Search for episodes from See. Serve. Connect. with Dr. Jim Wipke with a specific topic:

Latest episodes from See. Serve. Connect. with Dr. Jim Wipke

See. Serve. Connect. Podcast – Episode #29 Leading with Harmony: Inside Ladue's All-Female A Cappella Group

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 25, 2025 25:08


Ladue Schools Superintendent Dr. Jim Wipke sits down with Viva Voce—Ladue Horton Watkins High School's award-winning all-female a cappella group—and their passionate director, Leah Alrutz. Fresh off a fourth-place finish at the 2025 International Championship of High School A Cappella Midwest Quarterfinal, these student leaders open up about competition, community, and the deep bonds formed through music.You'll hear from members Kayla Wallace, Kate Sheley, Maya Mathew, and Emma Bangert as they share what it means to lead with harmony—on and off the stage. Leah Alrutz reflects on the group's origin, evolution, and the tradition of excellence they've built since 2016. Plus, stay tuned for a special surprise: Viva Voce crafts and performs a spontaneous jingle for the podcast!This episode celebrates student voice, artistic excellence, and the joy of creating something powerful—together.

See. Serve. Connect. Podcast: Episode #28 - A Legacy of Learning: Jeff Kopolow's 54 Years in Education

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 3, 2025 22:20


Ladue Schools Superintendent Dr. Jim Wipke sits down with Jeff Kopolow, a beloved figure in the Ladue School District, who reflects on an extraordinary 54-year career in education. As he prepares for retirement, Jeff shares insights from his decades as a teacher, board member, and community leader.A Life Dedicated to Education: From teaching a diverse range of subjects to mentoring students at every secondary level, Jeff's impact spans generations.Leadership in Action: With 15 years on the Board of Education, he played a vital role in passing key referendums and shaping the district's future.A Family Rooted in Ladue: Married for nearly 60 years, with both children as proud alumni, Jeff's personal and professional life is deeply intertwined with the district.Beyond the Classroom: From coaching Speech & Debate to supporting many student organizations, his dedication to student success knew no bounds—even becoming a licensed bus driver to ensure the Speech & Debate team could compete when no drivers were available.A Legacy That Lives On: Even in retirement, Jeff continues teaching and mentoring, ensuring his influence on education reaches beyond Ladue.

See. Serve. Connect. Podcast - Episode #27: Building a Community of Belonging at Ladue Schools

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 3, 2025 14:41


In this latest episode of his See. Serve. Connect. Podcast Superintendent Dr. Jim Wipke is joined by two incredible district administrators, Dr. Tiffany Taylor Johnson and Dr. Jennifer Riesenmy, who are leading the Ladue School's exciting new initiative, "No Place for Hate."  

See. Serve. Connect. Podcast - Episode #26: From Passion to Purpose – A Student's Guide to Thriving in School and Beyond

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 9, 2025 18:02


Are you ready to hear from an incredible Ladue Schools student helping shape future generations? In this episode, Superintendent Dr. Jim Wipke sits down with Emily Liu, a senior at Ladue Horton Watkins High School who's not only an all-star student but also a leader in speech and debate, a nationally recognized journalist, and a passionate advocate for her peers. She shares how getting involved in school activities can lead to a brighter future. This episode is packed with amazing stories and advice for both students and parents as they discuss the power of finding your passion, whether it's in the newsroom, on the debate stage, or somewhere else entirely.

See. Serve. Connect. Episode #25: Ladue Schools, Empowering Tomorrow's Leaders

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 20, 2024 19:35


In this episode, Dr. Jim Wipke has an intriguing conversation with Noah Temple, a driven LHWHS senior who's already making waves as the CEO of his own business and social entrepreneur, and Jessica Kennedy, teacher extraordinaire who holds multiple leadership roles at Ladue Horton Watkins High School. They will dive into the Catalyst program, building entrepreneurship skills, and how hands-on learning prepares our students for success. You'll hear Noah's inspiring journey from classroom to boardroom and how he's using his business to promote social change. 

See. Serve. Connect. Episode #24: Understanding The Future of AI in Education and Beyond

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 29, 2024 24:48


Dr. Wipke visits with Ladue Schools alum Sam Tung. He is a class of 2005 graduate who now works in California as a storyboard artist and director for film, animation, video games, and commercials. The two discuss AI (artificial intelligence), its future, and staying ahead of the constant changes AI brings to education and beyond.

See. Serve. Connect. Episode #23: How Two Ladue Schools Supporters Turned Ideas into Action

Play Episode Listen Later May 24, 2024 20:23


Dr. Wipke visits with Rod and Diane Patershuk, two longtime Ladue Schools supporters who were instrumental in helping the district pass three different voter initiatives.

See. Serve. Connect. Episode #22: Sharing Stories with Two Teachers of the Year

Play Episode Listen Later May 2, 2024 23:20


Listen in as Dr. Wipke talks with LHWHS social studies teacher Ashley Lock and Spoede Elementary librarian Jennifer Johnson about teaching memories, innovative classes, and upcoming learning experiences.

See. Serve. Connect. Episode #21: How the Student Advisory Council wants to make a difference

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 28, 2024 20:42


Dr. Wipke chats with members of his High School Student Advisory Council about an exciting new campaign on which they are working.

See. Serve. Connect. Episode #20: A charge to the LHWHS Class of 2023

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 7, 2023 7:33


Listen as Dr. Wipke revisits his Commencement address to the Ladue Horton Watkins High School Class of 2023 on May 21, 2023. Before receiving their diplomas, he posed one important question to the graduating seniors, something to think about as they look back on their time with Ladue Schools and also look ahead to their next chapters in life.

See. Serve. Connect. Episode #19: Reconnecting with a former Ladue Schools Superintendent

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 14, 2023 29:01


Listen in as Dr. Wipke sits down with former Ladue Schools Superintendent Dr. Donna Jahnke to reflect on her almost 30 years of service to the district.

See. Serve. Connect. Episode #18: Recognizing Two Outstanding Teachers for American Education Week

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 16, 2022 21:04


To celebrate American Education Week, Ladue Schools Superintendent Dr. Jim Wipke is joined by LMS Industrial Technology teacher Mark Biernbaum and Fifth Grade Center Instructional Coach Leah Crawford for an enlightening discussion about why they teach and what brings them joy each day in the Ladue School District.

See. Serve. Connect. Episode #17: Get to know new LMS Principal Dr. Angela Thompson

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 7, 2022 14:38


Ladue Schools Superintendent Dr. Jim Wipke introduces listeners to the district's newest principal, Dr. Angela Thompson of Ladue Middle School.

See. Serve. Connect. Episode #16: What does it mean to serve on a Board of Education?

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 10, 2022 9:46


Dr. Wipke visits the Fifth Grade Center to talk to students Ellen, James, Kai, Malia, Max, and Miriam about Board of Education Recognition Month and what qualities are important in a board member and leader.

See. Serve. Connect. Episode #15: Discussing Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy of service with LHWHS seniors

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 12, 2022 24:48


Dr. Wipke is joined by Ladue Horton Watkins High School seniors Kennedy Alexander, Avinash Kamath, Oviya Srihari, and Ryan Tung to talk about the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and expand on one of his famous quotes on the meaning of service.

See. Serve. Connect. Episode #14: Talking about the district's newly-formed community book club

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 11, 2021 13:30


Dr. Wipke is joined by Ladue Middle School Principal Dr. Tiffany Taylor-Johnson and her son, Fifth Grade Center student Tristen, for a discussion on the district's One Book, One Community book club and "They Called Us Enemy" by George Takei. The community is invited to read the book as a family and join in on a virtual community book club discussion on Thursday, Nov. 18 at 6 p.m. More information can be found on the district's website at www.ladueschools.net.

See. Serve. Connect. Episode #13: Looking ahead to the Future-Ready Strategic Plan 2022-2027

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 1, 2021 27:55


Dr. Wipke chats with Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction Dr. Amy Zielinski and ELA Coordinator Laila Crabtree about developing the Strategic Plan and how Ladue Schools families can be part of the process.

See. Serve. Connect. Episode #12: May 2021 Excellence in Education Award-winner Brenna Roth of the Fifth Grade Center

Play Episode Listen Later May 28, 2021 12:03


Superintendent Dr. Jim Wipke talks with art teacher Brenna Roth of the Fifth Grade Center in the latest episode of See. Serve. Connect.

See. Serve. Connect. Episode #11: April 2021 Excellence in Education Award-winner Jamie Strauss of Conway Elementary

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 30, 2021 19:23


Superintendent Dr. Jim Wipke talks with kindergarten teacher Jamie Strauss of Conway Elementary in the latest episode of See. Serve. Connect.

See. Serve. Connect. Episode #10: March 2021 Excellence in Education Award-winner Tara McCarthy of the Ladue Early Childhood Center

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 10, 2021 13:58


Superintendent Dr. Jim Wipke talks with art teacher Tara McCarthy of the Ladue Early Childhood Center in the latest episode of See. Serve. Connect.

See. Serve. Connect. Episode #9: February 2021 Excellence in Education Award-winner Patricia Brown of Old Bonhomme Elementary

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 24, 2021 21:42


Superintendent Dr. Jim Wipke talks with technology specialist Patricia Brown of Old Bonhomme Elementary in the latest episode of See. Serve. Connect.

See. Serve. Connect. Episode #8: A conversation with John R. Green, executive producer with ABC News and former Ladue Schools student

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 28, 2021 32:25


Superintendent Dr. Jim Wipke talks with John R. Green, a former student at Old Bonhomme Elementary who now is Executive Producer of Special Programming with ABC News. John has kept his former school close to his heart in large part because of his first-grade teacher, Christine Williams. The two have remained close friends ever since John was a student in her class in the 1970s. In fact, Christine's influence on John's life inspired him to take on a new role in his professional career: children's author. John read two of his books to first-grade classes at Old Bonhomme via Zoom in December, with his former teacher also on the call.

See. Serve. Connect. Episode #7: January 2021 Excellence in Education Award-winner Susan Gartenberg of Reed Elementary

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 27, 2021 15:30


Superintendent Dr. Jim Wipke talks with counselor Susan Gartenberg of Reed Elementary in the latest episode of See. Serve. Connect.

See. Serve. Connect. Episode #6: December 2020 Excellence in Education Award-winner Kelly Jackson of Spoede Elementary

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 10, 2020 13:32


See. Serve. Connect. Episode #6: December 2020 Excellence in Education Award-winner Kelly Jackson of Spoede Elementary

See. Serve. Connect. Episode #5: October 2020 Excellence in Education Award-winner Megan Grossbauer of Ladue Middle School

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 27, 2020 12:44


Ladue Schools Superintendent Dr. Jim Wipke sits down with Megan Grossbauer, 7th grade math teacher at Ladue Middle School and winner of the district's Excellence in Education Award for October.

See. Serve. Connect. Episode #4: Talking with Excellence in Education Award-winner Wendy Guhr of LHWHS

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 30, 2020 15:51


Ladue Schools Superintendent Dr. Jim Wipke sits down with Wendy Guhr, English teacher at Ladue Horton Watkins High School and winner of the district's Excellence in Education Award for September.

See. Serve. Connect. Episode #3: Return to Learn Plan

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 24, 2020 22:32


Ladue Schools Superintendent Dr. Jim Wipke sits down with Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction Dr. Amy Zielinski to talk about staff and parent questions related to the district's Return to Learn Plan for the 2020-21 school year.

See. Serve. Connect. Episode #2: High School Seniors Interviewed

Play Episode Listen Later May 8, 2020 34:23


Ladue School District Superintendent Dr. Jim Wipke interviews three graduating seniors in the Class of 2020 about how they are coping being out of school and in isolation during the pandemic, their favorite memories from high school, and what's next for each student. This episode was produced by Don Goble, May, 2020.

See. Serve. Connect. Episode #1 with Dr. Jim Wipke

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 28, 2020 10:35


Join Ladue Superintendent Dr. Jim Wipke as he speaks to integral members of the Ladue community on the new podcast, See. Serve. Connect. In this introductory episode, Dr. Wipke outlines the future of this podcast – we hope you'll follow along! This podcast will serve to: 1. Support our students and staff to promote the wonderful happenings in our district! 2. Discuss public school education in today's times. 3. Engage our community Dr. Wipke will also have a thought to live by until the next podcast! If you'd like to view the video of this podcast, click here.

Claim See. Serve. Connect. with Dr. Jim Wipke

In order to claim this podcast we'll send an email to with a verification link. Simply click the link and you will be able to edit tags, request a refresh, and other features to take control of your podcast page!

Claim Cancel