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What if the greatest limitation a student faces isn't their ability, but what the adults around them believe they're capable of?
In this episode of Across the Table, we sit down with James Spence, award-winning educator and band director at Berta Cabaza Middle School from San Benito, TX, whose 14-year career has been dedicated to helping students discover their potential through music, discipline, leadership, and high expectations.
From finding his own calling in music during a season of personal loss to building one of the district's consistently successful middle school band programs, Mr. Spence shares the experiences and philosophies that have shaped his approach to education.
But this conversation goes far beyond music. We explore why failure is essential to growth, how educators can unintentionally limit students with their words, what it takes to rebuild a school culture after adversity, and why the most meaningful measure of a teacher's success isn't found in trophies or awards, but in the lives they help shape.
"Don't just meet the standard. Be the standard."
It's more than a motto in his band hall. It's a philosophy that challenges students to believe bigger, work harder, and recognize that where they come from doesn't determine how far they can go.
Whether you're a teacher, parent, student, school leader, or someone who believes in the power of education, this conversation will challenge you to reconsider what young people can accomplish when someone refuses to put a ceiling on their potential.
Watch the full episode and discover why the lessons learned in a middle school band hall can last a lifetime.
Across the Table is a podcast produced by San Benito Schools, featuring meaningful conversations with the educators and individuals shaping our schools and community.
Follow Across the Table wherever you listen to podcasts, and connect with us on Facebook at San Benito Schools Communications.
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Eradio Martinez grew up in San Benito's fine arts programs and now leads them. In this episode, he shares his journey from an introverted, anxious student to a leader who treats communication like an instrument — and the teachers who believed in him when the world said, "nothing good comes from San Benito." We discuss the strategic growth of the district's fine arts programs, the power of the "hidden curriculum," and his driving motto: "Yes, we can and we will." 
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Some people don't just teach — they show up fully, every single day, as the same person inside and outside the classroom. This week, across the table, we welcome Ms. Roxanne Hurtado, a middle school reading teacher whose life and work are inseparable. A lifelong reader turned educator, she shares how a journalism degree, a father's quiet nudge, and a refusal to give up on a single student shaped a 12-year teaching career built on relationships, resilience, and authenticity.
It's a conversation about the long game — the patience it takes to plant seeds you may not see bloom for years, the humility students teach you when you least expect it, and the quiet power of showing up for people who aren't ready for you yet. Plus, her father's enduring advice: “En cada cabeza es un mundo” — in every head, there is a world.
Across the Table is a San Benito Schools production.
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What does it really take to turn a dream into a thriving business? And what happens when the person you're building that dream with is also your spouse?
In the premiere episode of Across the Table, host Maria Guajardo sits down with Gabriel and Nancy Herrera, the husband-and-wife team behind Reach for the Sky Bakeshop, a growing bakery and coffee business with locations in San Benito and Harlingen, Texas.
For Gabriel, a proud San Benito High School alumnus, the journey is also a story of coming home. From meeting Nancy in culinary school and building careers at Walt Disney World to returning to his hometown to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams, the couple shares the risks, sacrifices, unexpected opportunities, and moments of faith that helped shape their success.
But building a business isn't always as sweet as the pastries they serve. Gabriel and Nancy open up about balancing marriage, parenting, and entrepreneurship, navigating long workdays, learning to trust others, and making bold decisions without knowing exactly how everything will work out.
In this episode, we explore:
How a shared passion for baking became a successful Rio Grande Valley business.
Gabriel's journey from San Benito High School graduate to local business owner.
Why Gabriel and Nancy left their careers to pursue entrepreneurship.
The challenges of building a business while raising a family.
What it's really like to be married to your business partner.
How unexpected opportunities led to a second location in Harlingen.
The role of faith, family support, and taking risks in achieving their dreams.
Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, a small business owner, or someone wondering if it's time to take a chance on your own dream, this conversation is a reminder that success doesn't always come with a perfect plan. Sometimes, it starts with the courage to say yes.
About Across the Table
Across the Table is a podcast produced by San Benito Schools that goes beyond titles, careers, and accomplishments to uncover the personal stories, challenges, and defining moments behind the people in our community.
Pull up a chair. The best stories are shared Across the Table.
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Follow Across the Table on your favorite podcast platform, and connect with us on Facebook at San Benito Schools Communications or San Benito Schools.
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