In this feel-good, joy-filled episode of The Public School Podcast, Sara Hornick and Bobbi Schaefbauer welcome Knollwood Elementary’s dynamic duo Ali Williams, Teacher of the Year, and Tina Rank, Support Person of the Year.

These two bring sunshine everywhere they go, and this conversation proves it. Tina shares her 14-year journey as the heart of Knollwood, supporting tier-two and tier-three students, running crosswalk duty, mentoring kids who need a little extra love, and keeping spirits high through the school’s beloved Sunshine Committee.

Ali gives us a peek into her wildly creative first-grade classroom from human-body units that turn into ice-skating lessons to published class books, writing celebrations, and the breakthrough moments that make teaching magical.

Together, they talk about collaboration, community, patience, and the power of asking for help. Their stories from terminally ill students who changed their lives to fifth graders who still hug them in the hallways remind us why public schools matter and why the people inside them are everyday heroes.

This episode is warm, funny, heartfelt, and an absolute celebration of the people who keep our schools going.

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