Lin-Manuel Miranda on the Teachers Who Changed His Life

In this special live episode of Edtech Insiders, Alex Sarlin and Ben Kornell sit down with Lin-Manuel Miranda at the Teach For America 35th Anniversary Summit at Caesars Forum in Las Vegas for a conversation about teachers, creativity, arts education, storytelling, and the relationships that shape our lives.

Lin-Manuel is an award-winning songwriter, actor, and creator of Hamilton and In the Heights. Before his career on Broadway, Lin taught seventh-grade English and later worked as a substitute teacher while writing In the Heights. His commitment to education has continued through initiatives including the Hamilton Education Program (EduHam), which brings history, primary sources, and creative expression together for students.

The conversation is also a personal one: Alex and Lin have known each other since kindergarten. Together with Ben, they reflect on the teachers who changed Lin’s life, what he learned from being an educator himself, the role of arts education in building collaboration, and why young people need opportunities to create the stories they don’t yet see represented.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode:

1. How teachers can unlock students’ potential through creativity and encouragement.
2. Why arts education builds collaboration, confidence, and connection.
3. How the Hamilton Education Program engages students with history and primary sources.
4. Why music and popular entertainment can make learning memorable.
5. How relationships and great mentors shape students’ lives and careers.

✨ Episode Highlights:
[00:02:40] The teachers who shaped Lin-Manuel Miranda’s life and career.
[00:09:08] How great teachers unlock student potential.
[00:10:30] The Hamilton Education Program reaches students through history and performance.
[00:13:47] Why arts education teaches collaboration and leadership.
[00:15:53] How popular entertainment makes learning memorable.
[00:22:13] Why artists should create stories that have yet to be told.
[00:25:18] The lasting impact of mentorship and meaningful relationships.

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🎉 Presenting Sponsor/s:

This season of Edtech Insiders is brought to you by Cooley LLP. Cooley is the go-to law firm for education and edtech innovators, offering industry-informed counsel across the 'pre-K to gray' spectrum. With a multidisciplinary approach and a powerful edtech ecosystem, Cooley helps shape the future of education.

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