Education Insight

On this episode of Education Insight , host Lacey Kendall is joined by Brenda Payne, Executive Director of the California Invention Convention, for a conversation about the power of invention education and its impact on students across California. Drawing on her experience as a teacher, school leader, and statewide education advocate, Payne shares how invention education encourages students to ide...

Why All-Girls Schools Still Matter Today explores the educational and developmental needs of adolescent girls through a conversation with Dr. Barbara Ostos, Head of School at Santa Catalina School in Monterey, California. Hosted by Lacey Kendall, this episode examines how all-girls learning environments support academic confidence, leadership development, and whole-student growth—and why these mod...

In this episode of Education Insight , we take a closer look at why boys across the country are struggling in school—and whether gender-specific education can make a meaningful difference. Host Lacey Kendall sits down with President Barry Shreiar of Army and Navy Academy to discuss how an all-boys, structured learning environment can support students academically, socially, and emotionally at a ti...

In this episode of Education Insight , we explore how faith and community-based programs can play a powerful role in supporting students who are struggling in school. Host Lacey Kendall sits down with Professor Rafael Cardona, Director of KidReach, to discuss how community partnerships can complement schools by filling academic, social, and emotional gaps. From the impact of one-on-one tutoring to...

In this episode of Education Insight , we sit down with Dr. Al Solano, founder of the Continuous Learning Institute, to explore a powerful idea: students can’t grow if their teachers stop learning . A former teacher and higher education leader, Dr. Solano helps colleges build systems that keep educators learning, adapting, and staying relevant in a rapidly changing world. We dive into the real cha...

Brookside Elementary School’s Joel Hudec just received one of the highest honors in education — the Milken Educator Award, often called the “Oscars of Teaching.” In this episode of Education Insight , Joel takes us inside the unforgettable moment he learned he had won, the leadership practices that have driven major academic gains at Brookside, and the creative programs that are shaping a strong,...

Meet the students who do it all — working adults, parents, service members, and lifelong learners redefining what college looks like today. In this episode of Education Insight , Dr. Mark David Milliron, President and CEO of National University, shares how the ANDers Movement is transforming higher education to meet the needs of modern students. Discover why this shift matters for our workforce, o...

This episode of Education Insight features Marissa Lazo-Necco, Project Manager for Family and Community Engagement at the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools. Drawing from her own journey as an English learner and decades of work across more than thirty districts, Marissa shares how schools can build authentic relationships with families—especially those who have historically felt unhe...

In this episode of Education Insight , we sit down with Latrenda Knighten, President of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM), to explore the state of math education in America. With more than 30 years of experience helping students and teachers fall in love with math, President Knighten shares what’s capturing her attention nationally, how students are recovering post-pandemic, a...

The future of work isn’t on the horizon, it’s already here. As technology, automation, and new ways of working reshape industries, educators are being called to prepare students for a world of opportunity that looks nothing like the one before. In this episode of Education Insight , host Lacey Kendall speaks with Dr. Ian O. Williamson , Dean of the UC Irvine Paul Merage School of Business and an i...

College students shouldn’t have to choose between buying food and paying for school. In this episode, Education Insight host Lacey Kendall talks with Karlen Nurijanyan , founder of The Student Lunch Box , a nonprofit ensuring students in Los Angeles County have access to free food, toiletries, and other essentials. Hear how one student’s struggle with hunger turned into a movement fighting food in...

In this episode of Education Insight , we’re joined by Dr. Iwunze Ugo , Research Fellow at the Public Policy Institute of California , to unpack the latest findings from the Nation’s Report Card on Education. Dr. Ugo explores where students across the country are making progress—and where they continue to struggle. From the lingering effects of the pandemic to widening achievement gaps between low...

In this episode of Education Insight , we speak with Amanda Corridan , Chief Academic Officer for the Riverside County Office of Education, about the Foster Youth Success Initiative —a powerful program helping students in foster care move from surviving to thriving. Amanda shares the real challenges foster youth face in school, how her team equips educators and caregivers with tools to support the...

Colleges across the country are facing an enrollment cliff—but what about the millions of adults who never started college in the first place? Education Insight host Lacey Kendall talks with Sarah Ancel , Founder and CEO of Student-Ready Strategies, about how higher education can better reach and support adult learners who’ve been left out of the conversation. Plus, we visit San Bernardino’s famou...

Dr. F. Janelle Hannah Jefferson, Director of Network Services and Development for the Advising Success Network at NASPA , joins Education Insight to explore how effective, equity-focused advising can transform student outcomes. In her national role, Dr. Jefferson leads efforts to build strong networks among advising professionals, advance equity in student success, and promote best practices that...

Discover how Barstow Community College and Barstow USD are tackling teacher shortages through the innovative Grow Your Own Teacher program. In this episode of Education Insight , Carrie O'Neal and Dr. Jennifer Rodden share how local partnerships, financial support, and hands-on training are building a pipeline of future educators—right from the community itself.

Education Insight sits down with Shelley Mattazaro , Executive Director of the Veterans’ Alcohol Rehabilitation Program (VARP). For over four decades, VARP has helped thousands in San Bernardino rebuild their lives through recovery. Now, under Shelley’s leadership, the program is partnering with San Bernardino Valley College’s Rising Scholars Program to open doors to higher education. Shelley shar...

Education Insight explores how Chaffey College is breaking barriers with its new journalism program inside the California Institution for Men. Professor Robert Ian Jones shares how a Scripps Howard grant is connecting incarcerated students with Chaffey journalism students, while third-year student journalist Lionel Getton discusses mentoring and the power of telling their own stories.

First-generation student turned higher ed leader Nikolas Huot shares how his own journey—changing majors, facing financial challenges, and finding his passion—drives his mission to make college pathways clearer and more equitable. Hear how institutions can break down barriers, support first-gen and nontraditional students, and help more learners complete their degrees.

On this episode of Education Insight , Dr. Jeff Oldfield, Executive Director of Innovation and Competitive Advantage at the Riverside County Office of Education, unpacks the promises and pitfalls of AI in K–12 education. From easing teacher workloads and closing learning gaps to tackling ethical concerns like data privacy and equity, this conversation explores how schools can harness AI while safe...

In this episode, Gaby Pacheco, CEO of TheDream. US, and Fermin Vasquez, Director of Communications, join us to discuss the mission and vision of TheDream. US, the largest organization supporting Dreamer students with college and career opportunities. They share insights into the challenges they face in expanding access, their role in advocating for immigration reform, and the emotional support the...

In this episode, Betsy Mayotte, founder of The Institute of Student Loan Advisors, joins us to discuss the current state of student loan forgiveness under the Biden administration, and the potential risks to borrowers. We dive into key changes to programs like Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF), what borrowers should know about their forgiveness status, and the future of federal student loan p...

In this episode of Education Insight, we sit down with Roy Juarez, an award-winning speaker, activist, and entrepreneur, to discuss his groundbreaking leadership program for students. Roy shares his insights on how his program empowers young people, many of whom have been overlooked as “leadership material,” to unlock their full potential. We dive into the core values that drive the program, the i...

In this episode of Education Insight , we meet two incredible young achievers: Alisa Perales, a 10-year-old who is about to graduate from Crafton Hills College with two associate degrees in mathematics and multiple sciences, and Victoria Li, a 6th grader from Riverside County who just became the champion of the 47th Annual Riverside County Spelling Bee. Alisa shares her journey of homeschooling, o...

In this episode of Education Insight , we dive into The Amazing Shake competition with Jacqui Dobens, founder of Much More Than Mentorship and Prep Team Director for the event at San Gorgonio Middle School. Jacqui shares the story behind this unique competition where middle schoolers develop and demonstrate essential life skills like public speaking, empathy, and etiquette. With a fascinating rost...