The LET's Talk Podcast

Episode 17 features a conversation between the district’s new Leadership & Empowerment Director Dr. LaDonna Gulley and co-hosts Daniel Norwood, MISD social studies coordinator, and Ted Madden of the district’s Communications Department. Dr. Gulley opens up about her 30-year background in education that includes a dissertation on equity in the classroom. She also shares some of her LET goals to inspire “cultural intelligence” and more.

MISD Education Foundation Executive Director Randy Lewallyn is the special guest of the 16th episode of the LET’s Talk podcast. This Poteet High School alumnus shares how the foundation is taking to heart LET’s mission of equity to all students through its grant process. Thanks to generous community members and MISD employees, the foundation has funded millions for innovation in MISD classrooms and won’t stop fundraising in this pandemic despite its challenges.

In Episode 15, we hear from North Mesquite High School's award-winning U.S. history teacher Shanisha Neal. In her first year of teaching last year, North Mesquite High School named her the First Class Teacher of the Year. Hear what makes her special and why Mesquite ISD is looking for more minority teachers just like her.

Episode 14 features Director of Guidance & Counseling Kem Edwards, who shares how MISD has reimagined school counseling and now has an award-winning program with a focus on equity for all students. She announces a new program for MISD staff members--free counseling!

Episode 13. Despite dealing with this year's all-new, state-mandated high school English Language Arts curriculum and educator challenges in the season of COVID-19, hear how Kyle Fritsche still finds the time and focus to open teacher and student minds like never before.

Episode 12. Poteet Graduate & Texas Tech Freshman Nia Threatt shares what it was like growing up as a black teenager in Mesquite ISD schools. As a member of the district's Leadership & Empowerment Team (LET), her opinions are helping shape future initiatives of the Leadership & Empowerment Team.

Mesquite native and MISD's first Latino principal Emilio Duran talks about his career in Mesquite ISD and why LET is important.

Episode 10 features A.C. New Middle School Principal Regina Jackson, a black administrator in MISD, who describes how she serves as a role model to minority students.

Episode 9

Episode 8