Let Me Add To That...

As one of the most linguistically diverse regions in the nation, Los Angeles County is home to over 228,000 English learners in grades K-12. In this episode of Let Me Add to That , we learn why the elementary years are such a pivotal window for multilingual learners, what’s working for elementary educators of multilingual learners, what’s challenging about the experience and how beneficial dual la...

In recognition of National Foster Care Month, this episode centers the experiences, challenges and needs of foster youth across Los Angeles County.  Leading this conversation is Dr. La Shona Jenkins, Director of Foster Youth Services at the Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE), and Dr. Kanika White, LACOE’s Chief of Human Resources, for a powerful conversation that brings both systems-le...

STEM education has expanded beyond its traditional focus to include creativity, design thinking and real-world problem solving, often referred to as STEAM. But what does this evolution look like in practice for our education communities? In this episode, Tanvir Dhillon, LACOE’s STEM Education Project Director III, and Deborah Atwell, LACOE’s STEM Special Projects Project Director, share how STEM /...

"Every Ability Belongs” celebrates the power of inclusive education and the students who remind us what’s possible when learning environments are designed with belonging at the center. In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Jovan Jacobs, Director of the Division of Special Education at the Los Angeles County Office of Education, who shares how Los Angeles County is helping lead systems-level ch...

Social media gets blamed for a lot—but is it really the bad guy? In this episode, we’re talking honestly about how social media shows up in students’ lives and why it’s not as simple as labeling it “good” or “bad.” While it can spark creativity, connection and self-expression, it can also bring pressure, comparison and the feeling of always needing to be scrolling. To help us unpack all of this, w...

Welcome to Season Four of the Let Me Add to That podcast — and for the first time ever, we’re on camera! This episode looks a little different because you can now watch the conversation on YouTube , or continue listening wherever you stream your podcasts. In this episode, we dive inside the world of charter schools and the important role they play in expanding educational opportunities across Los...

The holiday season can be joyful for some, but overwhelming, stressful or isolating for others. In this episode, we explore what this time of year really feels like for students, educators and families, and how schools can help create supportive, inclusive environments during this holiday season. We’re joined by two experts: Kanchi Tate, Mental Health Program Manager with the Los Angeles Departmen...

More than 61,000 K–12 students in Los Angeles County experience housing instability each year. Behind every number is a young person trying to learn, grow and thrive while facing incredible challenges. In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Jennifer Kottke, Project Director of LACOE’s Homeless Education Programs, and Dr. Denise McCain, President and Founder of Our Community Los Angeles, to discuss...

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. T...

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, th...

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 incl...

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...

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 pres...

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...

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, Executi...

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 &...

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 cu...

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...

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 imp...

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 daughte...

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 ins...

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...

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. Cr...

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&a...

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 prevalenc...