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Notes in the Margin host Nick Pettit speaks with Kim O'Hara, a Project SEARCH instructor for North Kansas City Schools with over 20 years of special education experience, about work-based learning opportunities and internships designed to help students with disabilities gain competitive, inclusive employment after high school.Through partnerships with organizations like Children's Mercy Hospital, Bright Horizons and University Health, interns gain experience in fields ranging from distribution, IT and supply stocking to childcare and mailroom operations.Demonstrating the program's impact, O'Hara shares the story of a former intern who built strong communication skills during his rotations and secured full-time employment with benefits at University Health, earning over $20 per hour.

Notes in the Margin host Nick Pettit speaks with Cammy Neth, coordinator of the Future Ready Lab in North Kansas City Schools, about student innovation and creative courage. Drawing on her experience as a former fifth-grade teacher and director of the nation's largest animatronics lab outside California, Cammy reframes creativity as engineering and strategic thinking rather than just art or technology. She shares practical strategies to make learning authentic and engaging by using "what if" questions and normalizing failure as a vital part of the design process. Cammy also highlights the importance of teachers modeling lifelong learning alongside their students to build trust and encourage experimentation. Ultimately, these hands-on, problem-solving experiences give all students, particularly those who struggle in traditional settings, the autonomy, resilience and confidence to see the genuine value in their ideas.

In the inaugural episode of Notes in the Margin, host Nick Pettit sits down with Leah Plummer, a fourth-grade teacher at Maplewood Elementary and a district demonstration teacher in both math and writing, to discuss the transformative power of literacy. Leah shares her insights on how intentional interactive read-alouds can beautifully bridge multiple content areas while fostering deep emotional connections for students. The conversation dives into a profound perspective on the concept of "mirrors" in literature, emphasizing the necessity for books to reflect children's lived experiences rather than just their physical appearances. Drawing from her own journey and classroom practices, Leah highlights the critical responsibility educators have to intentionally select, preview, and truly know their classroom libraries to successfully engage and inspire young readers.