Where Learning Takes Root: East Aurora’s Hands-On Approach to Sustainability.

Beyond the Hype: How New York Educators Are Leading Responsible AI

In this episode of Achieving Joy and Mastery in Public Schools, I have the pleasure of interviewing Dr. Patrick Fogarty, the founder of the New York State Artificial Intelligence Consortium (NYSAIC), and Daniel Friedman, Director of Educational Technology in Hicksville Public Schools, for this timely conversation about the responsible integration of artificial intelligence in K-12 education. NYSAIC brings together administrators, teachers, researchers, and technology leaders who are working to move school districts beyond fear, hype, and one-size-fits-all vendor solutions toward ethical, practical, and student-centered AI implementation. The conversation explores how districts can build capacity, protect student data, support teachers, strengthen AI literacy, and create local solutions that reflect the real needs of schools. Patrick and Daniel will also discuss the growing “builder mentality” among educators, including the shift from simply asking, “What AI tool should we buy?” to asking, “What can we design, test, and improve together?” Their recent conversation on AmpED to 11 highlighted themes such as local AI infrastructure, practitioner collaboration, custom instructional tools, and equity of access across New York State. https://nysaic.org/ Find us on Twitter @NiagaraErie Or visit our website E-NSSA.org [https://e-nssa.com/]

Where Learning Takes Root: East Aurora’s Hands-On Approach to Sustainability.

In this episode of Achieving Joy and Mastery in Public Schools, we visit East Aurora Union Free School District to celebrate a powerful example of authentic, hands-on learning. Superintendent Brian Russ joins the podcast to share the story behind East Aurora High School’s Sustainable Agriculture program, launched during the 2023–2024 school year on the district’s beautiful 107-acre campus, once family farmland. Rather than simply honoring the land’s history, East Aurora is bringing it back to life as a “living laboratory” where students learn through farming, animal care, composting, soil health, sustainability, food systems, entrepreneurship, and service to the community. This episode also features 12th grader Maya Reynolds, along with the work of teachers Jeff Shelley and Ethan Hansen, who are helping students connect science, environmental stewardship, responsibility, business, and community in meaningful ways. At its heart, this conversation is about what happens when public schools create learning experiences that are real, relevant, and rooted in place. East Aurora’s Sustainable Agriculture program reminds us that students can do more than study the world around them. They can help sustain it, improve it, and grow from it. Find us on Twitter @NiagaraErie Or visit our website E-NSSA.org [https://e-nssa.com/]

AI for Social Good: Venu Govindaraju and UB's Expanding Vision

n this episode, I speak with Dr. Venu Govindaraju, SUNY Distinguished Professor at the University at Buffalo, Senior Vice President for research, innovation and economic development, and founding director of the National AI Institute for Exceptional Education. We discuss the Institute’s continued progress in supporting children with speech and language processing challenges through innovations such as the AI Screener and AI Orchestrator, along with the broader work of UB’s research in AI. The conversation also explores UB’s growing leadership in artificial intelligence, the promise of Empire AI, and what these developments could mean for education, workforce development, and Western New York. This episode highlights how AI can be used for social good to improve outcomes for children, families, educators, and schools. Find us on Twitter @NiagaraErie Or visit our website E-NSSA.org [https://e-nssa.com/]

Grand Island CSD and Tonawanda City Schools: From Well-Baby Visits to a Love of Reading: The Growing Readers Story

In this episode of Achieving Joy and Mastery in Public Schools, we highlight one of the Grand Island Central School District’s and Tonawanda City School District's most meaningful early literacy initiatives: Growing Readers. Launched in 2018, this community-based effort helps place free books into the hands of families during well-baby visits, encouraging parents and caregivers to begin reading aloud to their children from the very start. This conversation explores how early literacy, strong family connections, and community collaboration can work together to build a lasting love of reading in young children. Our guests discuss the origins of the initiative, the importance of reaching families before children enter school, and the powerful role that schools, pediatricians, libraries, Rotary, and community partners play in supporting language development and literacy. Featured guests include Cheryl Cardone, Assistant Superintendent for Pupil Personnel Services for the Grand Island Central School District; Stephanie Anderson, principal; Maureen Roussi, early childhood educator; Faye Teluk, President of the Grand Island Rotary Club; Sarah Infante, Assistant Superintendent for the Tonawanda City School District; and Bridgette Heintz, Librarian Director II at the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library branch on Grand Island. Together, they reflect on why investing in babies, toddlers, and families is one of the smartest and most hopeful things a community can do. Find us on Twitter @NiagaraErie Or visit our website E-NSSA.org [https://e-nssa.com/]

Barker CSD - Community First: How Barker Schools and United Way Built a Care Closet and a Culture of Support

Public schools do far more than teach academics — they often serve as the heartbeat of a community. In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Jacob Reimer, the Superintendent of Barker CSD and school counselor Allison Finitz as well as Andrea Gray from the United Way to share the story behind Barker’s Care Closet and the broader network of support services now available to students and families.   Find us on Twitter @NiagaraErie Or visit our website E-NSSA.org [https://e-nssa.com/]