Keller ISD Podcast Network

Teaching involves more than just delivering content. The best teachers are able to form connections with students and create a learning environment built on mutual respect. Through taking the time to get to know her students, celebrating milestones in and out of the classroom, and keeping parents informed and involved, Reigning District Secondary Teacher of the Year Azie Kay Russell works to creat...

Every Keller ISD educator has a story to tell, and there are any number of moments and people along the way that continue to drive their passion for teaching. Reigning District Elementary Teacher of the Year Kim Harris is no exception. As she wraps up another year in the classroom, she sits down with us to share more about her background and what inspires her to give her all for students each and...

It never hurts to squeeze in just a little bit more learning into the day, and that's what Keller ISD's Advanced Academics Department is aiming for with its new Middle School Lunch-and-Learn program. Select seventh and eighth-grade students are participating in the pilot program that provides additional support to prepare students for the SAT, PSAT, and high school success. Join KISD Coord...

The most important part to a student's academic success is being present and ready to learn, and Keller ISD's Health Services Department and phenomenal school nurses work to make sure that kids are cared for and able to maximize their time while in school. Join KISD Health Services Director Jodi Webster and nurses Nicole Lee and Amy Bache as we pull back the curtain on school nursing and d...

Keller ISD is excited to welcome back students for the 2025-26 school year, and excited to welcome back our listeners for a new season of the Study Hall podcast. Join new Superintendent Dr. Cory Wilson as we learn more about his journey to this new leadership role and what the KISD community can expect from our schools over the coming months. For more information about Keller ISD, visit ⁠www. Kell...

Keller ISD is committed to creating and maintaining a safe and nurturing learning environment for all students, as well as a secure working environment for KISD employees. Join Dr. Johnson as we visit with the leaders of Keller ISD's safety and security efforts to learn more about just a few of the actions taken to keep kids safe. Learn more about Keller ISD Safety & Security at www. KellerISD...

In this episode of Keller ISD's "In The Interim" podcast, Keller ISD's new Superintendent, Dr. Tracy Johnson, introduces herself to the KISD community and talks about her hope for the future of the District. Join the Keller ISD Communications Department's Nicole McCollum and Bryce Nieman as they visit with Dr. Johnson and learn more about her passion for serving students' needs and how KISD leader...

In this episode of Keller ISD's "In The Interim" podcast, Director of Fine Arts Kim Blann and Director of Athletics Eric Persyn discuss their passion for providing students with opportunities to build community within their schools. We also get to hear from Fossil Ridge High School sophomore Carson Grounds who is taking advantage of every opportunity he has in high school – playing v...

In the first edition of Keller ISD's "In The Interim" podcast, our panel talks about the District's current budget situation, Texas public school funding, and how KISD stakeholders can reach out and let elected officials know how important their schools are to them. Keller ISD Communications Department's Nicole McCollum and Bryce Nieman are joined by KISD CFO Scott Wrehe, KIS...

Keller ISD recently bid farewell to retiring Superintendent Dr. Rick Westfall, who not only led the District for the past six years, but has also been the host of the Westfall One-on-One podcast. Join us for one last conversation with the Superintendent, where we put him the hot seat and learn more about his career and his passion for supporting public education. Be sure to follow Keller ISD on so...

Just like Keller ISD students, Keller ISD teachers and staff come from a variety of backgrounds and experiences that impact how they support students and shape the lens through which they recognize opportunities for student growth. In this episode of Westfall One-on-One, KISD Superintendent Dr. Rick Westfall chats with Eva Gutierrez, Bilingual Academic Specialist at Caprock Elementary, who shares...

Keller ISD is one unified educational community, but the District's four feeder patterns provide opportunities for students, families, and staff to unite on an even more local level and rally under their respective high school banners. In this episode of Westfall One-one-One, KISD Superintendent Dr. Rick Westfall chats with Charger feeder pattern parent Katie Kilcoyne who has utilized her position...

Keller ISD values the exploration and the pursuit of one’s passion that leads to personal growth. Educators in the District are constantly finding ways to connect students' interests and hobbies to learning opportunities. In this episode of Westfall One-on-One, KISD Superintendent Dr. Rick Westfall sits down with Vista Ridge Middle School 8th grader Emmanuel Tuffour who has taken his passion for s...

Keller ISD’s Genius Team is a group of students who provide technology on-boarding and device support for District teachers and staff. In this episode of One-on-One, Dr. Westfall visits with Genius Team Member and Keller High junior Hannah Edgar who talks about the program and the lessons she’s taken away from her experience so far. Be sure to follow Keller ISD on social media – @KellerISD on Twit...

Keller ISD is blessed with many former students who recognize how special the District is and return to teach and work here. Whitley Road Elementary School Principal Melissa Finstad is one such student. After attending KISD K-12 – including five years at WRES as a student – Finstad is now the principal at the school and an involved member of the school's community. In the first episode of our 2022...

Ever wonder what work is happening behind the scenes in a school district during the summer? Dr. Westfall sat down with LePaula Smith this month to share a little bit more information about that! Smith is Keller ISD's Director of Operations and Distribution, and she and her team work year-round to ensure our campuses are equipped and ready to provide a safe, healthy, and clean environment for our...

Isha Patel, a graduating senior from Fossil Ridge High School, talks to Superintendent Dr. Westfall about her journey through high school and planning for college, with the help of a recently added resource in Keller ISD – the College, Career, and Military Readiness (CCMR) Go Center. Beginning in the fall of 2020, CCMR Coaches have provided a vital point of contact for students, as they have...

Keller ISD Human Resources Coordinator Jennifer Love joins Superintendent Dr. Westfall to share the hard work being done, both behind the scenes and out in the public, to recruit and retain intentionally exceptional employees. They'll dive into the challenges we face, how we are responding, and what the next steps should be for anyone listening who might be interested in joining the Keller ISD fam...

Dr. Westfall chats with CFO Scott Wrehe about school finance – how it's structured, where your tax dollars go and how they are spent, the challenges school districts face, and how KISD makes the most fiscally responsible decisions possible while maintaining transparency. This is a complicated topic that you won't want to miss learning more about! Be sure to follow Keller ISD on social media –...

Dr. Westfall and Special Education Coordinator Kierra Edgar talk about the importance of relationships, including everyone, and celebrating how every person – each student and staff member – shines to create an intentionally exceptional school district and community.

Dr. Westfall speaks with Director of Career and Technical Education Dr. Robert Wright in celebration of CTE Month to explain more about everything you ever wanted to know about CTE and more, the impact these programs have on our students' futures, and how our community can become more involved and benefit from this unique partnership.

As we are in the height of "giving season," D r. Westfall welcomed Director of State and Federal Programs Leigh Cook to share with our community more about how we discover and meet the needs of our students, and how the giving opportunities in our District are available and a necessity year round.

Dr. Westfall sits down with Fossil Hill Middle School Instructional Support Teacher Shaunna Hanby to take a stroll down memory lane. Hanby has been in the District for 19 years, serving almost her entire tenure at FHMS. She shares about how she has had the opportunity to educate children from all over the world; bond with colleagues through periods of rapid growth, and now, through physical update...

Dr. Westfall speaks to special guest – Director of Customer Experience for Hillwood Development Company – Amanda Migura about an exciting new opportunity our Keller ISD students have this year, serving as Student Influencers for the group. Take a listen as they discuss what this selection process looked like, what our students are gaining out of the experience, and the positive impression they hav...

Dr. Westfall is joined by Heritage Elementary School teacher Meagan McDaniel, who – along with some fellow teachers in Keller ISD's LADDER cohort – has reimagined what the elementary school experience could be like, and now they have been given the opportunity to implement their vision at HES.