Lights, Camera, Podcast!

By Deon Quinn, Region 10 ESC Digital Marketing Coordinator

WHEN Region 10 Special Education Liaison Evan Heckmann entered the teaching profession 23 years ago, never in his wildest dreams did he expect to add “media award recipient” to his list of accomplishments. However, for two years in a row, Heckmann has been part of the team that has taken home the Barbara Jordan Media Award for Podcast in 2021 and 2022. SPEDTalk, a podcast aimed at elevating the conversation about special education issues in Texas, has become a resource that individuals count on to learn more about working with students with disabilities.

Collaborating with Special Education Liaisons and SPEDTalk hosts John Boolean (ESC 12) and Pam Humphery (ESC 11), Heckmann carefully edits each episode assuring that the important conversations are coherent and easy for listeners to digest. Since 2018, SPEDTalk has invited listeners in to hear discussions on a range of different topics, some of which are personal encounters that shine a positive light on special education in Texas.

“SPEDTalk is filling a void, where there needs to be an opportunity to be positive and talk about the good things that are happening, by highlighting and really elevating what’s going on in special education in Texas,” Heckmann shared.

Born in Dallas, Heckmann grew up around motion picture film sets. His father, a now-retired director and producer, would bring him on various film sets and even sometimes allow him to be in projects. As a teenager, Heckmann went to his father asking more about how the film industry works hoping to follow in his footsteps, and maybe even take over for his dad should a family business come out of it. That’s not exactly the life Heckmann’s father had in mind for his son, and instead encouraged him to seek a different career. An interest survey or two later, Heckmann concluded that his own career path would revolve around sports, the outdoors, and his love for people. Those discoveries eventually led to a degree from Texas A&M, along with a teaching certificate.

“I progressed through all the different layers and levels of teacher coach, assistant principal, and head principal and now working here (Region 10 ESC) as a Special Education Liaison,” says Heckmann.

As a Special Education Liaison, Heckmann works collaboratively with other liaisons across the state to support school districts in all aspects of special education. His work sometimes affords him the opportunity to learn about and meet individuals that have been impacted by the support that he and other liaisons across Texas provide to school districts. In fact, the podcast episode that won the 2021 Barbara Jordan Media Award, titled “Don’t be Afraid to be Different,” was a result of someone bringing a story to the SPEDTalk team. The episode allowed a student with disabilities to share his own school experience.

“Someone said to us, ‘I think you might want to talk to this kid.’ As a student with a disability, he wanted to spread the message to other people based on his positive experience going through school. The student shared, ‘If things aren’t working out the way you want, don’t withdraw. Don’t be afraid to be included in the things that are going on in your environment.’ That was powerful that the voice came from him,” shared Heckmann.

Looking back over the last 23 years, Heckmann is truly grateful for the support he’s received on his journey. While it may be only two or three voices that listeners hear on SPEDTalk, there are several other individuals assisting with marketing, story pitch, and a whole host of other elements that go into creating an award-winning podcast. Heckmann may never take home the Golden Globe or Oscar for best film, but he is doing something much more impactful, just as his father had hoped.

SPEDTalk earned the Barbara Jordan Media Award for Podcast in 2021 and 2022. The episodes, “Don’t be Afraid to be Different” and “Loving Students Doesn’t Lower Expectations” bring a positive lens to and elevate the special education conversation.

Listen Today!

SPEDTalk is available to listen to on Apple, Google, iHeart Radio, or other podcast platforms.