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All Things Education

All Things Education

by Natalie Arias, Matthew Balter and Lance Barasch

Non-Profit Education

Season 2

Where Have All the Students Gone? (Part 3 of 3)

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

Let's Talk About Vouchers

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. Now Playing on all major platforms! Follow and Share wherever you listen to podcasts. We appreciate your ratings and reviews! 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

Where Have All the Students Gone? (Part 2 of 3)

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. Now Playing on all major platforms! Follow and Share wherever you listen to podcasts. We appreciate your ratings and reviews! 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

Teacher Truths

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. Now Playing on all major platforms! Follow and Share wherever you listen to podcasts. We appreciate your ratings and reviews! 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

What We Teach

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/ Now Playing on all major platforms! Follow and Share wherever you listen to podcasts. We appreciate your ratings and reviews! 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

Where Have All the Students Gone? (Part 1 of 3)

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! Now Playing on all major platforms! Follow and Share wherever you listen to podcasts. We appreciate your ratings and reviews! 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

It Takes a Village

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. Now Playing on all major platforms! Follow and Share wherever you listen to podcasts. We appreciate your ratings and reviews! 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

What Legislation is Impacting Students?

This has been quite an active year in Austin, between the regular and special legislative sessions. Lawmakers have been busy, and the world of education is no exception. But which laws are actually creating a tangible impact on Texas classrooms, and more importantly, what are our students and families actually talking about? On this month's episode, Lance, Natalie, and Matthew cut through the noise of the huge glut of bills that have recently gone into implementation mode. We try to answer the question of which laws are actually on the minds of public school students, and which are better left "unread." Now Playing on all major platforms! Follow and Share wherever you listen to podcasts. We appreciate your ratings and reviews! 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

Why is School Boring

Since the pandemic, adolescent boredom has been on a steady and concerning rise. Many studies point to excessive screen time as being a major contributing factor to this rise in boredom. But it's no different in the classroom; kids in school are...well...bored. And more so now than in years passed. From favorite TV shows to movies, music to literature, all too often the American classroom is portrayed as place where boredom thrives. Is school boring? And if so, why? For today's episode we're joined by two high school students who give their pespectives on what makes school so boring, and how that problem might be addressed. Now Playing on all major platforms! Follow and Share wherever you listen to podcasts. We appreciate your ratings and reviews. 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

Pathways Into Teaching

Teacher preparation in Texas has, for a long time, entailed a semester in a classroom marked mostly by observation and with little hands-on practice. That's all evolving thanks to big changes in policy, funding and regulation around educator preparation programs! For today's episode, we're joined by Geoff Carlisle and Patrick Steck from Deans For Impact. They share key insights on the future of teacher apprenticeships and the potential impact of this shift for education stakeholders in Texas and Nationwide. Now Playing on all major platforms! Follow and Share wherever you listen to podcasts. We appreciate your ratings and reviews! 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

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