Clearity: Recent Episodes
Clear Creek ISD Office of Communications
This is Clearity – a bi-monthly podcast distinctly for the faculty and staff of Clear Creek ISD. Through topics like “Who Made that Decision?” and “Let’s Talk, CCISD,” we’ll focus on what matters most to our people and their daily lives in the Creek.
In this episode, principal of League City Elementary, Xan Freudenberg and Kelley Lane, director of Learning Technologies share how, as an aspiring leader, they can work to provide resources and remove obstacles for others.
In this episode, Ross Elementary principal, Kelly Mooney and secondary Dean of Instruction for Clear Lake High School, Vena Dass, chat about staying focused on the work and what that means for campus-based leaders.
CCISD Gold Star Leaders is a podcast dedicated to sharing our CCISD leadership beliefs and inspiring leaders at all levels to embrace their leadership traits, to positively impact this amazing school district. In this episode, Parr Elementary Principal Jennifer Buckels and Tami Pickett, the assistant director of transportation operations who embody a CCISD leadership belief that a CCISD leader has clarity of vision share more about their practices.
CCISD Gold Star Leaders is a podcast dedicated to sharing our CCISD leadership beliefs and inspiring leaders at all levels to embrace their leadership traits, to positively impact this amazing school district. In this episode, Bauerschlag Elementary Principal Wendy Menachery and Claire Poa, the principal of Clear Falls High School who embody a CCISD leadership belief that a CCISD leader has clarity of vision share more about their practices.
Clear Creek ISD is home to over 5,000 educators, administrators, and support staff committed to helping students achieve, contribute and lead with integrity. Dr. Britani Moses talks with Verna Henry, the Substitute Coordinator for Clear Creek ISD in this episode. Ms. Henry shares what motivates her, how her substitutes inspire her, and why she stays in Clear Creek ISD. Enjoy.
In this episode of CCISD to the Fullest, hosts Lindsey Hunt and Dava West sat down with Ed White Elementary physical education teachers, Wendy Clough and April Fortenberry. From costumes to communication and collaboration, this dynamic duo brings passion for the job and passion for physical education every day to the students at Ed White. We’re excited to shed light on their story and the importance of communication in team teaching. Enjoy!
Welcome back to Season 2 of CCISD to the Fullest. In this episode hosts Lindsey Hunt and Dava West sat down with Clear Horizons Early College High School's Spanish teacher, George Koroneos. From Louisiana to Venezuela and on to Texas, George learned early on about the inner workings of lesson planning, and he puts those skills to the test daily in his high-energy classroom where he connects songs to align with his lesson’s TEKS. We’re excited to shed light on his engaging and memorable approach to teaching. Take a listen to learn more.
Welcome to Season 2 of Why I Stay. In this episode, Dr. Britani Moses talks with Eddie Youngblood, Teacher and Head Baseball Coach at Clear Falls High School. Coach Youngblood shares what motivates him after 36 years of teaching, who inspires him, and how he helps his students by understanding their why. Enjoy.
It's Time to Talk, CCISD.
Join Dr. Karen Engle, Alice Benzaia, and Elaina Polsen for this episode of Let's Talk CCISD—a podcast for Clear Creek ISD employees to keep them updated on what's happening in our District. We are back for season 2 and in the first episode, the team discusses school funding, tax rate and bond elections, and more related to CCISD.
Click here for the presentation discussed in this episode.
Join Dr. Karen Engle, Alice Benzaia, and Elaina Polsen for this episode of Let's Talk CCISD--a podcast for Clear Creek ISD employees to keep them updated on what's happening in our District. Through listening sessions and feedback from our staff, we cover hot topics on the minds of our employees. And today, we're going to talk about the big one. And that's our budget.
We're back to share another bonus episode of our podcast, CCISD to the Fullest. Today’s episode is our time spent with Principal Sharon Lopez of Clear Brook High School. Dr. Lopez talked to us about what becoming a principal looked like for her, what she is grateful for, and some advice for others to live CCISD to the Fullest.
In this bonus episode of our podcast, CCISD to the Fullest, we're spending some time with Coach Larry McRae, Athletic Coordinator at Clear Lake High School. In his role, he wears a lot of hats—from coach, to mentor, to father figure—Coach McRae has a clear passion for his job, a respect for his colleagues, and a devotion to his athletes. We hope you enjoy this interview with Coach McRae as much as we did.
In preparing for our podcast series titled “CCISD to the Fullest,” Dava West and I were honored to get to know some of the CCISD family a little better. Check out this full interview with Ms. “Clear Creek High School” herself, Cathy Donahoe. From Aerospace Engineer to Mother to Administrative Assistant to the Principal at Clear Creek High School, Cathy opens up about her journey to and throughout CCISD. Enjoy.
In this episode of Why I Stay, Dr. Britani Moses talks with Ed Hall, Director of Maintenance & Operations, about how he found his way to CCISD, what inspires him, and how he leads with a heart in his quest to serve students. After 23 years and having held most of the roles in his department, he wouldn't have it any other way.
In this episode of Who Made That Decision, host Elaina Polsen is joined by Dr. Susan Silva, Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning, as well as Angela Hickelman, Director of Professional Learning. The topic is Professional Learning Communities: how they have evolved in CCISD, the value of collaboration, and tips for maximizing shared expertise.
It's time to talk with Mattew Fuller in this bonus episode of CCISD to the Fullest. And with Matthew, it's all about gratitude. Matthew left the restaurant industry to join the catering and concessions team in Clear Creek ISD, and he’s forever grateful for the opportunity. He opens up about how coming to CCISD has given him a simple joy—the opportunity to eat dinner with his wife every night. Here’s Matthew sharing why he is so happy to be in Clear Creek ISD.
It's time to talk with Bill Kroynovich in this bonus episode of CCISD to the Fullest. Bill Kroynovich is the stadium manager for Challenger Columbia Stadium. After being in banking for 30 years, Bill joined CCISD as a general draftsman over eight years ago. In a true field of dreams moment, his love of sports and being in the right place at the right time collided to give him the opportunity of a lifetime.Here’s Bill Kronovich sharing his passion for CCISD’s Challenger Columbia Stadium and what it means to him to live CCISD to the Fullest.
It's time to talk with Ashley Burges in this bonus episode of CCISD to the Fullest. In preparation for the podcast series, CCISD to the Fullest, Dava West and Lindsey Hunt spent time with some colleagues to talk about life inside and outside of Clear Creek ISD. In this bonus episode, we get to know Ashley Burges. Ashley is an adapted PE teacher for CCISD, a coach at Brookside Intermediate School, AND lead of the Special Olympics program for the District. She came right out of college to CCISD and here, she combined her three passions—coaching, teaching, and special education—into a single role within the District. Here’s our time spent with Ashley. Enjoy.
We hear the word. We use the word. We know the basic definition, but what is gratitude? Join Dava West, Director of Counseling and Student Services, and Lindsey Hunt, Communications Specialist, as they talk about gratitude—what it means, the benefits of having it in your life, and how to practice gratitude—in this episode of the CCISD to the Fullest podcast.
In this bonus episode of CCISD to the Fullest, Dava West and Lindsey Hunt spoke with Jordan Pawelek, a second-year, third-grade math, science, and social studies teacher at Parr Elementary. She opened up about her unlikely path to becoming a teacher, what her first year was like, and some of the strategies she adopted to overcome some of her first-year obstacles. And we're so honored that she did. Here's Jordan sharing some advice on how she prevents burnout and how she works to fill her star bars.
In this episode of Why I Stay, Dr. Casey O'Pry and Dr. Britani Moses talk with Angela Jacquo-Baines about her passion for creating miracles, her journey through her various roles in CCISD, and what keeps her coming back for more year after year. Angela's enthusiasm and positive outlook are contagious and we hope you connect with her story. Enjoy.
In preparation for the podcast series, CCISD to the Fullest, Dava West and Lindsey Hunt spent time with some colleagues to talk about life inside and outside of Clear Creek. In this bonus episode, Greg Cruthirds, the Director of Purchasing for CCISD, shares some rules of the road to living CCISD to the Fullest as well as why he is an avid angler. It's worth the listen. Enjoy.
In this episode of Who Made That Decision, Elaina Polsen speaks with Dustin Hardin and Kelly Lane about the upcoming learning management system switch from itslearning to Canvas. Together the discuss the reason behind the switch, the process taken to select Canvas, and what to expect with the upcoming switch.
There's a reason that the word people comes first in the CCISD guiding principles. And, our people are really the purpose behind our podcast series titled CCISD to the Fullest. Join Dava West, Director of Counseling and Student Services, and Lindsey Hunt, Communications Specialist, as they embark on a journey throughout the school year to tell our stories, make connections and share advice on how to live, or strive to live, CCISD to the fullest. Here's the first episode about what CCISD to the Fullest means to employees.
Welcome to the CCISD Culture Club, a book club podcast where we explore ways to increase connections in Clear Creek ISD. During this podcast series, Dr. Karen Engle joined by fellow culture club members Holly Hughes and Franklin Moses will read and discuss the book titled The Culture Code by Daniel Coyle. Take a listen as they share thoughts on chapters one, two, and three in the first episode of this series.
There's a reason that the word people comes first in our CCISD guiding principles and our people are really the purpose behind an upcoming podcast series titled CCISD to the Fullest. Here's a preview of some of the rules of the road, so to speak, from CCISD employees who are living or striving to live CCISD to the fullest.
Clear Creek ISD is home to a team of over 5,000 educators, administrators, and support staff who are committed to helping students achieve, contribute and lead with integrity. And, we’re going to talk to some of those people about what keeps them inspired and why they stay. In this episode, Coach Penders opens up about his love for CCISD, why he stays, and what motivates him to keep going.
It's Time to Talk, CCISD. Join Dr. Engle, Dr. Bayard, and Elaina Polsen as they share a District update in this episode of Let's Talk, CCISD. Hear feedback on the first IP day as well as the Listen, Learn, & Respond tour, get safety updates, listen to some employee shout-outs, and learn more about the great things going on in Clear Creek ISD.
Welcome to our first episode of Who Made That Decision? This podcast is dedicated to answering the frequently asked questions from our CCISD Team. If you have a topic, you would like us to cover, please send your idea to information@ccisd.net.
With our focus on PEOPLE, we thought the best topic to launch with is our budget because 90% of our operating budget is invested in our employees. We know you have lots of questions about how it all works and most importantly, how our budget impacts you directly.
During this episode, we'll go over where the money comes from, what factors influence our budget, how the budget is allocated, understanding the tax rates, and much more.
This is Clearity—a bi-monthly podcast distinctly for the faculty and staff of Clear Creek ISD. Through topics like “Who Made that Decision?” and “Let’s Talk, CCISD,” we’ll focus on what matters most to our people and their daily lives in the creek.