Education Insight

What can teenagers learn when education takes them beyond the classroom and into the wild? Dr. Anna Young, Vice President of Learning and Impact at The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, joins Education Insight to explore how the Zoo Teens program is giving young people hands-on experiences with wildlife while building confidence, compassion, and skills that extend far beyond the zoo.

What if the things we measure in education aren’t the only things that matter? Dr. Yong Zhao joins Education Insight to explore what students need beyond academics and why preparing young people for life may require us to rethink how we define success.

What really makes a school the right fit for a child?

In this episode of Education Insight, Dr. Ashley Rogers Berner of the Johns Hopkins Institute for Education Policy joins us to unpack what school choice really means, what parents should look for beyond school rankings when comparing schools, and how families can navigate a growing number of educational options.

From neighborhood schools and private schools to education savings accounts and other models, we explore what parents should know before making one of the most important decisions for their child.

Why do so many students struggle to put their thoughts into writing?

In this episode of Education Insight, author and education journalist Natalie Wexler, co-author of The Writing Revolution 2.0, explains why strong writing begins at the sentence level, and why writing should be taught across every subject, not just English. We explore how writing strengthens learning and critical thinking, what students risk when they rely too heavily on AI, and why learning to communicate clearly in writing is a skill that lasts far beyond the classroom.

How can you tell what's true online when misinformation is everywhere?

In this episode of Education Insight, Stanford education professor emeritus Dr. Sam Wineburg shares practical strategies for evaluating online information, spotting misinformation, and becoming a more informed digital citizen. From viral social media posts and online scams to AI, digital literacy, and the future of student learning, Dr. Wineburg explains why critical thinking has never been more important and offers simple techniques that anyone can use to make better decisions about what to believe.

What if the classroom didn't have four walls? In this episode of Education Insight, Lacey Kendall speaks with Chris Bessonette, Head of School at Mountain Academy in Wyoming, where students learn through hands-on experiences in forests, mountains, and national parks. Discover how outdoor education is helping students build academic skills, solve real-world problems, and develop a deeper connection to the world around them.

You've probably driven past a school with "Montessori" on the sign — but what does it actually mean, and who is it really for? Sara Cotner, Executive Director of Montessori for All, joins Education Insight to break down the Montessori method, its century-long history, and why it may be more relevant than ever for students navigating today's challenges. From self-paced learning to social-emotional development, find out how this approach is expanding into public schools and diverse communities.

More students are rethinking the traditional path from high school to college by taking a gap year. In this episode of Education Insight, Aaron Slosberg, Director of Programming and Co-Owner of Where There Be Dragons, discusses how immersive travel, cultural exchange, and real-world experiences are helping young people build confidence, independence, and a deeper understanding of the world around them.

How are screens reshaping childhood and learning? In this episode of Education Insight, nationally recognized screentime expert Emily Cherkin joins the show to discuss the growing role of technology in schools and homes, the impact of screens on child development, and what families and educators should consider as digital devices become more embedded in everyday life.

What does two decades of data tell us about college success in America? This episode explores why more students are enrolling, but not finishing, and what needs to change to help more learners reach the finish line.