Our School Matters
by Richland County Voices
Our school district is Richland County CUSD #1, located in Olney, a rural community in Southern Illinois. Our mission is to explore why public education matters by talking to the people who live it every day: teachers, students, administrators, staff, and community members across Richland County. Each season, your host Mr. Ryden sits down for conversations about what matters in our schools. From how we all learn and grow to AI, mental health, bullying, and the everyday realities of school life, this podcast looks at the issues shaping public education through a local lens. It’s about listening, reflecting, and remembering: Our school matters. Public education matters. Let’s talk about why.
Episodes
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Martin Dunn
Mr. Dunn Matters! Mr. Ryden talks to retiring RCHS science teacher Martin Dunn about travel, having a child as a student, and his plans for an eventful retirement. Also discussed is their similar winding paths to becoming teachers after working at Walmart. Recovering Walmart workers UNITE!!!
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Sue Pixley
Mrs. Pixley Matters! Mr. Ryden talks to RCHS art teacher Sue Pixley (a.k.a. Pickles) about her multiple career jumps before landing on teaching and cross-curricular projects. Also discussed is Mr. Ryden and Mrs. Pixley's similar circumstances leading to being raised by a single parent and how…
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Taylor Borah
Mrs. Borah Matters! Mr. Ryden talks to now former history department teacher Taylor Borah about her upcoming transition to Flora High School, teaching during her first pregnancy, and how she navigated some difficult life circumstances while on her journey to becoming an educator.
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The Pets!!!
Ladies, gentlemen, THE PETS matter! Mr. Ryden interview the destined-to-be iconic Olney homegrown band before they perform live in the Richland County Performing Arts Center (in a separate video you should totally check out). They talk about the genesis of their band, their musical influences…
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Mandy Ginder Returns
Mrs. Ginder (still) Matters! Mandy returns to kick off season 2 of OSM Mr. Ryden talks with Mandy Ginder about theater productions at RCHS and how AI has affected high school instruction since they last spoke about it on the podcast over a year ago.
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Shannon Winters
Mrs. Winters Matters! Mr. Ryden talks with Shannon Winters right before her final class before retirement about her plans for the future, how she feels about her career as she brings it to a close, and how to avoid conversations when you're stuck at a laundry mat. Also, Mr. Ryden tells the same...
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Coy Shipman and Maddox Dorn
Coy Shipman and Maddox Dorn matter! This episode is a double-header with two interviews by Sophia of her now-former fellow students. Coy and Sophia discuss his Freshmen year, cell phones in classrooms, and "Jesus and peas." Then Maddox and Sophia talk about his Senior year, experiences with…
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Sophia Ranes
Sophia Ranes Matters! In this special episode, Sophia and Jeff pretty much interview each other while they unpack how the Our School Matters project has went so far. Sophia talks about the importance of empathy for students and teachers, her fears about how AI will impact high school students in...
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Chris Simpson
Chris Simpson Matters! Mr. Ryden talks with outgoing superintendent Mr. Simpson about his long career serving the students of Richland County, overseeing the high school remodel, the challenges of navigating the response to the pandemic, his love of science, and the interconnectivity of all…
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Bethany Robichaux
Bethany Robichaux Matters! Sophia talks with future rotorcraft pilot Bethany Robichaux about her college and career plans, how COVID affected her high school experience, and senioritis. Also, Sophia and Jeff talk about Sophia's last day of high school and make cool helicopter sounds.
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Prom Special with Amy Rusk and Sheri Grey
Our Prom Matters! Mr. Ryden talks with Amy Rusk and Sheri Grey about what goes into putting on a prom, dancing, orbeez, our own high school prom experiences, and BEES!!!!!!
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Steve Rodgers
Steve Rodgers Matters! Mr. Ryden talks with Steve Rodgers, aka Captain America, aka The King of Crapper Land about career choices, teaching music, playing in bands for decades, quitting smoking, and, well, crappers! Also, Sophia and Jeff discuss the upcoming RCHS Drama 101 Play, Bedtime Stories…
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Trinity Hoskins
Trinity Hoskins Matters! Sophia talks with the main slayer or RCHS, Trinity Hoskins, about bullying, interpersonal relationships, AI, and listening to what students say when making decisions about their schools. Also, Sophia and Jeff reflect on the 2023 RCHS CEO Trade Show and remind high school...
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Denyse Eagleson
Mrs. Eagleson Matters! Mr. Ryden talks with Denyse Eagleson about banned books, classroom management, and a gloriously uncertain future after retirement. Also, Sophia and Jeff discuss the upcoming CEO Trade show and remind you to purchase your yearbook. Go to jostens.com/yearbooks and find RCHS…
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Abby Atwood
Abby Atwood Matters! Sophia talks with Abby about clubs and sports she is active in at RCHS, military service, the SAT, and Choir Cats. Also, Sophia and Jeff talk about Disability Acceptance Week, which starts April 24th.
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Bryan Cummins
Mr. Cummins Matters! Mr. Ryden talks with Bryan Cummins about responsibility vs. "I don't care" mentality, the pressure facing high school kids today, and his "last" summer break. Also, Sophia and Jeff discuss 2023 CEO Trade Show.
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Genevieve Carey
Genevieve Carrey Matters! Sophia talks with Vieve Carrey about dual credit classes, SAT Prep, and small towns. Also, Sophia and Jeff discuss the ERFAE milk jug contest and SPEECH!
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Mandy Ginder
Mrs. Ginder Matters! Mr. Ryden talks with Mandy Ginder about drama (of the theatre variety), the importance of grace, and dropping dead at our school desks as a retirement option. Also, Sophia and Jeff discuss the Senior Seminar and how cool it sounds when I get really close to the microphone and...
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Haylie Roark
Haylie Roark Matters! Sophia talks with her good friend and fellow student Haylie Roark about (partially) transitioning from homeschool to public school, fitting in, and her future as a college student. Also, Sophia and Jeff discuss an update to a story about a notorious "incident" at a…
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Theresa Marriott
Profe Marriott Matters! Mr. Ryden talks with Theresa Marriott about Spanish language education, the tech that interferes with our interpersonal communication with our students, the value of face-to-face-conversations, the interdogsonal relationships of RCHS teacher's pets, and... well... cancer....
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What Matters at RCHS?
Sophia and Jeff discuss the creation of the Our School Matters podcast, what listeners can expect from the program, and preview some of the "matters" at RCHS that they will discuss with their guests.
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Our School Matters Trailer
Meet Mr. Ryden and Sophia Ranes, your hosts for season 1 of Our School Matters! - Theme music composed and performed by Evan Irvin.
About this show
Our school district is Richland County CUSD #1, located in Olney, a rural community in Southern Illinois. Our mission is to explore why public education matters by talking to the people who live it every day: teachers, students, administrators, staff, and community members across Richland County.
Each season, your host Mr. Ryden sits down for conversations about what matters in our schools. From how we all learn and grow to AI, mental health, bullying, and the everyday realities of school life, this podcast looks at the issues shaping public education through a local lens.
It’s about listening, reflecting, and remembering:
Our school matters. Public education matters.
Let’s talk about why.
Hosted by
Richland County Voices
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