Can We Get A Minute?

There is a lot happening in DC right now, and if you're a teacher trying to make sense of the noise, this episode is for you. Rebeca and Jenn are joined by returning guest Blair Wriston from Ed Trust for a frank, grounded conversation about the federal actions reshaping education as we know it and what they actually mean for students, educators, and schools. From interagency agreements quietly hol...

Connect with our guests:  X - @mdpublicschools  Instagram - @mdpublicschools  Facebook - Maryland State Department of Education (@mdpublicschools)  LinkedIn - Maryland State Department of Education (@mdpublicschools) Connect with us:  🌐 https://all4ed.org/  ➡️ https://twitter.com/All4Ed  ➡️ https://www.facebook.com/All4ed  ➡️ linktr.ee/all4ed    All4Ed is a national...

What does it look like when teachers stop being subjects of change — and start driving it? In this episode, Jenn and Rebeca sit down with Evan Stone, co-founder and CEO of Educators for Excellence (E4E), a national movement of 40,000 teachers working to ensure educators have a real voice in the policies that shape their classrooms. Evan shares his journey from a sixth-grade teacher in the Bronx wh...

Teaching has always been demanding work, but right now? It feels especially heavy. Between policy uncertainty, increased expectations, and the weight of supporting students through their own challenges, educators are running on empty. And yet, there's often an unspoken expectation that teachers should just keep going—that taking care of yourself somehow means you care less about your students. In...

For many teachers, it can feel like decisions are constantly being made at the district level—and their job is simply to comply. But what if there's more to the story than top-down mandates? In this episode, we sit down with Thomas C. Murray, Director of Innovation at All4Ed and former teacher, principal and district leader, to bridge the gap between the classroom and the district office. Thomas h...

Every teacher knows family engagement is critical to success for a student, classroom, and school year. But how do we move from talking about parents, to talking with them, and how do we ensure students are truly centered in partnerships with families? In this episode, we sit down with Keri Rodrigues, the Co-Founder and Founding President of the National Parents Union for a conversation on how tea...

For over a decade, the pathways movement promised to bridge K-12, postsecondary education, and careers—opening doors for young people far from opportunity. But what if we've been building pathways that actually close more doors than they open? In this episode, we sit down with Charlotte Cahill and Kyle Hartung, Senior Advisors at All4Ed, to explore some uncomfortable truths about where pathways ar...

Sweeping waiver proposals are on the horizon in Iowa, Indiana, and Oklahoma—and they could fundamentally change how we track whether all students are being served. When states ask for flexibility, it sounds reasonable. But what happens when that flexibility means losing critical data and dismantling the safeguards designed to ensure transparency and accountability? In this episode, we sit down wit...

A lot happened while educators were preparing for the new school year. From the sweeping changes in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act to the Department of Education withholding critical education funding over the summer, it's been a turbulent few months for schools across the country. In this season premiere, we break down what happened, what it means for students and educators, and what you need to...

In our Season 1 finale, Jenn and Rebeca are joined by Anne Hyslop, Director of Policy Development at All4Ed and former Department of Education appointee, for an illuminating discussion that brings our journey full circle. Building on our earlier conversation about federal data systems, Anne offers rare insider perspective on how standardized assessments actually work, who decides what goes on thes...

This week, Rebeca and Jenn welcome Ziyu Zhou, Research & Data Specialist at All4Ed, who transforms what could be a dry topic into an eye-opening conversation about the power of federal education data systems. Ziyu breaks down complex statistical frameworks into accessible insights, revealing how these vast information networks expose inequities that would otherwise remain hidden. The trio explores...

This week, Jenn and Rebeca bring on federal government relations expert Blair Wriston from The Education Trust to help teachers make sense of the rapid changes happening at the federal level. Together, they untangle the web of executive orders, Department of Education restructuring, and congressional budget maneuvers affecting classrooms nationwide. Blair breaks down complex processes like budget...

This week, Jenn and Rebeca welcome Philip Lovell, Associate Executive Director at All4Ed, for a timely conversation about perseverance in education advocacy during challenging political climates. Philip draws on decades of experience to share inspiring stories of seemingly impossible policy wins that came after years of strategic persistence. The trio explores the emotional rollercoaster of advoca...

This week, Jenn and Rebeca sit down with Kristen Hengtgen of the Education Trust to tackle the often overlooked but critical role of college and career counseling in schools. Kristen shares eye-opening research about how having just one trusted adult can dramatically alter a student's educational trajectory. The trio dives why this matters, especially for historically underserved students. This ep...

This week, Jenn and Rebeca welcome special guest Jazmin Flores Peña to discuss the complex world of English learners, dual language learners, and bilingual education. Drawing from their personal journeys, Rebeca and Jazmin share powerful stories of navigating school as English learners themselves—revealing both the challenges they faced and the strengths they developed along the way. The conversat...

In this episode of Can We Get Minute?, we talk with Dr. Adam Phyall on the ever-growing and ever-present role of AI in our schools. We discuss the challenges and opportunities this technology poses to our teachers, but also how to ensure that the perspective of students is heard in this debate as well. Dr. Phyall is the Director of Professional Learning and Leadership at All4Ed and is sought after...

In this episode of Can We Get a Minute?, we sit down with All4Ed CEO Amy Loyd to discuss how recent executive orders on immigration enforcement from the Trump administration are affecting teachers, students, and schools. As classrooms become increasingly politicized, educators are grappling with how to support their students while navigating complex policies and heightened tensions. Join us as we...

"Join Rebeca and Jenn as they welcome special guest Shannon McClintock Miller as they discuss the vital role of librarians in schools. Learn how librarians select books for school libraries and the significant impact their choices have on students' learning experiences and overall school environment." Connect with us:  🌐 https://all4ed.org/  ➡️ https://twitter.com/All4Ed  ➡️ https://www.facebook....

In episode 2 of "Can We Get a Minute?", Jenn and Rebeca delve into school nutrition, exploring why certain foods and meals are served in schools. They discuss the policies and decision-makers behind school meal programs. Connect with us:  🌐 https://all4ed.org/  ➡️ https://twitter.com/All4Ed  ➡️ https://www.facebook.com/All4ed  ➡️ linktr.ee/all4ed    All4Ed is a national nonprofit advocacy organiz...

. Connect with us:  🌐 https://all4ed.org/  ➡️ https://twitter.com/All4Ed  ➡️ https://www.facebook.com/All4ed  ➡️ linktr.ee/all4ed    All4Ed is a national nonprofit advocacy organization located in Washington, D.C. We are committed to expanding equitable educational opportunities for students of color, students from low-income families, and other marginalized groups....