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April marks National Child Abuse Prevention Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness and fostering proactive efforts to protect children and support families. Preventing child abuse isn’t just the responsibility of social workers or educators—it’s a shared commitment that requires awareness, collaboration and action from all of us.

In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Tamara Hunter, Executive Director of the L.A. County Mandat...

March is Arts in Education Month & we’re celebrating by shining a spotlight on the transformative power of the arts in schools. In this episode, we welcome two incredible guests: Lois Hunter, longtime educator & theatre department chair at the nation’s top high school for the arts, LA County High School for the Arts (LACHSA), & Kristin Sakoda, Director of LA County Department of Arts & Culture. 

Together, they explor...

AI is changing the way students learn—but what does that really look like in the classroom? In this episode, we chat with L.A. County and California Teacher of the Year, Casey Cuny, and his son, Landon Cuny, a Valencia High School graduate, to get both the educator/parent and student/child perspective. Casey shares how AI can be a game-changer for teachers across all subjects including math and culinary arts, while Landon talks abo...

January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month, and this episode brings you a powerful conversation with Dr. Stephany Powell, retired LAPD sergeant and Chief Educator at Positive Change Consultants, and Dr. Lakeah Dickerson, LACOE's Coordinator II of Student Support Services. Together, they break down the myths surrounding human trafficking and reveal its terrifying realities. 

Learn about the different forms of traffic...

What does equity in schools truly mean, and why is it sometimes met with resistance? In this episode, L.A. County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Debra Duardo and USC Dean and Professor Dr. Pedro Noguera tackle the complexities of equity in education, from the challenges faced by students and teachers to the data that highlights progress in districts leading the way. They also explore how AI can impact equity and why educators of col...

In this episode, Pamela Villaseñor, leader of Pukúu and a member of the Fernandeño Tataviam Tribe, and Dr. Debra Duardo, Los Angeles County Superintendent of Schools, explore the importance of advocating for Native American students in K-12 education. Pamela shares her personal journey as a proud member of the Native American community, discussing how her efforts have paved the way for her daughter and how students need to be taugh...

Do your students have a healthy and safe relationship with technology?! Learn tips and tricks on how to navigate the digital world with Sue Thotz, Director of Education Outreach for Common Sense Education. Sue’s work is centered around making sure students and teachers are prepared for success in a connected world.  As a parent of kids who grew up in the digital age, Sue also shares invaluable insights on online safety, privacy and...

What are Community Schools anyways and how do they differ from traditional schools?! On this episode you will learn the difference and transformative impact behind the community schools model through an expert lens from L.A. County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Debra Duardo and renowned UCLA Professor, speaker and author, Dr. Tyrone Howard. Discover how this innovative model is empowering students, addressing educational inequities...

Get ready for the new school year with insights from LA County Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Debra Duardo and Lynwood Unified School District Superintendent and our 2023-24 LA County Superintendent of the Year Dr. Gudiel Crosthwaite! 

In this special "Back to School" episode, we dive into the excitement, landscape and possible challenges of the 2024-25 school year. Dr. Duardo and Dr. Crosthwaite share their favo...

Ever wonder what it's really like to attend the #1 high school for the arts in the country?

This episode dives into the world of the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts (LACHSA), a school known for nurturing talented students in dance, music, theater and visual arts.

Hear from our amazing guests, principal Dr. V, students Gian and Haziel:

• Dr. Tina "Dr. V" Vartanian, LACHSA's principal and a working arti...

In this episode, we dive into the pressing issue of managing hate in schools and across Los Angeles County. Our special guests are Jewel Forbes from LACOE's Mental Health and School Counseling Unit and Fidel Rodriguez, Senior Human Relations Consultant from LA vs. Hate.

Jewel and Fidel shed light on the differences between hate crimes and hate incidents, sharing shocking data on the prevalence of hate crimes in LA Co...

May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month! To celebrate, we sat down with three remarkable Asian American guests, including LACOE Board President, Dr. Yvonne Chan and twin brothers, Kenneth and Kevin San from Alhambra Unified School District, who recently arrived in the United States from Burma. Join us as they share their experiences navigating high school life while balancing their Asian and American identities. T...

Join Los Angeles County Office of Education’s Chief Human Resources Officer, Dr. Kanika White and Director I of Beginner Teacher Programs, Rami Christophi as they dive into the intricate process of becoming a credentialed educator and the compensation structures within the profession. They explore the current landscape of teacher recruitment, and how current events impact the interest of becoming a teacher. The discussion extends t...

In this episode, discover how LACOE’s Technology Services team is revolutionizing education! Join Los Angeles County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Debra Duardo and LACOE’s Chief Technology Officer Jose Gonzalez as they delve into the team's vital role in supporting our 80 school districts. From ensuring fair technology access for our students to providing top-notch cybersecurity at our schools, learn how we take lead in provid...

In this month’s episode, we celebrate Black History Month by diving into the importance of honoring Black history, leadership, activism and impact in schools and public education. LACOE’s equity, diversity and inclusion leaders Dr. Jamaal Williams and Dr. Tyisha Noise share insights on how schools and districts can properly recognize and celebrate Black history, not just during February but throughout the year. Discover why it&apos...

In this episode, we delve into the world of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its implications for education. Many educators and leaders in the education sector view AI with apprehension, but the Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE) is on a mission to demystify AI and showcase its potential to positively impact education. Our guests, Dr. Chris Hoang, LACOE's Assistant Director of Technology Innovation and Outreach, an...

Join us in this insightful episode as we sit down with Tiffany "T" Cruz, the Postproduction Lead of Podcast Business at Spotify. T shares her wealth of knowledge on how to kickstart your own podcast right within your school and district. Whether you're a teacher looking to integrate podcasting into the classroom or a student wanting to amplify your school's voice, this episode is your go-to guide for navigating ...

In this episode, we sit down with two LACOE employees who are the driving forces behind the creation of our Attendance Playbook – the ultimate guide to boost attendance at your schools: Chief of Wellbeing and Support Services, Alicia Garoupa and Senior Program Specialist in Child Welfare and Attendance, Toni Banuelos. The LACOE Attendance Playbook serves as the ultimate guide for school districts looking to enhance attendance rates...

In this episode, we dive into the world of food allergies, school nutrition and the significance of Zacky's Bill. Join student Samuel Sherwood from Glendale Unified School District and Maryam Shayegh, LACOE's Nutrition and Wellness Coordinator, as they discuss these important topics.

Samuel shares his personal experiences with food allergies, shedding light on the challenges many students face. Maryam provides valuable ins...