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
109 episodes
#109 - Principal Series: Rogers Middle School with Ajunta Thomas
On this episode of the Building Blocks Podcast, Dr. Larry Berger sits down with Ajunta Thomas, principal of Rogers Middle School a recently recognized as a “Texas School to Watch.”Principal Thomas shares her journey into campus leadershi...
#108 - National Board Certified Teachers
On this episode of the Building Blocks Podcast, Dr. Larry Berger sits down with two exceptional educators from Turner College and Career High School, Chef Sean Dunn and Caren Wonders, who have recently earned the prestigious National Board Cert...
#107 - SPECIAL REPORT: GRADUATION
Graduation is coming home to Pearland! In this special report episode of Building Blocks Podcast, Dr. Larry Berger sits down with Deputy Superintendent Mrs. Kelly Holt to break down everything families need to know about graduation.From ...
#106 - Principal Series: Inside Massey Ranch Elementary with Melanie Grote
In this episode of the Building Blocks Podcast, host Dr. Larry Berger sits down with Melanie Grote, Principal of Massey Ranch Elementary, to talk about her journey into school leadership and the passion behind her work.Melanie shares the...
#105 - Principal Series: Inside the PACE Center with Dr. Kimberly Darden
In this episode of the Building Blocks Podcast, host Dr. Larry Berger sits down with Dr. Kimberly Darden, Principal of the PACE Center, to discuss her journey into campus leadership and what makes her role so rewarding.Dr. Darden shares ...
#104 - Teach, Connect & Inspire with Leasia Teelucksingh
In this episode of the Building Blocks Podcast, host Dr. Larry Berger talks with Leasia Teelucksingh, Pearland ISD’s 2025 Elementary Teacher of the Year, about her journey into teaching and the passion that drives her work.Leasia shares ...
#103 - Principal Series: Inside Challenger Elementary with Becky Morris
On this episode of the Building Blocks Podcast, host Dr. Larry Berger talks with Becky Morris, principal of Challenger Elementary, about leadership, learning, and community.Mrs. Morris shares what inspired her journey into school leaders...
#102 - Principal Series: Learners Today, Legends Tomorrow with Amanda Gordon
In this episode of the Building Blocks Podcast, host Dr. Larry Berger welcomes Amanda "Scoreboard" Gordon, principal of Jamison Middle School, for a conversation centered on leadership during one of the most pivotal stages of a student’s journe...
#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...
#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...
#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...
#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.<...
#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...
#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...
#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...
#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...
#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...
#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...
#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...
#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...
#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...
#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...
#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...
#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....
#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...
