ILTexas Podcast

Episode 021 - Sara Urquidez - Director of Academic Success Program (ASP)

ILTexas Podcast Episode 20 - Eddie Conger - 2021 Spring Updates

The 20th episode of the ILTexas Podcast has Founder, CEO, and Superintendent, Eddie Conger sharing encouragement and gratitude for all teachers, staff, and students in ILTexas. 2020 was a long year, but there are plenty of reasons to be excited for this spring. Mr. Conger talks about how the Texas Legislature directly affects ILTexas, and what teachers and staff can be doing in the meantime to support each other and their own well being! Congrats and enjoy the 20th episode of the ILTexas Pod...

Episode 019 - Jack "Alex" Matthews Returns!

Virtual teaching methods were accelerated through the pandemic. Mr. Matthews takes us through the teacher experience of teaching virtually, maintaining quality, while also encouraging innovation in education curriculum. Turns out his PhD studies are coming in perfect use! 

Episode 018 - Adrian Apodaca - Principal of Grand Prairie K-8

Mr. Adrian Apodaca and I go back a long way to one of the first China Trips before there even was an ILTexas. As principal of the exceptional GRAND Grand Prairie K-8 campus, he excels at being a servant leader through optimism and respect.   

Episode 017 - Lunar New Year with Xinke Li and Yaoyu Chen

Xinke Li (North Richland Hills K-5) and Yaoyu Chen (Keller K-8) have been with the ILTexas family for a couple years now. Who knew 2021's Lunar New Year would have Texas covered in snow and ice?! 

Episode 016 - Lu Lu - Director of International Education and Student Recruitment

Episode 015 - Sara Urquidez - Executive Director of the Academic Success Program

The Academic Success Program is just one of the many incredible programs offered at ILTexas. Designed to provide direct and interactive counseling and support for college applications, student financial aid, and university goals for all ILTexas students and families! This program helps ILTexas compete with and often outperform many of the best private schools in the state. Sara Urquidez is the Executive Director, and takes us through the outstanding Academic Success Program. 

Episode 014 - Angela Marcellus - ILTexas VS K8 Principal, Interim Area Superintendent

Angela Marcellus has been with ILTexas since before day 1 of opening. Exemplifying exceptional leadership was has endlessly helped ILTexas grow and achieve its mission. Angela has always been on the forefront of ILTexas education innovation, most recently the shift to ILTexas VS. 

Episode 013 - Eddie Conger - 2020 Vision

Eddie Conger, founder, CEO and Superintendent takes us through a successful, albeit a very unique 2019-2020 school year. ILTexas will continue to grow and become even more successful. Special thanks to all listeners who have supported the ILTexas podcast thus far. This episode will certainly leave you with some things to think about going into the summer break!

Episode 012 - Kirsten Santos - Student, Polyglot, National Spanish Spelling Bee Champion

Kirsten Santos speaks 4 languages, English, Spanish, Mandarin and Tagalog. You can hear her passion for learning in her voice. We talk about her experiences at ILTexas, her love for learning, her Championship at the National Spanish Spelling Bee. Listen in and hear how Kirsten responds to my impromptu spelling bee! She plays on hard mode and loves the challenge.  

Episode 011 - Irene Merida Calvo - OES International Spanish Teacher

10 years of experience teaching English and Spanish as a second language in Spain, England, United Arab Emirates and now at ILTexas Orem Elementary! Irene brings her wealth of international experience to the discussion of an ILTexas education. 

Episode 10 - Yunchi He Helen - Director of Confucius Classroom Coordination

Yunchi He (Helen) Spent years teaching in China AND ILTexas. She brings a wealth of perspective to ILTexas. Listen in as we reflect on teaching in an American classroom, and now her roles and responsibilities as the Director of Confucius Classroom Coordination. 

Episode 010 - Yunchi He Helen - Director of Confucius Classroom Coordination

Yunchi He (Helen) Spent years teaching in China AND ILTexas. She brings a wealth of perspective to ILTexas. Listen in as we reflect on teaching in an American classroom, and now her roles and responsibilities as the Director of Confucius Classroom Coordination. 

Episode 009 - Carrie Hutchinson - Director of International Teachers

Carrie Hutchinson is the Director of International Teachers, and speaks 4 languages English, Spanish, Mandarin, and Cantonese. Her extensive international experience provides an excellent support for ILTexas' International Teachers coming from Spain, China, Mexico, Colombia, Ecuador and more. 

Episode 008 - Jack "Alex" Matthews - Garland K-8 Teacher

With time spent teaching in both Thailand and China, and now pursuing his doctorate, Mr. Matthews brings a wealth of experience and perspective to the ILTexas education experience. 

Episode 007 - Jade Esquivel - Garland K-8 Principal

Mr. Esquivel shares his respect for the ILTexas mission, and praises the hard work of teachers, students, and parents during the transition to ILTexas virtual school. 

Episode 006 - Dr. Laura Carrasco - Bilingual Education

Dr. Laura Carrasco talks about her two greatest passions, bilingual education and leadership. 

ILTexas Podcast Episode 006 - Dr. Laura Carrasco - Bilingual Education

Dr. Laura Carrasco talks about her two greatest passions, bilingual education and leadership. 

Episode 005 - Linda Hsu and Iker Liu - International Students

International Students live campus dormitories at the Garland High School Campus. ILTexas is looking to expand the International program, so that each High School campus will have International Students. Linda and Iker are Chinese Students attending ILTexas and have a unique perspective on the ILTexas experience. 

Episode 005 - Linda Hsu and Iker Liu

International Students live campus dormitories at the Garland High School Campus. ILTexas is looking to expand the International program, so that each High School campus will have International Students. Linda and Iker are Chinese Students attending ILTexas and have a unique perspective on the ILTexas experience. 

Episode 003 - Nicholas Goldring - An ILTexas Alumni at Beijing Language & Culture University

Nicholas Goldring is an ILTexas Graduate of the class of 2019. His exceptional work in learning Mandarin Chinese earned him a full-ride scholarship to Beijing Language and Culture University. Now he's BACK after a full semester living in China! Also NEW RECORDING MICROPHONES that SOUND GREAT!

Episode 004 - Yan Jin - ILTexas China General Manager

Yan Jin is the General Manager of ILTexas China, the marketing and recruiting branch of ILTexas. We talk about the uniquely difficult challenge of marketing and recruiting in China, her experiences working with ILTexas, traveling to the States, Axe-throwing, and her favorite food from good ol' Texas.    

Episode 001 - Eddie Conger - From Farm to ILTexas

Eddie Conger, Superintendent and CEO of ILTexas. We converse how a small town Texas farm boy, ends up spending 20 years as an officer in the United States Marine Corps, to entering the education world and eventually starting the school we all know and love, ILTexas. We recorded our first 2 episodes on the go in China!

Episode 002 - Eddie Conger - International Relations in Beijing

Eddie Conger takes us through an average work trip to China. Building relationships with Chinese schools, government officials, and the easy 14 hour flight.