Shreveport, LA—Teach, Reach, Inspire is a new program hosted by Dr. Tracey Burrell, Director of Clinical Preparation and Partnerships for the School of Education at LSU Shreveport. This program features members of the educational community sharing what it truly means to teach children, reach families, and inspire communities. Its newest segment will air on Wednesday, September 29 at 6 p.m. on Red River Radio KDAQ. 

Teach, Reach, Inspire premiered in July as a monthly program. In the premiere, Dr. Burrell led panelists (see list below) in a conversation about teacher pay but not from a wage-earning perspective. For the second episode, Dr. Burrell chatted with panelists (see second list below) about the diversity gap between students and teachers. 

“First, I would like to thank Dr. Dennis Wissing, Dean of the College of Education and Human Development and Mr. Kermit Poling of Red River Radio for offering us this platform,” Dr. Burrell said. “The overall goal is to elevate the teaching profession through individual and collective experiences of diverse groups of educators. There are just not enough positive teacher stories out there. The July and August segments were powerful. I have been inspired and energized by our panelists and the passion they bring to the field.” 

The upcoming segment will feature three highly-recognized local principals—David Thrash (Bossier High School, State Principal of the Year Finalist), Marco French (Queensborough Elementary School, State Principal of the Year), and Lisa Burns (WT Lewis Elementary School, State Principal of the Year). The panel, alongside Dr. Burrell, will discuss servant leadership in education and how it has transformed their lives, schools, and communities. 

“In the last two years, the Louisiana Department of Education has highlighted the accomplishments of many of our local teachers and educational leaders,” Dr. Burrell said. “I am thrilled to share the hour with three principals who have represented their families, their schools, and their community at the highest level.” 

Listeners can mark their calendars for 6 p.m. on the fourth Wednesday of every month, and if an episode is missed, they can visit the episode archive here. For more information about Teach, Reach, Inpsire and upcoming episodes, contact Dr. Tracey Burrell at tracey.burrell@lsus.edu or 318-797-5100. 

Teach, Reach, Inspire Panelists (July Episode) 

• Mr. Spencer Kiper, Instructional Technologist, Caddo Parish Schools and the 2019 Louisiana Teacher of the Year 
• Dr. Amy Weems, Assistant Professor of Education, University Louisiana Monroe, 2012 Louisiana Teacher of the Year 
• Mrs. Cory Craig, Music Educator, Benton Intermediate School, 2022 Grammy Music Educator Award Quarter finalist 

• Dr. Marvin Rainey, Executive Director of School Performance for Caddo Parish Schools 
• Dr. Michael Hicks, Professor of Education at Centenary College 
• Mr. Jeremiah Williams, Principal of Parkway High School 

About Teach, Reach, Inspire 

Teach, Reach Inspire is a platform for members of the educational community to share what it truly means to teach children, reach families and inspire communities. The pandemic brought to the national stage the significance of our educational system and the many sacrifices of those who support the education, health, and overall wellbeing of our children. This program invites listeners inside of the schools of today and tomorrow to see the power of the teaching profession.  

About LSUS 

Founded in 1967, Louisiana State University Shreveport offers a wide array of nationally accredited undergraduate and graduate degree programs, including a doctoral degree. The university’s mission is to educate a diverse population of graduate and undergraduate students; engage in regional and global thought leadership through community collaboration and service; and innovate to enhance the application of knowledge and intellectual discovery through faculty and student research and creative endeavors.