On the Street: A #1LISD Journey

As part of a special panel series highlighting public education in Texas, Leander ISD was invited to share how it is honoring Juneteenth through its ongoing commitment to educational access for each and every student. In this episode, Superintendent Bruce Gearing, Ed. D., and Chief of the Office of Educational Access DeWayne Street are joined by LISD parent Serenity Coats and her daughter Jaya, a...

DeWayne sits down with Alexandra Peoples to discuss her backstory and why this month means so much to so many. Introductions (0:00-1:17) Backstories (1:17-8:08) Why LISD? (8:08-11:01) Favorite Place You Have Visited (11:01-17:14) What Advice Would You Give Your Younger Self (17:14-29:32) Open Discussion (29:32-30:54) Outro (30:54-31:18)

On The Street: Celebrating Asian American Pacific Islanders Month with Austin Prum Knowles Elementary’s Physical Education teacher, Austin Prum sat down with Chief of the Office of Educational Access, DeWayne Street, to chat about Asian American Pacific Islanders Month. He uses his culture and life experiences to teach his students about diversity and acceptance. In his 11 years of education, Aust...

Season 2 Episode 7 – Women’s History Month with Ashley Anderson, Donna Simons, and Dr. Erika Cruz DeWayne sits down with Ashley, Donna, and Erika about their backgrounds and the inspirational women in their lives. Introductions (0:00-1:30) Backstories (1:30-8:13) Favorite Subject, Favorite Teachers (8:13-13:53) Why LISD? (13:53-21:43) Why Women’s History Month is Important in LISD (21:43-27:54) Op...

Leander High School’s head football coach and Athletic Coordinator Kris Price joined the Chief of the Office of Educational Access DeWayne Street to discuss what African American History Month means to them and what it’s like being a coach in this day and age. Price has more than 20 years of coaching experience and has called Leander ISD home for the last six years. He takes pride in preparing his...

2025 marks the 39th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. MLK was a pioneer and trailblazer who inspired many during his time and continues to be a source of wisdom and guidance today. The guest for this episode of On the Street, Rodney Page, was one of many who took the civil rights leaders’ words to heart. Page went on to become not only the first women’s basketball coach at the Univers...

Chief of the Office of Educational Access DeWayne Street invited Camacho Elementary School Instructional Assistant Fran Harper to speak about her 17-year journey in LISD and what Native American Heritage Month means to her. (00:43) DeWayne starts by asking Fran about what led her to the instructional assistant role. Later, DeWayne and Fran have a conversation centered around: (07:36) The importanc...

Chief of the Office of Educational Access DeWayne Street had a special two-guest episode – current LISD Superintendent Bruce Gearing and Tom Glenn, a former LISD superintendent – to discuss the idea of #1LISD and, more specifically, the importance of unity across our 200-square-mile school district. Tom was able to offer a unique perspective of LISD being a one high school town – and just six scho...

Chief of the Office of Educational Access DeWayne Street invited one of Leander ISD's district receptionists, Martha Hinojosa, to learn more about her journey and what Hispanic Heritage Month means to her. In her current role, she serves as one of the first people community members interact with when seeking to learn more about the district. Martha started with LISD in 1996, and over the past near...

Chief of the Office of Educational Access DeWayne Street invited Leander ISD’s new executive director of safety and security, Shā Rogers, to speak about her law enforcement background and what led her to be a police officer in public education. Rogers  joined Leander ISD in May . Her position will transition to become the chief of police after LISD’s police department application has been approved...

Back for Season 2, the On the Street podcast will continue to explore opportunities to continue the conversation around educational access and highlight #1LISD ’s efforts around increasing cultural competency for Leander ISD staff. Our work is about bringing people into the conversation and increasing dialectical practice. Chief of the Office of Educational Access DeWayne Street invited Superinten...

Chief of the Office of Educational Access DeWayne Street invited Leander ISD Chief of Schools Matthew Gutierrez, Ed. D., to speak about his journey in education and the meaning and history of LGBTQ+ Pride Month. DeWayne starts by asking Matthew about himself as a person and a practitioner, along with his favorite childhood memory (00:49). Later, DeWayne and Matthew have a conversation centered aro...

In recognition of the 70th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark decision, Chief of the Office of Educational Access DeWayne Street invited Shawn Swisher, LISD’s general counsel in the Legal Services department, to commemorate the Brown v. Board of Education court case and reflect on the ripple it has had throughout the country. (00:48) DeWayne starts by asking Shawn about his backgroun...

Chief of the Office of Educational Access DeWayne Street invited Leander High School Instructional Assistant and Job Coach Ramona Kar to speak about her journey and the significance of Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month. (00:52) DeWayne starts by asking about Ramona’s background and what attracted her to Leander ISD. Later, DeWayne and Ramona have a conversation centered around: (03:55...

Chief of the Office of Educational Access DeWayne Street invited Vandegrift High School Principal Charlie Little to speak about his journey and the significance of Celebrate Diversity Month. (00:46) DeWayne starts by asking about his background as a person and as an educator.  Later, DeWayne and Charlie have a conversation centered around: (07:05) Leading in a fluid environment of changing ethnic...

Chief of the Office of Educational Access DeWayne Street invited a panel of guests – Area Superintendent Angela Hodges, Senior Director of Transportation Tracie Franco and Senior Executive Director of Campus Activities Jody Hormann – to speak about their journey and the significance of Women’s History Month. DeWayne starts by asking the three of them to share a little bit about themselves personal...

In the first  video episode of the podcast, Chief of Educational Access DeWayne Street invited Superintendent Bruce Gearing, Ed. D., to speak about the Culture of Voting in Leander ISD and the state of public education. Don’t forget! Early voting ends Friday, March 1, and then Election Day is Tuesday, March 5. The Compass: A Culture of Voting DeWayne starts by asking Bruce to share a little bit ab...

In a special role-reversal episode of the podcast, Chief of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion DeWayne Street served as the guest while Chief Communications Officer Crestina Hardie played host, asking him to speak about his journey and the significance of African-American History Month. Crestina starts by asking DeWayne to share a little bit about himself as a person and as a professional (01:05) . L...

Chief of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion DeWayne Street invited Vincent Hawkins, the principal of Rouse High School, to speak about his journey and the significance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. DeWayne asks Vincent to share a little bit about himself and what led him to become and educator (01:07) . Later, DeWayne and Vincent have a conversation centered around: What Does MLK Day Mean in 2024? (...

Chief of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion DeWayne Street invited Paulette Jones, the dean of instruction at Glenn High School, to speak about the focus on equitable access and students' opportunities to take advanced classes and AP courses. DeWayne asks Paulette to share a little bit about herself and what led her to become and educator (01:15) . Later, DeWayne and Paulette have a conversation...

For Native American Heritage Month, Chief of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion DeWayne Street invited Tracy Edwards, a special education teacher at Akin Elementary, to speak about her journey and the significance of the month. DeWayne asks Tracy to share a little bit about her journey (01:10) . Later, DeWayne and Tracy have a conversation centered around: Growing Up Native American (02:31) Rock Your...

In the inaugural podcast for the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion – On the Street: A #1LISD Journey – DeWayne Street, the Chief of DEI, invited the recently hired principal for River Ridge Elementary, Dr. Sally Sosa, to speak about her journey and the significance of Hispanic Heritage Month. DeWayne asks Sally to share a little bit about her journey (1:41). Later, DeWayne and Sally have a...