Classroom Coliseum

This episode features a conversation with Andrew Pacht, band director at CJHooker Middle School in Goshen, NY. Mr. Pacht is in his 3rd year of teaching in Goshen, but has already shared tremendous things for the students here. He performs regularly outside of school and uses these experiences to find new ways to enhance his students’ learning. We discuss the concept of perfection in music, and all the different ways music can enrich students. 

This episode of the Classroom Coliseum features a conversation with our local team from ADAC, the Alcohol and Drug Awareness Council of Orange County. Mary Alice Kovatch is the Prevention Director, and Brian Rudden just joined the Goshen School District team as a Prevention Specialist. This conversation highlights the new opportunities for students and families in our community as well as the difference between their initiatives and the 1980’s Anti-Drug strategies. Brian Rudden is assigned to Goshen Schools as our specific prevention specialist, and he is excited to be a part of the team. His approach to working with students is a welcomed change to some of the outdated approaches that have been tried in the past. 

Links:

SAMHSA - https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline

DEA- https://www.dea.gov

NIH - https://www.nih.gov

Tall Cop Says No - https://www.tallcopsaysno.com

Deputy Gomez- https://www.facebook.com/deputygomez

Truth Initiative - http://www.TruthInitiative.com

NIMH- https://www.nimh.nih.gov/

This episode features Adam Yaun, Biology teacher at Goshen High School. Adam’s interests in and out of the classroom help connect students who are passionate about biology, and those who are reluctant. He works to relate content to his life and theirs and is continually focussed on improving the classroom experience for students, and through ethical decisions about classroom lessons. His desire to help students sort through fact and fiction brought us into an interesting conversation about conspiracy theories. Give the episode a listen and see what you think. Adam is a welcomed resource and fantastic colleague who already sees Goshen as family.

Lisa Dombrowski is one of the Family And Consumer Science Teachers at Goshen High School. Her journey was not direct to get to this position, but she has fallen in love with the work and has made the classes a truly special place for Goshen's students. Her work with FACS as well as the Leo Club is remarkable. Listen to some of her thoughts about school, education, students, life, and what superpower she would like to have.

During this episode we talk with the original founder of PB&J club, Mrs. Polanis and also her partner in crime Mrs. Krish! Mrs. Villegas asks many different questions about the inspiration and events that the club experienced when they were the advisors. Also, to finish off the episode we share positive facts that have been occurring locally, nationally and worldwide!

Jon Roerden is the Athletic Trainer for the Goshen Gladiators. He shares his journey from student athlete to Athletic Trainer, the joys and successes in his work, and his advice to student athletes in this interview recorded on 1/4/24.

PB&J is not just a sandwich in Goshen, it's the Positivity, Balance, and Joy club at Goshen High School. Club co-advisor Carmina Villegas joins the pod to discuss their club and upcoming podcast series. Tune in make sure to subscribe to this podcast to hear more from the student advocates working to spread the love.

Aileen Behringer is the Library Media Specialist at Goshen High School. She had an extensive career as a Special Education teacher at CJHooker Middle School prior to this transition. We discuss what it means to shift between schools professionally and personally, as well as her new role and what it means to be a Library Media Specialist compared with a traditional librarian role.

This is the trailer for the first episode of the Classroom Colosseum, a new series from Goshen School District with Jon Redeker.