Podcast

Click here to listen to Episode 1 

In this episode, Jack and Lindsay chat with MISD Superintendent, Dr. David Vroonland, on how the initiative began and the growth that the district as well as the community has seen since its inception. 

Click here to listen to Episode 2

In this episode, Jack and Lindsay will introduce themselves, explain how they got involved with ReadPlayTalk, and share why they love the initiative! 

Click here to listen to Episode 3

Interested in attending the 2020 ReadPlayTalk Fair but want to know what to expect before you get there? This episode will give you details on what businesses will be at this year's fair and what activities you and your family can participate in while you're there! 

You can view more details at our Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/144294306688200/

The fun all takes place on Saturday, March 21 from 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM at Mesquite High School!

See you there!

www.readplaytalk.com

Click here to listen to Episode 4

In this episode, Jack and Lindsay explain what our ReadPlayTalk Community Partnerships look like and also highlight some of the businesses and organizations around the Mesquite community that support the initiative. At the end of the episode, Jack explains what ReadPlayTalk's partnership with Town East Mall consists of. 

Click here to listen to Episode 5

In this episode, we talk with Andrea Bailey, MISD's Coordinator for Elementary Language Arts and Reading, about how instruction has evolved in the classroom over the last several years. Andrea tells us about the MISD Design Team and the research they have done to help better teacher's instruction, which in turn helps students to be better prepared for the rest of their educational career and beyond!
She also gives us insight on how schools implementing community nights on their campuses have helped develop relationships with parents. 

Click here to listen to Episode 6

In this episode, Jack and Lindsay talk with Mesquite ISD's Library Systems Manager, Emma McDonald, about the district's summer reading program, Mesquite Reads. This program offers so much more than logging minutes! Enjoy! 

Click here to listen to Episode 7

In this episode, Jack and Lindsay have a conversation about how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected families, businesses, and the Mesquite community in general. These past few months have forced us to adapt, no doubt, but what if we could use these adaptations for our benefit? Listen to this episode to learn how we can still read, play, and talk at home during a global pandemic. 

Click here to listen to Episode 8

In this episode, Jack and Lindsay interview Daniel Ruvalcaba, a LEP Testing Coordinator for Mesquite ISD, about the importance of PreK and also how caregivers can support their students through virtual learning. 

Click here to listen to Episode 9

In this episode Jack and Lindsay interview Dr. Audrey Robinson, a play therapist at Mesquite ISD’s Family Support Center, about the importance of play and how parents can see their child for who they really are. 

Click here to listen to Episode 10

In this episode, Jack and Lindsay talk with Kelly Smith, a behavioral specialist for Mesquite ISD. Kelly is an expert on Love & Logic and claims that these principles and tricks can be used on all ages!

Click here to listen to Episode 11

In episode 11, Jack and Lindsay talk with Daniel Norwood, Mesquite ISD social studies coordinator and member of the Leadership and Empowerment Team (LET), on how to talk to your kids about race and why those conversations are important. LET's goal is to knock down any racial-, cultural-, or gender-related obstacles to ensure students have the most equitable learning environments to become the leaders they want to be. 

Click here to listen to Episode 12

In this episode, Jack and Lindsay talk with MISD Trustee Eddie Rose. We talk with Mr. Rose about The ReadPlayTalk Bus and the process taken to transform a regular school bus into a mobile literacy resource. 

Click here to listen to Episode 13

In episode 13, Jack and Lindsay chat with ReadPlayTalk Community Board Member and founder of Puzzle Piece Kids, Natalie Evans. With Natalie’s speech pathology background, we talk about the importance of “talk” for a child and what consistent conversation does for them emotionally and mentally. 

Click here to listen to Episode 14

In this episode, Jack and Lindsay talk with the Mesquite ISD's Coordinator for Elementary Language Arts, Andrea Bailey, about the free ReadPlayTalk Parenting Classes that are being offered by Mesquite ISD Community Education this spring.

Click here to listen to Episode 15

In this episode, Jack talks with Lindsay about why and how she turned her kinds into Screen Free Kids. 

Click here to listen to Episode 16!

In this episode, Jack and Lindsay talk with MISD Library Systems Manager, Emma McDonald, about the district's upcoming summer reading challenge as well as the district's goal to have students and staff read 21 million pages this year!

Click here to listen to Episode 17

In this episode, we are talking with Sarah Dawson, who is the children's librarian at the north branch of the Mesquite Public Library. She will tell us about the resources that are offered at the library, the library's summer reading program, and about how the library is participating at the summer pop ups with The ReadPlayTalk Bus.

Click here to listen to Episode 18

In this episode we are talking with Chandra Courtney, who is a science teacher at Mesquite High School and was named MISD Secondary Teacher of the Year for the 2020-2021 school year. Chandra and her husband participated in Mesquite ISD's LENA Start program this past spring, and in this episode we talk with her about her family's experience with LENA Start and the district's upcoming LENA Start program that will begin this fall. 

Click here to listen to Episode 19

In this episode we are talking with Jean Pricer, who is the Pre-K Facilitator for Mesquite ISD. We’ll talk with her about ways that parents can help prepare their child for school and how they can help their child succeed during the school year. 

Click here to listen to Episode 20

In this episode we are talking about how community and school events help spread the message of ReadPlayTalk, and we’ll give all of the details for what you need to know about the upcoming ReadPlayTalk Festival.

Click here to listen to Episode 21

In this episode, we are talking with Brittaney Robinson who is the Regional Lead of Early Childhood Partnerships at LENA and enjoys cultivating relationships with new and prospective early childhood partners. Prior to her work with LENA, she served as a teacher, non-profit leader, K-8 school founder, and education consultant. She’s dedicated her career to expelling inequities in education to ensure all children are granted an unlimited life of opportunity, and she's now proud to do that through the power of early talk.

Click here to listen to Episode 22

This episode is part one of a two episode series with Dr. Audrey Robinson, who is a play therapist at Mesquite ISD’s Family Support Center. In this episode, we are talking with Audrey about setting limits with our kids.

Click here to listen to Episode 23

This episode is part two of a two episode series with Dr. Audrey Robinson, who is a play therapist at Mesquite ISD’s Family Support Center. In this episode, we are talking with Audrey about giving kids choices.

Click here to listen to Episode 24

In this episode, Jack and Lindsay talk with MISD Superintendent Emeritus Dr. David Vroonland about his future hopes and vision for the ReadPlayTalk initiative in Mesquite and beyond. 

Click here to listen to Episode 25

In this episode, Jack and Lindsay talk with Mesquite ISD Superintendent Dr. Ángel Rivera about his new position and his hopes and plans for Mesquite. 

Click here to listen to Episode 26

In this episode, we are talking with Yvonne Lave who is the Special Events and Sponsorship Coordinator for Mesquite Parks and Recreation.

Learn more about Mesquite Parks and Recreation here: https://www.cityofmesquite.com/214/Parks-Recreation

Click here to listen to Episode 27

In this episode, we are talking with Dr. Joy Vroonland about implementing ReadPlayTalk as a grandparent.

To learn more about Mesquite ISD’s LENA Start Program, click here:
https://www.readplaytalk.com/lena-start

Click here to listen to Episode 28

In this episode, Jack and Lindsay talk with Cynthia Patiño who is a Family Engagement Facilitator for Mesquite ISD.

Follow Mesquite ISD Family Engagement on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/misdfamily

Click here to listen to Episode 29

In this episode, Jack and Lindsay talk about the details for the upcoming 2022 ReadPlayTalk Festival! We hope to see you on Saturday, October 29 from 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM at Town East Mall!

Click here to listen to Episode 30

In this episode, Jack and Lindsay talk with Mindy Corkern from Whataburger of Mesquite about their support of ReadPlayTalk and their involvement in the Mesquite community in general.

Click here to listen to Episode 31

In this episode, Jack and Lindsay wrap up 2022 with a ReadPlayTalk Year in Review.

Click here to listen to Episode 32

In this episode, we are talking with Veronica Armendariz, who is an Instructional Coach at Porter Elementary School, about what LENA Start looks like on campuses in Mesquite ISD.

Click here to listen to Episode 33

In this episode, we talk with Mesquite ISD's Director of Library Services Emma Mcdonald about the new MISD Library Share Card. 

Click here to learn more about the MISD Library Share Card

Click here to listen to Episode 34

In this episode, Jack and Lindsay share all the details regarding the 2023 ReadPlayTalk Fair. We hope you'll join us on Saturday, March 26 from 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM at Mesquite High School!

Click here to listen to Episode 35

In this episode, Jack and Lindsay talk with Cynthia Garrison who is the Home-Based Program Manager for ChildCareGroup. ChildCareGroup is a ReadPlayTalk Community Partner and local non-profit whose mission is to champion a strong two-generation system that teaches children and parents, trains early childhood professionals, and assists families. 

Click here to listen to Episode 36

In this episode, Jack and Lindsay talk with Mesquite ISD Behavior Specialist Kelly Smith about how parents can best support their child's behavior this summer. 

Click here to listen to Episode 37

In this episode Jack and Lindsay talk with Mesquite ISD Early Literacy Specialist Alissa Tubbs about how parents can support and encourage reading with their child this summer. 

Click here to listen to Episode 38

In this episode, we are talking with Amanda Carroll who is the Coordinator for Elementary Guidance and 504 for Mesquite ISD about how parents can support their child's emotions this summer.

Click here to listen to Episode 29

In this episode, we are talking with Casey Allen, a Coordinator of Special Education in Mesquite ISD, about Child Find. Child Find refers to the federal requirement under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) that all children in need of special education services are identified, located and evaluated. Schools are responsible for conducting Child Find and identifying all IDEA-eligible students that reside in their jurisdiction. Child Find is not a passive activity, but rather an active process.

Click here to listen to Episode 40

In this episode, we are talking with Kate Sandersfeld who is the Shelter Coordinator at the Balch Springs Animal Shelter.

Click here to listen to Episode 41

In this episode, we are talking about the 2023 Read Play Talk Festival that is scheduled for Saturday, October 28 from 11:00am-2:00pm at Town East Mall. Chelsea Hogue, a Facilitator for MISD’s Career & Technical Education Department, will be joining us to share about a new component to this year’s event.

Click here to listen to Episode 42

In this episode we are talking with Mesquite ISD's FACE Coordinator Cynthia Patiño about the importance of family and community engagement.

Click here to listen to Episode 43

In this episode, we are talking with Mesquite ISD Behavioral Specialist Kelly Smith about the five love languages of children.