CASDA EdCasts

In this special CASDA EdCast, Dr. Piccirillo speaks with Royalty, Liza, Jaislyn, and Charles - four student leaders at Schenectady’s Oneida Middle School who are active in both the Educators of Tomorrow and Oneida Students for Anti Racism groups (OSAR). The panelists discuss the importance of teachers building authentic relationships with students  and creating safe spaces where all can learn and grow without fear of punishment or embarrassment. They speak frankly about the need for students of all races to understand racism and inequity from an early age - dispelling the widely held belief that they should be sheltered from these issues until high school. Throughout the dialog, they speak to a love of learning - both from teachers and each other and share a vision of a school system which is grounded in empathy, but building towards justice.

In this special CASDA EdCast, Dr. Piccirillo and CASDA Consultant Dale Getto are  joined by Dr. Eric Cooper and Dr. Yvette Jackson of the National Urban Alliance for Effective Education, two towering figures in the movement for culturally responsive, equitable education.  Dr. Cooper shares a profound message about the power of believing in all students' capacity to achieve high intellectual performance and academic achievement. This concept is crystallized in Dr. Jackson's concept of "gifted education for all," which is thoroughly explored in her revelatory book "Pedagogy of Confidence." Passion for supporting students and educators radiates throughout this powerful dialog as all participants offer thoughtful reflections on empowering youth to meet their potential. 

In this timely episode, CASDA Executive Director Dr. Michael Piccirillo speaks with Aaron Thiell, Principal at Latham Ridge Elementary in North Colonie Central School District about confronting white supremacy in educational leadership. Aaron and Mike reflect on the learning and unlearning that white educators must undertake if they are move beyond platitudes and develop materially antiracist praxis. Mr. Thiell discusses his own personal evolution in this work and shares the steps he has taken to foster an affirming, culturally sustaining building culture.

In this CASDA EdCast, activists Samira and T.J. Sangaré discuss their experiences as Black students in a predominantly white district and how it failed to adequately prepare them to confront white supremacy after graduation. The siblings share their perspective on the politics of curriculum construction, particularly with regard to US History. They also discuss how learning in activism spaces has helped them understand, analyze and combat systems of domination that create inequities both in schools and society at large.

Episode 16 features a dialog between Mike and Dr. Jason Lane, Interim Dean of the School of Education at UAlbany. They discuss how the School of Education has supported K-12 during Covid-19 through their remote education website that provides resources and practices for effective online instruction. They also contemplate shared equity challenges facing K-12 schools, colleges and universities and how collaboration across sectors such as healthcare, nonprofit and government can ensure greater support for students.

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In this CASDA EdCast, Mike speaks with CASDA consultant, mental health counselor and former school superintendent , Tony Albanese. They discuss how districts might move beyond encouraging staff members to practice self care and implement meaningful, sustainable supports for educator mental health. Tony draws upon his background in counseling and school district leadership to suggest a process by which schools can collaborate with their teachers and staff members to identify needs and resources to promote sustainable mental and social-emotional wellness. 

This discussion features CASDA Executive Director Dr. Mike Piccirillo in conversation with Mike Pipa, CASDA’s Instructional Design Coach, former House Principal at Farnsworth Middle School and a longtime middle and high school English teacher. Mike and Mike reflect on relationship building, engagement, risk and rigor through their experience as classroom educators. Then they draw upon their experience in building and district leadership to explore how a systemic focus on student engagement drives instructional improvement and academic achievement.

Mike speaks with WSWHE BOCES District Superintendent Jim Dexter about the necessity of collaboration to preserve the long term fiscal and programmatic sustainability of school districts. Mr. Dexter emphasizes the founding premise of BOCES - a cooperative of school districts created at the districts' request  to expand the programming that could be offered to students and communities. They discuss how this model of collaboration in pursuit of districts' mutual interest is more relevant now than ever as districts confront the budgetary challenges in the wake of Covid-19.

CASDA's Rebecca Gardner speaks with Andrew Kourt, principal of Walter B. Howard Elementary School in New Lebanon, Brian Bishop, assistant principal at Averill Park High School and Dr. Antonio Abitabile, principal at Hudson High School about strategies to engage students and promote attendance.