What happens when students have a place where they feel supported, seen, and ready to focus on learning?

In this episode of Elevated Insights, Superintendent Dr. Mark Ernst records from Deseret Peak High School to spotlight the Teen Center and the people behind some of the district’s most meaningful student support services. Joined by Jennifer Firth, the district’s McKinney‑Vento Liaison; Kristine Naylor, Director of At‑Risk Students and Teen Centers; and Denise Martin, Teen Center aide at DPHS, the conversation explores how removing everyday barriers can completely change a student’s school experience.

Listeners hear how access to resources like food, hygiene items, laundry, quiet study space, and trusted adults helps students feel confident, connected, and ready to learn. The episode also features a powerful student letter describing how the DPHS Teen Center helped her improve her grades, rebuild confidence, and find a place where she truly belongs.

This is an uplifting, honest look at how schools, community partners, and the Tooele Education Foundation work together to support students not just academically, but socially and personally as well — and why these quiet supports matter more than most people realize.

In this episode of Elevated Insights, we step onto the mat with members of the Grantsville High School girls wrestling team, one of the Utah's fastest‑growing sports with one of the most successful programs. Joined by Superintendent Ernst and student cohost Rebekah Smith, the athletes share what motivates them, how the sport has shaped their confidence and resilience, and what it’s like to be part of a program that has earned multiple state titles and top finishes in its early years. With stories of teamwork, grit, and personal growth, this episode showcases the heart of a program that’s inspiring students and redefining what’s possible in girls wrestling across Utah.