Exit Tickets: Big Questions for the Front of the Class

What does it mean to be a "Renaissance Man" of education while working with kids on indigenous land?

In this episode of Exit Tickets: Big Questions for the Front of the Class, host Lance Barasch speaks with Joe Dan Lovato, principal and executive director at San Diego Riverside Charter School in Jemez Pueblo, New Mexico. Joe Dan discusses how he incorporates all members of his community to ensure that his students thrive.

Their conversation dives into the important calling of educating kids while living on indigenous land, including the challenges that come along with the work, from culturally responsible curricula to overlooked communities to underfunded resources. Joe Dan shares stories from his many years both in the classroom and as the head of his school, inspiring us to get involved in his teaching renaissance.

What does it take to ensure that a students' opportunities aren’t limited by their ZIP code?

In this episode of Exit Tickets: Big Questions for the Front of the Class, host Lance Barasch speaks with Joe Brewer, principal of Lewistown Junior/Senior High School in rural Illinois. Joe shares how his parents inspired him to pursue education, why he believes teachers are the heartbeat of democracy, and what has kept him committed to serving rural schools for more nearly two decades.

Their conversation explores the strengths of rural communities, the dangers of deficit thinking, the growing pressures contributing to educator burnout, and the inequities students face when specialized programs, technology, and other opportunities simply aren’t available nearby.

Joe closes with a practical challenge for anyone who wants to better understand and support public education: spend time inside a school. Whether you become a substitute teacher, volunteer, or simply ask where help is needed, seeing the work firsthand can transform how you understand the experiences of students and educators.

In this episode of Exit Tickets: Big Questions for the Front of the Class, Lance sits down with Michigan special education teacher Heather Gauck, whose career of more than three decades has centered on helping students feel safe, capable, and included.

Heather shares how thoughtfully chosen assistive technology—and, more recently, AI—can level the playing field and restore joy for students with disabilities. She reflects on what first drew her to special education, why relationship-building and social skills matter just as much as academics, and a moving reunion with a former student who once struggled with selective mutism and later proudly graduated from high school.

The conversation also explores the risk of AI widening the digital divide and the importance of ensuring every student develops the skills needed for an increasingly technology-driven future. Heather leaves educators and families with a powerful reminder: slow down, remain curious, recognize behavior as communication, and ask, “What can we do differently—not harder?” so every student has the opportunity to learn, participate, and belong.

In this last episode of the school year, Matthew, Lance and Natalie talk about the growing trends in homeschooling, micro-schooling, and private schooling. Learn more about some of the distinguishing characteristics to these alternative forms of education, why their growing interest has been a recent phenomenon, and what this means for public education as a whole in Texas.

Hosted By: Natalie Arias, Matthew Balter and Lance Barasch

Produced By: Ace Arias

The big storyline in Texas education this spring has been the implementation of the school voucher program statewide. In this week's episode, Matthew, Natalie, and Lance take a look at some of the big storylines that have emerged with the rollout of the Texas Education Freedom Accounts, dive into the numbers, and break down what is really behind some of the more attention-grabbing headlines.

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Join the Conversation! Connect with us on Instagram and send us a DM with your thoughts or questions on any and All Things Education. Your submission may be featured on a future episode!

Hosted By: Natalie Arias, Matthew Balter and Lance Barasch

Produced By: Ace Arias

With a historic decline in student enrollement across Texas' Public Schools, we ask the question - where have all the students gone?

In this second episode of a three-part-series, we look at the number one rising alternative to traditional ISD schools: charters. Natalie and Matt talk in depth on the differences between charter and traditional public schools, exploring both the positive sides and the more controversial sides of charter school education in our state.

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Join the Conversation! Connect with us on Instagram and send us a DM with your thoughts or questions on any and All Things Education. Your submission may be featured on a future episode!

Hosted By: Natalie Arias, Matthew Balter and Lance Barasch

Produced By: Ace Arias

Ever wonder what teachers really think about the inspirational quotes and affirmations shared widely across the profession? You know you can count on the three of us to tell it to you straight!

In this episode, the ATE pod crew dissect a few timeless quotes that are meant to represent and remind us of our "why." We offer a fresh round of honest insights into the educator's experience, including the relevance of those adages.

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Join the Conversation! Connect with us on Instagram and send us a DM with your thoughts or questions on any and All Things Education. Your submission may be featured on a future episode!

Hosted By: Natalie Arias, Matthew Balter and Lance Barasch

Produced By: Ace Arias

Somehow we are already at the halfway point of a tumultuous 25/26 school year! Between end of the semester grading and final exams, teachers certainly have a lot of administrative work to do. But it's also an opportunity to reflect on all the great learning happening in our classrooms year-round.

On this month's episode, Lance, Natalie, and Matthew look back at some of the more memorable lessons they have had the privilege to teach this semester, as well as share the joy they find in their individual subjects. Finally, the three educators discuss the broad picture of how they know what they are "supposed" to teach, diving into ways that objectivity can sometimes get a little murky.

Texas Tribune Article on social studies curriculum overhaul: https://www.texastribune.org/2025/11/14/texas-sboe-social-studies-redesign-conservative-advisers/

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Join the Conversation! Connect with us on Instagram and send us a DM with your thoughts or questions on any and All Things Education. Your submission may be featured on a future episode!

Hosted By: Natalie Arias, Matthew Balter and Lance Barasch

Produced By: Ace Arias

Big changes are happening in public schools, lately! Declining enrollment is a concerning trend across Texas, even in some of the larger districts in the state.

In today's episode, we scratch the surface and explore what is happening and why. Stay tuned for parts 2 and 3 in future episodes!

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Join the Conversation! Connect with us on Instagram and send us a DM with your thoughts or questions on any and All Things Education. Your submission may be featured on a future episode!

Hosted By: Natalie Arias, Matthew Balter and Lance Barasch

Produced By: Ace Arias

Today's episode explores some nuanced examples of how policy translates to implementation in schools across the state, and what stakeholders can do to advocate for what makes sense.

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Join the Conversation! Connect with us on Instagram and send us a DM with your thoughts or questions on any and All Things Education. Your submission may be featured on a future episode!

Hosted By: Natalie Arias, Matthew Balter and Lance Barasch

Produced By: Ace Arias