The Leap Into Wellness Podcast Network is a place of support for teachers and professionals who find that being busy, overwhelmed, and stressed interferes with their ability to prioritize self-care. This collaboration between La Grande School District and Eastern Oregon University provides content to inspire, teach, and support the ongoing professional and wellness journeys of school employees.
Programming includes:
La Grande School District Podcast- A series of inspirational, humorous, and informative interviews with educational professionals
Fit 2 Teach - Weekly series that provides evidence based health information with sustainable and attainable action items to improve wellness
La Grande School District Podcast: Interview with Margaret Spence
Building Connections Through the Middle School Library: Clubs, Battle of the Books, and Student Support with Margaret Spence
Brett Smith and Scott Carpenter welcome La Grande Middle School librarian Margaret Spence, who shares her path from Youth in Transition liaison (McKinney-Vento) to kindergarten para, behavior interventionist, and then librarian. Spence describes expanding the library into a hub for students by launching clubs such as Chess Club, Art Club (maker-style projects), and a monthly “choose your own book” book club with a tea-party format. She restarted Oregon Battle of the Books at the middle school, leading a team to win regionals in Baker City and compete at state in Salem, finishing 11th, after securing sponsors to reduce parent costs. She also received a grant to start a drama/theater club and started a yearbook, noting time constraints as her main challenge. Spence emphasizes building relationships so students trust her, engage in reading, and have a safe after-school space with snacks.
00:00 Welcome and Introductions
00:30 Scott’s Life Updates
02:46 Margaret’s Education Path
05:30 Building Library Clubs
06:55 Battle of the Books
10:04 New Drama Club Plans
10:34 Why Clubs Matter
12:31 Growing Student Interest
14:22 Powerful Student Moments
16:14 Challenges and Time Balance
17:04 Closing Appreciation
29 Apr 2026
Matt Wolcott: Teaching, Coaching, and Family Life in La Grande
Matt Wolcott on Teaching, Coaching, and Finishing the School Year Strong in La Grande Brett Smith and Scott Carpenter host the Turning Point Podcast with guest Matt Wolcott, a 26-year La Grande School District educator who currently teaches high school physical education and health. Wolcott discusses additional work including teaching an officiating course to recruit young officials and helping launch the district’s driver’s education program after the regional program ended, ensuring compliance with ODOT. He outlines his coaching history as a head coach in wrestling, football, and track (now in his sixth year), and talks about the challenges of balancing teaching, coaching, and family life with four children, including coaching his own kids. The conversation highlights the busy spring schedule of field trips, testing, graduation, and state events, the flexibility required to support heavily involved students, and how students’ growth and resilience keep Wolcott motivated.
00:00 Welcome and Introductions
00:25 End of Year School Rush
01:27 Meet Matt Wolcott
02:04 Teaching Roles and New Courses
02:58 Drivers Ed Program Story
04:03 Coaching Journey Across Sports
05:08 Balancing Coaching and Family
09:09 Coaching Your Own Kids
11:08 Springtime at the High School
16:13 Why Teaching Still Matters
18:36 Finish Strong Closing Thoughts
9 Apr 2026
Springtime in the Front Office: A School Secretary’s Role at Island City
Springtime in the Front Office: A School Secretary’s Role at Island City
On a Friday morning Turning Point Podcast episode, the hosts talk with Island City head secretary Ms. Perry (with Mr. Carpenter) about her path from office administration work to stay-at-home parenting, then returning to school as a para and eventually becoming head secretary. They discuss the springtime rush in a school office, including field trips, awards, state testing, kindergarten roundup, year-end rollovers, Q files, and ordering supplies, while also planning the next school year. Mr. Carpenter describes how administrators and office staff manage overlapping school years, budgeting, staffing, negotiations, and district cuts. Ms. Perry explains the pressure of arranging substitutes, the learning curve of the role, confidentiality, supporting students and families in tough circumstances, and the importance of strong principal–secretary teamwork. They close by recognizing head secretaries across the district.
00:00 Podcast Welcome Banter
00:53 Diet Coke Ritual
01:37 Why Become Secretary
04:08 April Office Chaos
05:20 Two Years At Once
07:30 Sub Finder Pressure
09:04 Learning The Role
11:37 Confidential Heart Work
13:25 Admin Office Teamwork
16:54 Managing Stress Together
20:15 Shout Out Secretaries
21:24 Closing Thanks
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 19 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
38
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
0
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Guest appearances
Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Questions about LEAP Into Wellness
Who hosts LEAP Into Wellness?
Kyle Pfaffenbach host the show. Published by EOU LEAP Lab.
How often do new episodes come out?
The show publishes monthly, based on its RSS feed.
Does LEAP Into Wellness take guests?
Yes. Guests have been identified in episode analyses.
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