this show go to the office staff, Melanie Schoening, and Julie McMullen and students Penelope and Tucker.

Season 2, Episode 3 is a recap of Fall Activities with Jeff Bissen, the Activities Director at Glenwood Community High School. This episode is full of shout outs to all of those involved in Fall activities.

Season 2, Episode 2 is a visit with Kara Huisman, the Principal at Glenwood Community West Elementary. She details the good things going on at West during the first quarter of the school year. Shout outs in this show go to new staff members and the classrooms who are the first ever winners of some traveling trophies.

Season 2 begins with Episode 1 and a visit with Nicole Kooiker, the Interim Superintendent at Glenwood Community Schools. She details the good things going on throughout the district during the first quarter of the school year.

On Episode 20 we visit with Dr. Chad Lang to dig deeper into what it means for to be designated as a National Model Professional Learning Community at Work by Solution Tree. He talks about what goes into applying for the award, what it takes to earn the award, and what it means for Glenwood going forward. The major shout of the show goes to the Teachers and Staff doing the work with kids to help them learn, grow, and achieve.

Episode 19 is a visit with Sandra Dollen, the Coordinator of the Teammates mentoring program in Glenwood. She provides information on the program, how to get involved, and the benefits of the program. She highlights that we have over 100 matches in GCSD which could make us the largest, most successful chapter in Iowa.

Episode 18 is a visit with our team of Instructional Coaches. This group explains GCSD's opt-in method of Instructional Coaching and shares that over 80% of Glenwood teachers have worked with this team. In the same way we expect our staff to provide a multi tiered system of support for students, they provide MTSS to teachers as well.

Episode 17 is a visit with Heidi Stanley, the Principal at Glenwood Community Middle School. She details the good things going on at the Middle School since her first appearance. Shout outs in this show go to teacher Becky Ruth and students Grant and Colton of Robotics as well as the group of students chosen as the April Rambassadors.

Episode 16 is a visit with Dr. Devin Embray, the Superintendent at Glenwood Community Schools. He details the good things going on throughout the district. A Shout out in this show goes to teacher Dan Schoening, Middle School Band Director and Jazz Band Director who will be retiring at the conclusion of the 23-24 School Year.

This episode brings to the mic Jeremy Stukenholtz, who has accepted the position of Assistant Principal at the High School beginning in the 24-25 school year. In this episode we seek to get to know Jeremy, discuss his background, and talk about what he can bring to the Admin team in the year ahead.

Episode 14 is a visit with Jeff Bissen, the Activities Director at Glenwood Community High School. He recaps the winter season of activities and provide a look forward towards the busy spring season.

Episode 13 is a visit with Lorraine Duitsman, the Principal at Glenwood Community High School. She details the good things going on at the High School during the first quarter of the school year. Shout outs in this show go to teachers: Tanner Teegarden and Julie Mount and students: IJAG student team.

Episode 12 is a visit with Dr. Chad Lang, the Assistant Superintendent for GCSD. He talks about teacher recruiting season. Shout outs in this show go to our Instructional Coach team of educators.

This is a reposted Special Edition episode providing information on the RPS vote. This episode originally aired on 1/19/2024

Episode 11 is a visit with Cory Faust, the Dean of Students at Glenwood Community High School. He details the good things going on at the High School during the first half of the school year. Shout outs in this show go to the Building Secretaries, Taylor Miller and Dave Clark. Student shout outs go to Nolan Clark and Allison Koontz

Episode 10 is a visit with Cindy Menendez, the Director of Student Services for Glenwood Community Schools. She details the good things going on at the throughout the district during the first half of the school year. Shout outs in this show go to Connie Olson, the Special Education Instructional Coaches, Special Education Associates and Bruce Landstrom.

Episode 9 is a visit with Kara Huisman, the Principal at Glenwood Community West Elementary School. She details the good things going on at West during the second quarter of the school year. Shout outs in this show go to the group of Associates who assist both teachers and students and Mrs. Nanfito's class.

Episode 8 is a visit with Ashlie Salazar, the Principal at Glenwood Community Northeast Elementary School. She details the good things going on at the Northeast during the second quarter of the school year. Shout outs in this show go to custodian Dan Jaworski and Ram Role Model Student, Bentley Uhl.

Episode 7 is a visit with Jeff Bissen, the Activities Director at Glenwood Community High School. She details the good things going on at the High School. The format for this episode is a little different and more of a Fall Activities "Season in Review" so both the programs highlighted and shout outs are numerous.

Episode 6 is a visit with Dr. Devin Embray, the Superintendent for Glenwood Community School District. He details the good things going on throughout the district during the first quarter of the school year. Shout outs in this show go to teacher Lorrain Duitsman and the CCC subcommittees.

This is our first Special Edition of the Podcast. On March 5, 2024 GCSD is asking voters to approve the renewal of the Revenue Purpose Statement. In this episode, Supt. Dr. Devin Embray clarifies what the RPS is, what it does for the district currently, and the reasoning behind seeking an extension at this time. Be sure to check out our regularly scheduled episodes and subscribe/follow the show for the latest episodes of Good Things in Glenwood.

Episode 5 takes a district view of Good Things in Glenwood with Asst. Superintendent Dr. Chad Lang. In the episode he discusses the hiring season which is coming up and what Glenwood is looking for in future members of our team. Shout outs go to Cindy Menendez, Samuel Klemme, and Tami Bertini.

Episode 4 is a visit with Lorraine Duitsman, the Principal at Glenwood Community High School. She details the good things going on at the HIgh School during the first quarter of the school year. Shout outs in this show go to both the teachers and the students who helped organize the Veteran's Day program.

Episode 3 is a visit with Ashlie Salazar, the Principal at Glenwood Community Northeast Elementary. She details the good things going on at Northeast during the first quarter of the school year. Shout outs in this show go to teachers of the ESSENTIALS classes and students Caleb and Grace.

Episode 2 is a visit with Kara Huisman, the Principal at Glenwood Community West Elementary. She details the good things going on at the West during the first quarter of the school year. Shout outs in this show go to teacher Megan Beery, Administrative Assistant Sunshine Crawford, and two classrooms of students with Mrs. Niemeier and Mrs. Buthe.

Episode 1 is a visit with Heidi Stanley, the Principal at Glenwood Community Middle School. She details the good things going on at the Middle School during the first quarter of the school year. Shout outs in this show go to teacher Kelsey Miller, the group of Associates who assist both teachers and students, and finally the group of students who form the Sunshine Committee.

A preview of what's to come in our new Podcast from Glenwood Community School District, in Glenwood, IA. Glenwood is a rural school district in Southwest Iowa, located about 20 minutes south of the Omaha/Council Bluffs metro area--just east of Interstate 29 on Highway 34.