This week, we hear from Kristina Ishmael, an educational consultant and a senior research consultant for the Teaching, Learning, & Tech team at New America. In this episode, she introduces us to the world of education policy, and its critical role in providing teachers with a voice, and allowing their perspectives to be implemented directly into our education system through concrete policies.

Tune in to hear from Frederick Johnson, Educator and founder & CEO of Fourth Education Firm. He discusses the necessity of teacher development and training as well as how it plays into student success.

Tune in to hear from Anna, an AP Physics Teacher. In this conversation, we dive deep into teacher respect and appreciation. #podcast #educationpodcast #educators #teachers #AcornLabs

Tune in to hear from Nazila Jamshidi, a human rights and gender equality specialist. She discusses Peace Education globally and in the U.S.

Finland has one of best education systems in the entire world. Have you ever wondered why? This week, we're featuring Finnish educator and founder of ALO Finland, Pirjo Suhonen, to find out more about Finnish education ideals, and how trusting, appreciating and investing in Finland's educators has resulted in their globally-renowned education system.

**SEASON PREMIERE** We are so excited to share our first episode of Season 2! This season is all about Treasuring Teachers, A Journey to Unpack Teacher Appreciation, and who better to kick off this season than with Teachers Supporting Teachers, a nonprofit organization in Chicago! 

We are so excited to announce EduPod Season 2, Treasuring Teachers: A Journey To Understand Teacher Appreciation! While the pandemic shined a light on teachers' unwavering commitments, teachers have always played a valuable role in the growth and well-being of students, communities, and society. To discuss this topic, we will be featuring teachers, non-profit leaders, and other education experts. Learn more by visiting us at AcornLabs.org. 

Acorn Team is so excited to share our finale episode of EduPod’s first season! During this finale, we have compiled every teacher's responses to the Question: What is your vision for the future of Education, a question that we asked each EduPod Guest.

We hope that you find their responses inspiring in a way that urges you to support teachers and advance our education system.

Although we have officially wrapped up season one, we are diligently working to bring you season two. We would love to hear from you about what topics you are interested in hearing about, as well as the teachers you want to hear from!

The best way to get in touch with us, is by visiting our website, where you can share your topic ideas and nominate teachers. Visit us at acornlabs.org.

In this episode, we speak with Batsheva Frankel - an educator, education consultant, host of a podcast series called Overthrowing Education, and the author of The Jewish Educator's Companion. In this conversation, Batsheva covers several expansive topics like: what the education reform discourse looked like before the pandemic and how the pandemic has aided those trends. How teachers are upskilling during distance learning, and who should get a seat at the decision table.

In this episode, we speak with Nagla Bedir, a New Jersey Social Studies Teacher and the Founder and Executive Director of Teaching While Muslim, an organization working to actively include social justice, anti-racist & anti-Islamophobic curricula in schools.  Nagla discusses what “anti-racist” education really means in-terms of curriculum development, classroom pedagogies, and teacher-student interactions.

Visit www.acornlabs.org to learn more!

Soundtrack Driven to Success by Scott Holmes.