Leading through Transformation: Superintendents Discuss the Future of Learning

Leading through Transformation: Superintendents Discuss the Future of Learning

What does it mean to lead school systems through a period of significant change while keeping students at the center of every decision? Together, Ulster County superintendents discuss the challenge of balancing innovation with stability as schools rethink traditional approaches to grading, engagement, and readiness through the work of New York Inspires. The conversation highlights the importance of student voice, authentic learning experiences, and community trust-building, while emphasizing that meaningful transformation requires more than adding new initiatives—it requires schools to examine longstanding systems, create space for deeper learning, and design pathways that prepare all students to thrive in an evolving world. Three superintendents with varying experience, district demographics, and community relationships share their voices on what this transformation means: Dr. Gwendolyn Roraback (Saugerties Central School District), Dr. Paul Padalino (Kingston City School District), and Anthony White (Wallkill Central School District). Discover more tools, updates, and resources for NY Inspires–including how to get your copy of the NY Inspires Transformation Design Cycles Playbook  [http://www.ulsterboces.org/nyinspires]that Dr. Betty A. Rosa, NYS Commissioner of Education, has mentioned in communication to the field—at our dedicated NY Inspires hub. IN THIS EPISODE 00:00 – Introduction & Meet the Superintendents  04:20 – District Contexts & Community Differences  07:30 – What Students Need to Thrive  10:00 – Engagement, Joy & Student-Driven Learning  13:00 – Rethinking Success & Readiness  19:30 – Leadership in Complex Times  27:00 – New York Inspires & System Transformation  33:30 – Why This Moment Feels Different  38:00 – Building Community-Driven Change  49:20 – What Schools Need to Stop Doing  56:30 – Expanding Opportunity for Every Learner  59:50 – Final Reflections: Creating the Conditions for Success https://www.ulsterboces.org/about-us/news-communications/podcast [https://www.ulsterboces.org/about-us/news-communications/podcast]

Designing Schools for Every Learner with Dr. Raymond Sanchez

In this episode of Leading for Deeper Learning with Ulster BOCES, Dr. Jonah Schenker sits down with Dr. Raymond Sanchez, Superintendent of the Tarrytown School District and 2025 NYSOSS Superintendent of the Year. Together, they explore what it means to lead in a moment of real transformation—where student voice, belonging, and meaningful learning must take center stage. Dr. Sanchez shares how his district is working to rethink systems, elevate student experiences, and create more adaptive pathways for every learner. From redefining learning to navigating the shifts of NY Inspires, this conversation challenges educators to move beyond compliance and design schools that truly work for students. This is a conversation about possibility—and the responsibility to build something better.  EPISODE CHAPTERS 00:00 – Introduction 01:00 – Meet Dr. Sanchez & District Overview 06:30 – Leading in Complex Times 10:30 – Collaboration & Collective Leadership 12:00 – Vision, Pillars & Student Voice 18:00 – What Students Are Telling Us 20:00 – Rethinking Systems & Structures 23:00 – Portrait of a Learner & Defining Success 27:00 – New York Inspires: Opportunities Ahead 31:00 – Readiness, Resistance & Change Management 40:00 – Letting Go & Redesigning Learning 46:00 – The Roadmap Forward & What Leaders Need https://www.ulsterboces.org/about-us/news-communications/podcast [https://www.ulsterboces.org/about-us/news-communications/podcast]

Leading For Deeper Learning with Dr. Jonah Schenker

Season 2 is here! Leading for Deeper Learning with Ulster BOCES is back—and this year we’re focusing on NY Inspires, New York State’s multi-year transformation of what it means to be a graduate. We took time to thoughtfully shape this season so it speaks directly to the changes ahead in New York and the promise of NY Inspires. We’re excited to get started and to share conversations that support meaningful learning across systems, schools, communities, and—most importantly—students. Season 2 kicks off with a clear message from Dr. Jonah Schenker: the old model of school isn’t built for the world our students are stepping into—and the NY Inspires initiative gives us a once-in-a-generation opportunity to change that. Join Dr. Schenker as he explores why this moment is energizing: we finally have permission, momentum, and a pathway to build learning environments grounded in belonging, relevance, equity, and real-world readiness. How will this show up in our schools? NY Inspires helps students by shifting school from a system built around compliance and sorting to one built around readiness, belonging, and real opportunity. It supports students to: • Graduate with skills that matter, not just credits • Demonstrate learning in multiple, meaningful ways, not just by testing • Access authentic pathways, like internships, projects, etc., aligned to passions and future goals • Experience stronger belonging, relevance, and engagement • Succeed through multiple pathways while meeting high expectations This season will spotlight what it takes to lead change well—sharing bright spots, hard questions, and real learning across the field as New York moves from current state to future state. Subscribe and join the work ahead—because the opportunities this creates for students are too important to miss. CHAPTER DETAILS Episode Chapters 00:00 – Welcome & Season 2 Overview Why Leading for Deeper Learning is returning with NY Inspires as the central theme. 01:00 – What Is NY Inspires? A brief history of the initiative and why New York is rethinking what it means to graduate. 02:25 – The Four NY Inspires Transformations • Portrait of a Graduate • Reimagining credits and learning experiences • Decoupling Regents exams from graduation requirements • One diploma with multiple seals and endorsements 04:30 – Why the Traditional School Model Needs to Change Why systems built on time, compliance, and sorting no longer serve students or society. 05:45 – Human-Centered Design & Empathy Work Why listening to students, educators, families, and communities must come before implementation. 07:15 – Designing for Students Furthest from Opportunity How equity-driven design benefits all learners and strengthens the entire system. 09:30 – What NY Inspires Makes Possible for Students More relevant learning, authentic pathways, meaningful assessment, and a stronger sense of purpose. 11:30 – Leading Change Well What leaders must rethink—time, schedules, calendars, and systems—to align values with practice. 13:30 – Season 2 Roadmap What to expect this season: reflections, research, and conversations with leaders across the field. 15:00 – Invitation to the Field Why innovation in isolation is a disservice—and how shared learning moves the work forward. https://www.ulsterboces.org/about-us/news-communications/podcast [https://www.ulsterboces.org/about-us/news-communications/podcast]

Leading for Deeper Learning Podcast: Our Why: Student Voice

In this inspiring episode of Leading for Deeper Learning, Dr. Jonah Schenker sits down with three remarkable students—Olivia Butler, Matthew Parkhurst, and Jada Valles—from Ulster BOCES to explore what truly motivates them and how student voice shapes meaningful learning. Recorded at the Q29 Studio, this conversation dives into the power of purpose, the importance of being heard, and the impact of deeper learning experiences that are co-created with students at the center. From personal reflections to powerful insights, Olivia, Matthew, and Jada share their “why”—what drives them, what they value in education, and how having a voice has changed the way they learn and lead. This episode is a must-listen for educators, leaders, and anyone passionate about student-centered education and authentic engagement. https://www.ulsterboces.org/about-us/news-communications/podcast [https://www.ulsterboces.org/about-us/news-communications/podcast]

Inspiring Change: Leading with Purpose and Possibility in New York’s Educational Future

In this special episode, Dr. Jonah Schenker, District Superintendent of Ulster BOCES, sits down with two of New York State’s leading voices in education policy—Deputy Commissioners Angelique Johnson-Dingle and Jason Harmon of the New York State Education Department. Recorded on location in the historic Medical Library of the NYSED Building in Albany, this powerful and candid conversation explores the New York Inspires initiatives and the bold reimagining of the state’s Portrait of a Graduate. This isn’t a small movement—it’s a pivotal moment. The Graduation Measures initiative signals more than a shift in assessment; it’s a call to fundamentally change the container in which education is taught. Johnson-Dingle and Harmon share why now is the right time for these changes, what they mean for students and communities, and how New York is working to align its educational vision with the needs of today and tomorrow. Tune in now for a unique, behind-the-scenes perspective on how education leaders are working with the NYS Education Department to empower students to be the architects of their own future. https://www.ulsterboces.org/about-us/news-communications/podcast [https://www.ulsterboces.org/about-us/news-communications/podcast]