ESC19 Podcast

As a dedicated Veterinary Assistant/Agriculture Ed. Teacher Ms. Ramos is not only teaching students about animal care, health, and science—she’s opening doors to real-world careers in veterinary medicine, agriculture, and beyond. Through hands-on learning, industry-aligned instruction, and a deep commitment to student success, she is preparing the next generation of professionals with both the tec...

In this special student-led episode, a member of the El Dorado High School Robotics Team takes the host seat to interview her fellow female teammates about their journey into robotics—how they joined, what they’ve learned, and the confidence they’ve gained along the way.   From learning to code and assemble complex machines to competing as a team, these students share how robotics opened doors the...

Join us for an inspiring conversation about curiosity, collaboration, and the future of technology—straight from the students building it. #WeR19 In this episode, Frank Nolasco, Professional Education Consultant at ESC19, sits down with members of the El Dorado High School Robotics Team to explore the exciting world of robotics, where gears, coding, engineering, and creativity come together in hig...

We are spotlighting a leader who has truly helped shape Career and Technical Education in our region. Joining us is Ms. Brenda Gonzalez, CTE Coordinator for Socorro ISD. With an extensive career dedicated to advancing CTE, Ms. Gonzalez bxrings not only years of educational expertise but also invaluable experience from the private sector. Her unique perspective bridges industry and education, enric...

In this episode of Education Matters, join us as we talk to Dr. Olga Valerio and Jose CassoLopez as they unpack EPCC’s approach to workforce and continuing education — from program design to employer collaboration — and how those efforts are opening doors for students and local industry. Stories, lessons learned, and concrete ideas for building equitable career pathways.

In this episode, we feature a conversation with Dr. George Thomas, a leader in Career and Technical Education (CTE), as he shares insights on the purpose, impact, and future of CTE in today’s education landscape. In addition to discussing systems and strategy, Dr. Thomas reflects on how early exposure to career‑focused learning influenced his own perspective as an educator and leader. Drawing from...

Ready to see what real youth empowerment looks like? This high‑energy series spotlights leaders turning big ideas into daily impact—blending financial literacy, purpose‑driven leadership, and community power to help young people own their futures. We kick off with Lupe Mares, President of Junior Achievement of the Desert Southwest, whose 30+ years—from the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas (El Paso B...

In this powerful episode, we spotlight three educators who are redefining what it means to prepare students for the future—through innovation, purpose, and true commitment to opportunity. We begin with Francisco Nolasco, a seasoned STEM expert with more than two decades of experience in math, engineering, computer science, and robotics. Francisco breaks down the real work behind creating future‑re...

Special Guest: Rhonda Leon from the Texas Education Agency, as the Comprehensive Literacy State Development grant manager (CLSD), shares insights at the West Texas Reading Symposium! Below are some of the key topics discussed on this episode: How the Science of Reading and Research-Based Instructional Strategies Support Reading Education  How the open education resources incorporate the RLA Resear...

LIVE from the 2025 West Texas Reading Symposium, join Lillian Frazier and Texas Education Agency Associate Commissioner of Curriculum & Instruction Nicholas Keith. Some of the topics covered in this episode include: The Texas Reading Initiative grant funded the West Texas Reading Symposium Reviewed literacy challenges in K-12 education  Guest speaker Mr. Keith (Associate Commissioner of Curric...

Author Meagan O’Toole Pitts and illustrator Ashton Kaleigh, both El Paso natives, speak with Dr. Jose Velasquez, Director of ESC19’s Academic Instruction and School Support Department (AISS), about their book Carmelita, aimed specifically for 5th grade readers. The book tells the tale of the protest about the harsh treatment of Mexicans at El Paso bathhouses in 1917 from the perspective of a girl...

La Dra. Mónica Laura, experta en educación bilingüe, y el Dr. José Velásquez, director del Departamento de Instrucción Académica y Apoyo Escolar de ESC19, platican acerca de las mejores prácticas, para ambos padres y maestros, sobre el apoyo de la literacidad en más de un idioma. La Dra. Lara es autora de varios libros, entre ellos ¡Toma la palabra!: Enlazando la oralidad y la lectoescritura.

The TEKS Resource System State Team sits with Region 19’s TEKS RS Leadership Team to discuss current education matters. In this podcast, we talk about House Bill 3, the future of education and STAAR 2.0. We also take a look forward and provide updates on the future of TEKS Resource System, how it fits into our educational landscape and an exciting announcement by the state leads.

El Dr. José Velásquez, director del Departamento de Instrucción Académica y Apoyo Escolar de ESC19, y Joselyn Zúñiga, maestra de primaria del año 2023 ESC19 y maestra de quinto grado en San Elizario ISD, analizan cómo el lenguaje se entrelaza con la identidad y la cultura.

El Dr. José Velásquez, Director del Departamento de Instrucción Académica y Apoyo Escolar de ESC19, y la Dra. Adriana Alvarez, de la Universidad de Colorado, platican sobre el desarrollo y la pedagogía de la bilateralidad y las relaciones entre las familias y las escuelas con un enfoque orientado a la equidad y basado en las fortalezas de las comunidades bilingües.

ESC19 Professional Development Consultant Gabriela Camacho discusses Reading Intervention for Elementary schools with education expert Lauren Artzi. Here are some resources mentioned in the podcast. • Link to RELs ( https://link.edgepilot.com/s/ee5687bb... ) and REL Southwest ( https://link.edgepilot.com/s/58dc49ce... ) • Link to all of the available WWC practice guides ( https://link.edgepilot.co...

La Dra. Mónica Laura, experta en educación bilingüe, y Silvia Zacarias, Consultora de Educación Profesional ESC19, platican sobre las mejores prácticas para los maestros de dos idiomas. Lara es autora de varios libros, entre ellos ¡Toma la palabra!: Enlazando la oralidad y la lectoescritura.

Gabriela Camacho, Consultora de Desarrollo Profesional de Región 19 y Carlos Compaiñ, Especialista Curricular de Región 19, platican sobre los beneficios de los pasatiempos y la importancia que tienen en el bienestar de las familias. Carlos y Gabi comparten ejemplos y anéctodas personales sobre pasatiempos divertidos, desde baile a fotografía.

This special ESC19 Podcast features a candid conversation with 2023 ESC19 Teacher of the Year winners about their teaching careers and best classroom practices. They share inspirational personal stories about what motivates them and their best hard-learned lessons on how to be a great educator. Guests: 2023 ESC19 Elementary Teacher of the Year Joselyn Zuñiga, San Elizario ISD 2023 ESC19 Secondary...

Las consultoras de desarrollo profesional ESC19, la Dra. Paola L. Vásquez y Gabriela Camacho, analizan los programas académicos para estudiantes dotados y talentosos en las escuelas públicas. Aclaran los conceptos erróneos de lo que es el programa y quién puede unirse.

ESC19 Professional Development Consultants Dr. Paola L. Vasquez and Silvia Zacarias discuss Gifted and Talented academic programs in public schools. They clarify misconceptions of what is the program and who can join.

Montserrat Garibay, from the United States Department of Education, shares her journey from being a young child immigrant from Mexico City and an emergent language student in the U.S. to becoming a teacher and now an advocate of bilingual education on a national level. Garibay is the Acting Assistant Deputy Education Secretary and Director for the Office of English Language Acquisition and Senior...

ESC19 Professional Development Consultants Silvia Zacarias and Gabriela Camacho have a wonderful discussion with special guests from the Texas Education Agency. For more information visit: https://www.esc19.net/domain/470 Show Featured Guests: •Rhonda Leon, Implementation Specialist Instructional Materials & Implementation •Nowlan Savage HQIM Grants and Operations Project Manager Instructional...

Gabriela Camacho, Consultora de Desarrollo Profesional de Región 19 y Daniely Guiterrez, Especialista de Salud Mental, Participación Familiar y Comunitaria platican sobre recursos gratuitos para la comunidad y la familia. También comparten sobre la conferencia que dirige Daniely en Región 19 titulada "FACES" (Families and Communities Engaged in Schools "Familias y comunidades involu...