Mentoring Moments: Empowering Leaders to Mentor our Future

Mentoring Moments with Dr. Ricky Papandrea

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2519851/fan_mail/new] Former social studies teacher turned district leader Dr. Ricky Papandrea joins Rob to talk about building systems that serve the whole child — from AP access and concurrent enrollment to the bridge between academics and emotional support. Key Takeaways: * Counselors are the heartbeat of a school * Data should inform, not drive, decisions * One-size-fits-all post-secondary planning is outdated * Students need space to fail and build resilience Quote: > "A school truly prepares students for the future when it creates an atmosphere where kids aren't afraid to fail." Connect Guest: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rpapandreajr/ Podcast: robwottawa.com/podcast [https://robwottawa.com/podcast] Hashtags: #RWMentoringMoments #RWMentoringMap #SchoolCounseling Now, go and be someone's mentoring moment. 🗺️🎙️ If this conversation meant something to you, hit follow on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mentoring-moments-empowering-leaders-to-mentor-our-future/id1831531532], Amazon, [https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/80944e02-7dd5-475a-8dd7-b6eb0141811e/mentoring-moments-empowering-leaders-to-mentor-our-future] or Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/1063Y3zev9iNVmad3XPgM2?si=28972d879fd24ef1&nd=1&dlsi=8f8a99fdce65400b] and view on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@RW-MentoringMoments]. It takes five seconds, but it’s how other educators find conversations like this one—and it tells the algorithm that mentorship matters. Also, visit my website so I can feature your questions! https://robwottawa.com/podcast [https://robwottawa.com/podcast] Listen & Subscribe: 🎧 Buzzsprout [https://rss.buzzsprout.com/2519851.rss]   |   🍎 Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mentoring-moments-empowering-leaders-to-mentor-our-future/id1831531532]   |   🎵 Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/1063Y3zev9iNVmad3XPgM2?si=28972d879fd24ef1&nd=1&dlsi=8f8a99fdce65400b]  |   📦 Amazon Music [https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/80944e02-7dd5-475a-8dd7-b6eb0141811e/mentoring-moments-empowering-leaders-to-mentor-our-future]...

Mentoring Moments with Rob Wottawa - Reflection Episode 3

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2519851/fan_mail/new] What does leadership actually look like when you're not reading about it in a book? In this solo reflection episode, Dr. Rob Wottawa pulls back the curtain on conversations with four Long Island leaders: David Wicks, Dr. Teresa Grossane, Brendan Cusack, and Dom Armano. From the power of presence to building trust and capacity, Rob shares his biggest takeaways — including why leadership isn't about a title, how to listen twice as much as you speak, and why you should never take the advice "don't smile until December." Plus, Rob answers his own RW Rapid Fire questions and reveals the mentor who taught him to walk slowly through the crowd. Now, go and map out some mentoring moments. 🗺️🎙️ If this conversation meant something to you, hit follow on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mentoring-moments-empowering-leaders-to-mentor-our-future/id1831531532], Amazon, [https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/80944e02-7dd5-475a-8dd7-b6eb0141811e/mentoring-moments-empowering-leaders-to-mentor-our-future] or Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/1063Y3zev9iNVmad3XPgM2?si=28972d879fd24ef1&nd=1&dlsi=8f8a99fdce65400b] and view on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@RW-MentoringMoments]. It takes five seconds, but it’s how other educators find conversations like this one—and it tells the algorithm that mentorship matters. Also, visit my website so I can feature your questions! https://robwottawa.com/podcast [https://robwottawa.com/podcast] Listen & Subscribe: 🎧 Buzzsprout [https://rss.buzzsprout.com/2519851.rss]   |   🍎 Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mentoring-moments-empowering-leaders-to-mentor-our-future/id1831531532]   |   🎵 Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/1063Y3zev9iNVmad3XPgM2?si=28972d879fd24ef1&nd=1&dlsi=8f8a99fdce65400b]  |   📦 Amazon Music [https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/80944e02-7dd5-475a-8dd7-b6eb0141811e/mentoring-moments-empowering-leaders-to-mentor-our-future]...

Mentoring Moments with Dominic Armano

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2519851/fan_mail/new]  What if the most important metric in a school isn't a test score, but the number of students who can't wait to walk through the doors each morning? Dom Armano, an elementary principal with nearly 20 years in education and a board member of the Long Island Coalition Against Bullying, believes leadership is built on relationships, belonging, and shared leadership. He shares how to create a culture where bullying struggles to take root, why giving teachers permission to build relationships before curriculum changes everything, and whether he'd rather mentor a teacher who's all heart or one who's all organization. This is a conversation about leading with love — and why it's okay to have bad days.  If this conversation meant something to you, hit follow on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mentoring-moments-empowering-leaders-to-mentor-our-future/id1831531532], Amazon, [https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/80944e02-7dd5-475a-8dd7-b6eb0141811e/mentoring-moments-empowering-leaders-to-mentor-our-future] or Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/1063Y3zev9iNVmad3XPgM2?si=28972d879fd24ef1&nd=1&dlsi=8f8a99fdce65400b] and view on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@RW-MentoringMoments]. It takes five seconds, but it’s how other educators find conversations like this one—and it tells the algorithm that mentorship matters. Also, visit my website so I can feature your questions! https://robwottawa.com/podcast [https://robwottawa.com/podcast] Listen & Subscribe: 🎧 Buzzsprout [https://rss.buzzsprout.com/2519851.rss]   |   🍎 Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mentoring-moments-empowering-leaders-to-mentor-our-future/id1831531532]   |   🎵 Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/1063Y3zev9iNVmad3XPgM2?si=28972d879fd24ef1&nd=1&dlsi=8f8a99fdce65400b]  |   📦 Amazon Music [https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/80944e02-7dd5-475a-8dd7-b6eb0141811e/mentoring-moments-empowering-leaders-to-mentor-our-future]...

Mentoring Moments with Brenden Cusack

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2519851/fan_mail/new] What does it mean to lead from the heart of a school community? Brenden Cusack, now Assistant Superintendent in Huntington, spent nine years as a high school principal who could be found at games, plays, and concerts—not just in the office. He shares how visible, approachable leadership builds trust, how restorative practices transform school culture, and what it takes to mentor the next generation of administrators. A conversation about leading with presence and purpose. If this conversation meant something to you, hit follow on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mentoring-moments-empowering-leaders-to-mentor-our-future/id1831531532], Amazon, [https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/80944e02-7dd5-475a-8dd7-b6eb0141811e/mentoring-moments-empowering-leaders-to-mentor-our-future] or Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/1063Y3zev9iNVmad3XPgM2?si=28972d879fd24ef1&nd=1&dlsi=8f8a99fdce65400b] and view on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@RW-MentoringMoments]. It takes five seconds, but it’s how other educators find conversations like this one—and it tells the algorithm that mentorship matters. Also, visit my website so I can feature your questions! https://robwottawa.com/podcast [https://robwottawa.com/podcast] Listen & Subscribe: 🎧 Buzzsprout [https://rss.buzzsprout.com/2519851.rss]   |   🍎 Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mentoring-moments-empowering-leaders-to-mentor-our-future/id1831531532]   |   🎵 Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/1063Y3zev9iNVmad3XPgM2?si=28972d879fd24ef1&nd=1&dlsi=8f8a99fdce65400b]  |   📦 Amazon Music [https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/80944e02-7dd5-475a-8dd7-b6eb0141811e/mentoring-moments-empowering-leaders-to-mentor-our-future]...

Mentoring Moments with Dr. Teresa Grossane

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2519851/fan_mail/new] What does it take to lead math education across multiple districts? Dr. Teresa Grossane, Director of Mathematics and Computer Science for Huntington Schools, shares her journey from classroom teacher to district leader. She reveals how to build academic courage in students, support teachers through curriculum change, and keep equity at the center of math instruction. A must-listen for anyone leading academic innovation. If this conversation meant something to you, hit follow on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mentoring-moments-empowering-leaders-to-mentor-our-future/id1831531532], Amazon, [https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/80944e02-7dd5-475a-8dd7-b6eb0141811e/mentoring-moments-empowering-leaders-to-mentor-our-future] or Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/1063Y3zev9iNVmad3XPgM2?si=28972d879fd24ef1&nd=1&dlsi=8f8a99fdce65400b] and view on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@RW-MentoringMoments]. It takes five seconds, but it’s how other educators find conversations like this one—and it tells the algorithm that mentorship matters. Also, visit my website so I can feature your questions! https://robwottawa.com/podcast [https://robwottawa.com/podcast] Listen & Subscribe: 🎧 Buzzsprout [https://rss.buzzsprout.com/2519851.rss]   |   🍎 Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mentoring-moments-empowering-leaders-to-mentor-our-future/id1831531532]   |   🎵 Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/1063Y3zev9iNVmad3XPgM2?si=28972d879fd24ef1&nd=1&dlsi=8f8a99fdce65400b]  |   📦 Amazon Music [https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/80944e02-7dd5-475a-8dd7-b6eb0141811e/mentoring-moments-empowering-leaders-to-mentor-our-future]...