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10 Best Education Podcasts for Teachers and School Admins
October 29, 2024

10 Best Education Podcasts for Teachers and School Admins

Earning a degree and getting your teaching certificate is not the end of the journey to becoming a good educator. For new and experienced teachers, it is crucial to continue learning and to remain on top of the most up-to-date trends and practices in the education field in order to serve their institutions and their students in the most effective manner. Amid the busy working hours, the tight schedules, and the exhausting work days, podcasts are one of the best ways for teachers and school administrators to continue their professional development from the office, on the go, or from the comfort of their home.

In this article, we’ve rounded up the best 10 education podcasts that can benefit various types of professionals in the field. We’ve focused on podcasts that feature 1) engaging hosts who know how to inspire and lead a meaningful discussion, 2) the hottest topics in the education field that are of relevance and interest to different educators, and 3) knowledgeable and innovative guests who have the power to simultaneously educate and entertain audiences.

The top 10 podcasts for teachers and school administrators include:

  1. Learning Can’t Wait - A Podcast by Fullmind: Best Overall Education Podcast for All Professionals
  2. The Cult of Pedagogy Podcast: Best for Everything-Education Topics
  3. The EdTech Podcast: Best Tech-in-Education Podcast
  4. The Shake Up Learning Show: Best for Practical Tips and Resources
  5. The Creative Classroom with John Spencer: Best for Inspiring Creativity
  6. TeacherCast: Best for Education Professionals Building Their Brand
  7. Teach Me, Teacher: Best for Bringing Positive Change in Students’ Lives
  8. Mr Barton Maths Podcast: Best for Maths Educators
  9. The Learning Scientists Podcast: Best for Evidence-Based Learning Practices
  10. The Empowered Principal Podcast: Best for School Principals and Other Education Leaders

Following is a brief overview of each of these podcasts including typical topics, the podcast hosts, noteworthy guests, and what makes them the most suitable choices for educators with different backgrounds and roles.

1. Learning Can’t Wait - A Podcast by Fullmind: Best Overall Education Podcast for All Professionals

  • Podcast Link: https://www.fullmindlearning.com/podcast
  • Covered Topics: How changemakers are driving innovation in the education field
  • Podcast Host: Hayley Spira-Bauer
  • Notable Guests: Dr. Muhsinah Morris (Visionary behind the Morehouse College’s Metaversity program), Alex Kotran (Co-Founder of aiEDU), Mike Yates (from the Reinvention Lab at Teach for America), Siya Raj Purohit (from the Education Go-to-Market Team at OpenAI), and other education leaders challenging the status quo

The Learning Can’t Wait Podcast, powered by Fullmind, is the best podcast for teachers and school administrators as it inspires and equips them with practical ideas and solutions on how to innovate the education process for the benefit of students. The podcast host and curator - Hayley Spira-Bauer - is a passionate educator, a trained elementary school teacher, and a disability advocate who knows how to get the most out of each high-value guest.

What makes Learning Can’t Wait stand out from all other podcasts on education topics is the top-notch guests and the extremely interesting, engaging, entertaining, and thought-inspiring discussions. From seasoned educators to EdTech entrepreneurs, podcast guests bring extensive experiences, unique perspectives, innovative approaches, and unmatched passion for transforming the education system at the time when this is an absolute must for the benefit of the millions of students nationwide. In a casual discussion with the host, guests succeed in engaging a wide audience of educators including both teachers and administrators and encouraging them to start the much-needed change within their own institutions.

Another reason that makes Learning Can’t Wait a top choice among teachers and educators is that they can get their professional development hours through the podcast. All they need to do is to listen through the amusing episodes and submit a short write-up. It’s important to note that Fullmind content qualifies in the vast majority of US states.

2. The Cult of Pedagogy Podcast: Best for Everything-Education Topics

  • Podcast Link: https://www.cultofpedagogy.com/pod/
  • Covered Topics: Teaching strategies, classroom management, education reform, and educational technology
  • Podcast Host: Jennifer Gonzalez
  • Notable Guests: Matthew Kay (Author of Not Light, But Fire: How to Lead Meaningful Race Conversations in the Classroom), Sarah Fine (Director of the San Diego Teacher Residency at High Tech High Graduate School of Education), Blake Harvard (AP Psychology Teacher), and other educators, administrators, students, and parents

What positions The Cult of Pedagogy Podcast among the best education podcasts is the wide range of topics that basically cover every aspect of the education process and the education system. This makes it an attractive option not only for teachers and administrators but also for parents, students, and anyone else involved in any capacity in the education system. On this podcast, you can hear about trade secrets, the social and psychological dynamics at educational institutions, creative teaching approaches, what works and doesn’t work at school, and other topics that are simply not covered by teaching textbooks and programs.

The Cult of Pedagogy Podcast host - Jennifer Gonzalez - is a former middle school language arts teacher and college-level teacher of teachers who is now full-time devoted to helping teachers improve their work. The Cult of Pedagogy Podcast audience praises the level of preparedness with which she comes to each episode, the graceful way in which she communicates with guests, and the value she brings to those interested in general education topics.

3. The EdTech Podcast: Best Tech-in-Education Podcast

  • Podcast Link: https://theedtechpodcast.com/edtechpodcast/
  • Covered Topics: Crosscutting points of education and technology
  • Podcast Host: Rose Luckin
  • Notable Guests: Laura Warnier (Chief Growth Officer of GoStudent), Rajeshwari Iyer (Co-Founder of sAInaptic), Rachel Romer Carlson (CEO of Guild Education), and other professionals bringing technology to education

The EdTech Podcast is a leader among the podcasts focusing on EdTech. This podcast aims to improve the dialogue between ed and tech for better innovation and real impact in the education field. The EdTech Podcast discusses various topics that go beyond the application and benefits of technology in education to cover schools, higher education, and the future of work for educators. These topics resonate with a diverse audience comprising education leaders, startup founders, learning and development specialists, investors, government figures, and media representatives.

The host - Rose Luckin - is a Professor of Learner-Centered Design at UCL and Founder/CEO of EDUCATE Ventures Research (EVR). As an experienced practicing educator and an expert on AI and educational research, she is perfectly fitted to head the discussion on EdTech for deep insights and practical takeaways from guests.

4. The Shake Up Learning Show: Best for Practical Tips and Resources

  • Podcast Link: https://shakeuplearning.com/shake-up-learning-show-podcast-with-kasey-bell/
  • Covered Topics: Lesson ideas, practical advice, tech tips, on-air coaching, student interviews, and interviews with inspiring educators
  • Podcast Host: Kasey Bell
  • Notable Guests: Linda Kardamic (Author at Teach 4 the Heart), Scott Nunes (District Engagement Advocate at Canva), Ryan Findley (Co-Founder of Evergreen AI), and other inspiring educators

The Shake Up Learning Show is another leading tech-focused education podcast for teachers and other types of educators. The Inspiring Educators series hosts education, innovation, and technology professionals with different backgrounds and expertise who lend specific practical tips and tricks, actionable advice, real-life tutorials, and downloadable Google cheat-sheets to manage the classroom experience in a way that improves outcomes for students. Meanwhile, in the On-Air Coaching series, teachers can submit requests to cover single topics that they struggle with, including particular lessons or specific skills that they would like to get help with. This audience-driven content ensures the relevance and helpfulness of the podcast.

The Shake Up Learning Show host - Kasey Bell - is a former middle school teacher and an award-winning digital learning coach. Her background enables her to lead inspiring discussions that always conclude with implementable tips and obtainable results.

5. The Creative Classroom with John Spencer: Best for Inspiring Creativity

  • Podcast Link: https://spencerauthor.com/podcast/
  • Covered Topics: 
  • Podcast Host: John Spencer
  • Notable Guests: Dr. Kieran O'Mahony (Founding Principal of the Institute for Connecting Neuroscience with Teaching and Learning), Carl Azuz (Host/Executive Producer of The World from A to Z), Grace Hawthorne (Author of Make Possibilities Happen), and other experts on creativity, design, and education

What makes The Creative Classroom with John Spencer different from other best education podcasts is that about half of the episodes feature only the host, John Spencer, who dives into a single topic within his area of expertise that aims to boost creativity and spark innovation in the classroom. The other half of episodes comprise one-on-one interviews with experts qualified to help educators unleash their imagination and inventiveness at the workplace. As a largely one-man-shop, this podcast tends to be shorter, with most episodes in the range of 20-30 minutes, which makes it a good match for busy educators who can’t spend hours on end on professional development.

Dr. John Spencer is a former middle school teacher and a current college professor who, according to his own words, is on a quest to transform schools into bastions of creativity and wonder. To achieve this goal through The Creative Classroom, he aims to provide educators with the tools and knowledge they need to open up the creative potential within their students to become makers, designers, artists, and engineers.

6. TeacherCast: Best for Education Professionals Building Their Brand

  • Podcast Link: https://teachercast.net/podcast/
  • Covered Topics: Pedagogical innovation, instructional technology, digital learning, instructional coaching, educational professional development, and building an education brand
  • Podcast Host: Jeff Bradbury
  • Notable Guests: Kevin Prokopetz (CEO of Rellie), Jennifer Womble (FETC Conference Chair), Christina Cockrell (School Counselor and Owner of Persist Education Services, and other EdTech experts

The TeacherCast Educational Network comprises a series of three education podcasts that tackle slightly different topics aimed at driving innovation and empowerment in the classroom. The Digital Learning Today podcast discusses anything and everything related to instructional technology and digital learning to help teachers create a culture of innovation that drives curiosity and engagement within students. The Ask the Tech Coach podcast focuses on strategies and best practices for establishing a positive culture of digital learning within school districts. Finally, The Jeff Bradbury Show helps stakeholders build their own education brand.

The host of these popular podcasts for teachers and school administrators - Jeff Bradbury - is an educator and a digital learning coach who is devoted to helping teachers improve their digital literacy in the classroom. His audience applauds the meaningful conversations he creates, his compassionate and thoughtful story-telling, and the community of passive educators that he has gathered.

7. Teach Me, Teacher: Best for Bringing Positive Change in Students’ Lives

  • Podcast Link: https://teachmeteacherpodcast.com/podcast-2/
  • Covered Topics: All topics related to the world of education with focus on how to step up and be a positive influence in students’ life
  • Podcast Host: Jacob Chastain
  • Notable Guests: Donalyn Miller (Language Arts and Social Studies Teacher in Texas and Author of The Book Whisperer), Kim Bearden (Co-Founder of Ron Clark Academy), Dr. Todd Whitaker (Leading Presenter in the Field of Education), and other education professionals and leaders

The Teach Me, Teacher podcast pushes the boundaries of what it means to engage students in the classroom. The enjoyable format focuses on honest conversations with real-world teachers and administrators around topical, informative, and inspiring subjects. Teach Me, Teacher is designed as a different professional development approach based on the notion that teachers learn best from peer teachers and coaches.

The podcast host - Jacob Chastain - is a former literacy coach, author, speaker, trainer, and curriculum writer and a current 7th grade English teacher in Texas. He leads Teach Me, Teacher with the philosophy that this is the golden age of education where the boom of social media allows educators from all over the world to connect and share ideas to improve their craft.

8. Mr Barton Maths Podcast: Best for Maths Educators

  • Podcast Link: https://www.mrbartonmaths.com/blog/
  • Covered Topics: Anything maths teaching
  • Podcast Host: Craig Barton
  • Notable Guests: Ollie Lovell (Maths and Science Teacher, Author, and Podcaster), Kristopher Boulton (Leader/Innovator in the Field of Education and Author), Dr. Zach Groshell (Teacher, Instructional Coach, and Education Consultant), and other maths and non-maths educators

Unlike other best education podcasts, Mr Barton Maths Podcast seems to be centered around the topic of teaching maths. However, the engaging topics covered by a wide range of education experts from around the globe touch on universal subjects that are of interest and relevance to educators well beyond the maths field. The deep-dive discussions with inspiring teachers, coaches, and authors make this podcast longer than the average, with some episodes reaching and even exceeding two hours.

The podcast host - Craig Barton - is a former maths teacher, author of How I wish I'd taught maths, and Founder of Eedi, a maths-focused educational platform. While Mr Barton is based in the UK, the topics that he covers and the way in which he handles the discussions resonate with teachers worldwide, including those working with the US education system.

9. The Learning Scientists Podcast: Best for Evidence-Based Learning Practices

  • Podcast Link: https://www.learningscientists.org/learning-scientists-podcast
  • Covered Topics: Evidence-based practice and learning
  • Podcast Hosts: Megan Sumeracki, Cindy Nebel, Carolina Kuepper-Tetzel, and Althea Need Kaminske
  • Notable Guests: Jamila Sams (Founder/CEO of We Do It For the Culture), Dr. Natalia Kucirkova (Professor of Early Childhood and Development at the University of Stavanger and Professor of Reading and Children’s Development at The Open University), Spencer Russell (Award-Winning Teacher and Educator), and other education specialists

The Learning Scientists Podcast is different from other popular podcasts for teachers as it is hosted by cognitive psychology scientists rather than teachers and educators. The topics cover anything related to human cognition and cognitive learning and aim to support teachers and other professionals in developing better and more effective teaching practices and habits. The discussions that cover all stages of learning - from early childhood development to later stages of education - attract teachers, administrators, parents, and students.

The Learning Scientists Podcast is hosted by four cognitive psychology scientists - Megan Sumeracki, Cindy Nebel, Carolina Kuepper-Tetzel, and Althea Need Kaminske. They aim to increase the use of research-backed effective study and teaching strategies, decrease negative views on testing, and motivate students to study.

10. The Empowered Principal Podcast: Best for School Principals and Other Education Leaders

  • Podcast Link: https://www.edupodcastnetwork.com/show/empoweredprincipal/
  • Covered Topics: Tools, strategies, and exercises that strengthen the emotional fitness of educational leaders
  • Podcast Host: Angela Kelly Robeck
  • Notable Guests: Dr. Jamay Fisher (Certified Master Coach and Founder of Leading Lavishly), Wendy Cohen (Assistant Principal in New York City), Jess Johnson (Certified Professional Life Coach), and various other experts on education and beyond

The Empowered Principal Podcast is the best education podcast designed specifically for school principals and other educational leaders. This podcast strives to provide those leading and managing the education system with unique tools and strategies that other resources don’t offer. In specific, The Empowered Principal Podcast focuses on strengthening the emotional capabilities of principals to stop the feeling of overwhelmedness, better manage their time, build effective relationships with staff, district officials, students, and parents, and start truly enjoying their job and life.

The podcast host - Angela Kelly Robeck - is a former teacher, principal, and district administrator as well as a Certified Life Coach. She uses her personal experience and professional background to support school principals in learning how to handle the most challenging aspects of the job and how to manage their way of thinking as the most powerful tool in tackling any issue that comes their way.

How We Selected the Best Education Podcasts

In our ranking of the best podcasts for teachers and education leaders, we were guided by the following criteria:

  • Quality and diversity of content: We chose podcasts that dive into the most popular topics in the education field as well as niche subjects of importance to teachers and administrators.
  • Host background and authority: We prioritized education podcasts with hosts that have proven expertise in teacher professional development and other school matters.
  • Practical tips and takeaways: We focused on podcasts that offer actionable advice and recommendations that teachers and school administrators can directly apply in their classroom, school, or district.
  • Guest relevance and quality: We selected podcasts that invite the most brilliant minds in the education field that can provide real value to fellow educators.
  • Quality of production: We ranked podcasts that boast high-quality audio and positive user journey for pleasant educator experiences.
  • Ability to entertain: Finally, we listed education podcasts that feature a friendly tone, an engaging style, and occasional humor to make sure that teachers and educators not only learn but also rewind from the busy day at school.

Bottom Line

These are the 10 best education podcasts that offer professional development, best practices and tools, and life coaching to teachers, school administrators, and other professionals in the education field. These podcasts stand out with the relevant topics that they cover, the professionalism of the hosts, the expertise of the guests, and their overall potential to motivate and empower educators for better outcomes in the classroom.