
Let Me Add To That...
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.
Episodes
29 episodes
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 educato...
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Season 3
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Episode 4
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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...
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Season 3
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Episode 3
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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 gradua...
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Season 3
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Episode 2
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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 I...
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Season 3
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Episode 1
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1:01:16

Equity in Education: Why it Matters and How to Achieve it!
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 educa...
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46:07

Celebrating Native American Heritage Month
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 edu...
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Season 2
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Episode 11
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38:02

A Guide to Digital Literacy and Citizenship
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 s...
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Season 2
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Episode 10
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33:54

What Are Community Schools?
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 Superintende...
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Season 2
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Episode 9
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46:10

Back to School Looks Different This Year
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! ...
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Season 2
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Episode 8
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41:00

Where Dreams Take Flight: Inside the Nation's Top High School for the Arts
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 studen...
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Season 2
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Episode 7
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49:14

United Against Hate: Creating Safe Spaces in LA County Schools
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 Co...
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Season 2
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Episode 6
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56:16

Navigating the Asian American Identity
May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month! To celebrate, we sat down with three remarkable Asian American guests, including LACOE Board President, Dr. Yvonne Chan and twin brothers, Kenneth and Kevin San from Alhambra Unified Sc...
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Season 2
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Episode 5
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41:23

The Teacher Journey: From Credentials to Compensation
Join Los Angeles County Office of Education’s Chief Human Resources Officer, Dr. Kanika White and Director I of Beginner Teacher Programs, Rami Christophi as they dive into the intricate process of becoming a credentialed educator and the compe...
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Season 2
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Episode 4
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37:31

Tech Trends in Education: Tech and Cyber Strategies for Your School District
In this episode, discover how LACOE’s Technology Services team is revolutionizing education! Join Los Angeles County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Debra Duardo and LACOE’s Chief Technology Officer Jose Gonzalez as they delve into the team's vit...
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Season 2
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Episode 3
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33:30

Celebrating Black History Month at Your School
In this month’s episode, we celebrate Black History Month by diving into the importance of honoring Black history, leadership, activism and impact in schools and public education. LACOE’s equity, diversity and inclusion leaders Dr. Jamaal Willi...
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Season 2
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Episode 2
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40:08

Demystifying Artificial Intelligence in Education and Beyond
In this episode, we delve into the world of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its implications for education. Many educators and leaders in the education sector view AI with apprehension, but the Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE) is...
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Season 2
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Episode 1
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55:33

How to Start Your Own Podcast 101
Join us in this insightful episode as we sit down with Tiffany "T" Cruz, the Postproduction Lead of Podcast Business at Spotify. T shares her wealth of knowledge on how to kickstart your own podcast right within your school and district. Whethe...
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Season 1
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Episode 12
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32:25

The Ultimate Guide to Boost Attendance at Your School
In this episode, we sit down with two LACOE employees who are the driving forces behind the creation of our Attendance Playbook – the ultimate guide to boost attendance at your schools: Chief of Wellbeing and Support Services, Alicia Garoupa an...
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Season 1
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Episode 11
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39:44

Understanding Food and Nutrition in LA County Schools
In this episode, we dive into the world of food allergies, school nutrition and the significance of Zacky's Bill. Join student Samuel Sherwood from Glendale Unified School District and Maryam Shayegh, LACOE's Nutrition and Wellness Coordinator,...
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Season 1
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Episode 10
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25:57

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month
On this month’s episode we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with two of our very own remarkable Latina leaders, Los Angeles County Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Debra Duardo and LACOE’s General Counsel Vibiana Andrade.From discussing t...
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Season 1
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Episode 9
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36:14

What do our students REALLY want from schools?
Happy August! School is back this month, so we called two of LA County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Debra Duardo’s Student Advisory Board members to join us and talk about what they really need from schools, educators and administrators. The t...
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Season 1
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Episode 8
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48:43

Then and Now: Things We Wish We Had
Then versus NOW -- let’s get nostalgic! On this episode we have special guests from San Gabriel High School: Principal Debbie Stone and Math teacher Amanda Blackwood. The two educators join us to discuss the significant physical and social chan...
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Season 1
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Episode 7
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40:37

Authentic Allyship During Pride Month and Beyond
Authenticity. Allyship. Pride. What does it all mean and how can we really support our LGBTQ+ community in our schools and at our districts? In celebration of June being Pride Month, we dive into the complex yet simple conversation...
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Season 1
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Episode 6
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26:24

Mental Health is Wealth!
In recognition of May being Mental Health Awareness Month, we invited our Los Angeles County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Debra Duardo and Director of Employee Assistance Service for Education (EASE), Dr. Emily Hernandez to discuss the various...
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Season 1
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Episode 5
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46:46

What Does "Going Green" Even Mean?!
April is Earth Month, a time to reflect on environmental awareness and GO GREEN! But what does “going green” even mean? On this episode, we are joined by Jema Estrella and Laura Verbryck who lead our green schools initiative at the Los Angeles ...
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Season 1
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Episode 4
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29:40
