The Stuff I Learned About Learning: A TCEA Podcast

Guest: Rachael Welsh, Librarian, Pearland ISD

Rachael Welsh, a school librarian at Pearland ISD, shares her winding path from wanting to be a veterinarian to finding her true calling among the stacks. She talks candidly about the misconceptions people have about librarians, the "refresh and recharge" corner she's built for kids who need a quiet moment, and why she pushes back on the idea that "kids don't read anymore." Rachael also opens up about book advocacy, curating difficult topics with care, and why she believes stories give kids language for what they're going through.

Guest: Debbie Tannenbaum, Elementary Educator at Fairfax County Public Schools, and Elementary EdTech Coach

Debbie Tannenbaum, an elementary ed tech coach in Virginia, joins to talk about "screen value, not screen time." Debbie traces her path from French teacher to connected educator, shares the framework behind her "Five C's" of meaningful tech use, and explains how AI helped her team build richer, more inclusive morning meetings for students with autism. She also opens up about her "word of the year" practice, her upcoming book, and why pedagogy, not tools, always comes first in her work.

Guest: Mary Eldredge, Early Childhood Librarian, Arlington ISD

Mary Eldredge, an early childhood librarian at Arlington ISD, talks about her journey from teaching early childhood special education to running one of the most joyful library programs around. She shares how her ECSE background shapes her inclusive approach to storytime, why play is the foundation of real learning, and the magic of a makerspace where teachers are the ones asking questions. Mary also opens up about the "1,000 Books Before Kindergarten" program and the striking research behind why reading aloud, even just a few minutes a night, can change a child's academic trajectory.

Guest: Scott Laleman,Technology Director, Medina Valley ISD

Scott Laleman, Technology Director at Medina Valley ISD, joins the show to talk about a career built on a willingness to break things and fix them. From five networked classroom computers in 1997 to overseeing construction on a rapidly growing district's tenth and eleventh campuses, Scott shares how an elementary ed background became an unlikely path to CTO life. He digs into the hidden complexity of building "smart" schools, his district's approach to AI for students versus teachers, and why he thinks "digital citizenship" is really just citizenship now.

Guest: Mantha Camacho, Special Education Teacher, Plano ISD

Mantha Camacho, a special education teacher at Plano ISD with over two decades in the classroom, joins the show for a conversation that ranges from Disney ears to vibe coding. Mantha traces her winding path through early childhood, middle school SPED, an ed tech company, and back to the classroom, sharing stories of students who changed her forever. She opens up about growing up with a hearing impairment and hand deformity, and how that shaped her lifelong commitment to accessibility and inclusion. Mantha also talks about EdtechEars, her joyful approach to teacher training, and where she sees AI helping (and where it shouldn't go) in special education. Welcome back to Season 2 of The Stuff I Learned About Learning with this inspiring and energizing conversation!

Join us for Teacher Appreciation Week, where we talk to three teachers of a sometimes overlooked group - first year teachers! That's right, these three educators are just out of school and are in the classroom for the very first time. Learn how they struggled, overcame, and succeeded with their kiddos and peers, and what they'd tell other newbies just starting out.

Interested in joining TCEA for free as part of free membership week? Check out https://tcea.org/membership/ for more.

Featuring:

Mallory Lillo, 6th Grade Math Teacher, Hallsville Intermediate School, Hallsville ISD

Katie Walker, 2nd Grade Teacher, Tarvin Elementary, Leander ISD

James Sheridan, 6th Grade Teacher (Yearbook, Photography & Videography, Creative Writing) Sycamore Springs Middle School, Dripping Springs ISD

Stay tuned for Season Two in September!

Guest: Rachelle Wooten, Assistant Principal, Fort Bend ISD

Assistant Principal Rachelle Wooten joins the podcast to talk about coaching teachers, building trust, and leading change without adding pressure. From technology integration and professional learning to podcasting and AI in education, this episode explores how listening, ownership, and actionable support help teachers grow and students thrive.

Guest: Kristofer Thurston, Director of Technology, John Paul II High School

Episode Description:

What does it take to keep a school running when everything depends on technology, and everyone needs you at once? In this episode, Director of Technology Kristofer Thurston pulls back the curtain on the daily realities of leading a lean IT team while protecting time, energy, and wellbeing. He shares practical insights on setting boundaries, building trust, empowering staff, and designing systems that reduce stress rather than create it. It’s a candid look at the human side of school technology and the strategies that help tech teams stay resilient.

Guest: Caleb Magness, Instructional Technology Specialist, UT Austin

Episode Description:

In this episode, we talk with Caleb Magness, an instructional technology specialist at University of Texas at Austin, about what it really means to improve teaching at the college level. After building instructional tech programs in K-12 districts, Caleb shifted into higher education, where his focus moved from classroom tools to course design, faculty development, and long-term student impact.

We explore peer-led faculty workshops, the challenge of “sage on the stage” instruction, how AI is reshaping expectations, and what secondary educators should understand about the transition to college. Along the way, we connect science fiction, game mechanics, and the idea of leveling up to autonomy in learning and leadership.

Guest: Kathryn Laster, Education Consultant, Refined Learning Designs, LLC

Episode Description: When educators are given space to learn with intention, reflect with purpose, and design with curiosity, their students reap the benefits. In this episode, education consultant Kathryn Laster shares how transformative professional learning begins with honoring teachers as learners first. She discusses her approach to building learning-centered PD, the mindset shifts that help teachers take instructional risks, and why agency for adults and students matters more than ever. With practical ideas and thoughtful insights, Kathryn invites us to imagine classrooms where empowered educators spark empowered students.