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 language immersion programs can be for young students. Joining us in the studio is LACOE’s Multiling...
Jun 3
26 min
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-level insight and lived experience to the table. Dr. White shares her personal journey of grow...
May 6
33 min
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 / STEAM is transforming teaching and learning. They discuss how integrating the arts and humanitie...
Apr 1
30 min
"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 change to expand inclusive pathways for students with disabilities. We’re also honored to hear from Gabb...
Mar 4
24 min
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, we’re joined by Dr. Anna Heinbuch from LACOE’s Mental Health and School Counseling Unit and Meliss...
Feb 4
49 min
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 Angeles County. We’re joined by two of LACOE’s charter school experts: Indra Ciccarelli, Director...
Jan 7
27 min
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 Department of Mental Health, and Kim Griffin Esperon, Project Director III with LACOE’s Mental Health and...
Dec 3, 2025
29 min
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 how schools, districts and communities can work together to support students experiencing homeles...
Nov 5, 2025
40 min
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. Together, they reflect on how Head Start goes far beyond the classroom—providing health services, ...
Oct 1, 2025
23 min
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, they unpack the barriers that keep students from class, from health concerns to systemic inequities...
Sep 3, 2025
35 min
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