About this episode

This episode features a live discussion on the 2026 State of the Schools event with various guests from the education sector.

Welcome to The Become Here Project: A Des Moines Public Schools podcast. This episode is live in front of a studio audience at the Central Campus auditorium for the 2026 State of the Schools event. Amanda Lewis ' student co-host is Irene Alobo of North High School and Central Campus. Guests joining the Reimagining Education discussion are: Des Moines Mayor Connie Boesen , DMPS Interim Superintendent Matt Smith , Reimagining Education Project Manager Dr. Bekah Harris , and By Degrees CEO Emily Westergaard . Learn more about Reimagining Education here . Come Here. Become Here. Follow DMPS: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ , ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Flickr⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ , ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ , ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ . Hosted by Amanda Lewis Produced by Kyle Knicley, DMPS-TV

More episodes of The Become Here Project

• 28. That's News to Me Crew · March 31, 2026 · 17 min
• 26. Community Partnerships 101 · December 8, 2025 · 18 min
• 25. Career & Technical Education · October 8, 2025 · 16 min
• 24. What is New for the 2025-26 DMPS School Year · August 20, 2025 · 25 min
• 23. Reimagining Education⁠ at Des Moines Public Schools · July 31, 2025 · 16 min
• 22. Diploma+ : Reflecting Unique Strengths, Passions, and Future Goals of Students · July 2, 2025 · 23 min

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