Behind the Scenes of Learning

What happens when small constraints stack up over time — and quietly reshape what's possible inside a classroom?In this episode, host Chris Huizenga explores the accumulation of pressures that narrow teacher agency: growing class sizes, shrinking planning time, input that’s invited but doesn’t always shape decisions, and the impossible math of responsibility without capacity. Through unfiltered interviews with teachers and school leaders, you'll hear what it sounds like when teachers are showing up with everything they have, but the time, resources, and breathing room to do their best work keep getting thinner — and why persistence under these conditions is an act of creativity, not just endurance.This episode closes with a question for McGraw Hill teams: Where in your work might you restore agency for teachers, rather than add constraint?Creators & Guests Chris Huizenga - Host Click here to view the episode transcript.

What happens when the pressure to prove learning starts reshaping the emotional climate of school?In this episode, host Chris Huizenga examines a pattern that emerged across interviews, observations, and school leader conversations: the toll of constant measurement on students, teachers, and families. You'll hear educators describe grading expectations that prioritize throughput over feedback, students who internalize scores as identity, and the disconnect between classroom-level growth and high-stakes test results.You'll also hear what teachers want instead — assessment that feels like guidance, not judgment, and rigor that doesn't come at the cost of well-being.Regardless of where you sit at McGraw Hill, this episode invites you to consider: How might we support excellence without manufacturing fear?Creators & Guests Chris Huizenga - Host Click here to view the episode transcript.

What happens when the world students live in moves faster than the classroom can keep up?In this episode, host Elle Sarkisian explores one of the most consistent themes from the field: the tension between rising demands for rigor and a generation whose baseline for stimulation has fundamentally shifted. Through candid interviews with K–8 educators across the country, we hear how teachers are navigating shortened attention spans, resistance to process, and the quiet daily work of protecting focus — not by lowering the bar, but by redesigning how students move through learning.You'll also hear bright spots: the classroom-level innovations teachers are already prototyping to build cognitive stamina and student independence.Whether you sit in product, marketing, strategy, or research, this episode will challenge you to rethink what "engagement" really means — and what it could look like when designed well.Creators & Guests Elle Sarkisian - Host Click here to view the episode transcript.

What does it really feel like to be a public school teacher today?In this episode, "Doing It Alone," host Elle Sarkisian brings us into the lived experience of K–8 educators across the country as they speak candidly about a pervasive, often invisible challenge: isolation. Through powerful, unfiltered interviews, we explore how this sense of disconnection shows up across curriculum mandates, planning expectations, fractured parent partnerships, inconsistent administrative support, and one-size-fits-all professional development.You’ll hear stories that reveal just how much teachers are expected to shoulder on their own—and what could shift if schools and systems took a more human-centered, collaborative approach.This episode also features reflections from a participatory workshop hosted by Desklight and McGraw Hill, where educators, school leaders, and caregivers came together to reimagine what real support could look like.Regardless of where you reside at McGraw Hill, this conversation will help you see what’s at stake, and what’s possible.Creators & Guests Elle Sarkisian - Host Chris Huizenga - Host Click here to view the episode transcript. --- If you are interested in learning more about the topic of teacher isolation, view additional insights and teacher testimonials here. 

What does it really feel like to teach today? The "Behind the Scenes of Learning" podcast shares raw, real stories from public school educators, revealing what’s working, what’s breaking down, and where change is needed. It explores what it takes to create systems that center connection, not just compliance.We hope this podcast sparks conversation amongst teams and inspires listeners to help shape what comes next. Click here to listen to Episode 1: Doing it Alone. Creators & Guests Elle Sarkisian - Host Click here to view the episode transcript.