CA Today

CA Today

Educators in the CA BOCES region and WNY, we are bringing back your favorite show! It’s CA Today! An education podcast brought to you by the CABOCES Instructional support services team. In the new season, each episode will feature different members of the ISS team. We will be bringing you not only the latest and greatest instructional practices, but also sharing some of the great experiences our teachers, leaders, students, and communities, have experienced in our region.

  1. Jun 1

    Universal Design for Learning: The Shift to Student Led

    Universal Design for Learning: The Shift to Student Led Podcast Outline: Universal Design for Learning: The Shift to Student Led Segment 1: Intro: What is UDL? (00:10-3:02) Segment 2: Interview with Jillian Filbert-Earth Science Teacher from Wellsville (00:00-26:12) How do Project‑Based Learning and Universal Design for Learning come together in your classroom? What does that look like, feel like, or sound like? When you say learning is “student‑led,” what does that actually look like day to day? How do you give students real voice and choice during a project in your classroom? How do you make sure all students can access learning, even when they learn in different ways? What flexibility do students have in how they show what they know, while still meeting high expectations? What routines or structures help students collaborate and manage their learning independently? How do feedback, reflection, or self‑assessment keep students at the center of the learning process? What impact have you seen on student engagement, confidence, or equity since using Project Based Learning with Universal Design for Learning? For educators who want to make this shift; what’s one place you’d recommend they start? One piece of advice you would give them. The interview with Jillian Filbert prompts thoughtful consideration of the intentional work taking place both within classrooms and across the broader educational context. Her reflections establish a foundation for a deeper dialogue—one that emphasizes professional insight, reflective practice, and ongoing growth. In the Q & A that follows with author Katie Novak, Jillian Filbert is joined by Deb Wagoner from Belfast Central, Jerry Parisi from Salamanca City School District, Kelsey Judware Coordinator for Exceptional Ed Pd & Support, and myself as we examine how our work intersects with student learning, professional collaboration, and the greater school community. ·Bonnie: “Thank you for joining us in our conversations about Universal Design for Learning and the Shift to Student Led. As we close out today’s episode, we hope something you heard today sparked a new idea or perspective. We thank all the teachers who joined us in our conversations, and especially Jillian Filbert from Wellsville Secondary School and Author Katie Novak for her insights. Thank you for listening, and we hope you stop back for the next CA Today episode.” Show notes: Join host Bonnie Wagner, CABOCES, as she speaks with Jillian Filbert, an Earth & Space Science teacher at Wellsville Secondary School, to reflect on key insights from the book study The Shift to Student-Led Learning and Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and explore practical ways to support this shift in classroom practice. This episode explores essential themes such as access for all students, learner agency, project‑based learning (PBL), and how these ideas align with Portrait of a Graduate. Listeners will discover how intentional lesson design, proactive use of assistive technology, and innovative instructional strategies can support all learners from the start. This podcast also includes a Q & A Session held during the book study with Author Katie Novak and how we can support our students in the classroom as we create Universally Designed Instruction Together. Thank you to today's host! Bonnie Wagner- Coordinator Exceptional Education Resources From Today's Episode · ⁠ https://www.novakeducation.com/ The Shift to Student Led by Katie Novak and Catlin Tucker Join us! View our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠registration page ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠to view upcoming CABOCES regional workshop opportunities and have your district representative, responsible for registration, sign you up! Don't Forget to Connect! Subscribe and Review wherever you like to listen! Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠catodayedu@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to offer future show ideas or share something you're excited about, what's happening in your school or classroom!

    41 min
  2. May 4

    Stories That Build Resilience

    What does resilience actually look like? In this episode of CA Today, host Kelli Cullen, Community Schools Coordinator, speaks with Jomar Gomez, Behavior Management Coordinator at Randolph Academy, about resilience and grit—brought to life through real experiences. In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, the conversation moves beyond definitions to share personal and professional stories of overcoming adversity. Jomar reflects on his own journey with resilience and how it shapes the way he supports students facing some of life’s toughest moments. Honest, inspiring, and deeply human, this episode highlights the power of turning challenges into purpose. 🎧 Tune in for: Real examples of resilience and gritInsights from supporting students through adversityA personal story that inspires growth and connectionAn episode that’s meaningful, timely, and worth the listen. Thank you to today's hosts!    ⁠Kelli Cullen⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠- Community Schools Coordinator Join us!      View our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠registration page ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠to view upcoming CABOCES regional workshop opportunities and have your district representative, responsible for registration, sign you up!     Don't Forget To Connect! Subscribe and review wherever you like to listen! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠catodayedu@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to offer future show ideas or share something you're excited about, such as what's happening in your school or classroom!

    23 min
  3. Not a Program—A Practice: The Science of Reading in Action

    Mar 2

    Not a Program—A Practice: The Science of Reading in Action

    Join in for a dynamic conversation with Sarah Cartmill, Lindsay Simpson, and Brooke Neamon, as we explore how SUNY New Paltz literacy cohorts and LETRS training are transforming reading instruction across the CA region. In this episode, you’ll hear real stories from teachers and administrators, collected by Brooke Neamon, about how deepening their understanding of the Science of Reading is reshaping classroom practice—and leadership decisions. We break down the Big 5, highlight why comprehension is the ultimate outcome, and connect this work to the Portrait of a Graduate and CRSE principles. A fast-paced episode filled with practical insights, regional voices, and a clear look at what effective literacy instruction looks like today.  Thank you to today's hosts!     ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Lindsay Simpson⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠- Curriculum Coordinator/Professional Development     ⁠⁠⁠Sarah Cartmill⁠⁠⁠- Curriculum Coordinator/Professional Development  ⁠⁠⁠⁠Brooke Neamon⁠⁠⁠⁠- Curriculum Coordinator/Professional Development   Resources From Today's Episode     - Bringing The Joy To Reading Through Science of Reading - Sold A Story podcast ⁠⁠ - Shifting The Balance - National Reading Panel Report - Scarborough's Reading Rope - NYSED Literacy Briefs - NYSED CRSE Framework - Portrait of a Graduate Attributes - The Reading League Join us!      View our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠registration page ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠to view upcoming CABOCES regional workshop opportunities and have your district representative, responsible for registration, sign you up!     Don't Forget To Connect! Subscribe and review wherever you like to listen! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠catodayedu@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to offer future show ideas or share something you're excited about, such as what's happening in your school or classroom!

    1h 2m
  4. Feb 2

    Student Engagement: eSports in Schools

    This episode takes listeners inside a regional eSports tournament held on Friday, December 12 at Jamestown Community College, where students from various districts came together to compete, collaborate, and connect. Through interviews with students and coaches, the episode explores how eSports supports key Portrait of a Graduate competencies such as communication, collaboration, critical and creative thinking, adaptability, and citizenship. It also highlights how eSports creates a powerful sense of belonging for students who may not traditionally participate in athletics or other extracurricular activities and how experiences like this extend learning beyond the classroom to help students build confidence and interpersonal skills. This conversation emphasizes that eSports is not just about competition, but about preparing students to thrive in school, careers, and life. For more information about regional eSports opportunities or other similar student program events, contact Karen Insley, Student Programs Program Manager at CA BOCES, at karen_insley@caboces.org Thank you to today's hosts!  ⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Rick Weinberg⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠- Technology Coordinator/Professional Development   ⁠Brooke Neamon⁠- Curriculum Coordinator/Professional Development Join us!    View our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠registration page ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠to view upcoming CABOCES regional workshop opportunities and have your district representative, responsible for registration, sign you up!   Don't Forget To Connect! Subscribe and review wherever you like to listen! Connectwith today's hosts. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠catodayedu@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to offer future show ideas or share something you're excited about, such as what's happening in your school or classroom!

    32 min
  5. Jan 5

    Wellsville Women in STEM

    What does it take to thrive in STEM as a young woman? In thisinspiring episode of CA Today, host Rick Weinberg sits down with an extraordinary all-female VEX Robotics team from Wellsville Central School District. These trailblazers share their journey through the world of competitive robotics—from local regionals to the global stage. Discover how VEX Robotics has shaped their aspirations for future careers in science, technology, engineering, and math. Hear firsthand about the essential skills they’ve mastered—collaboration, communication, and teamwork—and how these experiences have empowered them to break stereotypes andlead with confidence. Whether you’re an educator, a parent, or simply passionate about innovation and equity in STEM, this conversation will leave you inspired and energized. 🎧 Tune in now and celebrate the future of STEM leadership! Thank you to today's hosts!   ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Rick Weinberg⁠⁠⁠⁠- Technology Coordinator/ProfessionalDevelopment   Lindsay Simpson- Curriculum Coordinator/Professional Development Resources From Today's Episode     Women in STEM Statistics Join us!    View our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠registration page ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠to view upcoming CABOCES regional workshop opportunities and have your district representative, responsible for registration, sign you up!   Don't Forget To Connect! Subscribe and review wherever you like to listen! Connectwith today's hosts. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠catodayedu@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to offer future show ideas or share something you're excited about, such as what's happening in your school orclassroom!

    30 min
  6. 12/01/2025

    PBL for All Students: Equity, Engagement, and Empowerment

    In this episode of CA Today, host Lindsay Simpson sits down with two fellow CABOCES Coordinators—Bonnie Wagner, Special Education Coordinator, and Sarah Cartmill, Curriculum Coordinator—to unpack the power of Project-Based Learning (PBL). Fresh from a regional training with PBLWorks, they share insights on how PBL transforms classrooms into student-centered environments that foster engagement, equity, and future-ready skills.  We explore how PBL connects to IEP goals, supports transition services, and creates authentic opportunities for literacy growth. From scaffolding strategies to building confidence through public presentations, this conversation highlights practical ways educators can make learning meaningful for all students.  What You’ll Learn in This Episode:  How PBL helps embed IEP goals and supports diverse learners.  Strategies for increasing student motivation and ownership through real-world projects.  Ways PBL integrates literacy skills across content areas.  How PBL aligns with Portrait of a Graduate competencies like collaboration, critical thinking, and communication.  Tips for starting your first PBL unit with confidence.    Thank you to today's hosts!     ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Lindsay Simpson⁠⁠⁠⁠- Curriculum Coordinator/Professional Development     ⁠Sarah Cartmill⁠- Curriculum Coordinator/Professional Development   Bonnie Wagner- Special Education Coordinator   Resources From Today's Episode     PBLWorks – Explore resources and training for Project-Based Learning.  Join us!      View our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠registration page ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠to view upcoming CABOCES regional workshop opportunities and have your district representative, responsible for registration, sign you up!     Don't Forget To Connect! Subscribe and review wherever you like to listen! Connect with today's hosts:     ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠catodayedu@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to offer future show ideas or share something you're excited about, such as what's happening in your school or classroom!

    1h 1m
  7. 11/03/2025

    Making Math Matter: Exploring the NYS Numeracy Briefs

    In this episode, Lindsay Simpson and Tessa Levitt unpack the New York State Numeracy Briefs released in May 2025. They explore how these resources support K–12 educators in reflecting on math instruction, promoting equity, and embedding best practices. From early numeracy to high school algebra, the conversation highlights practical examples, reflective questions, and ways districts can use the briefs to guide professional learning and curriculum decisions.  Thank you to today's hosts!    ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Lindsay Simpson⁠⁠⁠- Curriculum Coordinator/Professional Development    Tessa Levitt- Curriculum Coordinator/Professional Development  Resources From Today's Episode    K-12 Math Instructional Website   Contains Numeracy Briefs, Math Practices, and strategies for the most asked areas surrounding math best practices   First In Math NYSED Website  Interested in rostering your district? Contact Nan Ronis Join us!     View our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠registration page ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠to view upcoming CABOCES regional workshop opportunities and have your district representative, responsible for registration, sign you up!    Don't Forget To Connect! Subscribe and review wherever you like to listen! Connect with today's hosts:    ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠catodayedu@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to offer future show ideas or share something you're excited about, such as what's happening in your school or classroom!

    23 min

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Educators in the CA BOCES region and WNY, we are bringing back your favorite show! It’s CA Today! An education podcast brought to you by the CABOCES Instructional support services team. In the new season, each episode will feature different members of the ISS team. We will be bringing you not only the latest and greatest instructional practices, but also sharing some of the great experiences our teachers, leaders, students, and communities, have experienced in our region.