Leander ISD Podcast Network

Learning will continue even as our buildings remain closed as Leander ISD responds to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) global pandemic. In order to maintain equity and in consideration of the mental fatigue remote learning has on families, students, and teachers, second-semester grades for the 2019–20 school year will not be calculated for student grade-point average (GPA) or class rank.

The Board also granted Superintendent Bruce Gearing authority to readjust policy DEA (Local) and to require all LISD staff to be available for work April 6, even though most employees will do so in a remote capacity. In doing so, the district will no longer offer premium pay, which was its practice for hourly employees that actively worked while school facilities have been closed since March 13.

As we respond to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) global pandemic and enter distance learning, teachers across Leander ISD are reconnecting with students and families. This was step on our remote instruction plan as we continue our operations outside of our schools. With our focus being on relationships, we want to reconnect with our families too. Superintendent of School Bruce Gearing will be LIVE on Facebook to chat, talk to members of our leadership team, and take questions from our community.

This episode was originally broadcasted on Facebook Live and created using Zoom. 

Join Superintendent Bruce Gearing, Ed.D. on a tour of Whitestone Elementary School with fifth-grade students Ava Outlaw and Joaquin Diaz De Leon as they share stories about arts programs, leadership opportunities, and the dual-language program at Whitestone.

How much worldly and global experiences can you squeeze into one conversation with three high school seniors in Cedar Park? The three fascinating guests on the Student Voice podcast - Evan, Vines, Tiras Park-Pie, and Carolynn Solario - spoke about their experiences living abroad, working with students from different cultures.  In discussion with Superintendent Bruce Gearing, Ed.D., the soon-to-be-graduates talked about the pressures of high school, especially a school like Cedar Park High School with a distinguished history for excellence. 

What we lack in our ability to handle rainy recess outside, we make up for in listening to our students' stories. In this episode of the Student Voice podcast, Superintendent Bruce Gearing, Ed.D. speaks with Kate Jones, Kimberly Walters, Kira Griffin and Katie Mason from Cedar Park Middle School.

In this episode, you'll hear the students talk about the difference between Leander ISD middle school and a Montessori program in Florida, technology in classrooms, and the amazing teachers of CPMS.

Editor's Note: We updated the episode on Feb. 18, 2020 at 6:45 a.m. due to a technical glitch with the audio. 

Have you ever pondered the actual definition of technology? What about the connection between hard cheese and life? Superintendent Bruce Gearing, Ed.D. spoke about those topics and more with a tremendous trio of Deer Creek Elementary School students: Oliver Hallowell, Jazmin Cho, and Rylen Hudson. Note: This is a re-post because a previous version of this episode had a technical error. 

Leander ISD Superintendent Bruce Gearing, Ed.D. discussed kindness, leadership, books, classroom technology, and hard cheese with three amazing Deer Creek Elementary School students in Cedar Park, Texas. Listen to Oliver Hallowell, Jazmin Cho, and Rylen Hudson share their stories and opinions in this edition of Student Voice. 

Superintendent Bruce Gearing, Ed.D. discussed books, theater, and student involvement with Rouse High School students Trevor Holt, Lidia Mazza and Jack Wingard. The three students talked about their principal, Christine Simpson, and the campus culture at RHS, located in Leander, TX.

Middle school is a time for transition and personal growth. Three students at Wiley Middle School in Leander, Texas, spoke with Superintendent Bruce Gearing, Ed.D. about their school schedule, the size of their school, and YouTube fail videos. Hear 6th grader Danielle Terrell, 7th grader Dylan Hansanuwat, and 8th grader Erin Leach talk about their student experience. Wiley is a middle school located north of Austin, Texas, serving over 1,000 students in grades 6-8.