Elle Sarkisian

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. 

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. --- If you are interested in learning more about the topic of teacher isolation, view additional insights and teacher testimonials here. 

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.