E1B in the Know: The Erie 1 BOCES Podcast

Episode 6: Emergency Medical and Fire Services

For this episode's interview, we're talking about the Erie 1 BOCES Emergency Medical and Fire Services program with instructor Joshua Lembke and student Ava Kwiatkowski. The two-year program helps students explore a wide range of career paths in Emergency Medical and Fire Services while developing hands-on skills in patient assessment, treatment, team communication, and safe transport. Learn more about the program at https://careerandtech.e1b.org/programs/emergency-medical-and-fire-services [https://careerandtech.e1b.org/programs/emergency-medical-and-fire-services] -Erie 1 BOCES Student Art Challenge: https://artsined.e1b.org/events/art-challenge [https://artsined.e1b.org/events/art-challenge] -Erie 1 BOCES FUSION Fashion Show 26: Unification: https://careerandtech.e1b.org/programs/fashion-design-technology/fusion-fashion-show-2026 [https://careerandtech.e1b.org/programs/fashion-design-technology/fusion-fashion-show-2026] Episode Rundown 00:00 - Opening 00:43 - Announcements 02:43 - Interview 11:05 - Trivia 11:59 - Closing

Episode 5: Instructional Services Expansion with Jim Fregelette and Christa McHale

For this episode's interview, we're talking about Erie 1 BOCES' Instructional Services expansion with Jim Fregelette, Executive Director of Administrative Services and Operations for Erie 1 BOCES, and Christa McHale, Director of Educational Partnerships and Workforce Development. The 219,000 square foot space at Walden Avenue in Depew will incorporate a wide range of educational opportunities. The new center is scheduled to open in the fall of 2027. Learn more at https://www.e1b.org/programs-for-students/instructional-services-expansion In this episode's announcements, we learn about how Erie 1 BOCES is highlighting its connections to local school districts through updated Collaborate reports. We also hear about hands-on substitute training through the STARS program, a major milestone in its LPN program with a 100 percent licensure pass rate for May 2025 graduates, as well as Erie 1 BOCES Participation Season. -To learn more about the Erie 1 BOCES STARS (Substitute Training and Recruiting Services), visit e1b.org/STARS. -Learn about the LPN Program at http://e1b.org/lpn [http://e1b.org/lpn]. -Check out student highlights from the Collaborate series at https://www.e1b.org/view-all-news [https://www.e1b.org/view-all-news] Episode Rundown 0:00- Opening 0:50 - Announcements 3:45 - Interview 19:31 - Trivia 20:28 – Closing

Episode 4: IDEA Committee

For this episode, we talk with Nicole Kerner and Amy Tuzzolino of Erie 1 BOCES' Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Advocacy (I.D.E.A.) Committee about how the committee works to create an environment where all can be heard and valued. The pair also spoke to how the committee identifies issues of importance to staff, creating opportunities across the staff to take part in professional development and empowering students at Erie 1 BOCES to become leaders in their buildings and their communities. In the announcements, learn about how Workforce Development students are giving back and some of the ways you can support students at Erie 1 BOCES CTE centers. -Salon, Spa and Barbershop Client Services: https://wfd.e1b.org/ourprograms/salon-and-spa-client-services [https://wfd.e1b.org/ourprograms/salon-and-spa-client-services] -Harkness CTE Center Clothing Drive: https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:va6c2:c70ef78f-7d0f-4e13-b45a-7d3c31fddf3a [https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:va6c2:c70ef78f-7d0f-4e13-b45a-7d3c31fddf3a] -Potter CTE Center Career Closet: For information, contact Beth Feeney at efeeney@e1b.org or by calling 716-821-7351 Episode Rundown 0:00- Opening 0:42 - Announcements 1:56 - Interview 11:24 - Trivia 12:17 - Closing

Episode 3: Artificial Intelligence

For this episode, we talk about artificial intelligence with Michelle Okal-Frink, Director of Business Continuity, Research and Innovation for the Western New York Regional Information Center, also known as the WNYRIC; Joe Roaldi, Supervisor for Leadership, Mentoring, & Technology Integration for the WNYRIC, and Nathan Thoma, a Technology Coordinator in Erie 1 BOCES Instructional Services. In the announcements, learn about the inaugural SMART Collaborative Youth Mental Health Summit, the induction of students into the National Technical Honor Society and the first-of-its-kind Theatre Jam event to support the learning of high school arts performers! SMART Collaboraitve Youth Mental Health Summit: https://www.e1b.org/post-details-page/~board/erie-1-boces-news/post/empowering-student-wellness-smart-youth-mental-health-summit-launches [https://www.e1b.org/post-details-page/~board/erie-1-boces-news/post/empowering-student-wellness-smart-youth-mental-health-summit-launches] Theatre Jam: https://www.e1b.org/post-details-page/~board/erie-1-boces-news/post/theatre-jam-2025-a-day-of-creativity-and-collaboration [https://www.e1b.org/post-details-page/~board/erie-1-boces-news/post/theatre-jam-2025-a-day-of-creativity-and-collaboration] 00:00 - Opening 00:58 - Announcements 02:14 - Interview with Michelle Okal-Frink, Joe Roaldi and Nathan Thoma. 13:11 - Trivia 13:43 - Closing

Episode 2: Board of Education Service

For this episode, we had a chance to speak with Cameron Hall, a Board of Education member for Erie 1 BOCES and the Hamburg Central School District. Hall shared his experiences as a Board member, recalled his favorites parts of serving local schools and offered advice for those considering board service in their school community. Learn more about the Erie 1 BOCES Board of Education at https://www.e1b.org/about-us/board-of-education [https://www.e1b.org/about-us/board-of-education] In the announcements, learn about the declaration of Erie 1 BOCES Day, CTE educator reimbursement rate changes in New York and Erie 1 BOCES' Sunrise Seminar. Erie 1 BOCES Day: https://www.e1b.org/post-details-page/~board/erie-1-boces-news/post/e1bexpansiongroundbreaking [https://www.e1b.org/post-details-page/~board/erie-1-boces-news/post/e1bexpansiongroundbreaking] CTE Reimbursement Changes: https://www.e1b.org/post-details-page/~board/career-and-technical-education-news/post/erie-1-boces-celebrates-increase-in-state-funding-to-cte-instructors [https://www.e1b.org/post-details-page/~board/career-and-technical-education-news/post/erie-1-boces-celebrates-increase-in-state-funding-to-cte-instructors] Sunrise Seminar: https://www.e1b.org/post-details-page/~board/erie-1-boces-news/post/inside-the-sunrise-seminar-2025 [https://www.e1b.org/post-details-page/~board/erie-1-boces-news/post/inside-the-sunrise-seminar-2025] Episode Rundown 00:00 - Opening 00:40 - Announcements 02:12 - Interview with Cameron Hall 10:40 - Trivia 11:05 - Closing