Winnetka Voices: A Podcast from The Winnetka Public Schools
Winnetka Voices is a podcast hosted by The Winnetka Public Schools, featuring candid conversations on issues relevant to education and shared resources to support our students and families.
Episodes
The Winnetka Public Schools Superintendent (and New Trier alum), Dr. Kelly Tess, and New Trier High School Superintendent, Dr. Peter Tragos, reflect upon the joys and complexities of leading for the next generation in public schools. Dr. Tragos reflects, “We are producing and preparing good people for the world.” “We are all temporary stewards of a long rich history and our job is to make it better,” emphasizes Dr. Tess.
Season 4 of the “Winnetka Voices,” kicks off with a conversation on how new teachers are equipped to succeed in a robust two-year Mentorship program in The Winnetka Public Schools. Superintendent Dr. Kelly Tess and special guests Jeff Knapp, Assistant Superintendent of Professional Learning and Human Resources and Ruthie Helmer, 5th grade math and science teacher and Mentorship Coordinator, reflect on the District’s commitment to supporting new teachers so they are best equipped to tend to their students’ academic, social and emotional needs. “We want them to feel like this is home and in turn make it “home” for our kids,” says Mr. Knapp. Ms. Helmer reflects, “We really are making an impact on future generations…Being a teacher is a true calling and Winnetka is a special place. Everyone here has that same calling.”
This episode centers on Chapters 1–3 of Growing Up in Public, unpacking how our culture became obsessed with going viral, building personal brands, unboxings, “Get Ready With Me” videos, and more. Dr. Heitner explores how these digital trends shape kids’ social lives—creating space for both connection and anxiety. What does it mean to 'sharent' in an age where children are growing up in the public eye? The key takeaway: 'You have to know your kid,' says Dr. Heitner.
Are you overwhelmed by the constant stream of performance data about your child? Do you find yourself tracking their every move and wondering where to draw the line? In this episode, Dr. Kelly Tess and Dr. Devorah Heitner explore Chapters 3–6 of Growing Up in Public, focusing on how to navigate conversations around online safety, the risks of sexting explicit image sharing, and the fine balance between freedom and privacy in the digital age.
Dr. Tess and Dr. Heitner explore Chapters 7–9, tackling how to manage social media missteps, the lasting impact of digital footprints, and the crucial role of teaching children conflict resolution and social skills. They discuss preparing kids for high school—and beyond—in an ever-changing digital landscape. Dr. Heitner highlights the importance of fostering independence while recognizing the joy and opportunities technology offers. She emphasizes using tech with empathy and intention to ensure we’re living a balanced life. As Dr. Tess says, “Moderation is an important practice to model for our kids.”
The Winnetka Public Schools Superintendent, Dr. Kelly Tess, and guest, Dr. Tom Flemma, Head of North Shore Country Day, chat about the history of Progressive Education in the Winnetka community. Learn more about how educators create environments that allow students to pursue their passions and develop a love of learning, ultimately building the skills they need to be engaged citizens and strong leaders.
As a Chicago Public Schools educator, Carleton Washbune School Principal, Dr. Livingston, recalls developing a hands-on way for students to learn about the postal system, while Superintendent Dr. Kelly Tess remembers organizing a replica Oregon Trail activity as a fourth-grade teacher. In this conversation, these leaders reflect on the enduring legacy of Carleton Washburne’s research on experiential and meaningful learning as well as how Winnetka educators effectively infuse creative practices into learning.
Dr. Kelly Tess, Superintendent, and Dr. Becky Mathison, Assistant Superintendent of Innovation, Teaching and Learning; discuss how educators design experiences that encourage curiosity through project-based learning. From studying bugs to folktales to Pioneers, Progressive Educators equip students to connect with the world beyond their classroom walls. Hear more about how Winnetka educators bring Progressive Education to life in our schools.
In this summer bonus episode, Dr. Kelly Tess, Superintendent, introduces Ms. Anna Trilla, who is the new Principal at Crow Island School as of July 1, 2025. Ms. Trilla shares why she pursued a career in public education (fun fact: she had a brief stint studying meteorology at the University of Illinois prior to shifting to education). Ms. Trilla reflects on how experience gleaned in leadership roles at Walt Disney Magnet School provided her with the groundwork to serve as the next Principal at Winnetka’s historic Crow Island School.
Dr. Kelly Tess, Superintendent, interviews The Skokie School students Andrew, Anya, and Sawyer about the middle school experience in 2025. This candid conversation ranges from what students wish adults understood about today's tweens, strategies to manage busy schedules and homework, how personal technology impacts communication (i.e. it is apparently no longer socially acceptable to ring a friend's doorbell to see if they are available to play), what it really means to be a well-rounded student, and reflections on how the adults in their lives best support them. As Sawyer shares, “In this generation, this is not really what kids do: kicking a tire, throwing a rock or playing hopscotch in the street.” Don’t miss this special episode!
Dr. Pat Greco, Senior Director of Thought Leadership at Studer Education, chats with Dr. Kelly Tess regarding the District’s current Strategic Planning process. Facilitated by Dr. Greco, the next iteration of the District’s Strategic Plan is significantly simplified from previous interactions, intended to pivot based on student needs. Dr. Greco reflects on how her 38 years in public education inform her approach to this process, noting that in Winnetka “Your teachers take experiential learning to heart.”
A bold decision was made in The Winnetka Public Schools to counter the growing disruption of personal technology in our learning environments. Yondr, a secure storage system for personal technology was implemented in grades 5-8 in September 2024. Dr. Kelly Tess is joined by Flossmoor School District 161 Superintendent, Dr. Dana Smith, who spearheaded the adoption of this program in Illinois. The conversation touches on research highlighted in the recent bestseller The Anxious Generation, including the impact of cell phone use on adolescents’ neurological development and mental health. Special guests, Carleton Washburne School students Ellie and Lulu, share their candid thoughts on the “new normal” in middle school in Winnetka. The upshot: “I feel like it's not that big of a deal…you get used to it.”
Dr. Kelly Tess chats with Department of Communications, Safety & Security leaders, Mr. Ray Finnerty (Director of Safety & Security in his first year in the District) and Ms. Kate Hughes (Director of Communications in her tenth year in the District). A retired police officer and former publicist seem to be an unlikely team–and what purpose does this Department serve? Mr. Finnerty shares how he has enhanced safety and security practices with the support of the Winnetka Police and Fire Departments. Ms. Hughes, shares how the District’s communication strategies have evolved to align with current best practices, serving as a model for other Districts, as well as garnering six awards from the National School Public Relations Association between 2023-2024 and a record 65 awards from the Illinois School Public Relations Association since 2015.
Dr. Tess chats with Carleton Washburne School Leadership, Dr. Andrew Fenton, Principal, and Mr. Ben Horwitz, Assistant Principal, who take us behind-the-scenes on leading a middle school–where no day is the same. They ponder the challenges of leading during the pandemic, yet highlight the resilience and positive practices that were developed as a result. “What is rewarding about this job–when I first started as a teacher and is still similar today–is the reality that you can make a difference in a kid’s life,” says Dr. Fenton. Thinking of the educators who impacted his own life and being able to serve students as an educator himself, Mr. Horwitz notes that hiring the next generation of teachers is a favorite part of his role, “We bring in new teachers, who make this school great and have the same connections with kids over the years."
Ms. Michelle Cooney, Princpal, and Mr. Larry Joynt, Assistant Principal, of The Skokie School provide a glimpse into what led them into their leadership roles. These cumulative experiences include reflections on Ms. Cooney playing detective as a rising 5th grader and leaking all of the class lists over the summer and Mr. Joynt procrastinating a book report and being assigned “Pride and Prejudice” as a consequence. Ms. Cooney shares that one of the joys of serving in education is “Recognizing the value of connection and inspiring someone to live out their true potential…it makes everyone in the community stronger.” “We want to do the best we can for kids because we know they are impacting the future,” echoes Mr. Joynt.
