In this episode of All The Things: The Aldine ISD Podcast, guest host, Aldine ISD Podcast Engineer and Multimedia Specialist, Luke Rabalais sits down with the people who make it happen in schools. TEACHERS! We are kicking off Teacher Appreciation Week with Aldine ISD 2022 District Teachers of the Year Linda Nigro, Vardeman Primary School Physical Education Teacher, and Daryle Freeman, Davis Senior High School Choir Director. The teachers share what makes a good teacher, how to build connections with their students, and how they guide their students to be confident at school and beyond. 

RESOURCES: 

2022 Educators of the Year Breakfast 

2022 Teachers of the Year Finalist Video

Books mentioned in this episode:

Steal Like an Artist by Austin Kleon

I Know This Much is True by Wally Lamb

Storm Light Archive by Brandon Sanderson

Lord of the Rings Trilogy by J. R. R. Tolkien

Charlotte's Web by E. B. White

Special Thanks to April Praise, Bryce Powers, Luke Rabalais, Sheleah D. Reed, APR, and Valonia Walker, APR

Aldine Education Foundation Director, Linda Flores Olson, and Aldine Education Board Member and Senior Vice President of Brokerage Services for Caldwell Companies, Bill Ginder, join Aldine ISD Chief of Staff Sheleah D. Reed, APR for a conversation about providing choices and opportunities for Aldine ISD students. Aldine Education Foundation (AEF) was established in 2012 to assist Aldine ISD in reaching its goal to provide choices and opportunities for students now and in their future. Learn more about ways you can give back to Aldine ISD students through Aldine Education Foundation. 

RESOURCES: 

How You Can Support Aldine Students/Teachers

aldineeducationfoundation.org

Aldine Education Foundation Scholars

Student Scholarships

Teacher Grants

Books mentioned in the episode:

Oh, the Places You'll Go! by Dr. Suess

The Bible

Special Thanks to April Praise, Bryce Powers, Luke Rabalais, Sheleah D. Reed, APR and Valonia Walker, APR

We are closing out Women's History Month in Aldine ISD.  In this special edition of All The Things: The Aldine ISD Podcast, Chief of Staff and Host Sheleah D. Reed, APR, delivers the January 2022 Texas Conference of Women School Educators (TCWSE) Keynote during the Texas Association of School Administrators (TASA) Midwinter Conference. We hope you will take away some gems from this special keynote address. 

As you go about your day remember to:

WATCH: Becoming a Leader | TCWSE 2022 Keynote Sheleah Reed 

Special Thanks to April Praise, Bryce Powers, Luke Rabalais, Sheleah Reed, and Valonia Walker

Ermel Elementary School principal, Erik Torres, joins Aldine ISD Chief of Staff, Sheleah D. Reed, APR, to discuss what it was like for him to grow up in Aldine. Torres is a product of Aldine ISD and loved the community so much that he came back to lead the elementary campus he attended. In this episode, we discuss the importance of leaders knowing their students, families, and communities. Torres also shares his journey into education, year one of the Additional Day School Year (ADSY) program, what makes Ermel students and staff special, and he even shared a few travel stories. 

RESOURCES:

Aldine ISD to Implement ADSY Program at Ermel Elementary, Vines Primary

Books mentioned in this episode: 

We Were Eight Years in Power by Ta-Nehisi Coates

Lord of the Flies by William Golding

A Promised Land by Barack Obama

Dreams From My Father by Barack Obama

Special Thanks to April Praise, Bryce Powers, Luke Rabalais, Sheleah Reed, and Valonia Walker

Happy Women's History Month! In this episode, our special guest host Dr. Faviola Cantu, School Assistant Superintendent for Elementary Schools and fan of the podcast, celebrates the many contributions of women. She sits down with Aldine ISD Associate Superintendent of Schools for High Schools, Dr. Xochitl Rodríguez. The two discuss how the women in their lives empowered them to be tenacious, to speak their minds, and to walk in their purpose. 

Listen and learn how Dr. Rodríguez made her way to Aldine ISD and how she ensures our high school students graduate with choices and opportunities. Enjoy lots of laughs between the two Sister SAS. We encourage you to take time this month to reflect on the special women in your life who inspire you. 

During the month of February, we celebrate National CTE Month to raise awareness of the role that CTE courses have in preparing students for college and career success. In this episode, Aldine ISD Chief of Staff, Sheleah Reed, APR, is joined by Eisenhower High School culinary arts teacher, Ashley Gibson, and senior culinary arts student Mary Lopez. Ashley and Mary discuss their passion for food and how it brings people together. Listen to learn how the Eisenhower culinary arts classroom transforms into a student-led restaurant each week. 

RESOURCES: 

Follow Eisenhower HS Culinary Arts at @BigIkeCulinary

Books mentioned in this episode:

Yaqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your A** by Meg Medina

The Professional Chef by The Culinary Institute of America

Special Thanks to April Praise, Bryce Powers, Luke Rabalais, Sheleah Reed, and Valonia Walker

In this episode of All The Things: The Aldine ISD Podcast we are celebrating Black History Month! Aldine ISD Chief of Staff, Sheleah D. Reed, APR, is joined by international award winner Roshunda Jones-Koumba, director of the Carver High School Panther Players Troupe #6753, and Ryan Randolph, Carver Magnet High School junior and Troupe #6753 Board Vice-Chair. 

Roshunda and Ryan discuss how they got started in theatre, how their award-winning theatre troupe produces high-quality performances, and where performing arts can take you after high school. Join the Panther Players and the rest of the performing arts students at the Carver High School Black History Show at 6:30 p.m. on February 25, 2022, in the Carver High School Auditorium. 

RESOURCES:

Carver Magnet High School 

Choice School Enrollment is open for the 2022-2023 School Year. Visit enroll.aldineisd.org for more information.

Books mentioned in this episode - Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck and The Color Purple by Alice Walker

Special Thanks to April Praise, Bryce Powers, Luke Rabalais, Sheleah Reed, and Valonia Walker

In this episode, we celebrate Board Appreciation Month with past Aldine ISD Board President Paul Shanklin. Mr. Shanklin joins us to talk about making a difference as a school board member and working to provide choices and opportunities for students. He also shares his love of music and tennis with us. Don't forget to thank our Aldine ISD School Board members by using #SchoolBoardMonth on social media. 

RESOURCES:

Learn More about our School Board Members

Books mentioned in this episode:

CASTE: The Origins of Our Discontent by Isabel Wilkerson

The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson

Special Thanks to April Praise, Bryce Powers, Luke Rabalais, Sheleah Reed, and Valonia Walker

This is a special episode because it is the ONE-YEAR Anniversary of All The Things: The Aldine ISD Podcast! We have been sharing stories of Aldine ISD programs and people for one whole year. Thank you to all of our listeners for your support. 

The name of this episode is fitting because we are talking to the principal of our new all Boy's Choice School, Jonathan Kegler, and Aldine ISD Chief Transformation Officer, Adrian Bustillos. During this episode, these Exponential Game Changers explain why Aldine ISD is creating an all-boys school, what their hopes for the campus and future students are, and most importantly how families can apply for the newest Choice School. 

RESOURCES:

Aldine ISD Hosts Virtual Media Event to Announce Newest Choice School for Young Men

Aldine ISD announces new leadership academy for boys (Houston Chronicle)

Aldine ISD, PVAMU to open academy for young men of color (Defender)

Choice School Enrollment is open for the 2022-2023 School Year. Visit enroll.aldineisd.org for more information.

Books mentioned in this episode - The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin, Multipliers by Liz Wiseman, The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson, and The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid. 

Special Thanks to April Praise, Bryce Powers, Luke Rabalais, Sheleah Reed, and Valonia Walker

"Breathe In....and Breathe Out." We hope you are all taking a Break and a Breather for yourself this holiday season. Although the holidays can be joyous for some, they can be stressful for others. Today’s episode will focus on Social and emotional learning (SEL) and how Aldine ISD is supporting students by implementing SEL districtwide. During this episode, Aldine ISD Social Emotional Learning & Culture Specialist, Savannah Ray, explains how we can use SEL in our everyday lives.