Engaging Texas Families

Tune in for a fun, lively conversation with Eric Phillips, a passionate family engagement leader in Arlington ISD. In this episode, Eric shares how his diverse professional background and myriad of past jobs beautifully connect to his current mission of serving local families. You will also get an inside look at his deep heart for empowering and engaging dads, alongside some fascinating insights i...

In this episode, Marcela Andres shares her powerful "why," reflecting on the teacher who saw her potential beyond her circumstances and challenging the "at-risk" labels that often limit families. She dismantles the excuse of "no time," urging us to build the trust necessary to enter spaces as strangers and leave as a community by simply being good humans who show up....

Join Dr. Todd White as he shares his transformative journey from the classroom to the superintendent’s office, offering a unique look at his leadership on the Parent and Family Engagement Statewide Council. Dr. White breaks down the data-driven "academic connection," proving exactly how high-impact family engagement directly correlates to student achievement and the critical value of rad...

In this episode, we sit down with Jaime Huerta, whose journey comes full circle from being a Head Start student to serving on his hometown school board immediately after high school. Originally aspiring to be a lawyer, Jaime reveals the moment that shifted his heart toward education, leading him through roles as a teacher and administrator to his current position overseeing compliance and monitori...

In this episode, Shanceler Terry, Director of Family and Community Engagement for Alief ISD, reflects on a 28-year career that brought her full circle from the classroom back to her "first love" of serving families. Drawing on her experiences as a mother of three and a dedicated community volunteer, Shanceler shares her "Core Four" mission—reading, talking, eating, and playing—...

In this episode, 31-year TEA veteran Cory Green shares his remarkable journey from agriculture teacher to Associate Commissioner, highlighting a career defined by service and a family legacy that has seen his children follow him into the classroom. He offers a masterclass in modern education by distinguishing between simple parent involvement and true partnership-based engagement, while providing...

This special episode of Engaging Texas Families dives into the excitement—and worries—of prom season. KP sits down with Amarillo Police Officer Jarrod Robertson and West Plains High School Principal Eric Gomez to share practical tips for keeping teens safe while still celebrating. From ride-home plans and peer pressure to distracted driving and social hosting risks, they offer real-life stories an...

⚠️ MATURE CONTENT WARNING: This episode is intended for an adult audience (18+) and contains mature themes regarding substance use and addiction. It is not intended for children. This podcast episode features  Jarrod Robertson , a leading voice in adolescent health and tobacco prevention, for a deep dive into the rapidly evolving landscape of teen nicotine use. As we move into 2026, the "vapi...

In this final episode of our series with the Constantinos, we shift our focus toward Principle #5: Engaging the Greater Community. We explore the foundational belief that every community is rich with assets waiting to be tapped. Steve walks us through the strategic process of community mapping, explaining how to analyze these local resources to determine their value in the engagement process. By i...

In this episode, we explore the transformative impact of Principle #4: Engaging Families in Decision- Making through a compelling case study on school attendance. We challenge the common misconception that some families are uninterested in participation, affirming instead that all families possess a deep- seated desire to be involved in the choices affecting their children. By examining the "...

In this episode, we dive deep into Principle 3: Building Family Efficacy, shifting the narrative away from the idea that family engagement requires "doing more." Instead, we unpack how engagement is truly about doing what we already do differently to ensure a level of success for every single family. Constantinos shares an inspiring case study of a newer teacher who thought outside the b...

In this episode, Steve and Peggy Constantino explore why authentic relationships are the essential foundation of family engagement. They challenge the idea that simply "sending information" is enough, highlighting the critical difference between basic communication and true engagement. Highlights in this episode include the power of the first impression and how a school’s immediate respo...

We explore the profound relationship between an organization's culture and its climate, and how this dynamic directly impacts family involvement. The Constantinos then dig deep into a compelling case study involving a high school struggling with persistently low graduation rates. Together, we learn how deliberately focusing on and transforming the internal culture of any organization can gener...

Meet Steve and Peggie Constantino in this introductory episode! The Constantinos share their extensive backgrounds in education and family engagement, explaining the vision behind their companion guide, Case Studies to Engage Every Family. They discuss why this dedicated resource is vital for educators seeking strong home-school connections. Learn how the real-world case studies serve as invaluabl...

In this episode,  we're joined by Kimberly Seagler, a Family Service Specialist with Region 16. In this powerful conversation, Kimberly shares her wisdom, knowledge, and heart on the art of connecting with families and even complete strangers. She explores the profound value these encounters bring to our children, our families, and the world. Tune in to hear her insights on building meaningful rel...

In this heartwarming episode, join us for a conversation with Todd Nesloney, a familiar voice from the Texas Elementary Principals and Supervisors Association (TEPSA). Todd shares powerful insights on true engagement, emphasizing the unique value every individual brings to the table. Drawing from his own experiences, including being raised by a single mom, he highlights the profound importance of...

Join us for the very first episode of the Engaging Texas Families Podcast! We’re kicking things off with a conversation with our very own Program Coordinator, Shannon Lang. Get a behind-the-scenes look at the mission of the Parent and Family Engagement Statewide Initiative as Shannon shares our program goals and some of the exciting projects we’re working on. In this introductory episode, you'...