The Path Forward

Welcome to The Path Forward podcast! Join our host, Dr. Rick Fernandez, as he engages in a dynamic conversation with Celina Shands, the visionary CEO of Full Capacity Marketing. Through insightful anecdotes, Celina delves into her journey of launching three distinct enterprises and her athletic background. As she articulates her mission and fervor for Full Capacity Marketing, Celina also sheds light on the qualities she values in potential hires and the vibrant company culture she fosters. Together, Celina and Rick explore the pivotal role of branding in the education sector, emphasizing its significance for districts. Prepare to be inspired by the wisdom and experiences of this remarkable entrepreneur.

Welcome back to The Path Forward! Today we have another special episode shot at TASA 2024 Midwinter where Dr. Rick Fernandez is joined by Dr. Tiffany Spicer, Superintendent at Buna ISD. In this episode, Dr. Rick and Dr. Spicer cover how Buna ISD is taking care of students, creating more opportunities, and how they are actively listening to the needs and wants of the school. They also cover leading teachers to be “not just great, but excellent”. We hope you enjoy this episode of The Path Forward! 

Thank you for watching. Please like, subscribe, and comment!

Host: Dr. Rick Fernandez 

Guest: Dr. Tiffany Spicer, Superintendent, Buna ISD

Time Stamps & Show Notes

(00:00 - 01:00) Introduction 

(01:01 - 03:02) Recap of Years 1 and 2 

(03:03 - 06:43) The Focus on Students 

(06:44 - 10:30) Leading Teachers 

(10:31 - 15:26) Keeping Teachers and Attracting Teachers

(15:27 - 20:56) Checking on Student Needs / Wants 

(20:57 - 24:05) The Future at Buns ISD

(24:06 - 26:14) The Need for More Time

(26:15 - 28:47) Shoutouts / Closing

Welcome back to The Path Forward! Today, we have another special episode shot at TASA 2024 Midwinter, where Dr. Rick Fernandez is joined by John Vaglienty, Deputy Superintendent at Willis ISD, and Russ Johnson, CEO of TrueNorthCG. John and Russ come on the show to share some great insights about the current surveillance technology industry and how they provide school districts with solutions. Russ brings up interesting points on how technology is being used by school administration and how they help keep students and staff safe. He also brings up AI's current implementations and use for upcoming safety solutions. This is an exciting episode you won’t want to miss!

To learn more about True North, please visit https://www.tncg.com/

Thank you for watching. Please like, subscribe, and comment!

Host: Dr. Rick Fernandez 

Guests:

John Vaglienty, Deputy Superintendent at Willis ISD

Russ Johnson, CEO of True North CG

Time Stamps & Show Notes

(00:00 - 01:23) Introduction

(01:24 - 02:10) Purpose of TrueNorthCG

(02:11 - 04:24) Investing in Safety

(04:25 - 07:30) Using Technology Effectively 

(07:31 - 10:04) Closing the Gap Using AI

(10:05 - 12:40) Prevention Before Forensics

(12:41 - 15:15) Safe Buildings and Innovations in Architecture 

(15:16 - 17:00) Understanding the Political Issues with Education

(17:01 - 19:17) Careers Starting in the Classroom

(19:18 - 24:12) Know Your Role

(24:13 - 25:27) Vacuum of Talent 

(25:28 - 26:38) Outro

Welcome back to The Path Forward! Today, we have Dr. Rick Fernandez, joined by Tom Ellsworth, The Biz Doc. Tom, an entrepreneur and mentor, shares valuable insights about the learning curve of failure and its effects on young entrepreneurs. He shares with us the power of not coddling students and letting them fail so they can gain experience. He also discusses the future of STEM careers and finding a job with shared culture and values. This is an exciting episode you won’t want to miss!

To learn more about Tom Ellsworth visit at https://minnect.com/

Thank you for watching. Please like, subscribe, and comment!

Host: Dr. Rick Fernandez 

Guest: Tom Ellsworth, The Biz Doc

Time Stamps & Show Notes

(00:00 - 02:30) Introduction

(02:31 - 04:46) Technology Affecting Student Skills

(04:47 - 06:28) Parenting Techniques Affecting Children

(06:29 - 09:25) The Power of Failure

(09:26 - 11:57) Preparing Students the Hard Way

(11:58 - 14:45) Interviewing Candidates

(14:46 - 17:00) Lessons from Failures

(17:01 - 22:14) Resolving Issues as a Company 

(22:15 - 29:15) Future of STEM Careers

(29:16 - 31:50) Training the Next Workforce

(31:51 - 33:29) Outro

Welcome back to The Path Forward! Today, we have a special episode shot at TASA 2024 Midwinter where Dr. Rick Fernandez is joined by Dr. Darryl J. Henson, Superintendent of Marlin ISD where they put Anna Reger, Founder of FlipLok, on the hot seat. Hear all about Anna’s new fortifying product that allows both children and teachers to make their classroom a safe room in the case of an emergency with her new patented secondary lock. Anna is a mom on a mission and is ready to take her product across America to help protect as many students as possible. Check out the episode to hear more about Anna and her innovative product. 

To learn more about FlipLok, check out their website here: https://fliplok.com/ 

Thank you for watching. Please like, subscribe, and comment!

Host: Dr. Rick Fernandez 

Guests: Dr. Darryl J. Henson, Superintendent of Marlin ISD

Anna Reger, Founder of FlipLok

Time Stamps & Show Notes

(00:00 - 01:12) Introduction

(01:13 - 02:16) What is FlipLok?

(02:17 - 04:02) Guaranteed Product

(04:03 - 06:12) Mom on a Mission

(06:13 - 09:02) It Flips, It Drops, It Loks

(09:03 - 12:51) Cultivating Entrepreneurs 

(12:52 - 14:40) Giving Peace of Mind

(14:41 - 15:36) Fire Code Compliance

(15:37 - 17:05) Get in Contact with FlipLok

(17:06 - 17:30) Closing

Welcome back to The Path Forward! Today we have a special episode shot at TASA 2024 Midwinter where Dr. Rick Fernandez is joined by Dr. Tory Hill, Superintendent of Channelview ISD. These two educational powerhouses discuss Dr. Tory’s past success in building a mega CTE program in Sweeny ISD and his work in Channelview ISD, such as building a Literacy Bus. You won’t want to miss out on Dr. Tory’s wisdom on work-life balance and the qualities he seeks in his school leadership.

Follow Channelview ISD on X @ChannelviewISD or check out their website at https://www.cvisd.org/ 

Thank you for watching. Please like, subscribe, and comment!

Host: Dr. Rick Fernandez 

Guest: Dr. Tory Hill, Superintendent of Channelview ISD

Time Stamps & Show Notes

(00:00 - 00:41) Introduction

(00:42 - 02:14) Empowering Students to Thrive

(02:15 - 05:33) Get to Know Dr. Tory Hill

(05:34 - 10:45) A CTE Powerhouse

(10:46 - 12:10) Looking for Leadership

(12:11 - 17:04) Work-Life Balance

(17:05 - 18:58) Focusing on the Right Thing

(18:59 - 21:45) Looking to the Horizon

(21:46 - 22:55) Connect and Closing

Welcome back to The Path Forward! Today we have a special episode shot at TASA 2024 Midwinter where Dr. Rick Fernandez is joined by Wade Stanford, Superintendent of Westwood ISD where they put Claudia Salinas, VP of English Learning at Curriculum Associates on the hot seat. Hear how Curriculum Associates uses its i-Ready program to help students develop in their education and set goals that will allow them to progress in their education. Learn about stretch goals and the work Wade and Claudia plan to do together to increase the reading levels of students in Westwood ISD. You won’t want to miss out on this exciting episode!

To connect with Claudia, check out the link to Curriculum Associates here: https://www.curriculumassociates.com/ or text at (214) 519-3677.

To connect with Wade follow him on Twitter @wadestanford or connect with him on LinkedIn. 

Thank you for watching. Please like, subscribe, and comment!

Host: Dr. Rick Fernandez 

Guests: Wade Stanford, Superintendent of Westwood ISD

Claudia Salinas, VP of English Learning at Curriculum Associates

Time Stamps & Show Notes

(00:00 - 02:01) Introduction

(02:02 - 05:16) Using Data from i-Ready

(05:17 - 08:05) Goal Setting is Critical

(08:06 - 10:19) What Makes i-Ready a Better Partner?

(10:20 - 13:14) Instructional Coherence is Key

(13:15 - 16:35) Getting Kids to Read at Grade Level

(16:36 - 20:32) Training Teachers to Help Kids

(20:33 - 26:57) Changing to Meet Stretch Goals

(26:58 - 30:20) Change from the Top Down

(30:21 - 31:54) Looking to the Future Successes 

(31:55 - 33:41) Thank You and Connect with Claudia & Wade

(33:42 - 34:00) Closing

Welcome to another enlightening episode of The Path Forward! Today, Dr. Rick Fernandez engages in a captivating conversation with Chip Baker, the author of "The Impact of Influence." In this episode, Chip and Rick delve into the crucial aspect of connecting with the students you educate. Chip gives some valuable advice for parents and young adults exploring various career paths. Tune in as Chip shares insights on future aspirations, building new and meaningful relationships, and other insightful topics that promise to inspire you.

Welcome back to The Path Forward! Today, Dr. Rick Fernandez is joined by John Jakubisin, host of B is for Business. In this episode dive into John’s past and how he developed his podcast. Also, hear the wisdom that John has gained from his guests and a few commonalities between the entrepreneurs that he has come in contact with. You won’t want to miss out on this great episode. Enjoy the show!

Check out John’s podcast on YouTube by clicking on this link: https://www.youtube.com/@BisforBusinessShow or email John at [email protected].

Host: Dr. Rick Fernandez 

Guest: John Jakubisin, Host of B is for Business

Time Stamps & Show Notes

(00:00 - 00:50) Introduction

(00:51 - 04:03) The Stories of Business

(04:04 - 05:15) Looking for Guests

(05:16 - 09:45) An Unconventional Education Path

(09:46 - 11:13) A Wider Perspective

(11:14 - 14:30) 3 Characteristics of Entrepreneurs 

(14:31 - 15:49) A Vision for the Future

(15:50 - 19:28) Finding the Right Fit

(19:29 - 21:28) Visionary vs Executor

(21:29 - 25:03) Rapid Fire Questions!

(25:04 - 26:11) Thank You and Connect

(26:12 - 26:36) Closing

Welcome back to The Path Forward at the TASA/TASB TexED Conference! Today, Dr. Rick Fernandez is joined by Chris Corso, Vice President of Strategic Partnerships at Joeris. Join these two as they discuss the different opportunities that come from general contracting and a little bit of the history of how Joeris has gotten to where it is today and where it is going. You won’t want to miss out on this insightful episode. Enjoy the show!

Hosts: Dr. Rick Fernandez 

Guest: Chris Corso, Vice President of Strategic Partnerships at Joeris