SIT & Sip

What makes a teacher’s impact last long after the final bell? In Episode 24 of SIT & Sip, we catch up with Livonia Educator Chris Genthner, who retired at the end of the school year after a career devoted to students and civic education. Chris shares stories, laughs, and the wisdom he’s gained from teaching through years of change. We talk about what good civic education looks like, what today’s students get right, and why he remains hopeful about the next generation. It’s a heartfelt conversation for every teacher who has wondered what their students will carry with them.

This was not your average Leadership Institute show! For the last two years we've tracked folks down in the lobby and asked their views on a variety of topics. Not this year!

For 2026 we sat down with Dansville Superintendent Kelly Zimmerman for her take on an excellent keynote from Kathy Graupman on Human-Centered Design, leadership thoughts, and yes we even discussed the "ranch blue cheese wars". Tune in for some excellent learning! 

In this episode of Sit & Sip, we explore the 17th Annual Tech Wars at Genesee Community College, which brought together more than 700 students from 23 schools across the GLOW region. Guests Jay Wolcott and Tim Suleski discuss how Tech Wars encourages creativity, teamwork, problem-solving, and career exploration through hands-on technology competitions. They also reflect on the growth of technology education, the importance of community partnerships, and the opportunities these experiences create for students.

In this episode, the School Improvement Team discusses why performance-based learning and assessment is such an important conversation for schools right now. The group breaks down what PBLA means, how it connects to authentic and project-based learning, and why it is not about eliminating tests, but expanding the ways students can demonstrate what they know and can do.

The episode also introduces the regional PLAN Pilot, a Genesee Valley BOCES initiative designed to support teachers and leaders as they develop meaningful, discipline-based learning experiences and assessments for students.

Welcome back to SIT & Sip. In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Christopher Harris (Genesee Valley BOCES) and Gordy Baxter (Wayne-Finger Lakes BOCES) for a thoughtful and honest conversation about artificial intelligence and education—grounded in questions, not quick fixes.

Dr. Harris shares the story behind the AI & Education Summit and introduces a set of Rochester Provocations designed to push educators beyond surface-level debates about cheating and tools, and toward deeper reflection on assessment, agency, instructional design, and systemic change. Together, we unpack what it means to teach, assess, and learn in a world where AI is unavoidable—and why framing AI as the problem may distract us from the real, long-standing challenges in education.

Along the way, we discuss:

Why “AI-proof” assessments don’t exist

How educators can be agents of validity rather than victims of cheating

Why assessments were broken long before AI entered the classroom

The importance of giving teachers permission to compromise, diverge, and iterate

What it means to treat AI as a harm-reduction issue rather than something to avoid

And yes—before things get serious, we also settle an important question: ranch or blue cheese for chicken wings?

This episode is an invitation to sit with complexity, embrace uncertainty, and think collectively about how we want education to evolve in the age of AI.

🔗 Link to the full Rochester Provocations referenced in this episode: CLICK HERE 

It’s a full house! The entire team is back together for our first episode this year-but we are looking back at our previous year first! Expect plenty of laughter, friendly debate, and maybe a little blue cheese-fueled chaos as we kick things off with the Blue Cheese Wars—who’s winning this round? 

We’ll dive into spirit animals (prepare for wildly creative comparisons), celebrate what we’re most proud of in our professional learning work, and give well-earned shoutouts to teammates who’ve inspired us this year.

Then we’ll turn our gaze forward—dreaming big about next year’s PLOs, projects, and possibilities—before closing with a powerful reflection: one word that sums up the year, and one that captures our hopes for what’s next.

Grab your coffee, tea, or favorite seltzer—it’s time to SIT, Sip, and Celebrate the journey together! ☕✨

In this special episode, Kevin and Nick hit the road to Ellicottville for the Genesee Valley BOCES Leadership Institute 2025. Over two days of morning registration, they connected with regional education leaders for rapid-fire questions and thoughtful conversations on leadership, learning, and today’s most pressing topics.

The Leadership Institute is an annual summer gathering for regional leaders, offering professional learning, networking, and inspiring keynote speakers. This year featured Dr. Michelle Storie & Dr. Doreen Mazzye on the Science of Reading, Kristine Earl from the UNC Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute, and sessions with acclaimed author Natalie Wexler.

On the podcast, you’ll hear from:

Betsy Brown – Director of Instructional Services, Byron-Bergen CSD

Dr. David Russell – Principal, LeRoy Jr./Sr. HS

Dr. Amanda Cook – Director of Curriculum & Instruction, Pavilion CSD

Gretchen Rosales – Superintendent of Schools, Elba CSD

Connie Rockow – Director of Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment, Oakfield-Alabama CSD

Join us for an episode packed with insights, inspiration, and friendly conversation from educational leaders across the region!

Nick and Kevin sit down with the Maverick himself—Erik M. Francis, founder of Maverik Education, lover of movies (especially Top Gun), and internationally recognized expert on Depth of Knowledge (DOK). With over 30 years in education and a diverse background, Erik breaks down the Feynman Technique, talks about why DOK is more than just a rubric, and shares how teachers can rethink standards to leverage deeper, more meaningful learning.

In this high-flying episode:

We rapid-fire questions (yes, including wings and karaoke 🍗🎤)

Dive into what DOK really means and how to visualize it in practice

Talk student work, lesson planning, and powerful questioning strategies

And ask Erik: What’s the one thing teachers and leaders should prioritize for next year?

Whether you're diving into Level 1 or aiming for Level 4, this episode will have you thinking differently about assessment, instruction, and student thinking.

In this special National Week of Conversation edition of SIT & Sip, Nick sits down with Dr. Lindsey Cormack, Associate Professor of Political Science at Stevens Institute of Technology and author of How to Raise a Citizen (And Why It’s Up to You to Do It). Known for her work with DCinbox, an archive of congressional e-newsletters, and her scholarship on civic engagement and veterans' policy, Dr. Cormack brings a dynamic and practical lens to what it means to raise informed, active citizens in today’s democracy.

Together, they explore the intersection of parenting, education, and political literacy—digging into how families and classrooms alike can create spaces for constructive civic dialogue. They also tackle the current state of K–12 civics education, how a lack of civic knowledge shapes public discourse, and what educators can do to foster more informed, empathetic political conversations.

Plus: Rapid-fire questions, a favorite civic memory, and a deep dive into why "politics is going to happen to us whether we like it or not" is more than just a quote—it’s a call to action.

Tune in to discover how we can all do our part to raise the next generation of engaged, thoughtful citizens.

In this episode of SIT & Sip, Nick welcomes three powerhouse guests dedicated to strengthening civic engagement and bridging divides: Karissa Raskin, CEO of Listen First Project; Kent Lenci, author of Learning to Depolarize; and Lory Warren, Executive Director of the Prohuman Foundation.

Together, they explore their personal and professional journeys, sharing what led them to this critical work. They discuss the importance of civics, their earliest civic memories, and the role of educators in inspiring engagement. With civic participation on the decline, they tackle the challenges head-on—why is this happening, and more importantly, how can we fix it?

Despite the difficulties, they also share what gives them hope for the future and offer one simple civic action that listeners can take tomorrow to help strengthen democracy and foster depolarization in their own communities.

Grab your favorite drink and join us for this inspiring and timely conversation!

Please be sure to check out our guests work below at their respective websites: