Latest Boren Podcast Episodes

Marleis Trover: A Lifelong, Dedicated Educator

Engaging Bobcats - December 05, 2022 02:00 - 36 minutes
We sit down this month with Marleis Trover, someone who brings immense passion, not only to her role as an educator, but to her role as an advocate for educational equity and a passer of the administrative torch. I’ve known Marleis for years, and have seen her on numerous occasions, standing up ...

Promoting Healthy Futures: Environment is Everything

Engaging Bobcats - October 22, 2022 13:00 - 37 minutes
We welcome Meridian teaching phenoms Jennifer Beshue and Lisa Thomas aboard our podcasting ship to talk about Meridian schools' unique, organic culture and how it benefits everyone involved. The pair break down the reputation of Meridian as a "family" and highlight the exceptional support they r...

Making yourself available for your best future: Pathways & Possibilities

Engaging Bobcats - August 30, 2022 02:00 - 26 minutes
We had the honor to speak with Teale Betts at Shawnee Community College about some of the programs and pathways she has to help Meridian students not only prepare for their success while still in high school, but to provide postsecondary support once they’ve graduated. The Meridian School commun...

A behind-the-scenes visit with Meridian’s education enabler

Engaging Bobcats - June 20, 2022 18:00 - 23 minutes
Randy Gardner is the Director of Maintenance for Meridian, and he supervises a 10-person crew who make sure the buildings and all the mechanical systems serving them remain clean, functional and safe. When there’s a new playground, roof, or fencing system to install, Randy is the person the dist...

Mr. Malcolm Larry and a shout-out to the Class of ’22

Engaging Bobcats - May 20, 2022 18:00 - 27 minutes
Today is Friday, May 20th, one day before the Meridian Class of ’22 walks across the stage and receives their high school diplomas. I just want to say how proud I am of the young people of this remarkable school community. During this past year, I have had the opportunity to speak with dozens of...

Meridian Rising: On the strength of their wings

Engaging Bobcats - May 17, 2022 19:00 - 31 minutes
Napoleon Cook, Ben Tucker, and Jabron Bedward have plans for the days, months, and years that will follow their graduation on Saturday. They’re pragmatic young men. But they’re also brave young men, willing to dream and to take risks necessary for positioning themselves for a positive future. An...

Exploring Postsecondary Paths: The Big 8

Engaging Bobcats - April 26, 2022 03:00 - 19 minutes
This month we discuss the 8-primary postsecondary paths taken by high school seniors after graduation. While Beyond the Tassel’s primary focus is on strategies and insights to make the most of the college admissions process, we recognize that college isn’t for everyone.  In our episode for April...

The Joy and Positivity in Celebrating Progress NOT Perfection

Engaging Bobcats - January 20, 2022 02:00 - 30 minutes
On this episode, we’ll hear two outstanding Meridian educators talking about how they’ve navigated Covid along with the importance of ‘seeing students,’ of helping them to understand the joy in accountability, and of finding the positive in even our most challenging circumstances. You’ll hear th...

Meridian: What makes us who we are and how have we changed for the better?

Engaging Bobcats - November 15, 2021 12:00 - 27 minutes
Today we meet 5th grader, Reign Green, and discuss her plans for the future along with LaTasha Mandrell’s ideas about what makes our school community so unique. Superintendent, Jon Green, also weighs in on how far we’ve come in the last nearly half-decade as a school. Despite the challenges that...

Keyth Blissett and Maryanne Boren on Meridian’s Key Strengths (It’s the kids)

Engaging Bobcats - September 13, 2021 02:00 - 29 minutes
For our September episode, we sit down with Maryanne Boren, Principal of the Junior High and High School, and A/V Teacher, Keyth Blissett. We explore Meridian’s ‘secret sauce,’ talk about its uniqueness as a school community and chat about a few of the programs that have caught our attention, in...