On the Street: A #1LISD Journey Leander ISD

Chief of the Office of Educational Access DeWayne Street invited Vandegrift High School Principal Charlie Little to speak about his journey and the significance of Celebrate Diversity Month.



(00:46) DeWayne starts by asking about his background as a person and as an educator. 



Later, DeWayne and Charlie have a conversation centered around:

(07:05) Leading in a fluid environment of changing ethnic and income diversity

(16:55) Fostering different types of diversity

(27:40) Favorite educator

(31:39) The importance of celebrating diversity

(34:38) Closing

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This ⁠On the Street: A #1LISD Journey podcast series⁠ serves as an opportunity to continue the conversation around educational access and to highlight our efforts around increasing cultural competency for Leander ISD staff. Our work is about bringing people into the conversation.

Chief of the Office of Educational Access DeWayne Street invited a panel of guests – Area Superintendent Angela Hodges, Senior Director of Transportation Tracie Franco and Senior Executive Director of Campus Activities Jody Hormann – to speak about their journey and the significance of Women’s History Month.

DeWayne starts by asking the three of them to share a little bit about themselves personally and professionally and why they chose the field of education. For good measure, he asked about their favorite teacher (00:48).

Later, DeWayne and the group have a conversation centered around:

Lessons learned (12:27)

The significance of this month’s observance (20:21)

The favorite thing about their current role (27:58)

Closing (34:22)

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This On the Street: A #1LISD Journey podcast series serves as an opportunity to continue the conversation around educational access and to highlight our efforts around increasing cultural competency for Leander ISD staff. Our work is about bringing people into the conversation.

In the first video episode of the podcast, Chief of Educational Access DeWayne Street invited Superintendent Bruce Gearing, Ed.D., to speak about the Culture of Voting in Leander ISD and the state of public education.

Don’t forget! Early voting ends Friday, March 1, and then Election Day is Tuesday, March 5. The Compass: A Culture of Voting

DeWayne starts by asking Bruce to share a little bit about Bruce’s passion for public education and where that journey began (00:40). Later, DeWayne and Bruce have a conversation centered around:


What was the impact of Gearing’s favorite teacher? (05:12)


Supporting a Culture of Voting (07:28)


What is public education’s value in the 21st century? (11:46)


The challenges facing public education (18:54)


The future of public education (23:05)


Key takeaways from Gearing’s time as an educator (27:34)


Closing on a Culture of Voting (29:41)

In a special role-reversal episode of the podcast, Chief of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion DeWayne Street served as the guest while Chief Communications Officer Crestina Hardie played host, asking him to speak about his journey and the significance of African-American History Month.

Crestina starts by asking DeWayne to share a little bit about himself as a person and as a professional (01:05). Later, Crestina and DeWayne have a conversation centered around:


Street’s roots in education (03:36)
Importance of African-American history (10:06)
Why has African-American history become polarizing? (14:26)
Putting in the work (16:46)
Closing (19:00)

Chief of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion DeWayne Street invited Vincent Hawkins, the principal of Rouse High School, to speak about his journey and the significance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

DeWayne asks Vincent to share a little bit about himself and what led him to become and educator (01:07). Later, DeWayne and Vincent have a conversation centered around:


What Does MLK Day Mean in 2024? (09:21)
How Hawkins’ Life Would Be Different Without the Work of Dr. King (14:46)
Honoring Dr. King’s Legacy as Practitioners (22:27)
About Hawkins’ Journey (24:36)

Chief of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion DeWayne Street invited Paulette Jones, the dean of instruction at Glenn High School, to speak about the focus on equitable access and students' opportunities to take advanced classes and AP courses.

DeWayne asks Paulette to share a little bit about herself and what led her to become and educator (01:15). Later, DeWayne and Paulette have a conversation centered around:


The Role of Enhancing Educational Access (05:03)
The Importance of Enhancing Educational Access (09:49)
Advice for Signing Up for Advanced Courses (13:33)
A Rewarding Experience as a Dean of Instruction (16:38)