Engaging Texas Families

From Strangers to Community: The Power of Showing Up with Marcela Andres

In this episode, Marcela Andres shares her powerful "why," reflecting on the teacher who saw her potential beyond her circumstances and challenging the "at-risk" labels that often limit families. She dismantles the excuse of "no time," urging us to build the trust necessary to enter spaces as strangers and leave as a community by simply being good humans who show up. To wrap things up, Marcela brings the energy with a fun look at her recent writing, dissecting why the high-stakes drama and intensity of Parent and Family Engagement can often feel like stepping directly into a WWE event. designEDengagement: https://www.designedengagement.com/ [https://www.designedengagement.com/] Article mentioned at the 14:35 mark: https://www.marcelaandres.com/blog-1/familyengagementatwwe

From the Classroom to the Texas PFE Council with Dr. Todd White

Join Dr. Todd White as he shares his transformative journey from the classroom to the superintendent’s office, offering a unique look at his leadership on the Parent and Family Engagement Statewide Council. Dr. White breaks down the data-driven "academic connection," proving exactly how high-impact family engagement directly correlates to student achievement and the critical value of radical transparency between schools and homes. Finally, he offers a heartfelt personal reflection on how diverse school staff members have uniquely shaped the lives of his four very different children, emphasizing that every educator holds the power to change a family's trajectory.

Legos & Lessons with Jaime Huerta

In this episode, we sit down with Jaime Huerta, whose journey comes full circle from being a Head Start student to serving on his hometown school board immediately after high school. Originally aspiring to be a lawyer, Jaime reveals the moment that shifted his heart toward education, leading him through roles as a teacher and administrator to his current position overseeing compliance and monitoring at the Texas Education Agency. Jaime dives into his philosophy on parent engagement, arguing that true rewards only come after building a relational foundation through simple, positive outreach. He shares high-impact advice for schools on the "dividends" paid by making non-academic, celebratory calls to families to strengthen community bonds. Finally, Jaime shares how he decompresses from the pressures of state leadership through his newest passion: building with Legos to clear his mind and spark creativity.

The First Love: Building Community with Shanceler Terry

In this episode, Shanceler Terry, Director of Family and Community Engagement for Alief ISD, reflects on a 28-year career that brought her full circle from the classroom back to her "first love" of serving families.Drawing on her experiences as a mother of three and a dedicated community volunteer, Shanceler shares her "Core Four" mission—reading, talking, eating, and playing—as the essential daily habits for long-term academic success.She also discusses her leadership in Collaborative Conversations, an initiative where Houston-area districts unite to share innovative engagement strategies. Through a heartfelt "mom moment" involving aschool custodian, Shanceler illustrates how every staff member plays a vital role in campus culture and why family liaisons are the essential bridge for connecting parents to the heart of the school.Ailef ISD: https://www.facebook.com/AliefISD

From the Ag Shop to the Agency: A Legacy of Leadership with Cory Green

In this episode, 31-year TEA veteran Cory Green shares his remarkable journey from agriculture teacher to Associate Commissioner, highlighting a career defined by service and a family legacy that has seen his children follow him into the classroom. He offers a masterclass in modern education by distinguishing between simple parent involvement and true partnership-based engagement, while providing candid, heart-led advice for new teachers on building trust with families. Through a moving personal story, Cory illustrates how daily interactions with school staff form a critical safety net for students and their parents alike. As he prepares for retirement, he discusses his mission to mentor the next generation of leaders before stepping into his most anticipated role: being the greatest "Grumpy" in Texas and never missing a grandkid's event. Video at 15:00:00 mark: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VxyxywShewI