Building Blocks
Pearland ISD’s Podcast that highlights people who are the Building Blocks of Pearland ISD. Your Proud Superintendent, Larry Berger hosts the show and gives listeners, parents, students and staff an inside look at who is Building Pearland Proud.
Guests will include students, staff, leadership and community members.
#BuildPearlandProud
Episodes
101 episodes
#101 - The Program Behind the Playbook: Realignment & Lessons from Two Head Coaches
On this episode of the Building Blocks Podcast, host Dr. Larry Berger is joined by two leaders shaping Friday night lights and far beyond, Mike Allison, Head Football Coach at Dawson High School, and BJ Gotte, Head Football Coach at Pearland Hi...
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Season 3
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Episode 32
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36:00
#100 - Behind the Sidelines: Student Athletic Trainers in Action
On this episode of the Building Blocks Podcast, host Dr. Larry Berger sits down with three remarkable seniors from Dawson High School, Myla Jabbar, Catherine Roth, and Tatum Langley, to highlight the vital role student athletic trainers play in...
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Season 3
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Episode 31
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34:05
#099 - Principal Series: Leading Through Relationships with Ryan Peterson
On this episode of the Building Blocks Podcast, host Dr. Larry Berger sits down with Ryan Peterson, principal of Shadycrest Elementary.Principal Peterson shares his path to school leadership and what he values most about serving students...
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Season 3
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Episode 30
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33:57
#098 - Leading the Pride: Inside the Pearland High School Band
On this episode of the Building Blocks Podcast, host Dr. Larry Berger is joined by Tom Bell, Pearland ISD Director of Fine Arts, and Ryan Demkovich, Pearland High School Band Director, for a behind-the-scenes look at the Pride of Pearland.<...
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Season 3
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Episode 29
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42:17
#097 - Principal Series: Building Success at Sablatura Middle School with Verna Tipton
In this episode of Building Blocks, host Dr. Larry Berger talks with Sablatura Middle School Principal Verna Tipton about her journey into leadership, the programs and partnerships that support student success, and the exciting initiatives taki...
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Season 3
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Episode 28
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21:16
#096 - Stepping Into the Superintendent’s Role
Before heading off to lead the district, Superintendent of the Day Adele Campbell made her first stop on the Building Blocks Podcast.Host Dr. Larry Berger sits down with Adele to discuss leadership, perspective, and her excitement for th...
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Season 3
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Episode 27
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18:16
#095 - Behind the Curtain with Gretchen Meyer
In this episode of Building Blocks, Gretchen Meyer, Pearland ISD’s 2025 Secondary Teacher of the Year and the newly appointed Theatre Teacher at Pearland High School joins Dr. Berger at the table. Gretchen introduces herself to listeners and re...
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Season 3
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Episode 26
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35:42
#094 - Principal Series: Leaving Prints Behind at Alexander Middle School with Andrea Clayton
On this episode of Building Blocks, host Dr. Larry Berger visits with Andrea Clayton, Principal of A-Rated Alexander Middle School, home of the Tigers, to talk about what it takes to build a thriving campus culture.Principal Clayton refl...
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Season 3
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Episode 25
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25:02
#093 – Principal Series: Pride, Honor, Success at Pearland High School with Adrian Washburn
In this episode of Building Blocks, host Dr. Larry Berger sits down with Adrian Washburn, principal of Pearland High School, for an inside look at what it means to lead one of the district’s first schools and carrying on a proud tradition of ex...
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Season 3
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Episode 24
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31:13
#092 - Building Business with Pearland ISD: What Every Vendor Needs to Know
Doing business with a school district can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be.In this episode of Building Blocks, Ja’Nice Lockett, Purchasing Coordinator for Pearland ISD, takes listeners inside the Purchasing Department and exp...
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Season 3
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Episode 23
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33:18
#091 - Principal Series: BCE is the Place to Be with Amanda Windsor
In this Principal Series episode, host Dr. Larry Berger sits down with Amanda Windsor, Principal of Barbara Cockrell Elementary, to share what drives her leadership and what makes her campus special. Mrs. Windsor talks about what inspired her t...
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Season 3
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Episode 22
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23:01
#090 - Principal Series: The Magic in Magnolia with Veronica August
In this Principal Series episode, host Dr. Larry Berger sits down with Veronica August, Principal of Magnolia Elementary, to explore what makes her campus bloom. Principal August shares what inspired her path into leadership, the programs and t...
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Season 3
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Episode 21
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22:05
#089 - Principal Series: Rooted at Rustic Oak with Beth West
In this Principal Series episode, Dr. Larry Berger sits down with Beth West, the steady heartbeat of Rustic Oak Elementary. Principal West reflects on her journey in school leadership, the traditions and programs that make Rustic Oak special, a...
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Season 3
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Episode 20
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26:10
#088 - Principal Series: Star Power with Principal Stacie Van Loenen
In this Principal Series episode, host Dr. Larry Berger sits down with Stacie Van Loenen, Principal of Silverlake Elementary, for a look at the leadership, culture, and innovation driving her campus. Principal Van Loenen shares what inspired he...
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Season 3
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Episode 19
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25:49
#087 - Inside the Making of the Academic School Calendar
It’s one of the hottest topics every year...the school calendar, and in this episode of the Building Blocks Podcast, host Dr. Larry Berger pulls back the curtain with the two people who lead the work: Dr. La’Kesha Henson-Vaughn, Executive Direc...
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Season 3
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Episode 18
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22:35
#086 - The Mom Behind the Proud Superintendent: Kitty Bethke
Get ready for a fun episode as Dr. Larry Berger sits down with his mom, Kitty Bethke. She shares what Larry Ray was really like growing up, the funny moments that hinted at who he’d become, and her reaction when he decided to go into education....
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Season 3
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Episode 17
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40:19
#085 - Principal Series: The Harris Energy with Principal LaShonda Pernetter
In this episode of the Building Blocks Podcast, Dr. Larry Berger talks with Harris Elementary Principal LaShonda Pernetter about the heart and vision behind her campus. She shares what drives her as a leader, the unique experiences Harris offer...
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Season 3
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Episode 16
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26:39
#084 - Principal Series: Junior High South Flex with Jason Frerking
In this episode of the Building Blocks Podcast, Dr. Larry Berger talks with Pearland Junior High South Principal Jason Frerking about what inspired him to lead, the programs and traditions that make his campus special. Mr. Frerking also shares ...
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Season 3
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Episode 15
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35:16
#083 - Principal Series: Inside Lawhon Elementary with Veronica Rodriguez
In this episode of Building Blocks, Dr. Larry Berger chats with Lawhon Elementary Principal Veronica Rodriguez, whose love for learning and leadership shines through in everything she does. From what first inspired her to become a prin...
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Season 3
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Episode 14
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25:00
#082 - Senate Bill 2124: What It Means For Pearland ISD
This special episode of the Building Blocks Podcast breaks format for an important update on Senate Bill 2124 and its impact on advanced programming in Pearland ISD.Dr. Charles Allen and Dr. Cahill join Dr. Berger and Producer Ma...
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Season 3
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Episode 13
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16:44
#081 - Principal Series: Empowering Students with Audie Johnson
In this episode of Building Blocks, Dr. Larry Berger sits down with Audie Johnson, principal of Pearland Junior High East, to talk about leadership, culture, and what it means to create a true sense of belonging on campus.He dives into o...
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Season 3
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Episode 12
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23:09
#080 - The Coaching Effect: How Pearland ISD Elevates Instructional Excellence
In this episode of Building Blocks, Dr. Berger sits down with Indira Ramirez, Pearland ISD’s Coordinator of Instruction & Professional Learning, and Angelina Bouchard, Middle School Math Instructional Coach, to dive deep into the d...
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Season 3
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Episode 11
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50:48
#079 - Principal Series: Student Connection with Amy Etchberger
In this episode of the Building Blocks Podcast we are continuing the Principal Series, with Amy Etchberger, principal of Carleston Elementary. Mrs. Etchberger shares what inspired her to become a school leader, the joys of working with elementa...
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Season 3
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Episode 10
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19:23
#078 - Principal Series: Building the Berry Miller Tradition
In this episode of the Building Blocks Podcast, Dr. Larry Berger sits down with Tony Barcelona, principal of Berry Miller Junior High. Mr. Barcelona shares what led him into educational leadership, the most rewarding parts of guiding s...
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Season 3
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Episode 9
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30:43
#077 - Principal Series: Elevating Learning with Stacie Muras
In this episode of the Building Blocks Podcast, Dr. Larry Berger visits with Stacie Muras, principal of Silvercrest Elementary. Mrs. Muras talks about what drew her to school leadership and the unique rewards of working with elementary...
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Season 3
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Episode 9
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22:06
