Linking Leaders PodCASt

Linking Leaders PodCASt

By Connecticut Association of SchoolsArts
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Linking Leaders PodCASt episodes

  • Episode 4: Leading with Kindness and Joy

    Listen up as we chat with CT's 2023 High School Assistant Principal of the Year, Dr. Carolyn Gbunblee. Associate principal of Valley Regional High School in Deep River for the past  seven years,  Carolyn shares invaluable insights on maintaining equanimity, fostering kindness, and finding joy in the work. 

    18 min
  • Episode 3: Journey of a Leader: From Special Education Teacher to Award-Winning Principal

    Ever wonder what makes a truly transformative leader? Meet Rachael Caggiano, winner of the 2023 CAS Middle School Principal of the Year Award, whose unique journey into the world of educational leadership is a story of dedication, open-heartedness, and a bold commitment to inclusivity. Listen to Rachael unravel her journey from being a special education teacher to becoming the principal of Derby Middle School. She gives us a rare peek into her leadership philosophy - a blend of nurturing students and staff alike, recognizing the many hats a true leader must wear, and a firm belief in leading with an open heart.

    23 min
  • Episode 2 - Educational Leadership Insights with Principal Kristen St. Germain

    Ever wonder what it takes to be an effective leader? Kristen St. Germain, the principal of Wheeler Middle/High School in North Stonington, CT, offers invaluable insights on our latest Linking Leaders podcast. Kristen believes patience, understanding, visibility, and a positive mindset are the hallmarks of effective leadership. She shares her unique growth strategies, emphasizing the importance of self-care for educators and the value of creating student-centered classrooms. 

    29 min
  • Episode 17
    In episode 17, Rosie Vojtek sits down with Renata Bowers, the national-award-winning author of the Frieda B. book series. Through her Frieda B. picture books, Renata has developed an engaging method for utilizing the written story to inspire students to move toward meaningful, relevant academic and social success. Also joining this month’s conversation are Amy Yost and Andrea D’Aiuto, two elementary principals from the Shelton Public Schools, who are using the Freida B. books, the Frieda B. Whole Child Toolkit, and other curricula materials to promote social emotional learning in their schools.
    41 min
  • Episode 16
    Meet the CAS 2020 Assistant Principals of the Year - Todd Manuel, Trumbull High School; Anjanette Belmonte, Henry James Memorial School; and, Garrett Dukette, Ashford School. These award-winning administrators share strategies for relationship-building, empowering students, building positive school climate, and maintaining the critical balance between work and home. Don’t miss this dynamic conversation with these extraordinary educators!
    51 min
  • Episode 15
    Meet John Pulcastro, a supervisory intelligence analyst with the FBI who is an expert on violent extremists and mass casualty attackers. Agent Pulcastro shares tips and insights geared specifically toward school leaders and educators who, because of their close relationship with students, are in a position to identify warning signs and engage in interventions. “I guarantee you that the teachers and staff you have out there have prevented acts of violence that they have no concept they prevented,” says Agent Pulcastro in this riveting and information-rich conversation. Listen as he discusses behavioral indicators and prevention strategies that can help keep schools and students as safe as possible.
    47 min
  • Episode 14
    This month’s guests are three veteran Connecticut principals - Mike Litke from Naubuc School in Glastonbury, Scott Nozik from West Hill Elementary School in Rocky Hill, and Victoria Reed from Highland School in Wallingford - who are longtime members of the Connecticut Association of Schools (CAS) and the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP). The trio share their experiences as members of both CAS and NAESP, discussing the personal and professional benefits they reap and the value of aligning themselves with others who want the best for their schools and their profession.
    26 min
  • Episode 13
    “Cybersecurity absolutely warrants the highest levels of attention and resource allocation,” says Doug Casey, executive director of the Connecticut Commission for Educational Technology, in what may be one of the most important podcasts we have produced here at CAS. Doug and fellow guests Ryan Kocsondy, director of the Connecticut Education Network, and Roberta Pratt, East Hartford Public Schools’ chief information officer, share experiences, resources and strategies to help school leaders navigate the often intimidating and murky waters of cybersecurity.
    51 min
  • Episode 12
    Past President Dr. Rosie Vojtek and CSDE Chief Performance Officer Ajit Gopalakrishnan explore the features and functions of EdSight, the state's education data portal, and talk about what school leaders need to know in order to use it effectively. Ajit provides an in depth look at the state's Early Indication Tool (EIT), which allows users to search, filter, export and analyze student data and uses statistical methods to identify students who may be at-risk of missing milestones and/or dropping out. Don't miss this informative and well-timed episode. Now that SBAC assessment data have been released, it addresses a very timely topic!
    43 min

About Linking Leaders PodCASt

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Linking Leaders PodCASt features candid conversations with top educational leaders who come together to share experiences and explore pathways to success. In each episode, we engage with dynamic…