Today we’re going to be discussing "The Power of Community Partnerships"  specifically how Roy-Hart responded to the childcare crisis in your community.  NYS refers to this part of the Niagara region as expereincing a child-care drought.  However, in Roy-Hart, the school district has partnered with two unique entities to solve this particular crisis.

In this episoide we speak with:

Jill Heck - Superintendent of Roy-Hart

Dan Mault - Elementary School Principal

Jon Goodwin - Pastor at Hartland Bible Church

Kristen Totah - Director of at Little Critters Childcare

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Joining the podcast is Dr. Jared T. Bloom, superintendent of the Franklin Square UFSD.  In this episode, Jared shares his professional journey as an early adopter of technology, and all of its benefits personnaly and professionally.  Jared also shares how his district has been moving forward with specific AI tools for students, teachers, admi.nistrators and district leaders. Jared spent the early part of his career gaining technological expertise working in various expanding technology companies during the early dot-com era before deciding on a career change. He started his teaching journey as an English teacher at Franklin K. Lane High School in Brooklyn/Queens. He served in numerous public education roles, including teacher, department chair of English, director of technology and data, Title I coordinator, grant writer, assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction, and superintendent of schools. He was named the 2017 Administrator of the Year for Western Suffolk BOCES Model Schools and received the 2018 Long Island University Chapter Phi Delta Kappa Distinguished Leadership Award and the 2018 Public Service Award from the Suffolk County Martin Luther King Jr. Commission. Dr. Bloom currently serves as superintendent in the Franklin Square Union Free School District. He has also been an adjunct instructor at Hofstra University, an instructor at Long Island University and Stony Brook University, and has served in leadership roles for numerous national and state organizations.

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Today on the podcast we have Christopher Swiatek, the superintendent of the Frontier Central School District. Chris has been the superintendent here since 2021, and previously served as the superintendent of Franklinville Central Schools in Cattaraugus County.  Prior to pursuing a career as a professional educator, Chris served in the U.S. Air Force. In this episode, Chris discusses their comprehensive school safety system known as SHIELD.

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Today on our podcast we have Dr. Matt Gaven a dedicated educational leader currently serving as the Superintendent of the Rockville Centre Union Free School District in New York. 

With an extensive background in educational administration, Matt has been a pioneer in integrating technology into instructional practices. His visionary approach has spearheaded the implementation of numerous district-wide initiatives, including leading one of the first 1:1 iPad initiatives in the nation to the development of secondary courses focused on the use of AI in research. His work has been recognized by Apple’s Distinguished School program, Linux Magazine, and The League of Innovative Schools.  Matt’s commitment to enhancing student learning through innovative strategies is evident in his work, from authoring a comprehensive K-12 Computer Science Curriculum, to hosting LI’s first Hackathons, to creating engaging educational videos on a range of topics from Growth Mindset to the Revolutionary War. His leadership in technology and curriculum development continues to inspire transformative changes in educational practices, preparing students for the challenges of the future.

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Episode: Empowering Student Voice Through Ex Officio Board Membership

 Guests:

• Dr. Darren Brown-Hall, Superintendent, Williamsville CSD
• Board President: Crystal Kaczmarek-Bogner
• Board Parliamentarian: Maureen Poulin Mentor to student Board Members
  
  
• Ex Officio Student Board Members:
  • Salil Karkhanis – Williamsville East
  • Giselle Maurice – Williamsville North
  • Deepratan Purba  – Williamsville South
    
    

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In this episode of Achieving Joy and Mastery in Public Schools, Dr. Matt Frahm, the superintendent of Clarence CSD, flips the script and interviews Dr. Brian Graham, the superintendent of Grand Island CSD.  The conversation focused on the power of podcasting and the ability to tell stories that shine a spotlight on public education.  This podcast is in its 4th season with over 17,000 downloads and 93 episodes published. 

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Today on our podcast we have Douglas Scofield, the Superintendent of the Iroquois Central School District. Doug is in his 15th year as superintendent and previously served here as the assistant superintendent for finance and personnel, which he began in 2006.  Joining the podcast was Chad Barry, the lead School Resource Officer in the district.  Together, they shared how over the past 20+ years they have built a culture of safety, care and a community that believes in kindness.

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In this episode, we spoke with Daniel Ljiljanich, Superintendent of the Niagara Wheatfield Central School District. We were also joined by Jennifer Golias, Director of Curriculum, Instruction & Technology, and Alexandra “Zan” Printup, a Tuscarora Culture Teacher at the Tuscarora Nation Elementary School. Together, they shared powerful stories of empowerment as they guide students in appreciating and preserving the culture and language of the Tuscarora Nation.

Our conversation also explored the district-wide initiative known as Orange Shirt Day. Observed on September 30th, this day serves as a significant acknowledgment of the impact the residential school system had on Indigenous communities. Orange Shirt Day promotes reconciliation, cultural revitalization, language acquisition, and ongoing historical education. It centers on the belief that Every Child Matters.

This important work is inspired by the story of Phyllis Webstad, a residential school survivor whose orange shirt—gifted to her by her grandmother—was taken from her on her first day of school. Each year, members of the school community wear orange shirts to show their support and participate in educational events, ceremonies, and activities that honor survivors and their families.

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In this episode of the podcast, I had the honor of interviewing the Keynote presenters for the NYSCOSS Fall Leadership Summit on Monday, September 29th The presenters included: 

• Ignite #1- Leading Through a Crisis with Empathy and Compassion
  Paul Defendini, Superintendent, Farmingdale UFSD
• Ignite #2 – Off the Shelf-Bringing Your Strategic Plan to Life - James Bialasik, Superintendent, Springville-Griffith Institute CSD
• Ignite #3 - The Human Element of Leadership: Leading with Vision, Passion and Purpose
  Dr. Turina M. Parker, District Superintendent, WSWHE BOCES

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In this episode we interviewed Thomas Adams, the Superintendent of the Hamburg Central School District.  In our fourth season of the podcast, Tom discusses the importance and power of "connectedness".

Joining him were, Tricia Miller, the Farm to School Coordinator for Hamburg Central and 2 special education teachers (Jennifer Perri and Jeffrey Berdysiak) from the middle school who work together to facilitate many different extra-curricular experiences for their students. 

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