An interview with Natalie Platschka, a Kindergarten teacher in Fort Worth, TX.

Today I am talking with Andrew Brinker, a high school Environmental Science teacher in Fort Worth, TX. I met Andrew in 2019 when I was recruiting teachers for a National Science Foundation research project, and we have been working together ever since. Andrew’s work on the Trinity River Turtle Survey has been featured in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram and KERA, to name a few, as well as in science conferences in Texas and around the country. He is the sponsor of the recycling club at Paschal High School, as well as the science club and his students compete in science competitions all over the state. Andrew was named the 2020 Environmental Educator of the Year by the Texas Environmental Excellence Awards, and in this episode you will see why. He is an ambassador for science, the environment, and experiential learning, and I hope you learn as much as I did from talking with him.

Today I am talking with Lauren Waldman, a high school social studies teacher in Dallas, TX. I first met Lauren as a high school student when she was on a campus visit at TCU. The next fall she enrolled in my introductory education class, and I was so glad to see she had enrolled. I taught Lauren in a couple more classes at TCU, and she spent a year working for me as a graduate teaching assistant. I can’t wait to catch up with Lauren and find out what she is up to now that she’s doing what she loves to do, teaching.

Today I am talking with Ilse Espino Ortega, a middle school math teacher in Fort Worth, TX. I met Ilse in the Spring 2016 semester when she took my introductory education class. At the time, Ilse was exploring education as a major, and I am so glad she decided to choose teaching as her career. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Middle School Math Education and a Master’s in Math Education. She is an incredible teacher, and we can learn so much from her about teaching and working with young people.

Today I am talking with Dr. Steve Przymus, an Assistant Professor of Education at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, TX. I met Steve in 2016 when he joined the faculty in the College of Education. Steve has extensive experience teaching at the middle and high school level, both in the United States and abroad. He now leverages that experience as a teacher, as well as his own research, to help prepare college students for a career in education. I am really looking forward to learning more about Steve and his journey as an educator.

Today I am talking with Allie Castellano, a first grade teacher in Fort Worth, TX. I met Allie in 2012, my first year at TCU when she was a first year student. A few years later, Allie worked for me as a teaching assistant when she was a graduate student. From the very beginning, I knew Allie was going to be one of those teachers who made a huge impact in her students’ lives, and she has surpassed my expectations. I can’t wait to talk with her about teaching and learning, and there may even be a mystery reference to Pokemon!

Today I am talking with Clint Allen, a middle school social studies teacher in Arlington, TX. I met Clint in 2019 when I spoke at the induction ceremony for the National Junior Honor Society at the Oakridge School. Clint started off as a youth minister, but he has spent the last several years teaching in both public and independent schools. Clint is an inspirational educator and I learned so much from talking with him. We even diverged into two of my favorite topics: Mr. Rogers and Hamilton, so you know this will be good!

Today I am talking with Karina Hinz Barrigas, a middle school English/Language Arts teacher in Fort Worth, TX. I’ve known Karina since 2014 when she was a student in my introductory education course at TCU. Since then, Karina has taken additional courses from me, and I was even her student teaching supervisor. Karina stayed at TCU for an additional year, and she worked for me as a graduate teaching assistant. Karina is an amazing teacher, and we will learn so much from her story.

Today I am talking with Samuel Moseley, an educator living in Fort Worth, TX. I’ve known Samuel since 2012 when he was a student in my educational technology class at TCU. Samuel started off as a high school English teacher, but he has also taught middle school Language Arts, and he is currently a coordinator for programs of choice at his alma mater, Southwest High School. Samuel has been a passionate and dedicated educator for over 5 years, and we can learn a lot from his experiences.

Today I am talking with Sydney Heckes, a teacher in Frisco, TX. I’ve known Sydney since 2013 when he was a student in my introductory education class at TCU. I knew from the very start Sydney was going to be a superstar teacher, and it was so much fun watching her flourish as a student and teacher in the College of Education. She also worked for me during her Master’s program as a teaching assistant, and I was honored to serve on the committee for her final treatise project. I am super excited to catch up with Sydney and learn about her first few years of teaching.

Today I am talking with Mallory Birckhead Graham, a middle school English teacher living in Virginia. I’ve known Mallory since 2007 when she was a student in my educational technology class at the University of Virginia. In addition to being an amazing student and future teacher, Mallory was our twin boys’ very first babysitter! I am really looking forward to catching up with Mallory and finding out what she has been up to for the past few years. More specifically, I can’t wait to hear what she has to share with us about her teaching career.

Today I am talking with Bryan Chadderdon, a high school Science teacher and soccer coach in Casper, WY. I’ve known Bryan since junior high, as a friend, teammate, colleague, and I was even one of his assistant coaches for the soccer team. Bryan brings a wealth of information about teaching and coaching, and I can’t wait to hear what he has to say.

This episode is a bookmark. No guests, no silly commentary, just me reflecting on the first season. I did something I am not accustomed to doing: Speaking off script. I hope you will take a few minutes to listen to my final thoughts and reflections on this season of the Chalkdust Podcast.

Today I am talking with Sarah Weshphal, a middle school math teacher living in Fort Worth, TX. I first met Sarah back in the fall of 2013, during her second year at TCU, when she was considering changing her major. Like so many other education students at TCU, my introductory education class was her first stop in the College of Education. Since that first semester, I have had the opportunity to work with Sarah on other occasions, and I have seen her grow into the incredibly skilled, talented teacher she is today.

This is a recording of my conversation with Tori Mooibroek last spring. I first met Tori in the fall semester of 2014, when she was enrolled in one of my courses in the College of Education at TCU. A couple of years later, she worked as my graduate teaching assistant, which is where I really got to see Tori’s strengths as a teacher for the first time. In her 4 years as a teacher, she has continued to flourish and have an amazing impact in the lives of her students. I hope you learn as much from Tori as I did.

Today I am talking with Dr. Michael Faggella-Luby, a Professor of Education at TCU and Director of the Alice Neeley Special Education Research and Service Institute, commonly referred to as the ANSERS Institute. Michael and I have been colleagues since 2013, when he joined the faculty in the College of Education. Over the years, I have been inspired by Michael’s passion and expertise in education, but more importantly we have become friends. Join me today as Michael talks about his first year as a high school English and Chemistry teacher (yes, you read that right). Please join us for this conversation!

Today I am talking with Matt King from Mansfield, TX. I first met Matt back in the fall of 2014 when he was enrolled in my introductory education class in the College of Education,and he took an educational technology class from me the next semester. Matt started off as an elementary classroom teacher, And he is now the PE teacher in the same school. Matt is incredibly energetic and creative, and most importantly he loves working with kids and being a positive role model in their lives.

to tell. This is Curby Alexander, your host, and today I am talking with Bryce MacDougall, a high school social studiese teacher living in Fort Worth, TX. I first met Bryce back in the spring of 2016, when he was still in high school. He and his parents came to campus to meet some of the professors and talk about his college major. I knew instantly that Bryce was going to be an amazing teacher, and I was beyond thrilled to see him in my class that fall. Bryce is a teacher and a coach, and he is here to talk about how things are going during his first year in the classroom.

Welcome to Episode 4 of the Chalkdust Podcast, where teachers talk about their experiences in the classroom. Because once the dust settles, every teacher has a story to tell. This is Curby Alexander, your host, and today I am talking with Chandler Hefter, a 1st grade teacher living in Coppell, TX. I first met Chandler back in the fall of 2014, when she was enrolled in my introductory education course at TCU. We worked together again more closely during the 2018-19 academic year, when she was one of my graduate teaching assistants. Chandler is one of those people whose energy and positivity are totally contagious, and I know her students love being in her class. I can't wait for you to meet her.