Ruff Draft Podcast

Send us Fan Mail In this heart-stirring episode, Saicy and Mike sit down with one of Clyde CISD’s own success stories, Caleb Powell (Class of 2022). As a former FFA student, Caleb hasn’t just stayed connected to his roots—he’s expanded them by founding Operation Stockshow , a faith-based non-profit dedicated to bringing the joy of the show ring to students with special needs. Caleb’s ties to the d...

Send us Fan Mail In this uplifting episode, Mike and Saicy dive into the power of gratitude and the impact one positive action can have on an entire community. From the idea of paying it forward to the mindset of celebrating what’s right instead of focusing on what’s wrong, they explore how small choices can create a ripple effect of encouragement and hope. They also shine a light on the importanc...

Send us Fan Mail If your New Year's resolution was to stop working on weekends, this episode is your roadmap. Today, we’re diving into TeachShare , the AI-powered platform that’s changing the game for lesson prep. We’re breaking down how to go from a blank page to a fully differentiated, standards-aligned lesson plan in under three minutes. From generating custom worksheets and AI slide decks...

Send us Fan Mail January is School Board Appreciation Month , and to celebrate, we’re sitting down with the man currently leading the charge for Clyde CISD: Board President Robert Frost .  While many of us see the Board of Trustees sitting behind the dais once a month, few of us see the hundreds of volunteer hours, the complex policy debates, and the deep commitment to student success that happen...

Send us Fan Mail Is it a "behavior crisis" or a "connection crisis"? This week, we explore the changing attitudes in education and how they are reshaping student behavior. We break down the root causes of the current "Great Disengagement." If you’ve felt the weight of teacher burnout or the frustration of a quiet (or chaotic) classroom, join us as we figure out how to...

Send us Fan Mail School budgets are more than just spreadsheets—they are a reflection of our values. This week, we sit down with our CFO to deconstruct the world of public school funding. Inside the episode: The Big Picture: Where public school money actually comes from. The Paper Trail: How the PO process works (and why it matters). The Budget Breakdown: Understanding "Categorical" vs....

Send us Fan Mail Listen as we walk through the latest and greatest features of Padlet ! From the new digital whiteboard experience in Sandbox to AI-powered classroom tools, we’re breaking down everything you need to know to level up your collaboration. We’ve got some exciting updates on access and pricing to share: Padlet Sandbox Update: Great news! Unlimited Sandbox access for free users has been...

Send us Fan Mail The thoughts, opinions, and views expressed in this podcast are those of the individuals featured in the episode and do not necessarily reflect the official policies, positions, or views of Clyde CISD. 

Send us Fan Mail The thoughts, opinions, and views expressed in this podcast are those of the individuals featured in the episode and do not necessarily reflect the official policies, positions, or views of Clyde CISD. 

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Ruff Draft Podcast, Mike and Saicy share unique and meaningful holiday gift ideas for teachers, students, and school staff. From creative classroom-friendly surprises to heartfelt ways to show real appreciation, this quick guide will help you find the perfect gift without the stress. Tune in for thoughtful suggestions, fun banter, and inspiration for the hol...

Send us Fan Mail Part 2 Description – Scott’s Journey & Role at Workforce Solutions In the first segment, Mike and Saicy sit down with Scott to pull back the curtain on what it really looks like to support high school seniors at one of the most pivotal moments in their lives. Scott shares how he became a student success representative with Workforce Solutions and gives listeners a look at the...

Send us Fan Mail Part 1 Description – Scott’s Journey & Role at Workforce Solutions In the first segment, Mike and Saicy sit down with Scott to pull back the curtain on what it really looks like to support high school seniors at one of the most pivotal moments in their lives. Scott shares how he became a student success representative with Workforce Solutions and gives listeners a look at the...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Mike and Saicy dive into the everyday tech slip-ups that frustrate, confuse, and sometimes make us laugh. From forgotten passwords and Wi-Fi woes to the mystery of why the printer only jams when you’re in a hurry, the duo breaks down the most common tech troubles we all face — and how to avoid them. The thoughts, opinions, and views expressed in this podcast are t...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Rough Draft Podcast, we delve into the transformative power of relationships in education. Inspired by Rita Pearson's viral TED Talk, we discuss the importance of being a champion for students, the challenges educators face, and the small yet impactful ways to connect with every child. Join us as we explore how fostering these connections can lead to a...

Send us Fan Mail Join us on the Rough Draft Podcast as we explore innovative ways to transform traditional classroom tools into engaging learning experiences. Discover how Genially can turn mundane worksheets into interactive adventures, sparking curiosity and excitement in students. Whether you're an educator looking to revitalize your lessons or simply curious about the future of education,...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Rough Draft Podcast, we celebrate Principles Month by exploring the essential qualities that make a great school leader. Join us as we delve into the "Three V's of Leadership"—Visibility, Vision, and Validation—and discuss how these principles can transform a school environment. With personal anecdotes and practical insights, we aim to inspire...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Saicy and Mike dive into how any school — regardless of size or budget — can start its own podcasting program to enhance learning, creativity, and communication. From selecting simple recording equipment to using platforms like Riverside and Buzzsprout, they walk listeners through how schools can give students and teachers a platform to share ideas, lessons, and s...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Saicy shares her creative idea for using AI-powered color analysis to help people discover the shades and tones that best complement their skin tone, hair, and eye color — without paying for an expensive personal consultant. Her approach lets anyone upload a photo, allow an AI model to analyze undertones, and receive instant recommendations for wardrobe colors, ma...

Send us Fan Mail This week we’re joined by Ashley from Region 14 to talk about exciting new AI learning opportunities happening this fall. The AI Cohort kicks off October 22 with a keynote from Amy Mayer of friEdTech , and continues on November 19 and December 10 with sessions on tools like MagicSchool, Google Gemini, and more . Participants will also complete six hours of self-paced AI PD to put...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we sit down with Clyde's Director of Technology, Mike Neal, for an in-depth conversation about his unique journey to leadership. How does one go from working at AT&T to overseeing the entire technological infrastructure for over a thousand students and staff? Mr. Neal shares his personal and professional story, detailing the pivotal moments and key decisi...

Send us Fan Mail Should robots be grading work like teachers? 🎓🤖 This week we tackle a big (and controversial!) question—can AI really grade essays fairly, or is that a job only humans should do? Tune in for a lively chat full of pros, cons, and a few surprises along the way  The thoughts, opinions, and views expressed in this podcast are those of the individuals featured in the episode and do n...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Kinslow to dive into the Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA) and what it looks like in our district this year. From how teachers can qualify, to the impact TIA has on campuses and student learning, Dr. Kinslow helps break down the process and answer key questions. Whether you’re a teacher, administrator, or simply curious about how TIA supports...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we dive into the world of bot stacking —the strategic use of multiple AI tools to boost creativity, productivity, and personalization in education. We're joined by Miguel Guhlin from TCEA , author of the original blog post that inspired this conversation, to explore how educators can act as conductors, orchestrating specialized AI bots like ChatGPT, Perplexit...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when you mix tech-savvy educators, meaningful professional learning, and a beachside backdrop? You get the Tech Beach Retreat ! In this episode, Mike sits down with Saicy to talk all about the vision behind this unique professional development experience, how it came together, and what made it such a success. From planning logistics to standout sessions—and even a few...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we unpack Texas House Bill 1481 and its sweeping impact on student cell phone use in schools. Learn how the new law will affect school policies, discipline, and device management starting in the 2025–26 school year. The thoughts, opinions, and views expressed in this podcast are those of the individuals featured in the episode and do not necessarily reflect the of...