Thinking Like A Region

22. Jamal Ahamad - Pittsfield Public Schools

Ep. 22: Jamal Ahmad, Pittsfield Public Schools In this episode, host Erick Ramos-Jacobo sits down with educator, artist, and former Pine Cobble School administrator, Jamal Ahamad (now at Pittsfield High School). From sketching Spider-Man as a kid to teaching dance, facilitating workshops, and leading as an administrator, Jamal shares how the arts have always been a source of comfort, connection, and discovery. This episode explores how creativity informs Jamal's leadership, the role of empathy and process in both teaching and the arts, and why risk-taking in creative practice matters for educators and students alike. Jamal’s journey highlights the power of art to cultivate identity, community, and resilience. This episode was recorded in December 2023. Some references and information may be dated. Stay tuned for a follow-up episode with Jamal coming this winter! A full transcript of the episode can be found here: https://tinyurl.com/TLAR-JA [https://tinyurl.com/TLAR-JA] About Jamal: Jamal Ahamad has nearly a decade of teaching experience in Berkshire County—he is currently the Assistant Principal at Pittsfield High School. He has also taught algebra, African-American studies, and dance. Jamal earned a B.A. and an M.S.Ed. from MCLA, where he has served as an adjunct professor in the education department. In his spare time, Jamal frequently facilitates workshops for his fellow educators, choreographs and teaches dance, designs multimedia projects, and leads playwriting workshops.

21. Dr Barbara Malkas — North Adams Public Schools

Ep. 21: Dr. Barbara Malkas, North Adams Public Schools In this episode of Thinking Like a Region, Drury High School student Miguel Pabon sits down with Superintendent Dr. Malkas to discuss her background as a dancer, the arts scenes in both New York City and the Berkshires, and the powerful creative capacities of observation, questioning, and telling the larger story of our society. Throughout the interview, the pair discuss the impact AI will have on the arts, as well as the 2023 blockbuster movies Barbie and Oppenheimer, and their mark on our cultural landscape. This episode was recorded in July 2023. Some references and information may be dated. A full transcript of the episode can be found here: https://tinyurl.com/TLAR-BM [https://tinyurl.com/TLAR-BM] This Episode's Voices: Barbara Malkas, Ed.D, is the Superintendent of North Adams Public Schools.  Miguel Pabon is a student at Drury High School in North Adams, MA, and is a member of the Drury Stage Company.

20. Dr Tim Callahan – North Adams Public Schools

Ep. 20 - Dr. Tim Callahan, North Adams Public Schools In this episode ofThinking Like a Region, Drury High School student Miguel Pabon sits down with North Adams Public Schools' Assistant Superintendent Dr. Tim Callahan to discuss his path from drawing trucks and comics in elementary school to becoming a teacher and educational leader.  Along the way the two discuss the impact that infusing arts into education has, the power of writing and creativity, the skills needed to write a great email, and growing up in Berkshire County. Find a full transcript of this episode here: https://tinyurl.com/TLAR-TC This episode was recorded in the spring of 2023. Some information and references may be dated. This Episode's Voices Tim Callahan, Ed.D, is the Assistant Superintendent of North Adams Public Schools.  Miguel Pabon is a student at Drury High School in North Adams, MA, and is a member of the Drury Stage Company at the Drury Performing Arts Center. For more information about the C4 Initiative, visit brainworks.mcla.edu/c4

19. Erick Ramos-Jacobo - MCLA & Beyond

Episode 19: Erick Ramos-Jacobo Episode host Zurie Adams a recent graduate from Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA), engages in a dynamic conversation with Erick: an MCLA alumni, curator, educator, and writer. In this episode, the pair discuss Erick's history with writing, image making, and photography, and how his artistic process has evolved. Eric also discusses how his work as a waiter has bolstered his work as a curator and artist, as well as his career goals going forward. A full transcript of the episode can be found here. [https://drive.google.com/file/d/17Vo2JcRttuJubTbbK8xTmJBcOufZEW2g/view?usp=drive_link] THIS EPISODE'S VOICES: Eric Ramos-Jacobo is a writer, social practitioner and curator, who uses his work to educate and lift the voices of newcomer, or immigrant, communities in the Berkshires. As a student at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, Eric created The Mariposa Project, a collective of Newcomer artists collaborating to explore themes of cultural disorientation, place and identity experience by the community through creative channels of dialogue and community care.

18. Zurie Adams - MCLA & Beyond

Episode 18: Zurie Adams Episode host Erick Ramos-Jacobo, a recent graduate from Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA), engages in a dynamic conversation with Zurie Adams: an MCLA alumna, theatre- and filmmaker. In this episode of Thinking Like a Region, they delve into Zurie’s journey in the performing arts, her creative inspirations, and her aspirations for a future that intertwines various art forms. “Perfection is not real. The arts have taught me that because even with all of the rehearsals and every precaution, something is going to go wrong, and that is okay.” This episode emphasizes the importance of practical problem-solving, collaboration, and the influence of arts education on personal and professional development. You can find the transcript for this episode here: https://tinyurl.com/TLAW-ZA [https://tinyurl.com/TLAW-ZA] Thinking Like A Region is a production of the C4 Initiative, Berkshire County’s Creative Compact for Collaborative and Collective Impact, based at Berkshire Regional Planning Commission in Pittsfield, MA, and grant-funded by the National Endowment for the Arts. This podcast is produced by Leslie Appleget and Lisa Donovan. For more information about the show or the C4 Initiative, visit brainworks.mcla.edu/c4. THIS EPISODE’S VOICES: Erick Ramos-Jacobo is an immigrant educator, curator, and social practitioner born in Zacatecas, Mexico. Renowned Brazilian Pop artist and Parque Lage professor, Bruno Miguel, noted him as “One of the most promising young curators” (Defining Moments, MASS MoCA, 2022). He's recognized for his work in the arts, particularly in collaboration with organizations like MASS MoCA, Barrington Stage Company, Assets 4 Artists at MASS MoCA, and Madison MoCA. Erick has had the privilege of working alongside curator and educator Dr. Laura Thompson on exhibitions and educational programs featuring notable artists such as Bruno Miguel, Shaun Leonardo, Anne Samat, and Federico Uribe. His passion lies in leveraging the power of the arts to build healthier, more vibrant, and equitable communities for immigrant individuals, with a special focus on museums as a starting point. Erick’s curatorial work and educational development are currently on view at MASS MoCA and his newest collaboration, Metamorphosis|Metamorfosis, opened September 2023 at Madison MoCA.