What began as an effort by two moms to be more involved in their children’s education has evolved into a broader initiative to keep the Crosby-Ironton community informed.
Liz Toftness and Janel Lewandowski are the creators and hosts of the ProjectUnite Podcast. The show focuses on the positive developments within the Crosby-Ironton School District and helps locals stay informed while gaining a better understanding of the school system.
“I think we often criticize large organizations when things aren’t going our way,” Toftness said in an interview on May 7. “But once you see what’s happening behind the scenes—how many fires they’re trying to put out and the strain caused by budget cuts—it becomes clearer why things aren’t always perfect.”
Toftness and Lewandowski both had experience homeschooling their children before transitioning to public school. At first, they found the change difficult, especially when it came to staying updated on their children’s education. With five kids between them, the women had many questions about communication within the schools, and they weren’t alone in feeling this way.
Project Unite, a grassroots initiative that started a few years ago, is a partnership between families, community members, and district staff. It aims to improve communication, support staff, encourage volunteerism, and foster school pride. While Toftness and Lewandowski weren’t involved in launching the project, they became passionate participants and watched it grow into a positive force within the community.
Now in its third season, the ProjectUnite Podcast continues to shine a light on Crosby-Ironton’s teachers, staff, and students. The podcast covers a wide range of topics, from profiling administrators to discussing financial challenges and celebrating unique teacher initiatives.
“We have these casual conversations and let people listen in,” Lewandowski explained. “There’s so much happening, and people have a lot to say about schools right now. It’s been a way for me to clear up some of my own misunderstandings.”
For Toftness, public school was initially a big adjustment. As someone who was homeschooled through high school, she hadn’t anticipated how much her kids would grow in a traditional school environment and the strong connections they would form with teachers and peers. Through ProjectUnite and the podcast, she has come to appreciate the positive changes in the district, while also understanding the challenges, such as financial struggles and failed referendums.
“We’re also working to highlight what’s going well in the district to help increase enrollment,” Toftness said. “There are many children in our area who aren’t attending our local school, and we want to break down misconceptions and remove unnecessary barriers.”
Lewandowski, who moved from St. Paul to Crosby-Ironton 13 years ago, never imagined she could make a real difference in her local school system. Now, rather than simply criticizing or feeling disheartened, she is actively involved in shaping the community’s future.
Looking ahead, the women hope to interview more students on the podcast, to learn about their concerns and better understand their experiences in the school district.