Education Matters

On this episode, we’re joined by the 2025-26 Burroughs Wellcome Fund North Carolina Teachers of the Year. These outstanding educators have been recognized for their dedication to students and contributions to their school communities, and during the episode we hear about their inspiration, experiences and hopes for the future. Guests: Rachel Candaso, NC Teacher of the Year, Wellcome Middle School...

In this episode, we’re joined by NC Superintendent of Public Instruction Mo Green to learn about the strategic plan to make North Carolina’s local public schools the best in the nation by 2030. Key goals include increased graduation rates, increased participation in Career and Technical Education programs and leading the Southeast in educator compensation.

In this episode, we’re exploring the Afterschool Alliance’s 2025 America After 3 PM report. According to the findings, North Carolina parents and families overwhelmingly agree that afterschool programs keep their children safe, off screens and learning, but over 600,000 families in our state who want to enroll their child in afterschool are not able to. To help us understand what the findings mean...

Our country recently faced the longest federal government shutdown in U.S. history as Congress was unable to pass a budget by the September 31 deadline. North Carolina continues to operate without a state budget following the failure of the General Assembly to pass a budget by the July 31 deadline. Both of these political stalemates have meant instability for many communities, local public schools...

Last month federal agents from US Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs Border Patrol (CBP) arrived in North Carolina, and it was recently announced that agents will likely remain in the area throughout the month of December. In this episode, we’re taking a look at what that means for students, families and local communities at large.

Last month federal agents from US Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs Border Patrol (CBP) arrived in North Carolina, and it was recently announced that agents will likely remain in the area throughout the month of December. In this episode, we’re continuing our discussion on what that means for students, families and local communities at large.

On this episode, we’re discussing the NC College Connect Program: a groundbreaking initiative offering direct college admission to eligible high school seniors across the state for the 2025–2026 school year! To help us better understand the program before the January 2 application deadline, we’re joined by representatives from NCDPI, The UNC System, and the State Education Assistance Authority.

On this episode, we’re thrilled to be announcing North Carolina Legislators in Schools Week 2026! This year’s school visits will take place during the week of April 13, during which all members of the North Carolina General Assembly are invited to spend a day, or a few days, visiting the local public schools they represent. Guests: Representative Alan Branson Representative Amos Quick III Superint...

EdNC, a nonprofit news outlet, embedded in P.W. Moore Elementary School in Elizabeth City-Pasquotank Public Schools in 2024-25. From the first day of school through the last day of school, this film documents the power of the community school model for students, educators, families, and the community.

On this special episode we’re joined by student leaders from Hyde and Durham counties. These students have, and continue to advocate for themselves and their classmates, improving their school communities for everyone. They’re joining us on Education Matters for a conversation on the power of student voices to create positive change.