Uploaded December 2024 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
How do educators bridge the gap between students' potential and their reality? In the final "Standing In The Gap" episode of 2024, we sit down with an inspiring group of employees from St. Petersburg College to explore the profound impact educators can have on their students' lives.
Joining this conversation are:
- Susan Demers – Dean of Public Policy, Public Safety, Ethics, and Legal Studies
- Raquel Hairston – Principal of St. Petersburg Collegiate STEM High School
- Ryan Halstead – Principal of St. Petersburg Collegiate High School, North Pinellas
- Kimberly Jackson – Executive Director of the Institute for Strategic Policy Solutions
- Ian Call – Principal of St. Petersburg Collegiate High School, Gibbs Campus
Together, they share personal stories, teaching philosophies, and strategies to help students overcome gaps in confidence, resources, and opportunity. From building meaningful relationships to recognizing untapped potential, these educators reveal what it truly means to "stand in the gap."
Tune in for an empowering discussion that highlights the transformative role of educators in shaping future leaders.
KEY POINTS:
[0:51] Susan's journey and teaching philosophy
[9:55] Challenges and support for SPC’s students
[18:25] How Susan stands in the gap
[19:08] Raquel's path to education and advocacy
[27:43] How Raquel supports students as a principal
[28:42] Ryan's transition to education and leadership
[37:08] Leadership as a cornerstone for students
[40:52] Tough job? An honor to be a principal of high school students
[45:10] What makes Collegiate High School stand out?
[50:32] Kimberly's staunch support for neurodiverse students
[1:03:40] Ian's inspiration and mission for Collegiate High School
QUOTABLES:
“The most common one is a gap in self-confidence. They do not feel like they know enough to even ask a question, so they're silent.” – Susan Demers
“It's important for us to examine those systemic structures, and just because we've done it this way for millions of years does not mean it's a path that we should continue, especially as we examine and see it's not working for a particular group of students.” – Raquel Hairston
“Relationships are one of the key components to helping students be successful and just being a part of seeing what those relationships look like—-from predecessors that came in empowering students.” – Ryan Halstead
“Standing in the gap means that you can't be what you can't see. [Students] may not have a straight line as they move on to whatever is in their future, but we have to have these tough conversations with our students who are struggling to understand and figure out what they want to do with their lives.” – Kimberly Jackson
“It's important for everyone to stand the gap because these students are our future they're our future leaders. They're your future employees. What kind of employees do you want?” – Ian Call
RESOURCES:
Susan Demers - https://www.spcollege.edu/friends-partners/about/leadership/leadership-directory
Raquel Hairston - linkedin.com/in/raquel-hairston-ed-d-6b6795ab
Ryan Hallstead - linkedin.com/in/ryan-halstead-39863858
Kimberly Jackson - https://isps.spcollege.edu/executive-director/
Ian Call - fox13news.com/news/collegiate-high-school-in-st-petersburg-earns-award-for-providing-quality-education
St. Petersburg College
Website | www.spcollege.edu
Facebook | facebook.com/stpetecollege
IG | instagram.com/stpetersburgcollege
YouTube | youtube.com/@SPC
LinkedIn | linkedin.com/company/st--petersburg-college
X | x.com/spcnews
Standing In The Gap is produced by EPYC Media Network | Visit at epyc.co
—————
St. Petersburg College was founded in 1927 as St. Petersburg Junior College, Florida's first two-year college. Our alumni rank first in the state for earning the highest entry wages among state community college graduates. Access, excellence, and student support are the hallmarks of SPC. Regionally accredited and nationally recognized, SPC was the first state college in Florida to offer bachelor’s degrees. We offer 200+ degree, certificate and transfer programs, as well as many high-demand, high-skill, industry-recognized workforce certifications. Our career-focused curriculum is created in conjunction with industry experts to ensure that SPC students are able to meet the needs of today’s employers.
To learn more about SPC, visit https://spcollege.edu.
How do educators bridge the gap between students' potential and their reality? In the final "Standing In The Gap" episode of 2024, we sit down with an inspiring group of employees from St. Petersburg College to explore the profound impact educators can have on their students' lives.
Joining this conversation are:
- Susan Demers – Dean of Public Policy, Public Safety, Ethics, and Legal Studies
- Raquel Hairston – Principal of St. Petersburg Collegiate STEM High School
- Ryan Halstead – Principal of St. Petersburg Collegiate High School, North Pinellas
- Kimberly Jackson – Executive Director of the Institute for Strategic Policy Solutions
- Ian Call – Principal of St. Petersburg Collegiate High School, Gibbs Campus
Together, they share personal stories, teaching philosophies, and strategies to help students overcome gaps in confidence, resources, and opportunity. From building meaningful relationships to recognizing untapped potential, these educators reveal what it truly means to "stand in the gap."
Tune in for an empowering discussion that highlights the transformative role of educators in shaping future leaders.
KEY POINTS:
[0:51] Susan's journey and teaching philosophy
[9:55] Challenges and support for SPC’s students
[18:25] How Susan stands in the gap
[19:08] Raquel's path to education and advocacy
[27:43] How Raquel supports students as a principal
[28:42] Ryan's transition to education and leadership
[37:08] Leadership as a cornerstone for students
[40:52] Tough job? An honor to be a principal of high school students
[45:10] What makes Collegiate High School stand out?
[50:32] Kimberly's staunch support for neurodiverse students
[1:03:40] Ian's inspiration and mission for Collegiate High School
QUOTABLES:
“The most common one is a gap in self-confidence. They do not feel like they know enough to even ask a question, so they're silent.” – Susan Demers
“It's important for us to examine those systemic structures, and just because we've done it this way for millions of years does not mean it's a path that we should continue, especially as we examine and see it's not working for a particular group of students.” – Raquel Hairston
“Relationships are one of the key components to helping students be successful and just being a part of seeing what those relationships look like—-from predecessors that came in empowering students.” – Ryan Halstead
“Standing in the gap means that you can't be what you can't see. [Students] may not have a straight line as they move on to whatever is in their future, but we have to have these tough conversations with our students who are struggling to understand and figure out what they want to do with their lives.” – Kimberly Jackson
“It's important for everyone to stand the gap because these students are our future they're our future leaders. They're your future employees. What kind of employees do you want?” – Ian Call
RESOURCES:
Susan Demers - https://www.spcollege.edu/friends-partners/about/leadership/leadership-directory
Raquel Hairston - linkedin.com/in/raquel-hairston-ed-d-6b6795ab
Ryan Hallstead - linkedin.com/in/ryan-halstead-39863858
Kimberly Jackson - https://isps.spcollege.edu/executive-director/
Ian Call - fox13news.com/news/collegiate-high-school-in-st-petersburg-earns-award-for-providing-quality-education
St. Petersburg College
Website | www.spcollege.edu
Facebook | facebook.com/stpetecollege
IG | instagram.com/stpetersburgcollege
YouTube | youtube.com/@SPC
LinkedIn | linkedin.com/company/st--petersburg-college
X | x.com/spcnews
Standing In The Gap is produced by EPYC Media Network | Visit at epyc.co
—————
St. Petersburg College was founded in 1927 as St. Petersburg Junior College, Florida's first two-year college. Our alumni rank first in the state for earning the highest entry wages among state community college graduates. Access, excellence, and student support are the hallmarks of SPC. Regionally accredited and nationally recognized, SPC was the first state college in Florida to offer bachelor’s degrees. We offer 200+ degree, certificate and transfer programs, as well as many high-demand, high-skill, industry-recognized workforce certifications. Our career-focused curriculum is created in conjunction with industry experts to ensure that SPC students are able to meet the needs of today’s employers.
To learn more about SPC, visit https://spcollege.edu.
