Supporting English Learners in Schools: Strategies, Data and Insights
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 Better Serve English Learners, which examines how educators across the County are navigating instruction for multilingual learners.Grounded in teacher and administrator interviews, the report explores both the promising practices and persistent challenges in English Learning instruction—highlighting a clear need for more time, support and collaborative opportunities. Roberta and Laura reflect on what the data reveals, how it connects to real classroom experiences and what school leaders can do to foster meaningful, lasting change.Based on the paper: Supporting Teachers to Better Serve English Learners---About Let Me Add to That: An Education Podcast 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. Follow us on Instagram and X
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43:29
What You Need to Know About Child Abuse Prevention
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 Mandated Supporting Initiative, and Alicia Garoupa, LACOE’s Chief of Wellbeing and Support Services. Together, they will share insights on the current landscape of child abuse prevention, the importance of early intervention and the resources available to strengthen families and communities. This is an important conversation that reinforces our collective role in ensuring the safety and well-being of children.---About Let Me Add to That: An Education Podcast 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. Follow us on Instagram and X
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31:10
The Power of Arts in Education
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 explore why the arts are often overlooked in education, despite their undeniable impact on student mental health, confidence & academic success. They also share their own journeys in the arts & how their current roles help students see the arts not just as a passion, but as a pathway to lifelong careers.About Los Angeles Department of Arts & Culture:LADAC is the local arts agency for the largest county in the U.S., providing leadership, programs & services including grants for nonprofit organizations, arts education initiatives, artist commissions for civic art, creative career pathways programs & more. The Department leads coordination of the Arts Education Collective, the public-private initiative dedicated to making the arts core for all youth in LA County. Resources:Arts EducationSchool-Based Grants & ResourcesCreative Wellbeing Healing Arts Curriculum GuideLA County Arts Internship & Creative Career PathwaysCreative Careers OnlineLA County Creative Career Program MiniGuide---About Let Me Add to That: An Education Podcast 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. Follow us on Instagram and X
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56:44
AI in Schools: What Teachers, Parents and Students Should Know
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 about how he uses it as a thought partner for everything from schoolwork projects to daily life…including picking out what he should wear! They also talk about cheating and challenges and how to ensure students are using it safely and responsibly.---About Let Me Add to That: An Education Podcast 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. Follow us on Instagram and X
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45:38
Hidden in Plain Sight: The Realities and Myths of Human Trafficking
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 trafficking—labor and sexual—and the warning signs often hiding in plain sight. From questions to ask to steps for safety, they share critical insights for educators, parents and community members. Discover how schools can play a vital role in identifying and supporting trafficked youth. From students in your classroom to the children standing outside grocery stores selling candy...listen to identify the signs and learn the steps to safety!---About Let Me Add to That: An Education Podcast 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. Follow us on Instagram and X
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.
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