Best Nina Alonso Podcasts (2025)

1
Improving children’s lives with evidence in education 25:35

Play Pause

8d ago25:35

25:35

Why is evidence so important in education solutions? How is evidence incorporated into large-scale educational solutions? How can evidence lead to greater equity in education? In this episode, Nina first speaks to Vicky Colbert, from Colombia. Vicky is the founder of Fundación Escuela Nueva, an NGO that has shaped the way multigrade classrooms oper…

1
Bridging arts and science teaching 27:23

22d ago27:23

27:23

Should arts and science come closer together? How are teachers bringing these subjects together in the classroom? In this episode, Nina talks to Pamela Burnard, Professor of Arts, Creativities and Educations at the University of Cambridge in the UK. “When we look at creative industries, real world practitioners are not sitting in expert siloes, the…

1
Tools to support highly sensitive children in school 7:11

1M ago7:11

7:11

What is high sensitivity? How many children in a classroom are highly sensitive? How can teachers support highly sensitive children? In this bonus episode, Nina talks to Michael Pluess, Professor of Developmental Psychology at the University of Surrey. Michael has been studying children’s individual differences in sensitivity for more than 10 year…

1
How does deep learning happen? 21:46

2M ago21:46

21:46

Should learning be easy or effortful? What’s the zone of failure and why is it useful for learning? How can teachers design tasks for deep learning? In this episode, Nina talks to Manu Kapur, Professor of Learning Sciences and Higher Education at ETH Zurich in Switzerland. When Manu was a teacher of grade 12 mathematics, he noticed that student un…

1
Why is sleep so important for children’s learning? 26:24

2M ago26:24

26:24

Why is sleep important as children grow? Are young people getting enough sleep? How can schools work with families to make sure children get the sleep they need? In this episode, Nina talks to Jared Saletin, Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Human Behavior at Brown University and the Associate Director of the E.P. Bradley Hospital Sleep Researc…

1
Inspiring students to become leaders 32:25

3M ago32:25

32:25

In this episode, Nina first meets Chaitra Murlidhar, in Boston in the US. Chaitra is the Global Lead of Leadership Development at Teach For All. Teach For All developed a Teaching as Collective Leadership Framework, which puts growing student leadership at the core of its approach to education. “Nobody can do this alone”, Chaitra says. “We are all …

1
Wellbeing tips for teachers 6:02

3M ago6:02

6:02

In this short bonus episode, teachers Magdalena Balica, Kawita Thani and Sanja Vičević Ivanović share their tips for supporting teacher and student wellbeing in the classroom. Magdalena Balica and Sanja Vičević Ivanović, who were guests on the full episode about teacher wellbeing, suggest using mindfulness techniques for stress relief, cultivating …

1
How teacher wellbeing impacts students 28:28

4M ago28:28

28:28

What supports teachers’ wellbeing? Can improving teacher wellbeing impact students’ wellbeing and their learning? In this episode, made in collaboration with the International Baccalaureate Organization (IB), Nina first talks to IB researcher Magdalena Balica from the Hague in the Netherlands. Magdalena looks at three elements of teacher wellbeing:…

1
What makes an effective school leader? 24:59

4M ago24:59

24:59

What support do teachers need from their leadership teams? How does school leadership impact children’s learning? In this episode, Nina first hears from Shulammite Ajayi, a science teacher in Nigeria. Encouragement from her school leader helps Shully to motivate her students. “ When teachers are encouraged, when teachers are well-equipped with tool…

1
How teachers shape the lives of their students 27:43

4M ago27:43

27:43

What could solve the challenge of teacher shortages around the world? What inspires teachers to become teachers in the first place? How do teachers find a connection with their students? In this episode, Nina talks to Carlos Vargas, Head of the Teacher Task Force Secretariat at UNESCO. The Teacher Task Force was formed in 2008. Its mission is to fi…

1
Welcome to Teachers' Voices season four 1:40

5M ago1:40

1:40

Teachers are one of the most influential and powerful forces for equity, access and quality in education. They provide children with the knowledge, skills, attitude and tools needed to reach their full potential. Join Nina Alonso for the fourth season of the podcast in which she shares powerful stories from teachers around the world, talking in the…

1
Why students benefit from futures literacy 7:55

1y ago7:55

7:55

The final episode of Teachers’ Voices season 3 opens with Sister Zeph, winner of the 2023 Global Teacher Prize, talking directly to teachers. “You are a future maker”, she says. These words inspired the rest of this mini-episode, which explores futures literacy. What is futures literacy? What do students gain from futures literacy? How can teachers…

1
How to support children’s mental health in school 32:27

1y ago32:27

32:27

Why is it important to make sure children have words to name their emotions? How can teachers promote mental health and wellbeing? Is it possible to remove academic pressure from school? In this episode, Nina first meets Sarah Griffiths, a Senior Research Fellow at University College London and Co-Director of the Wellbeing and Language Lab in UCL’s…

1
Why physical activity in schools helps children thrive 27:02

1y ago27:02

27:02

What types of physical activity benefit students? Can bringing movement and play into different academic classes help children learn? How can spaces and classes for movement be inclusive? Nina first meets Fotini Vasilopoulos, a Postdoctoral researcher at the University of Sydney in Australia. “Physical activity is important for physical health, for…

1
How can schools embrace variability in learning? 34:28

1y ago34:28

34:28

In what ways do students differ from each other in their learning? How does one student vary in their own learning from day to day? How can schools embrace these types of learning variability? In this episode, Nina talks to Julia Leonard, Assistant Professor of Psychology at Yale University. Learning variability, Julia explains, is both “my learnin…

1
How to bring social entrepreneurship to schools 8:17

1y ago8:17

8:17

How can teachers help students make a positive change in their communities? How can schools better connect education with the future of work? In this bonus mini episode of Teachers’ Voices, Nina hears practical tips from last episode’s guests Alison Yang, Barbara Bilgre, Maud Seghers, and Larisa Akrofie. Nina is also joined by Tanya Sheckley, an ed…

1
Nurturing entrepreneurial mindsets at school 30:57

1y ago30:57

30:57

What is an entrepreneurial mindset? Why should educators nurture entrepreneurial mindsets in young people? What entrepreneurial projects have teachers developed in classrooms around the world? In this episode, Nina first speaks to Maud Seghers. Maud is a global education advisor at VVOB in Belgium, an international organisation devoted to education…

1
Gender equity in STEAM starts in school 44:23

1+ y ago44:23

44:23

What barriers keep girls from fulfilling their potential in STEAM – science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics – subjects? Nina first meets Maliha Fawzia, the interim Global Head of Girls’ Education at Teach For All. Maliha joins Nina from Bangladesh. Maliha explains that the first barrier for girls studying maths and science is feelin…

1
Why neurodiversity is relevant for all schoolchildren 24:34

1+ y ago24:34

24:34

What is neurodiversity? How does it differ from neurodevelopmental disorders? How can schools make sure all children feel like they belong? In this episode, Nina meets Alyssa Alcorn, lead researcher for the Learning About Neurodiversity at School (LEANS) project at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland. Alyssa explains that neurodiversity concern…

1
How are teachers helping students understand the climate crisis? 29:18

1+ y ago29:18

29:18

In this bonus episode, Nina celebrates International Day of Education with former science teacher, Sarah Horley. Sarah is Programme Manager from Teachers for the Planet, a program that aims to improve climate change education. Teachers for the Planet are showcasing teacher-led climate change education solutions. Three of the teachers showcased in t…

1
How can EdTech help teachers and learners affected by conflict? 34:27

1+ y ago34:27

34:27

Why is education important for conflict-affected children? How are teachers in conflict zones using EdTech? Can EdTech adapt to children’s changing learning conditions and help them to thrive? In this episode, Nina talks to Jasmine Turner and Olena Onyshchenko from War Child about the EdTech solution Can’t Wait to Learn. Talking to Nina from Uganda…

1
Why student wellbeing is central to learning 37:37

1+ y ago37:37

37:37

In this episode, Nina talks to two experts from International Baccalaureate (IB) in Washington DC. Nicole Bien, Chief Schools Officer at IB, tells Nina that since the start of the pandemic, the IB has ensured wellbeing is at the core of the learning experience in their schools. “Wellbeing is so central to learning. Without it, there’s little space …

1
How can financial education help kids? 33:28

1+ y ago33:28

33:28

What are children around the world learning about looking after finances and other resources? What should be in a financial and social education curriculum? How can teachers involve parents in discussions on these topics? In this episode, Nina talks to two experts from Aflatoun, an international organisation based in the Netherlands that brings fin…

1
What are the most useful AI tools for teachers? 5:07

1+ y ago5:07

5:07

In episodes 2 and 3 of Teachers’ Voices season 3, Nina explored lots of questions about AI in the classroom. What are teachers’ concerns about AI, and what opportunities do they see? How can AI adapt to individual students? And how can teachers take a human-centred approach to AI? This special mini episode briefly introduces some AI resources that …

1
How can teachers take a human-centred approach to AI? 29:46

1+ y ago29:46

29:46

How can AI adjust learning materials and feedback to the needs of individual students? How can teachers make sure that the human element is kept? In this episode, Nina speaks to Inge Molenaar, director of the National Education Lab AI in the Netherlands (NOLAI). Inge is a Professor in Behavioral Science who specialises in the interface between educ…

1
How can educators use AI to support their students' learning? 25:20

1+ y ago25:20

25:20

What are the main concerns that teachers have about artificial intelligence in the classroom? What opportunities does AI open up for students? How can AI focus on automation while helping humans do what they’re best at? In the second episode of Teachers’ Voices season three, Nina speaks to Stefania Druga, Principal Researcher at the Center of Appli…

1
How can teachers build communities that inspire environmental care? 29:02

1+ y ago29:02

29:02

Welcome to the first episode in the third season of Teachers’ Voices. In this episode, Nina talks to Stefania Giannini, the UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Education, in Paris. Stefania tells Nina that “education must be protected from all the threats around it, including climate change.” Education is also part of the solution, she says. Hear…

1
Welcome to Teachers' Voices season three 1:40

1+ y ago1:40

1:40

Teachers are one of the most influential and powerful forces for equity, access and quality in education. They provide children with the knowledge, skills, attitude and tools needed to reach their full potential. Join Nina Alonso for the third season of the podcast in which she shares powerful stories from teachers around the world, talking in thei…

1
Bonus Episode – Teachers' Resources 4 7:16

2y ago7:16

7:16

Join educational researcher Nina Alonso for this podcast series as she shares powerful stories from teachers around the world, talking in their own words about their own experiences. In the previous episode of Teachers’ Voices, Nina heard from four inspiring guests about connecting children to nature so that it becomes more central in their learnin…

1
How nature can play a role in children’s wellbeing 46:17

2+ y ago46:17

46:17

What is the role of nature in children’s learning and development? How are schools around the world connecting children to nature? In this episode, Nina talks to Luis Alberto Camargo, a social entrepreneur who specialises in nature-based education. Luis tells Nina about the scientific research exploring the role of nature in children’s wellbeing. N…

1
How teaching methods and tools can improve mathematics learning 29:27

2+ y ago29:27

29:27

How can educators take some of the stress and anxiety out of mathematics? In this episode, Nina talks to Lindsey Richland, Associate Professor at the University of California, Irvine. Lindsey talks about the importance of teaching methods that incorporate reasoning skills. Nina also speaks to Dror Dotan, Head of the Mathematical Thinking Lab at Tel…

1
How learning interventions can help children who are out of school 32:23

2+ y ago32:23

32:23

How can education be transformed so that all children, including the most underprivileged, have access to learning? In this episode, Nina talks to Armando Ali in Kenya about organisations promoting children’s foundational learning across Africa, South Asia, and South America. Nina also hears from Francis Bizoza about accelerated learning interventi…

1
Bonus Episode – Teachers' Resources 3 7:16

2+ y ago7:16

7:16

In this special mini episode, teachers from Qatar, Mexico, and Nigeria share resources and recommendations for other educators. Guests Aljawhara Aladba from Teach For Qatar Isaac Galindo from Enseña por México Ganiyat Muritala Wuraola from Teach For Nigeria Resources and recommendations Teachers Pay Teachers Twinkl Socrative Kahoot! Freedom Writers…

1
How a leadership mindset can improve students’ agency and wellbeing 39:00

2+ y ago39:00

39:00

How can educators develop leadership mindsets in the classroom? What impact does this have on student agency, wellbeing, self-confidence, connections with others and also academic mastery? In this episode, Nina talks to Robbie Dean, Director of Research, Evaluation, and Network Learning at Teach For All. Robbie explains how Teach For All developed …

1
How creative classrooms can help every child focus 32:04

2+ y ago32:04

32:04

How can educators and caregivers better understand the needs of students who particularly struggle to stay engaged in a world full of distractions? Does allowing choice in the classroom better support the differing needs of all students? Why is teacher-family communication and collaboration so crucial for children who need extra support? In this ep…

1
How a supportive environment and digital tools can help students with distractibility 28:18

2+ y ago28:18

28:18

What impact does distractibility have on learning and development? How can digital tools help students manage digital distractions? What makes a supportive learning environment for students with ADHD? In this episode, Nina Alonso speaks to Assistant Professor Melissa Dvorsky about the impact of distractibility on learning and development. Melissa a…

1
Bonus Episode – Teachers' Resources 2 15:58

2+ y ago15:58

15:58

In this special mini episode, Nina celebrates World Teachers’ Day with a bonus episode of Teachers’ Voices. Listen for inspirational stories together with quick practical ideas and resources that educators and researchers have shared. Guests Teachers Maree Karaka Ingrid Delange Monica Bhimwal Azmin Mistry Researchers Sarah Richardson and Sladana Kr…

1
How a curious and creative classroom can inspire learning 41:13

2+ y ago41:13

41:13

Why are curiosity and creativity so relevant for all learning? Can curiosity in the classroom be measured? How can researchers and educators work together to develop teaching strategies that encourage children to embrace creativity? Nina Alonso welcomes Sarah Richardson and Sladana Krstic from the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) …

1
How gender equality in education can benefit all children 26:25

2+ y ago26:25

26:25

How can teachers promote gender equality? How easy is it to start challenging stereotypes in the classroom? Can gender responsive pedagogies help break down the barriers holding girls back? In this episode, two educators, from Zambia and Paraguay, share their stories of challenging stereotypes, and encouraging and empowering girls in the classroom.…

1
How technology can encourage collaborative learning 25:38

3y ago25:38

25:38

Today’s episode is a collaboration with Sophie Bailey, from the Edtech podcast. Nina and Sophie explore the theme of collaborative learning using education technology. How are researchers collaborating with children to co-design new technology? What’s the role of teachers in working with technology? How can technology be utilised in more challengin…

1
Bonus Episode – Teachers’ Resources 1 5:15

3y ago5:15

5:15

In this special mini episode of Teachers’ Voices, Nina Alonso recaps some of the resources her guests have shared with her so far this season. With a particular focus on teachers working to engage their students with environmental issues at local and global levels, listen in for tips, resources and sources of inspiration. Guests Terry Godwaldt is o…

1
How climate education can empower students 31:43

3y ago31:43

31:43

Climate change can be an overwhelming concept for young people. But perhaps it can be made easier to understand and relate to by demonstrating local impacts and showing students how young people all over the world are dealing with similar issues. How does youth activism support learning opportunities? What are the components of learning that best s…

1
How helping young people find their voices can build trust 30:06

3y ago30:06

30:06

How can we help young people find their voices through activism and collaboration? And why is this an important element of education? In this episode, Nina explores the many benefits that come from supporting youth activism – from building leadership skills to promoting empathy. While each guest has a different international perspective – they are …

1
How learning communities can help children thrive 28:25

3y ago28:25

28:25

Why is it so important to take a holistic approach to young people's sense of self? Nina explores how educators can be the connection between children, nature and the wider society with the aim of creating a community of learning. In this episode, two teachers, from Portugal and Japan, share how their work enables them to support collaborations bet…

1
Teachers' Voices is back for season 2 1:46

3y ago1:46

1:46

Teachers' Voices, the podcast in which teachers tell their own stories, in their own words, is back for season two. No matter the learning context - from Stockholm, to Uruguay - teachers are one of the most influential and powerful forces we have for equity, access and quality in education. And they’re an important part of sustainable global develo…

1
How Can we Help Children Take Ownership of their Learning? 27:39

3+ y ago27:39

27:39

As adults we take it for granted that we have the ability to choose. But for children, they don’t always have the awareness that they have choices available to them. Yet having agency, i.e. making choices based on active engagement in decision making, plays a vital role in developing a child’s self esteem as well as enabling their learning. In this…

1
What are the best practices to help build strong foundational skills and better educational systems? 27:44

3+ y ago27:44

27:44

Good school practices are the key to helping build better educational systems, says Renaud Comba, research manager at UNICEF, but detecting exemplary school practices is easier said than done: “For the first time we are paying attention to the already created, contextualized, cost effective local solutions that local stakeholders have created throu…

1
Why Building a Solid Foundation in Children's Learning & Development Matters with Ricardo Sabates 30:59

3+ y ago30:59

30:59

Investing in children’s foundational educational skills is key to their learning and development, as these skills are the building blocks for other life skills and further education, says Professor Ricardo Sabates, a researcher dedicated to equipping out-of-school children in the global south with basic numeracy, reading and writing skills. “One of…

1
The lifelong impact educators can have on children 10:19

3+ y ago10:19

10:19

We all remember that one teacher from school who had a long lasting positive impact on us. In this episode, we hear once more from a variety of educators around the world, each one sharing why they’re so passionate about preparing children for their future. First we hear from Nadia in New York: “The long impact that teachers have is we do things th…

1
The 21st Century Skills Students Need to Thrive 23:35

3+ y ago23:35

23:35

Our world is evolving so quickly and the skills that students needed to thrive just a few years ago are fast becoming obsolete. So what 21st century core competencies do students need to learn to succeed in our modern world? In this episode we are joined by two inspiring teachers, Enzil and Samaya, who, despite working in very different places – Th…