Podcast
Learning in Lake Oswego
Hosted by Mary Kay Larson, Dr. Jennifer Schiele · EN
Join Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Schiele as she gives us an inside look at the Lake Oswego School District. With over 20 years of experience as a school counselor, principal, and administrator, Jenn provides invaluable insight into K12 education and our district. In this podcast, you will hear candid conversations with knowledgeable guests who care deeply about our learning community. Mary Kay Larson, the communications director, district parent, and community resident, will host the show and add her perspective to the conversation. Whether you are new to the community or have been with the district for decades, there is always something to learn in the Lake Oswego School District. Tune in bi-weekly to learn more.
24episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Seniors Reflect on Their LOSD Journey
3d ago00:32:45Tap to summarizeThis episode is a little different and a little sentimental, as it wraps up Season 3 of Learning in Lake Oswego. Each year, our students walk across the graduation stage carrying years of memories: teachers who believed in them, activities that shaped their interests, and friendships that helped define who they’ve become. We’re joined by Nathan Ko and Max Koegler, two students who have experienced nearly all of it. As student representatives to the School Board, they’ve helped shape conversations about our district’s future while finishing their own journeys. In this conversation, they reflect on where they started, the moments that mattered most, and what comes next. We also hear from parents of graduating seniors, who share reflections and advice they wish they had known from the very beginning. Dr. Jennifer Schiele, Superintendent, LOSD Mary Kay Larson, Executive Director of Communications, LOSD Nathan Ko, Student, Lakeridge High School Max Koegler, Student, Lake Oswego High School To learn more about the topics we discussed, ask a question, or share ideas for future episodes, please visit LOSDSchools. org. And remember to like and follow us wherever you get your podcasts. Thank you for engaging with Learning in Lake Oswego. We appreciate your support and look forward to having you with us for our next episode.
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Navigating the College Application Journey
2w ago00:36:03Tap to summarizeIn this episode, we explore the college application process through multiple perspectives, with a focus on two common pathways: working with a school counselor or partnering with an independent counselor. Families often wonder what approach is “best,” and the answer, as you’ll hear, is that it depends. We’re joined by Adam Johnson, a school counselor at Lake Oswego High School, along with seniors Aiyana Flerchinger and Ben Kolman, who share their personal experiences navigating the process in different ways. Together, they offer practical insights, honest reflections, and reassurance for students and families at every stage. Whether you're just getting started or deep in the process, this episode offers clarity, perspective, and encouragement for the journey. Dr. Jennifer Schiele, Superintendent, LOSD Mary Kay Larson, Executive Director of Communications, LOSD Adam Johnson, School Counselor, Lake Oswego High School Aiyana Flerchinger, Student, Lake Oswego High School Ben Kolman, Student, Lakeridge High School To learn more about the topics we discussed, ask a question, or share ideas for future episodes, please visit LOSDSchools. org. And remember to like and follow us wherever you get your podcasts. Thank you for engaging with Learning in Lake Oswego. We appreciate your support and look forward to having you with us for our next episode.
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Sustainability in our Schools
Apr 1400:29:07Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Learning in Lake Oswego, we highlight the partnerships that bring sustainability and environmental stewardship to life in our schools. For the past five years, LOSD has partnered with the Lake Oswego Sustainability Network, Oswego Lake Watershed Council, and the City of Lake Oswego’s Sustainability Advisory Board to host the annual Sustainability Resource Fair. What began as a showcase of sustainable building practices has grown into a vibrant community event, connecting dozens of organizations and offering hands-on learning for students and families. We’re joined by two key partners in this work: Dorothy Atwood, who helps connect students with meaningful environmental learning experiences, and Leigh Campbell, founder of Shifting Gears/Gifting Gears, a program that redistributes donated bicycles to local youth. Together, they share how community collaboration is helping students learn, contribute, and take action. Dr. Jennifer Schiele, Superintendent, LOSD Mary Kay Larson, Executive Director of Communications, LOSD Dorothy Atwood, Volunteer, Lake Oswego Sustainability Network Leigh Campbell, Volunteer, Shifting Gears/Gifting Gears To learn more about the topics we discussed, ask a question, or share ideas for future episodes, please visit LOSDSchools. org. And remember to like and follow us wherever you get your podcasts. Thank you for engaging with Learning in Lake Oswego. We appreciate your support and look forward to having you with us for our next episode.
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Ethics Bowl Champions in Thinking, Listening, and Leading
Mar 3100:37:31Tap to summarizeLake Oswego students made history this year, sweeping the 2026 Oregon Ethics Bowl at both the middle and high school levels. Ten teams. Fifty students. And countless hours of thoughtful dialogue, collaboration, and courageous thinking. In this episode, we hear directly from four students who helped lead the way. They offer a window into what Ethics Bowl really is, and what it isn’t. This isn’t a debate. It’s not about winning an argument. It’s about listening deeply, considering multiple perspectives, and working collaboratively to explore complex, real-world ethical questions. We dive into some of this year’s topics, including the role of AI in the courtroom and how we think about exposure to different ways of life. Most importantly, this conversation highlights how students grow through the process, not just as critical thinkers, but as teammates, communicators, and leaders. Tune in to hear how Lake Oswego students are learning to navigate complexity with curiosity, empathy, and confidence, and why experiences like Ethics Bowl are shaping skills that matter far beyond the classroom. Dr. Jennifer Schiele, Superintendent, LOSD Mary Kay Larson, Executive Director of Communications, LOSD Finn Kelly, Student, Lake Oswego Middle School Jai Lim, Student, Lake Oswego Middle School Sophia Lu, Student, Lake Oswego High School Norway Vo, Student, Lake Oswego High School To learn more about the topics we discussed, ask a question, or share ideas for future episodes, please visit LOSDSchools. org. And remember to like and follow us wherever you get your podcasts. Thank you for engaging with Learning in Lake Oswego. We appreciate your support and look forward to having you with us for our next episode.
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Hands-On Science: Curiosity and Discovery in Elementary Classrooms
Mar 1700:34:06Tap to summarizeWhat does science look like in an elementary classroom today? In this episode of Learning in Lake Oswego, we explore how hands-on science experiences are helping elementary students develop curiosity, critical thinking, and confidence as learners. Science instruction has evolved in many ways since many of us were in school. Today’s classrooms emphasize inquiry, experimentation, and discovery, encouraging students to ask questions, test ideas, and learn through doing. Special guests include Kelly Hutchison, an elementary teacher, and Quin Campbell, one of her students. Also joining the show is Brian Toye, the district’s science coordinator, who works closely with teachers across LOSD to support hands-on science learning, providing everything from worms and fish to batteries, circuits, and building materials that bring science concepts to life. Together, they discuss what hands-on science looks like in our elementary schools, why experiential learning matters, and how these early opportunities help students begin to see themselves as scientists. Dr. Jennifer Schiele, Superintendent, LOSD Mary Kay Larson, Executive Director of Communications, LOSD Kelly Hutchison, Teacher, River Grove Elementary School Quin Campbell, Student, River Grove Elementary School Brian Toye, Science Coordinator, LOSD To learn more about the topics we discussed, ask a question, or share ideas for future episodes, please visit LOSDSchools. org. And remember to like and follow us wherever you get your podcasts. Thank you for engaging with Learning in Lake Oswego. We appreciate your support and look forward to having you with us for our next episode.
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Student Leadership in Action: Inside the Oregon Youth Leadership Alliance
Mar 300:29:41Tap to summarizeStudent leadership in action is the highlight of this episode of Learning in Lake Oswego. Several of our high school students are members of the Oregon Youth Leadership Alliance (OYLA), a student-run organization dedicated to youth leadership and networking across Oregon. Recently, they helped organize and host the 2026 BIPOC Student Leadership Conference at Lakeridge High School, bringing together students, nonprofit leaders, and elected officials from across the Portland Metro area to focus on leadership, advocacy, networking, and belonging. Tara Reddy and Layla Riquelme-Cheung are two of the student organizers behind the conference. They share what it takes to plan a regional, student-led event, why creating spaces for BIPOC students and welcoming allies matters, and how young leaders are building connections and shaping their communities. Dr. Jennifer Schiele, Superintendent, LOSD Mary Kay Larson, Executive Director of Communications, LOSD Tara Reddy, Student, Lakeridge High School Layla Riquelme-Cheung, Student, Lakeridge High School To learn more about the topics we discussed, ask a question, or share ideas for future episodes, please visit LOSDSchools. org. And remember to like and follow us wherever you get your podcasts. Thank you for engaging with Learning in Lake Oswego. We appreciate your support and look forward to having you with us for our next episode.
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The Joy and Power of SMART Reading
Feb 1700:25:20Tap to summarizeReading is foundational to everything we do in schools. Across Oregon and the nation, too many children are struggling to meet early literacy benchmarks. While our teachers and families are working incredibly hard to support young readers, literacy is not something schools can do alone. It takes time, consistency, partnership, and a shared belief that reading opens doors.In this episode, we explore one powerful example of that partnership in action: the SMART Reading program.Active in one of our elementary schools and serving children across Oregon for more than 30 years, SMART Reading connects trained volunteers with students to build confidence, skills, and, most importantly, the joy of reading. Together, we discuss why early literacy matters now more than ever; how consistent one-on-one reading time makes a difference; the power of community volunteers in supporting student success; and what it looks like when a child discovers the joy of reading. This episode is a reminder that literacy is a shared responsibility, and when schools and community partners work together, students thrive.Dr. Jennifer Schiele, Superintendent, LOSDMary Kay Larson, Executive Director of Communications, LOSDLisa Stephens, Instructional Specialist, River Grove Elementary SchoolKevin Faris, SMART Reading Volunteer and Lake Oswego ResidentLukas Gardner, Kindergartener, River Grove Elementary School To learn more about the topics we discussed, ask a question, or share ideas for future episodes, please visit LOSDSchools. org. And remember to like and follow us wherever you get your podcasts. Thank you for engaging with Learning in Lake Oswego. We appreciate your support and look forward to having you with us for our next episode.
Transcribe →Finding Your Voice: Speech & Debate in Middle School
Feb 300:43:40Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Learning in Lake Oswego, we’re diving into speech and debate in middle school, one of the most powerful ways students build confidence, sharpen critical thinking, and learn how to communicate respectfully, even when perspectives differ.Joining us are Jay Ashiknos, a teacher at Lakeridge Middle School, and Connor Rozgo, a seventh grader experiencing speech and debate firsthand. Together, they share what speech and debate looks like in middle school classrooms, why it resonates with students, and how it supports skills that extend far beyond the podium. Tune in to hear how students are learning to think deeply, speak confidently, and engage thoughtfully with the world around them.Dr. Jennifer Schiele, Superintendent, LOSDMary Kay Larson, Executive Director of Communications, LOSDJay Ashkinos, Teacher, Lakeridge Middle SchoolConnor Rozgo, Student, Lakeridge Middle School To learn more about the topics we discussed, ask a question, or share ideas for future episodes, please visit LOSDSchools. org. And remember to like and follow us wherever you get your podcasts. Thank you for engaging with Learning in Lake Oswego. We appreciate your support and look forward to having you with us for our next episode.
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College Athlete Recruiting: A Candid Conversation with Coach Coury and Coach Phillips
Jan 2000:53:53Tap to summarizeThis episode pulls back the curtain on one of the most exciting and often confusing parts of the high school journey: the college athletic recruiting process. In this episode of Learning in Lake Oswego, Superintendent Jennifer Schiele leads a candid, practical conversation designed for student-athletes and families. With her perspective as both an educational leader and a parent who recently navigated recruiting firsthand, Dr. Schiele helps ground the discussion in what truly matters: growth, balance, and finding the right fit.Joining her are two trusted voices who see recruiting from every angle: Steve Coury, head football coach at Lake Oswego High School, and Spencer Phillips, head coach at Lakeridge High School. Fierce competitors on the field and respected colleagues off it, both coaches share insights from their own college playing days and decades of experience guiding student-athletes through recruiting. Together, they address common misconceptions, shifting timelines, scholarship realities, the role of academics, and how social media and early specialization fit into today’s landscape.Whether a student-athlete dreams of competing at the next level or is simply curious about what recruiting really looks like, this episode offers candid insights. Listeners will hear practical advice about what students can control, how families can support, and how to evaluate fit beyond athletics. While this episode talks about playing at the next level, the key takeaway is clear: make the most of your time in our schools.Dr. Jennifer Schiele, Superintendent, LOSDMary Kay Larson, Executive Director of Communications, LOSDSteve Coury, Head Coach, Football, Lake Oswego High School Spencer Phillips, Head Coach, Football, Lakeridge High School To learn more about the topics we discussed, ask a question, or share ideas for future episodes, please visit LOSDSchools. org. And remember to like and follow us wherever you get your podcasts. Thank you for engaging with Learning in Lake Oswego. We appreciate your support and look forward to having you with us for our next episode.
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Learning, Leadership, and Belonging at the Lakeridge School Store
Jan 600:25:13Tap to summarizeWhat happens when students are trusted to run a business that serves their entire school community? In this episode of Learning in Lake Oswego, we take you inside one of the most active hubs of learning and connection at Lakeridge High School: the student-run school store.The store brings together students from across campus—including DECA, ASB, and the Pathways LifeSkills program—offering meaningful, real-world experience in customer service, money management, marketing, teamwork, and leadership. Even more importantly, it’s a place where students of all abilities work side by side, building confidence, relationships, and a strong sense of belonging.To help tell this story, we’re joined by two remarkable student leaders: Margaret Fleming, a Lakeridge sophomore in the Pathways program, and Beatrice Madden, a Lakeridge senior and DECA president. Together, they exemplify the leadership, collaboration, and inclusive spirit that make the school store such a powerful learning space.Dr. Jennifer Schiele, Superintendent, LOSDMary Kay Larson, Executive Director of Communications, LOSDMargaret Fleming, Student, Lakeridge High SchoolBeatrice Madden, Student, Lakeridge High School To learn more about the topics we discussed, ask a question, or share ideas for future episodes, please visit LOSDSchools. org. And remember to like and follow us wherever you get your podcasts. Thank you for engaging with Learning in Lake Oswego. We appreciate your support and look forward to having you with us for our next episode.
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