Lesson Up!

Lesson Up is a podcast to innovate, advocate, validate, illuminate, and empower the early care & education profession. Join us as we discuss the differences, the dilemmas, and the dynamics of ECE in today’s ever-changing world.

Last refreshed: July 8th, 2025 at 2:11 AM ⓘ

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Episodes

Talking with Todd Wanerman

Welcome back to LessonUp! You may have noticed we took some time off from producing the podcast in 2022... Well, we're back with a new, long-form episode! Our first interview guest, Todd Wanerman , shares with us his experience in early education and illuminates some of the dynamics we have been confronted with in the early education community. He also shares with us his perspective on how we can move through some of the challenges of our field, how we can approach and accomplish better outcomes...

Jan 03, 2023•58 min

Are you still with us?

We look back at how the coronavirus pandemic and the first few weeks of the return to in-person child care and early education impacted us and those we serve. We also wonder how it has impacted the workforce and learning communities as a whole. We'd love to hear your experience! Write to us or send us a recording at lessonuppodcast@gmail.com to share your story. Made possible with support by Early Care Educators of San Francisco ( ECESF ). Modern Jazz Samba by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompe...

Oct 10, 2021•15 min

Who are you, and what do you do here?

How does equity work get done in early care and education? In this episode, we wonder how education professionals can move beyond professional development and into changing policies and challenging the status quo in early education as a whole. Made possible with support by Early Care Educators of San Francisco ( ECESF ). Modern Jazz Samba by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4063-modern-jazz-samba

Jul 01, 2021•9 min

What seems to be the problem?

What are the challenges of the early education workforce? In this episode, we speak on specific examples of inequity in early care and education. What isn't working for those doing the work? Where are we lacking resources, support, or understanding? Made possible with support by BANDTEC. Modern Jazz Samba by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4063-modern-jazz-samba

Jun 02, 2021•14 min

Is this thing on?

Are educators' voices heard? Who's input matters when it comes to investments in early care & education? How do large societal values play a role in where money and resources are directed? Does research or educator experience impact policy? What goes into defining, supporting, and measuring quality education in early childhood? Resources mentioned in this episode: - Ibram X. Kendi, Author of How to Be an Antiracist https://www.aspeninstitute.org/events/gildenhorn-book-talk-with-ibram-x-kendi...

May 02, 2021•12 min

Who has a seat at the table?

A look at the practices & principles that guide decisions impacting children, families, & educators. Resources mentioned in this episode: - Department of Youth & Family Services, Community Hubs Initiative https://www.dcyf.org/care - The Characteristics of White Supremacy Culture ( From Dismantling Racism: A Workbook for Social Change Groups, by Kenneth Jones and Tema Okun, ChangeWork, 2001) See "Paternalism" https://www.showingupforracialjustice.org/white-supremacy-culture-characteri...

Apr 01, 2021•25 min

So, you think you can podcast?

Get to know the early childhood educators working for social justice and equity in ECE and find out why they decided to start a podcast during a global pandemic. Made possible with support by BANDTEC. Modern Jazz Samba by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4063-modern-jazz-samba License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Mar 01, 2021•20 min

Meet the Podcasters: Michelle

Learn more about the four early care educators behind the Lesson Up podcast. We are education professionals, equity-minded thinkers, and determined changemakers working to eliminate structural inequities in ECE. Made possible with support from BANDTEC. Modern Jazz Samba by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4063-modern-jazz-samba License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Mar 01, 2021•51 sec

Meet the Podcasters: Brooke

Mar 01, 2021•51 sec

Meet the Podcasters: Gaya

Mar 01, 2021•51 sec

Meet the Podcasters: Anna

Learn more about the four early care educators behind the Lesson Up podcast. We are education professionals, equity-minded thinkers, and determined changemakers working to eliminate structural inequities in ECE. Made possible with the support of BANDTEC. Modern Jazz Samba by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4063-modern-jazz-samba License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Mar 01, 2021•51 sec

Introducing: Lesson Up!

Join us as we discuss the differences, the dilemmas, and the dynamics of ECE in today’s ever-changing world. Made possible with the support of BANDTEC. Modern Jazz Samba by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4063-modern-jazz-samba License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Mar 01, 2021•35 sec

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