Teachers' Voices

BOLD and Nina Alonso

Teachers are one of the most influential and powerful forces for equity, access and quality in education. They provide children and young people with the knowledge, skills, attitude and tools needed to reach their full potential. Teachers' Voices is a podcast series from BOLD, the digital platform on learning and development. Join Nina Alonso as she shares powerful stories from teachers around the world, talking in their own words about their experiences, and listen in on inspiring conversations with international experts on learning and child development. If you're a parent, teacher, or just someone interested in learning and development, this podcast is for you. For more information, visit bold.expert

  1. 18/08/2025

    Inspirational books, films, and tools for teachers

    To wrap up season 4, educators share books, films, and tools to inspire other teachers, students, and learning communities at the start of the new school year. Nina shares some highlights in the episode, and the full list is below. Thank you to everyone who sent in their recommendations. Books In the Small Places: Stories of Teacher Changemakers and the Power of Human Agency by Fred Mednick, recommended by Katharine Young.Reaching and Teaching Children Who Hurt: Strategies for Your Classroom by Susan E. Craig, recommended by Trinidad Arellano. Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer, recommended by Rosina Dorelli.The Hidden Balance of Things: Family constellations, shamanism, and other ways to prevent our extinction by Guillermo Leone, recommended by Rocio Garcia SolcaSchools That Learn: Fifth Discipline Fieldbook for Educators, Parents, and Everyone Who Cares about Education by Peter Senge, recommended by Carlos Chiu.Creative Schools: The Grassroots Revolution That’s Transforming Education by Ken Robinson, recommended by Joanna Marriott.Another Way Is Possible: Becoming a Democratic Teacher in a State School by Derry Hannam, recommended by Richard Fransham.The Secret of Spinoza by Jose Rodrigues dos Santos, recommended by Ingrid Delange.Films and videos Spare Parts, recommended by Carlos Chiu. Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom, recommended by Trinidad Arellano. Suvemae: Pioneer of Possibility, recommended by Richard Fransham.The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, recommended by Katharine Young.The Story of Stuff and the original, recommended by Rosina Dorelli.Kiss the Ground, recommended by Rocio Garcia Solca.The Literacy Shed, recommended by Silvana Gili.Hichki, recommended by Meesha Arora.Find the rest of the recommendations on BOLD Guests Katharine Young: LinkedIn Trinidad Arellano: LinkedIn, Instagram Rosina Dorelli: LinkedIn Carlos Chiu: LinkedIn Richard Fransham: LinkedIn Meesha Arora: LinkedIn Toyin Awofeso: LinkedIn Atukunda Samuel: LinkedIn Joanna Marriott: LinkedIn Join the Teachers’ Voices WhatsApp group and read the community guidelines.

    6 min

  2. 04/08/2025

    When teachers match instruction to individual learners

    In what ways do students vary? How can teachers take account of variability when students develop at different paces and across different dimensions of learning? In this episode, Nina speaks with Sarah Bichler, Associate Professor of Psychology at the University of Passau in Germany. Sarah says children grow and learn in different ways, sometimes steadily, sometimes through abrupt shifts. Recognizing individual learning timelines allows teachers to “design the instruction that matches the learner’s developmental stage”. Nina then hears from Meesha Arora, an economics teacher at an international school in New Delhi, India. Meesha sees students' confidence, analytical skills, and academic performance change over time with guidance, one-on-one attention, and use of AI in formative assessment. For Meesha, differentiating instruction is important because students come from different curricula and places. “I often spend the first six months just getting to know the child a little bit better”, she says, so she can cater to them. Finally, Nina speaks to Karmen Linnamägi, a music therapist and primary school teacher in Estonia. Karmen works with children with intellectual and developmental disabilities and uses participatory, creative teaching methods. Children “might have hidden skills and capacities, which suddenly at certain particular moments reveal themselves”, she says.  Join the Teachers' Voices WhatsApp group and read the community guidelines. Guests Sarah Bichler: LinkedIn Meesha Arora: LinkedIn Karmen Linnamägi: Facebook

    29 min

  3. 21/07/2025

    How teachers and families can support adolescents together

    What role do families play in children’s learning as they grow into adolescence? How can teachers build partnerships with parents and caregivers? What happens when schools work with families? In this episode, Nina speaks with Elisabetta Aurino, Associate Professor of Economics at the University of Barcelona in Spain. Elisabetta shares findings from her research in Ghana showing how caregivers can support their teens, even with limited resources. She discusses why some parents hold back from getting involved and how teachers can communicate with empathy. “Parents still remain the main factor driving the children's learning and development, especially in the early adolescent years”, Elisabetta says. Nina then hears from Shereen Abdullah, who teaches language and literature at an IB school in Cairo, Egypt. She specialises in supporting students with special educational needs. Shereen says that consistent, open communication between parents and schools can impact a student’s learning experience. Shereen says that just “a 10-minute talk with their parents on a daily basis” can help a student be well-rounded. Next, Nina hears from Wendy McKenzie and Cheryl McKenzie, sisters with extensive teaching experience in Trinidad, the USA, and beyond. Wendy, who teaches at an all-boys secondary school in Trinidad, shares stories of deep parental engagement, from project mentoring to guidance sessions led by parents. She says that “those boys whose parents have been present in school, they are usually the boys who excel at school”. Cheryl, a middle school teacher, tells Nina that parental involvement evolves as children mature. They can offer strategies to support teenagers’ emotional and social development alongside their academic growth. “We should have talks with parents encouraging them to be there for their child socially, be there for their child academically,” Cheryl says. Join the Teachers' Voices WhatsApp group and read the community guidelines.  Guests Elisabetta Aurino: LinkedIn Shereen Abdullah: LinkedIn, Instagram Wendy McKenzie: BOLD profile Cheryl McKenzie Eugene: Facebook

    27 min

  4. 07/07/2025

    How schools can value the strengths children gain from adversity

    How can educators recognise and build on the strengths children gain from adversity? What happens when teachers shift from seeing deficits to seeing potential? How are children changing their own narratives with the support of educators? In this episode, Nina explores children’s resilience and the strength they gain from living in difficult circumstances. Nina first speaks with Gabriele Paone, a researcher in Oxford in the UK who studies how children in high-stress environments in different parts of the world develop strengths that are often overlooked. Gabriele focuses not on what students lack, instead recognising how they adapt, cope, and grow in the face of adversity. “Shifting from a deficit perspective to an adaptive one encourages educators to see potential strengths in differences”, Gabriele says. Nina then speaks with Murimi Nyaga, known as Turi, a teacher and Teach For Kenya fellow working in Machakos, Kenya. Turi teaches in a rural community where students face family hardships, poverty, and emotional challenges. Despite this, he has seen students thrive when given support and creative outlets. Through projects like arts and music, children are building confidence and discovering hidden talents. “The learners that have been engaged in the project have gained esteem”, Turi says. “They're able to take up responsibilities. They're able to take up leadership in the school.” Finally, Nina talks with Gilson Penha, a teacher and coordinator in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Gilson works in schools that serve neighbourhoods impacted by inequality and violence. Gilson developed a story with Turi’s students about a young warrior who uses a magical spear to free his people from oppression. This story helped his students see themselves as protagonists of a story of change. “I really believe that education can change the social context within our neighborhood, within our community”, says Gilson. Join the Teachers' Voices WhatsApp group and read the community guidelines. Guests  Gabriele Paone: Website Murimi Nyaga (Turi): LinkedIn Gilson Penha: Instagram

    22 min

  5. 23/06/2025 ·  CONTENIDO EXTRA

    Tips for teaching in difficult conditions

    How can teachers support students in emergencies or difficult contexts? In this bonus episode, Nina hears advice for teaching in challenging conditions from four educators. First Nina meets Diana Suárez, a teacher in Colombia and an expert in multilingualism and multiculturalism. Diana says that safe play spaces let children reconnect, express themselves, and feel joy again. Next, Nina speaks to Gilson Penha, who teaches in a public school in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Gilson believes in building a welcoming school environment to support community involvement and hands-on, real-life activities that keep students motivated. Murimi Nyaga, known as Turi, is a middle school teacher from Machakos, Kenya. He tells Nina about connecting students with nature through school gardens and conservation projects. These experiences help students develop a sense of belonging and purpose, even if they struggle academically or face difficult home lives. Finally, Nina meets Antonio Castillo, a recent graduate from Spain, who works in afterschool programs for youth at risk of dropping out. He builds trust through authenticity and humility. By letting his students teach him first, he is able to truly connect. Join the Teachers’ Voices WhatsApp group and read the community guidelines. Guests and resources Diana M. Suárez: LinkedIn Gilson Penha: Instagram Murimi Nyaga (Turi): LinkedIn Antonio Castillo Teachers Without Borders: website

    7 min

  6. 09/06/2025

    School leadership in emergencies

    What makes leadership and innovation critical in education during emergencies? How do local educators overcome challenges with limited resources? How can communities and technology help sustain learning in crisis contexts? In this episode, Nina first speaks to Katy Noble, Head of Education in Emergencies at Teach For All, based in Palestine. Katy shares insights from 15 years working with crisis-affected communities, reflecting on how leadership in emergencies requires both adaptability and care. She believes in distributed, human-centered leadership. Katy says: “We need to question long held sector norms, like the obsession of focusing on access to education over quality learning outcomes, or this laser focus on student wellbeing at the expense of teacher wellbeing.” Nina also hears from Atukunda Samuel, Head Teacher of Navikale Refugee Settlement Secondary School in Uganda. Samuel tells Nina about the daily realities of leading a school under extreme pressure, including limited resources, overcrowded classrooms, and the emotional toll on both students and teachers. He also talks about the strength of the community: “The entire community plays a role. The school principals look for ways to recruit additional teachers amongst the internally displaced populations.” Join the Teachers' Voices WhatsApp group and read the community guidelines. Guests and resources Katy Noble: LinkedIn Teach For All video: Education in Emergencies: Connecting across borders Atukunda Samuel: LinkedIn

    27 min

  7. 26/05/2025

    Improving children’s lives with evidence in education

    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 operate. Vicky tells Nina how they use evidence to ensure their work is effective, equitable, and scalable. Evidence improves outcomes, by showing what works and what doesn’t work. Teachers are the agents of change in their solution, as they get together to learn. Vicky says that “teachers sometimes learn more from other teachers than from experts”.  Next, Nina meets Karen Levesque, Head of Research at Imagine Worldwide. Imagine Worldwide is an NGO making education accessible through technology and self-directed learning. They strongly believed that personalised EdTech had the potential to make a difference in Sub-Saharan Africa, but they wanted to prove it could make a difference before implementing their solution. “Having an evidence base can help schools and systems decide: what is best for our children?” Karen says. Both NGOs are winners of the 2024 Klaus J. Jacobs Best Practice Prizes, in recognition of institutions and individuals implementing evidence-based solutions aimed at promoting child development and learning in practice. Join the Teachers' Voices WhatsApp group and read the community guidelines. Guests and resources Vicky Colbert: LinkedIn, X Fundación Escuela Nueva: website, Facebook, YouTube  Karen Levesque: LinkedIn Imagine Worldwide: website, short introduction video, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter

    26 min

  8. 12/05/2025

    Bridging arts and science teaching

    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, they are collaborating, they are co-authoring,” Pamela says. In medicine, culture, and technologies, people are connecting, she says.  Next, Nina meets Silvana Baico, a primary educator in Uruguay. Silvana connects learning with art and movement, looking for the math and geometry in dance. Silvana also trains teachers in this. ”Teacher training is essential because you give them the kind of fresh air, a sort of renewed desire to do things, to imagine new things,” says Silvana. Ingrid Delange is a secondary teacher working in Luxembourg. “If you mix art and mathematics, you can definitely develop creativity,” Ingrid tells Nina. For Ingrid, the surrealist artist Salvador Dalí is a source of inspiration and she uses his work in the classroom. Students are able to see beyond the painting and create their own interpretations of this art. Lastly, Nina speaks to Akina Lam, a teacher librarian in Hong Kong. “ I believe that by blending maths with stories, we can make it more engaging and accessible for everyone.” She recommends storybooks to children that incorporate mathematical concepts, such as The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, and Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.  Join the Teachers' Voices WhatsApp group and read the community guidelines. Guests and resources Pamela Burnard: LinkedIn, Instagram, X, Sculpting New Creativities in Primary Education (book) STEAM gardens  Silvana Baico: Instagram  Ingrid Delange: LinkedIn Akina Lam: LinkedIn HK Gorden Dragon Book Awards organized by Akina Lam

    27 min
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Teachers are one of the most influential and powerful forces for equity, access and quality in education. They provide children and young people with the knowledge, skills, attitude and tools needed to reach their full potential. Teachers' Voices is a podcast series from BOLD, the digital platform on learning and development. Join Nina Alonso as she shares powerful stories from teachers around the world, talking in their own words about their experiences, and listen in on inspiring conversations with international experts on learning and child development. If you're a parent, teacher, or just someone interested in learning and development, this podcast is for you. For more information, visit bold.expert

Ficha técnica

  • Creado por
    BOLD and Nina Alonso
  • Años en activo
    2021 - 2025
  • Episodios
    68
  • Clasificación
    Apto
  • Derechos de autor
    © 2026 Teachers' Voices
  • Sitio web del podcast
    Teachers' Voices