Today I am talking with Natalie Platschka, a Kindergarten teacher in Fort Worth, TX. I met Natalie in 2017, when she was a Business student enrolled my class and considering a change to Education. She started off as a middle school Social Studies teacher but quickly made the switch to early childhood. She has definitely found her home in Kindergarten, and she has so many great stories and lessons to share with us. I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did!

Episode 21: Andrew Brinker

Today I am talking with Andrew Brinker, a high school Environmental Science teacher in Fort Worth, TX. I met Andrew in 2019 when I was recruiting teachers for a National Science Foundation research project, and we have been working together ever since. Andrew’s work on the Trinity River Turtle Survey has been featured in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram and KERA, to name a few, as well as in science conferences in Texas and around the country. He is the sponsor of the recycling club at Paschal High School, as well as the science club and his students compete in science competitions all over the state. Andrew was named the 2020 Environmental Educator of the Year by the Texas Environmental Excellence Awards, and in this episode you will see why. He is an ambassador for science, the environment, and experiential learning, and I hope you learn as much as I did from talking with him.

Episode 20: Lauren Waldman

Today I am talking with Lauren Waldman, a high school social studies teacher in Dallas, TX. I first met Lauren as a high school student when she was on a campus visit at TCU. The next fall she enrolled in my introductory education class, and I was so glad to see she had enrolled. I taught Lauren in a couple more classes at TCU, and she spent a year working for me as a graduate teaching assistant. I can’t wait to catch up with Lauren and find out what she is up to now that she’s doing what she loves to do, teaching.

Today I am talking with Ilse Espino Ortega, a middle school math teacher in Fort Worth, TX. I met Ilse in the Spring 2016 semester when she took my introductory education class. At the time, Ilse was exploring education as a major, and I am so glad she decided to choose teaching as her career. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Middle School Math Education and a Master’s in Math Education. She is an incredible teacher, and we can learn so much from her about teaching and working with young people.

Episode 18: Dr. Steve Przymus

Today I am talking with Dr. Steve Przymus, an Assistant Professor of Education at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, TX. I met Steve in 2016 when he joined the faculty in the College of Education. Steve has extensive experience teaching at the middle and high school level, both in the United States and abroad. He now leverages that experience as a teacher, as well as his own research, to help prepare college students for a career in education. I am really looking forward to learning more about Steve and his journey as an educator.

Episode 17: Allie Friedman Castellano

Today I am talking with Allie Castellano, a first grade teacher in Fort Worth, TX. I met Allie in 2012, my first year at TCU when she was a first year student. A few years later, Allie worked for me as a teaching assistant when she was a graduate student. From the very beginning, I knew Allie was going to be one of those teachers who made a huge impact in her students’ lives, and she has surpassed my expectations. I can’t wait to talk with her about teaching and learning, and there may even be a mystery reference to Pokemon!

Episode 16: Clint Allen

Today I am talking with Clint Allen, a middle school social studies teacher in Arlington, TX. I met Clint in 2019 when I spoke at the induction ceremony for the National Junior Honor Society at the Oakridge School. Clint started off as a youth minister, but he has spent the last several years teaching in both public and independent schools. Clint is an inspirational educator and I learned so much from talking with him. We even diverged into two of my favorite topics: Mr. Rogers and Hamilton, so you know this will be good!

Today I am talking with Karina Hinz Barrigas, a middle school English/Language Arts teacher in Fort Worth, TX. I’ve known Karina since 2014 when she was a student in my introductory education course at TCU. Since then, Karina has taken additional courses from me, and I was even her student teaching supervisor. Karina stayed at TCU for an additional year, and she worked for me as a graduate teaching assistant. Karina is an amazing teacher, and we will learn so much from her story.

Today I am talking with Samuel Moseley, an educator living in Fort Worth, TX.

Episode 13: Sydney Heckes

Today I am talking with Sydney Heckes, a teacher in Frisco, TX. I’ve known Sydney since 2013 when he was a student in my introductory education class at TCU. I knew from the very start Sydney was going to be a superstar teacher, and it was so much fun watching her flourish as a student and teacher in the College of Education. She also worked for me during her Master’s program as a teaching assistant, and I was honored to serve on the committee for her final treatise project. I am super excited to catch up with Sydney and learn about her first few years of teaching.