It’s a full house! The entire team is back together for our first episode this year-but we are looking back at our previous year first! Expect plenty of laughter, friendly debate, and maybe a little blue cheese-fueled chaos as we kick things off with the Blue Cheese Wars—who’s winning this round?

We’ll dive into spirit animals (prepare for wildly creative comparisons), celebrate what we’re most proud of in our professional learning work, and give well-earned shoutouts to teammates who’ve inspired us this year.

Then we’ll turn our gaze forward—dreaming big about next year’s PLOs, projects, and possibilities—before closing with a powerful reflection: one word that sums up the year, and one that captures our hopes for what’s next.

Grab your coffee, tea, or favorite seltzer—it’s time to SIT, Sip, and Celebrate the journey together! ☕✨

In this special episode, Kevin and Nick hit the road to Ellicottville for the Genesee Valley BOCES Leadership Institute 2025. Over two days of morning registration, they connected with regional education leaders for rapid-fire questions and thoughtful conversations on leadership, learning, and today’s most pressing topics.

The Leadership Institute is an annual summer gathering for regional leaders, offering professional learning, networking, and inspiring keynote speakers. This year featured Dr. Michelle Storie & Dr. Doreen Mazzye on the Science of Reading, Kristine Earl from the UNC Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute, and sessions with acclaimed author Natalie Wexler.

On the podcast, you’ll hear from:

• Betsy Brown – Director of Instructional Services, Byron-Bergen CSD

• Dr. David Russell – Principal, LeRoy Jr./Sr. HS

• Dr. Amanda Cook – Director of Curriculum & Instruction, Pavilion CSD

• Gretchen Rosales – Superintendent of Schools, Elba CSD

• Connie Rockow – Director of Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment, Oakfield-Alabama CSD

Join us for an episode packed with insights, inspiration, and friendly conversation from educational leaders across the region!

Nick and Kevin sit down with the Maverick himself—Erik M. Francis, founder of Maverik Education, lover of movies (especially Top Gun), and internationally recognized expert on Depth of Knowledge (DOK). With over 30 years in education and a diverse background, Erik breaks down the Feynman Technique, talks about why DOK is more than just a rubric, and shares how teachers can rethink standards to leverage deeper, more meaningful learning.

In this high-flying episode:

• We rapid-fire questions (yes, including wings and karaoke 🍗🎤)

• Dive into what DOK really means and how to visualize it in practice

• Talk student work, lesson planning, and powerful questioning strategies

• And ask Erik: What’s the one thing teachers and leaders should prioritize for next year?

Whether you're diving into Level 1 or aiming for Level 4, this episode will have you thinking differently about assessment, instruction, and student thinking.

In this special National Week of Conversation edition of SIT & Sip, Nick sits down with Dr. Lindsey Cormack, Associate Professor of Political Science at Stevens Institute of Technology and author of How to Raise a Citizen (And Why It’s Up to You to Do It). Known for her work with DCinbox, an archive of congressional e-newsletters, and her scholarship on civic engagement and veterans' policy, Dr. Cormack brings a dynamic and practical lens to what it means to raise informed, active citizens in today’s democracy.

Together, they explore the intersection of parenting, education, and political literacy—digging into how families and classrooms alike can create spaces for constructive civic dialogue. They also tackle the current state of K–12 civics education, how a lack of civic knowledge shapes public discourse, and what educators can do to foster more informed, empathetic political conversations.

Plus: Rapid-fire questions, a favorite civic memory, and a deep dive into why "politics is going to happen to us whether we like it or not" is more than just a quote—it’s a call to action.

Tune in to discover how we can all do our part to raise the next generation of engaged, thoughtful citizens.

In this episode of SIT & Sip, Nick welcomes three powerhouse guests dedicated to strengthening civic engagement and bridging divides: Karissa Raskin, CEO of Listen First Project; Kent Lenci, author of Learning to Depolarize; and Lory Warren, Executive Director of the Prohuman Foundation.

Together, they explore their personal and professional journeys, sharing what led them to this critical work. They discuss the importance of civics, their earliest civic memories, and the role of educators in inspiring engagement. With civic participation on the decline, they tackle the challenges head-on—why is this happening, and more importantly, how can we fix it?

Despite the difficulties, they also share what gives them hope for the future and offer one simple civic action that listeners can take tomorrow to help strengthen democracy and foster depolarization in their own communities.

Grab your favorite drink and join us for this inspiring and timely conversation!

Please be sure to check out our guests work below at their respective websites:

• Listen First Project
• Prohuman Foundation
• Middle Ground Schools: Kent Lenci

SIT & Sip

In this episode of SIT & Sip, we dive into NY Inspires: A Plan to Transform Education in New York State—a bold vision for rethinking graduation requirements, learning experiences, and student readiness. Nick is joined by three insightful guests from regional school districts, each offering a unique perspective on the major shifts ahead:

• Daryl McLaughlin – Superintendent, Perry Central School District
• Dr. Amanda Cook – Director of Curriculum & Instruction, Pavilion Central Schools
• Dave Moodie – High School Principal, Dansville Central Schools

Together, they explore what NY Inspires means for students, teachers, and communities. From redefining credits to shifting diploma requirements, we break down the opportunities, challenges, and the future of learning in New York.

Key questions explored in this episode:

• Which transformation is a game changer?
• What’s a hidden gem in these recommendations?
• How can districts take the first steps toward change?

Join us for an engaging discussion on reimagining education and preparing students for a dynamic future.

In this special episode of SIT & Sip, Wayland-Cohocton senior Sam Drake took the lead on the episode with Nick assisting! Sam and Nick sat down with Dr. Lauren Lieberman from SUNY Brockport to explore the importance of blind education and accessibility in schools and athletics. As part of Sam’s Seal of Civic Readiness capstone project, this conversation delves into the impact of inclusive education and advocacy for individuals with visual impairments.

Dr. Lieberman, a renowned expert in adapted physical education and the founder of Camp Abilities, shares her journey in blind education, the life-changing experiences of athletes and coaches involved in the camp, and action we can take to continue this work. Together, Sam and Dr. Lieberman discuss the challenges and successes of spreading awareness, the power of individuals to create change, and how schools and communities can foster greater inclusion.

Also, if interested, please visit https://www.campabilities.org/ for more information and how you can become involved.

Tune in for an insightful and inspiring discussion on breaking barriers and ensuring that a loss of sight is never a loss of vision.

In Episode 13 of SIT & Sip, Nick and Jessica sit down with Todd Shuskey, an inspiring and accomplished science educator with 26 years of teaching experience at Perry High School in Perry, NY. As the 7-12 Department Chair, former GV BOCES Science Regional Coordinator (2017-2019), and the 2024-2025 Rural Schools Association of New York State Teacher of the Year, Todd brings a wealth of experience, knowledge, and passion to the conversation.

Todd shares his journey to becoming a science educator, offering insights into the recent updates to the New York State Science Standards and discussing the challenges facing science education today—both locally and nationally. He also highlights his work with the Silver Lake Monitoring Project, a hands-on initiative connecting students to impactful environmental science in their community.

And, of course, we couldn’t let Todd go without diving into some rapid-fire fun! From the ever-evolving ranch vs. blue cheese debate and pumpkin spice opinions to choosing between Neil DeGrasse Tyson and Sir Isaac Newton, or Einstein and Oppenheimer, Todd answers with humor and thoughtfulness.