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
87 episodes
#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
#076 - Principal Series: Preparing Students for the Next Step with Dr. Kai Bouchard
In this episode of the Building Blocks Podcast, Dr. Larry Berger sits down with Dr. Kai Bouchard, principal of Robert Turner College & Career High School. Dr. Bouchard shares what inspired him to pursue educational leadership, the ...
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Season 3
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Episode 8
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40:55
#075 - Principal Series: Elevating the Game with Dr. Dana Ashley
In this episode of the Building Blocks Podcast, Dr. Larry Berger sits down with Dr. Dana Ashley, principal of Pearland Junior High West. Dr. Ashley shares what inspired her to become a principal, the rewarding aspects of leading her campus and ...
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Season 3
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Episode 7
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36:00
#074 - Bright Wishes & Community Pride: The Pearland Lions
In this episode of the Building Blocks Podcast, host Dr. Larry Berger sits down with Lonnie Grohman of the Pearland Lions Club and Cindy Gutierrez, Pearland ISD communications specialist and manager of the Bright Wishes Giving Campaign. Togethe...
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Season 3
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Episode 6
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35:21
#073 - Navigating Change: Dr. Laura Reeves on Technology in Education
In this episode of Building Blocks, we talk with Dr. Laura Reeves, Pearland ISD’s Director of Educational Technology, about how technology is shaping the way students learn and teachers teach. Dr. Reeves outlines the district’s top pri...
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Season 3
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Episode 5
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33:55
#072 - Building Stronger Student Support: Clara Gerard on Counseling and Guidance
In this episode of Building Blocks, we sit down with Clara Gerard, Pearland ISD’s new Director of Counseling and Guidance Services. Clara shares her journey to Pearland ISD and her vision for strengthening counseling programs across th...
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Season 3
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Episode 4
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22:42
#071 - Special Programs Focus: Goals, Support & Student Success!
In this episode of the Building Blocks Podcast, we sit down with Sheri Maston, Pearland ISD’s Executive Director of Special Programs. Sheri shares her journey to Pearland ISD, what excites her about leading Special Programs, and her to...
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Season 3
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Episode 3
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33:31
#070 - School Safety Spotlight: Armed Guards, Threat Assessments & Prevention!
In this episode of the Building Blocks Podcast, we sit down with John Palombo, Pearland ISD’s Executive Director of Safety and Operations, for an in-depth look at how the district is safeguarding students and staff. We discuss the rece...
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Season 3
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Episode 2
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29:02
#069 - Back to School Breakdown: Legislation, Transportation & What’s Ahead!
School’s back in session, and so is the Building Blocks Podcast! In this episode, Dr. Berger and Producer Mac unpack the latest back-to-school essentials from important legislation that impacts our classrooms to updates on transportation and ho...
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Season 3
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Episode 1
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33:22
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#068 - G.O.A.T. Episode: On the Mic with Berger & Producer Mac
In this fun, off-the-cuff episode, Dr. Berger and Producer Mac close out this podcast season asking each other with rapid-fire questions as they dive into the G.O.A.T. (Greatest of All Time) moments in Pearland ISD, careers and even their schoo...
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30:40
#067 - Alumni Highlight: Jake Cummings - Performing, Directing & Giving Back Through Theatre
In this episode of Building Blocks, we shine the spotlight on Jake Cummings, a Dawson High School alumnus whose passion for musical theatre has taken him from the stages of Pearland to performances and productions across Texas.Jake share...
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26:44
#066 - Alumni Highlight: Elizabeth Campo - From PHS Leader to Food Security Advocate
In this inspiring episode of Building Blocks, we catch up with Elizabeth Campo, a proud Pearland High School alumna whose high school years were packed with leadership, service, and school spirit. From serving as class vice-president all four y...
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22:33
#065 - Meet the 2025 Valedictorians for Pearland ISD
In this special episode of Building Blocks, we celebrate the voices and stories of Pearland ISD’s 2025 valedictorians: Lydia Greer from Turner College & Career High School, Patrick Hughes from Glenda Dawson High School, and Kaiden Vo from P...
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39:53
#064 - HLSR Grand Champions of Grit & Welding Excellence
In this episode, we spotlight Travis Pennica and Matthew Shanks, Pearland ISD students whose hard work and craftsmanship earned them the prestigious title of Houston Livestock Show Grand Champions in Industrial Craft Competition. These two talk...
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32:25
#063 - Alumni Highlight: Jonathan Kraft - From the Pride of Pearland to 'Pershing’s Own'
In this episode, Dr. Berger catches up with Jonathan Kraft, a Pearland High School alumnus whose musical journey has taken him from marching with the Pride of Pearland to performing with the U.S. Army Band ‘Pershing’s Own’, one of the most elit...
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30:01
