Let Me Add To That...
Nearly 2 million students and 80 school districts make up the Los Angeles County education system – as you can imagine, the experiences, the success and the challenges vary from district to district as it does student to student. The Let Me Add to That Podcast, presented by the Los Angeles Office of Education will feature education experts including superintendents, administrators, teachers and students themselves who will highlight various hot topics that the county faces on a day-to-day basis. Let Me Add to That is titled and modeled after the inclusion of different perspectives, experiences and challenges and new episodes will be released on the first Wednesday of every month.
Episodes
October is Head Start Awareness Month: a time to celebrate one of the nation’s most impactful programs for children and families. In this episode, we’re joined by Luis Bautista, Executive Director of LACOE’s Head Start program; Dr. Ruth Pérez, LACOE Deputy Superintendent and proud Head Start alum; and Dr. Maribel Garcia, Superintendent of El Monte City School District and also a Head Start alum.
Together, they reflect on how Head St...
September is Attendance Awareness Month, a reminder that every day in school matters, and that improving attendance takes a community effort. In this episode, L.A. County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Debra Duardo and L.A. County Department of Public Health Director Dr. Barbara Ferrer dive into the current landscape of school attendance and the rising challenge of chronic absenteeism.
Together, they unpack the barriers that keep stu...
As the 2025–26 school year kicks off, we’re joined by Los Angeles County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Debra Duardo and Deputy Superintendent Dr. Ruth Pérez for a powerful conversation about what lies ahead for students, educators and our school communities.
In this episode, our County leaders reflect on the excitement a new school year brings and share their top priorities for the year. This includes improving student attendance an...
Join us as we explore Universal Design for Learning (UDL)—a powerful framework that helps educators design learning environments where all students can thrive. Anya Bergman and Audra Mesa, senior program specialists from LACOE’s Curriculum and Instruction Services Division, break down the core principles of UDL and explain why the barrier is in the design, not the learner.
From real-life examples like curb cuts to classroom strategi...
In this episode, we’re putting students at the center of the conversation. Ariena Thurairajah from Palos Verdes Peninsula USD and Daniel Perez from Paramount USD—both members of our L.A. County Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council—join L.A. County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Debra Duardo for a powerful discussion on what it’s really like to be a student today.
From navigating academic pressure and mental health to the growin...
How can we better support the educators in Los Angeles County who work directly with English learners—and ensure equity in every classroom? In this episode, we’re joined by Roberta Gonzalez, Project Director III at LACOE’s Multilingual Academic Support Unit, and Dr. Laura Hill-Bonnet, Associate Director at Stanford’s Center to Support Excellence in Teaching. Together, they unpack the findings of a new report, Supporting Teachers to...
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...
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