Episode 127: Ronni Weiss
Ronni Weiss was born in Philadelphia and lived there until she graduated high school. She attended Simmons college in Boston and moved to Pittsburgh in 1973. Professionally she worked in the social work and counseling fields until she retired. Music has been an ongoing and important part of her life and since retiring, she has more time to devote to it. Her spirituality is rooted in Judaism and leans toward Christ Consciousness.
In addition, Ronni has been part of environmental organizations, food justice initiatives, planned parenthood and women’s rights groups to name a few. She has one daughter and one grandson, both living in Pittsburgh. Venues where she has recently appeared include: Mary's Vine, Greenfield Greenhouse and the Blue Sky Bar. Stay to the end and she will treat you with a song from her recently released CD: DREAM.
Episode 120: Kellie Skweres
Kellie Skweres, Teacher Support Liaison for Pittsburgh Public Schools, is a member of the district’s Office of Professional Learning. She has served in her current position for over ten years, facilitating and managing New Teacher Induction. In her more than 25 years in Public Education, she has also worked as an Instructional Teacher Leader, Curriculum Coach, Curriculum Writer, Intervention Specialist and classroom teacher for Elementary, Middle, and High School.
In addition to her current role, Kellie also works as a Racial Equity Affiliate, providing educators foundational skills to engage in conversations around race and racism and their impact on students.
Her most recent project focuses on supporting new teachers through mentorship. She has developed, implemented and is currently facilitating the professional learning of current District mentors and providing systemic approaches of support within and across schools as they engage in this work.
Kellie is a wife of twenty-seven years and mom of four children, two boys and two girls. She resides in Lincoln Place –the same town she grew up in as a child—with her two dogs and three cats. In her spare time, she loves to take walks in the woods and drink coffee on her deck.
Episode 49: John Wray
Retired PCUSA employee and lifelong Presbyterian John Wray speaks out on important issues for all Christian denominations and for local churches. As an economic and political conservative with liberal social views, he brings a unique perspective to these contemporary issues.
Retired PCUSA employee and lifelong Presbyterian John Wray speaks out on important issues for all Christian denominations and for local churches. As an economic and political conservative with liberal social views, he brings a unique perspective to these contemporary issues.
Episode 33: Bill Vandivier
Bill Vandivier has traveled multiple career paths including music, child development, banking and social service. His spiritual path led him away from commercial banking and into working for the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth, where he helped low-income homeowners to make essential repairs and providing financial counseling to help them avoid foreclosure.