The EdCounts Podcast

Free meal programs are essential for many students and families nationwide, and demand for these meals is rising. April Howell, Executive Chef with Cultivate Food Rescue, walks us through how these meals are made, student nutrition, and how organizations work together to keep students healthy.

It’s back to school season for students across the country, but many are struggling to attend classes consistently. In this episode, we'll hear from Hedy Chang, President and CEO of Attendance Works, and Ashley Haynes, Vice President of Communications at the Indiana Youth Institute. They’ll dive into national trends of chronic absenteeism and how people and organizations are working to ensure that kids are going to school.

Schools close for a number of reasons, but the effects of closures always impact students, families, and staff. In this episode, we'll hear from Jeremy Lugbill, CEO of the Career Academy Network of Public Schools, about the process of taking in new students who have to move schools due to closures.

The first 18 months of a child's life are incredibly important when it comes to brain development. So how can we ensure that both children and parents are healthy at this stage? In this episode, Candy Yoder, Senior Strategist with Building Strong Brains, and Paul Shetler-Fast, Executive Director of Maple City Health Care Center, show us how local organizations are collaborating to provide early childhood and family supports.

Access and affordability of pre-K have been challenges for decades. But recent state budget cuts in Indiana are making those challenges much more acute. In this episode, we'll hear from Aleyna Mitchell, Director of Development and Community Outreach at El Campito Child Development Center, about the impact of funding cuts on families and pre-K providers. 

AI is now present in schools across the nation, and it's not going away anytime soon. But how are teachers and administrators responding to its academic pros and cons? Amy Dirlam, Assistant Superintendent of St. Joseph Public Schools, and Ben Rimes, Director of Technology at Coloma Community Schools, will help us learn about developing policies that balance the support of AI with human interaction in learning.

Whether it's in homes, schools, or on social media, it takes a community to ensure the safety and growth of children. In this episode, Angie Skwarcan of The CASIE Center and Kim Yoder of Child and Parent Services - Elkhart take us through some of the different ways that we can prevent child abuse and neglect.

Science is a vast and complex field, and it can be challenging for scientists to share their work with students and the general public. In this episode, we'll chat with Dr. Maggie Fink and Dr. Shahir Rizk, professors at Indiana University South Bend, who both have experience in making science accessible through art, conversation, and connection.

Teachers are the heartbeat of classrooms - but they deal with a number of stressors on a daily basis, which can lead to burnout. So how can we ensure that educators are physically and mentally healthy? Heather Miller and Rebekah Enzler with School Care Team, a non-profit that specializes in this work, join the podcast to share their thoughts on teacher well-being practices and supports.

How are communities, schools, and businesses reshaping partnerships amidst an ever-changing education landscape? We'll hear from Lauren Hall Riggins, a director at Empower Schools, and Dr. Byron Ernest, a member of the Indiana State Board of Education, about how rural communities are working together to create innovative pathways for students to succeed.