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Monday Nov 04, 2024
Monday Nov 04, 2024
As we inch closer to the holidays, we're bringing you a special episode all about gratitude, reflections, and, of course, a bit of playful banter. In Episode 12: Full of Thanks, we’re celebrating the season by sharing what we’re thankful for professionally and personally. But before we dive into the warm and fuzzy stuff, we’re airing a few grievances in true Seinfeld fashion—think pet peeves like ranch on chicken wings (we’re looking at you, Nick).
Join us as we chat about our Thanksgiving favorites: from main courses to side dishes, and desserts we can’t resist. We’ll also share traditions that make this season meaningful. So grab your coffee, sit back, and sip with us as we share laughs, gratitude, and everything in between.
Monday Oct 14, 2024
Monday Oct 14, 2024
In this special episode of SIT & Sip, Nick sits down with Kent Lenci, author of Learning to Depolarize: Helping Students and Teachers Reach Across Lines of Disagreement and founder of Middle Ground School Solutions. With over 20 years of experience as an educator, Kent shares his insights on bridging political and ideological divides in schools, especially in the context of the 2024 election. From his first election memories to his passion for fostering civil discourse, Kent offers practical strategies for teachers to engage students in thoughtful, respectful conversations. Tune in for tips, resources, and inspiration on how to navigate challenging classroom dynamics and empower students to disagree better while preserving community. Plus, don't miss the rapid-fire questions where Kent reveals his stance on pumpkin spice and classic rock!
Wednesday Sep 18, 2024
Wednesday Sep 18, 2024
In this episode, Nick sits down with students from various districts around the region to hear their thoughts on going back to school. The students discuss their goals for the year, what makes their schools and programs unique, and some of their personal interests. They provide valuable insights into the student experience, reminding educators of the importance of listening to student voices in shaping educational practices. This conversation emphasizes how student perspectives should inform what we do as educators, ensuring their needs and aspirations are at the center of our work. The students featured in this episode include:
Kinsley Baker – Warsaw CSD / Genesee Valley BOCES Early College HS
Zeke Kirkwood – LeRoy CSD
Colby Burns – Caledonia-Mumford CSD / Genesee Valley BOCES Batavia
Logan Fregoe – Byron-Bergen CSD / Genesee Valley BOCES Batavia
Evan Welker – Attica CSD / Genesee Valley BOCES Batavia
Sam Drake – Wayland-Cohocton CSD
Taylor Herman – Warsaw CSD / Genesee Valley BOCES Batavia
Janelle Baker – The newest member of the School Improvement Team
This episode highlights the importance of student voices and offers a meaningful look at their perspectives as they prepare for a new academic year.
Thursday Aug 08, 2024
Thursday Aug 08, 2024
Our Most Unique Episode Yet!
In this special episode, Kevin and Nick take the show on the road to Ellicottville for the Genesee Valley BOCES Leadership Institute 2024. This episode stands out with its unique approach, as our hosts engaged with a variety of regional leaders over two days during morning registration.
The Leadership Institute provides regional leaders with opportunities for professional learning and networking each summer. Organized by the School Improvement Team, this year's event featured several keynote speakers, including Dr. Thomas Guskey from Kentucky University on grading, Michelle Branter, and technology-focused sessions. Following the keynote addresses, attendees participated in two rounds of breakout sessions covering a wide range of relevant educational topics.
Our podcast captures a range of conversations, from rapid-fire questions to in-depth discussions on grading inspired by Dr. Guskey’s presentations.
Listen, rate, and subscribe to hear insights from:
Matt Stroud: Director of Curriculum, Attica CSD
Betsy Brown: Director of Instructional Services, Byron-Bergen CSD
Gordy Baxter: Director of Staff Development, Wayne-Finger Lakes BOCES/EduTech
Dr. Julie Donlon: Deputy Superintendent, Genesee Valley BOCES
Erin Weingaertner: Director of Professional Learning & Instructional Technology, Livonia CSD
Pete Greene: Assistant Principal, Caledonia-Mumford Elementary
Paul Hazard: Principal, Byron-Bergen Jr./Sr. HS
Dr. David Russell: Principal, LeRoy Jr./Sr. HS
Dr. Amanda Cook: Director of Curriculum & Instruction, Pavilion CSD
Kevin MacDonald: District Superintendent, Genesee Valley BOCES
Join us for an episode filled with valuable insights and engaging discussions from educational leaders across the region!
Thursday Jun 27, 2024
Thursday Jun 27, 2024
On June 10th, the New York State Board of Regents unveiled four transformative initiatives inspired by the twelve recommendations from the Blue Ribbon Commission. Eager to dive into these updates, the School Improvement Team gathered around the microphones to explore the future of graduation requirements in New York. Nick, Kevin, and Stephanie thoroughly reviewed the Board meeting, analyzed comments, and scrutinized supporting materials to provide listeners with a concise summary of the anticipated changes. Their conversation evolved into a candid discussion about their personal views on the reforms and broader educational principles. The episode concludes with a look at potential future developments and ways the team can support districts and teachers in our region.
Link to slide deck from BOR meeting
Tuesday May 21, 2024
Tuesday May 21, 2024
Join the entire SIT team—Nick, Stephanie, Kevin, and Jessica—as they delve into our catalog and preview the exciting offerings for 2025. Discover how School Improvement is staying at the forefront of research-based practices and get an exclusive look behind the scenes at how we plan our annual catalog sessions. The team also explores the vital functions of our service and shares relevant examples of district work we provide. Don't miss this insightful episode!
Tuesday Apr 30, 2024
Tuesday Apr 30, 2024
In this captivating episode of SIT & Sip, Nick is joined by a passionate panel to delve into the Genesee Valley BOCES Early College High School Program. Join Catherine Bennet, the program's principal, and Adam Wheeler, the Work-Based Learning Coordinator, as they discuss the program's personalized educational approaches and their commitment to creating diverse student pathways. For the first time, we also introduce the student viewpoint! Bridgette Nordee, an entrepreneurship major, shares her unique insights into the program. Starting in ninth grade, students have the opportunity to earn both their high school diploma and an associate's degree from Genesee Community College. Tune in to discover how this program is revolutionizing education and empowering students to achieve their career goals.
Monday Mar 11, 2024
Monday Mar 11, 2024
One of our most engaging episodes yet! Nick sits down with Karyn Winters, Director of the Genesee County Business & Education Alliance, and Angela Grouse, the Education to Employment Director at the Livingston County Chamber of Commerce & Education Alliance, to discuss the upcoming GLOW With Your Hands Healthcare event on March 22nd. However, this event is just a fraction of the topics we covered during the show. Our conversation spans a wide range of subjects, from understanding the current job market to the genesis of GLOW With Your Hands.
This initiative is premised on the understanding that all students navigate different paths to their careers. GLOW With Your Hands is dedicated to presenting students with an array of options in high-demand career fields.
Be sure to check out more information below:
https://www.glowwithyourhands.com/
https://www.glowwithyourhandsvirtual.com/
Thursday Feb 29, 2024
Thursday Feb 29, 2024
Join Nick, Kevin, and Stephanie as they delve into the heart of civic education in a special episode celebrating DemocracyReady NY's Civic Learning Week from March 11th to 15th. Together, they share personal insights into what civic life means to them, recounting their first steps into citizenship and the responsibilities that come with it. This candid conversation navigates the complex terrain of civic discourse amidst our politically polarized times, reinforcing the vital role schools play in navigating these challenges. At Genesee Valley BOCES, our commitment to equipping students with the essential knowledge and skills for civic engagement is unwavering. We stand ready to support our component districts in this mission, demonstrating our dedication through the presentation of five "Civi" Awards. These awards recognize students who have shown outstanding work towards achieving the New York State Seal of Civic Readiness.
Tune in to this episode for an inspiring look at how we can foster a more informed, engaged, and ready generation of citizens. It's a conversation that underscores the importance of civic education in shaping the leaders of tomorrow.
Monday Feb 26, 2024
Monday Feb 26, 2024
In this captivating episode, we are honored to have Dr. Julie Donlon, Deputy Superintendent of Genesee Valley BOCES. Dr. Donlon joins Nick for a deep dive into the current state of teacher recruitment and retention, along with a broad spectrum of education-related topics. Dr. Donlon brings a distinctive perspective from her experience in human resources and stands out as a fervent advocate for educational professions. She provides profound insights into the enduring appeal of teaching as a career, while also candidly addressing the profession's inherent challenges. Throughout the discussion, a variety of innovative solutions to these challenges are explored. Additionally, the conversation takes a personal turn as Julie shares her favorite hobbies and interests. Don't miss out on this exceptional episode for a blend of professional insights and personal stories.
School Improvement aims to provide professional learning and instructional training that aligns with NYS Standards and support local districts with continuous school improvement initiatives. Our intention is to work collaboratively to prepare all students for post-secondary opportunities.
Stephanie has an educational background rooted in Special Education and inclusion. She spent 14 years as an educator at elementary center-based programming and public middle school. Stephanie was also an 8th-grade team leader and class advisor. She started her School Improvement work in 2014 with the Regional Special Education Technical Assistance Support Center (RSE-TASC) as a Special Education School Improvement Specialist (SESIS) with NYSED deliverables in the area of behavior, literacy and specially designed instruction. She began her role as the Director of School Improvement in July 2019. As the Director, Stephanie manages the department, oversees CoSer 526, supports districts with continuous improvement science, provides regional general education/special education sessions, and supports districts/team members with embedded rigorous curriculum design.
Kevin Kirkwood has been a Coordinator of Instruction with Genesee Valley BOCES since January 2018. He is certified in Adolescent, English Education (including Advanced Placement), and Higher Education Administration; specializing in: Tier 1 instruction, retention, student engagement, and literacy. Before working with Genesee Valley BOCES, Kevin worked for over 12 years as a highly-effective ELA instructor, ELA Department Chair, and Data Coordinator for Buffalo Public Schools. He also served as an Academic Advisor for the University at Buffalo for two years. Kevin currently facilitates the region's ELA cohorts, along with a variety of other professional learning and curricula-building opportunities. Kevin is proud to represent the Genesee Valley region at the New York Statewide, Professional Development Framework for ELA. Here, he strives to continue both his learning and content facilitation, in order to support the needs of his regional and state-wide colleagues.
Jessica Petrosino has been a member of the School Improvement Team as a Coordinator of Instructional Services since 2022. Prior to this role, Jessica had 14 years of experience in the Greece Central School District (CSD), where she was a Living Environment teacher for 13 years, an Acting Assistant Principal for one year, and Principal of the Credit Recovery Summer School for four years. At Greece CSD, Jessica also collaborated with science teachers to write curriculum, designed and implemented a plan to educate teachers on the Next Generation Science Standards, and completed data analysis of Regents exams for several years. In addition to science, Jessica is passionate about Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) implementation as well as Social Emotional Learning (SEL) integration. She has experience providing professional learning surrounding Culturally Responsive Education (CRE). At the building level Jessica was a member of the Guardians of Equity Committee, Culture and Climate Committee, and supported the Science Department as Department Chair.
Nick D’Amuro joined the School Improvement Team in the fall of 2023. Nick is certified in Adolescent Social Studies (7-12) and also has a background in political science. Before joining, Nick spent 10 years in the Holley Central School District instructing a variety of courses in social studies for grades 7-12. While at Holley, he constructed and implemented a new curriculum based on inquiry at the eighth-grade level and created innovative electives to engage students outside of ordinary coursework. Nick was also instrumental in piloting and managing the New York State Seal of Civic Readiness at Holley through a senior capstone project that he helped develop. He's spoken at several state and national forums on the importance of civic engagement within our schools, and how civics can align with other practices like SEL to promote political depolarization. Outside of the classroom, Nick has experience coaching track & field at SUNY Geneseo and continues to coach varsity sports at Holley. Currently, Nick facilitates the social studies cohorts at Genesee Valley BOCES and other professional learning opportunities. His instructional passions include inquiry, teaching through primary sources, civic engagement, and colonial history.
Janelle Baker has held a 17-year tenure in the field of education. She dedicated nine years to serving as an elementary educator in the Holley Central School District and subsequently made a significant impact during her eight years as a math teacher and math interventionist in the Warsaw Central School District. Janelle's leadership as the Lighthouse Coordinator at Warsaw led the school to achieve Lighthouse status. Notably, Janelle incorporated social-emotional lessons into her instructional cycle and advocated for the integration of Building Thinking and Learning Classrooms in the mathematics framework. Her commitment to professional growth is evident through her expertise in word problems, student engagement, collaborative relationship building, and restorative practices. Janelle eagerly anticipates the opportunity to collaborate with districts on enhancing mathematics instruction, structuring fluency practices, and achieving standards alignment.