The LET's Talk Podcast

Thanks to compassionate MISD administrators who believed in her even as an angry teen, Maxcie Taylor is poised to give back to the Mesquite community in a multi-level capacity. She’s a 2014 graduate of Poteet and recently was crowned the 2022 Ms. Curve Texas Regency International. Hear how Maxcie is using her platform to help local entrepreneurs, non-profits and young people plus why she and her family are thrilled to be back in the area after living in North Carolina.

Why is Dr. Rivera’s vision for the district resonating with the campus leaders and student families he’s visiting with? What has he already learned about the power of the new Mesquite Promise? How is he working with Mayor Alemán to leverage the strong school district/city relationship for an even brighter future for our community? In the LET’s Talk podcast episode released today, learn the answers to these questions as well as what else drives Dr. Rivera in this new job he loves.

Last January, guest Courtney Allen took the reins as Horn High School athletics coordinator and head football coach. Hear why Coach Allen calls Horn "a sleeping giant" with exceptional potential for success in sports and how the parents and students have rallied around his leadership during his first semester. He explains how his motto of "We're Not Going to Lose a Day" is building momentum with his student-athletes and coaches. Find out how he's focusing on character building and community s...

In this episode, our guest is an education legend and friend of Mesquite ISD: the recently retired Dr. Dawson Orr. His multi-state and international career includes leadership roles in Texas, where he most recently launched the doctorate in education program at SMU. Born in Columbia, South America, Dr. Orr started teaching at a difficult time when Black and white students had been "separated by law and didn't understand each other." Some of his career highlights include startin...

Today's guest Chandra Courtney has a brilliant mind--and heart to go with it. Hear how her Caribbean childhood, "melting pot" family and teaching excellence philosophy inspire her to teach her Mesquite High students much more than science. "See people as potential advocates and allies; Agree to listen and look for solutions; Persevere when people doubt you; Take a risk on yourself because the world is so quick not to."All this advice helps her students advance in school and want to stay conne...

Teaching students ranging from fragile learners and at-risk youth to the gifted and talented. Raising two daughters--one adopted and bi-racial; the other biological and white like both parents. Opening a new-concept high school in Mesquite as second in command. Guest Patrick Haney, a North Mesquite graduate and current Vanguard High School assistant dean, takes both life and professional challenges in stride. Hear secrets to his success as a leader in raising student achievement. And he...

Finishing her first year as Horn High School principal, Deeadra Brown tells how she has excelled in that role as a Black female. Hear how she overcame challenges and now feels successful after working with students and staff to reset expectations in academics and behavior. Although an honors student in high school, the Texas native was initially placed in remedial college classes. Her goal as principal is for her students not to go through what she did; she is driven for t...

In this episode, meet Frank Sandoval, West Mesquite High School's athletic coordinator and head football coach since January 2020. Hear about his life tragedy at age 14 that he says "fuels" his five brothers, sister and him to work hard, succeed and give back to others with love. Learn how this Farmersville, Texas, native and family man is building a culture at West Mesquite aligned with LET's mission of acceptance of all and belief in others. Hear more about why he and his coaches commit to ...

Meleah Minyard--a Horn High senior recently accepted into Oklahoma City University's prestigious theatre program--has been known to use her performance skills for social change. To her, you are never too young or too old to learn how you personally can help break down inequities for success. Hear how and why she boldly challenged white people like herself at the George Floyd rally in June 2020. Also, learn about the new Mesquite Promise initiative.

During Women’s History Month, we celebrate vital roles women play. Today's guest is the newest Mesquite ISD Board Trustee Teia Collier--a professional writer specializing in the automotive industry and a strong advocate of Mesquite and our school district. Hear her motivating perspective as a North Mesquite High School graduate with parents who taught and coached within MISD and children who attend here now. Learn how MISD helped her overcome the challenges of raising a “micro-preemie” son an...