Episode 11: Exploring the Threat of Cyberattacks in Texas Districts

In Episode 11 of TASA's Inspiring Leaders Podcast, we explore the cybersecurity issues facing Texas districts. We hear from Jeff Burke and Buddy Denman about Splendora ISD's experience with one of the biggest ransomware perpetrators to hit the United States. We also visit with Clear Creek ISD Chief Technology Officer Robert Bayard about how his district works to protect itself from this threat to large and small districts alike.

This episode is sponsored by Scholastic.

Learn how your district can partner with the FBI and gain valuable information about ongoing attacks by visiting Infragard

Visit this episode’s sponsor, Scholastic, to learn more about their solutions for research-based literacy instruction

Episode 8: Leading by Example with Community ISD’s Roosevelt Nivens

In Episode 8 of TASA’s Inspiring Leaders Podcast, we visit with the superintendent of Community ISD, Roosevelt Nivens. He was awarded the National Alliance of Black School Educators' Superintendent of the Year Award in November 2019, only a couple of weeks after a tragic car accident killed four of his students and devastated his community. The way Community ISD came together to support each other after the accident served as inspiration for a message of unity that Nivens and his fellow municipal leaders released in response to the civil unrest that arose after the killing of George Floyd this summer. This episode is sponsored by ClassLink.

#WeAreCommunity Video by Dr. Nivens: https://youtu.be/oR0Fj6VjpYc

Episode 7: An In-depth Conversation with Flip Flippen

In Episode 7 of TASA’s Inspiring Leaders Podcast, we bring you an exclusive conversation with Flip Flippen, best-selling author and entrepreneur. A social-emotional learning pioneer, Flippen discusses how the stress of the unknown affects both teachers and students, the difference between being “trauma-informed” and administering “trauma-informed care,” and the importance of relationship-building in helping students deal with the emotional fallout of a tumultuous summer.

This episode is sponsored by Virco.

https://flippengroup.com/capturing-kids-hearts/

http://www.virco.com

Episode 6: A Tale of Two Districts' Reopening

In Episode 6 of TASA’s Inspiring Leaders Podcast, we take a look at back to school in two very different districts. Keene ISD Superintendent Ricky Stephens talks about what it’s like to see kids in his buildings for the first time since March 13, and Garland ISD Superintendent Ricardo Lopez debriefs the first three days of virtual school with its challenges and successes. This episode is sponsored by iStation.

Episode 5: Summer Conference, Summer Wellness, and Summer Planning

In Episode 5 of TASA’s Inspiring Leaders Podcast, we preview our first-ever TASA Virtual SummerCon with TASA’s own Brandon Core, visit with featured SummerCon Thought Leader Todd Whitthorne about wellness leadership and the biggest indicators for a healthy immune system, and hear from Superintendent Tanya Larkin on how planning for summer school has helped Pampa ISD imagine what school will be like in the fall. This episode was sponsored by Google for Education and Naturally Slim.

Episode 4: Graduation and Team Building Habits

In Episode 4 of TASA’s Inspiring Leaders Podcast, we look at the state's newest guidance on graduation ceremonies, hear how a few districts across Texas are planning special celebrations for their 2020 seniors, and visit with Keara Mascareñez, co-author of "The New Team Habits." Superintendents interviewed include Wichita Falls ISD Superintendent Michael Kuhrt, Lytle ISD Superintendent Michelle Carroll Smith, and Denton ISD Superintendent Jamie Wilson.

Episode 3: Meeting Needs in Vulnerable Populations, Pt 2

Episode 3 of TASA’s Inspiring Leaders Podcast is Part 2 of our series on vulnerable populations. In it, we explore how increased economic vulnerability and the stress of the pandemic affects students and adults. We start with the second half of our conversation with Ruby Payne, legendary education thought leader and best-selling author. Then we learn about the effects the pandemic is having on child abuse reporting from Lindsey Jordan, research and strategy senior manager, Children’s Advocacy Centers of Texas. We also hear from Wes Cunningham with Frisco ISD on how the district's outreach and virtual counseling is helping students in crisis. Finally, we talk with Shelby McIntosh, managing partner at Education Elements, about the organization's work in trauma-informed leadership.