Today on our podcast we have Mark Laurrie, the Superintendent of the Niagara Falls City School District.

Mark is in his 10th year as a superintendent and his 42nd year as an educator. Mark has been a progressive leader who is always a champion for his students. He has been the recipient of several local and state awards for leading his school community, and we are thrilled to have him on our show today. In this episode Mark talks about CTE Students and partnerships with Trade Unions, Say Yes to Education in Niagara Falls, Head Start and Safety 30.

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In this episode of Achieving Joy and Mastery in Public Schools, host Dr. Brian Graham sits down with Dr. Donna DeSiato, President of NYSCOSS and Superintendent of the East Syracuse Minoa Central School District.

Dr. DeSiato shares her district’s visionary journey from traditional, industrial-age models of schooling to future-focused, student-centered learning. She highlights the power of strategic planning, project-based learning, STEM ecosystems, and authentic pathways like aviation and computer science that prepare students for their futures—not ours.

The conversation also explores how partnerships with business, higher education, and government fuel innovation, and how the upcoming NYSCOSS Fall Leadership Conference will challenge superintendents to lead boldly, embrace inquiry, and create agile, future-ready school systems.

Listeners will walk away inspired by Dr. DeSiato’s message: superintendents are not just stewards of schools—they are architects of the future, leading and learning at the pace of change.

For more information send an email to: superintendent@esmschools.org

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In this episode of Achieving Joy and Mastery in Public Schools, we tackle the urgent issue of early literacy and how generative artificial intelligence could be the key to transforming young readers' experiences. Only 33% of U.S. fourth-graders were proficient in reading in 2022, and this crisis continues to grow. But what if AI could help change the story?

Join host Brian Graham as he sits down with the team behind the Center for Early Literacy and Responsible AI (CELaRAI) at the University at Buffalo to explore how innovative tools like the AI Reading Enhancer (AIRE) can support young learners in developing essential literacy skills.

Our special guests include:

• Dr. X. Christine Wang, Professor of Early Education & Learning Sciences at UB, Senior Associate Dean for Research, and Principal Investigator for CELaRAI. Dr. Wang shares her vision for how AI can augment teacher capacity and address the literacy crisis.
• Dr. Kristen Smigielski, Project Manager for CELaRAI, who specializes in inclusive education and social justice. Dr. Smigielski discusses how AIRE can empower teachers and ensure equitable classrooms for all students.
• Dr. Zhaohui Li, Post-Doctoral Research Fellow at the National AI Institute for Exceptional Education & CELaRAI. Dr. Li dives into the technical side of AIRE, explaining how it uses AI to generate personalized texts and provide real-time reading support.
• Zhuoyun (Joy) Cai, Ph.D. student at UB and AI policy expert for CELaRAI. Joy explores the ethical considerations of using AI in early education and how policy frameworks are shaping its responsible deployment in classrooms.

Together, they highlight the exciting possibilities of using AI to improve phonics, word recognition, fluency, and comprehension, especially for culturally and linguistically diverse learners. We’ll also discuss the importance of responsible AI practices and how CELaRAI is leading the way in developing ethical guidelines for AI in education.

If you’re looking to learn more about how AI can help bridge the gap in early literacy and support teachers in their mission, this episode is a must-listen!

https://earlyliteracyai.org/

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In this episode of Achieving Joy and Mastery in Public Schools, we’re joined by Dr. David O'Rourke and Stacey Aliasso Rowcliffe of Erie 2-Chautauqua-Cattaraugus BOCES to explore the transformative role of Ombuds Services in education.

Stacey serves as the Organizational Ombuds, bringing deep expertise in alternative dispute resolution to support students, families, and staff. Together, David and Stacey discuss how Ombuds Services strengthen relationships, empower employees, and remove barriers that hinder success.

By acting as a confidential and impartial “thought partner,” the Ombuds helps individuals navigate conflict, improve communication, and generate strategies for positive outcomes—without escalation. This episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at how empathy, trust, and civility that can drive systemic improvement and foster a culture of collaboration in schools.

https://www.e2ccb.org/services/administrative/ombuds/

https://www.ombudsassociation.org/

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In this episode we interviewed Mr. Tim Carter, the Superintendent of Wilson Central Schools. Tim shared information about their Multi Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) that are available within their elementary school.

We also interviewed Jason Wilkie. Jason is the Elementary Principal and he explained the varied systems, resources and structures that support MTSS throughout his school.

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Joining us are directors Allison Sharpe and Stephanie Morris from Dream It, Do It Western New York (DIDIWNY)—a vital organization committed to connecting students, schools, and communities with the limitless possibilities in manufacturing careers.

With over 1,600 manufacturers generating nearly $27 billion in annual shipments and accounting for 12% of the regional workforce—well above the national average—Western New York is poised for explosive growth. But there’s a challenge on the horizon: a massive shortage of skilled workers is looming, due to retirements, reshoring, and new opportunities in high-tech industries like semiconductors.

Learn more about how Dream It, Do It - is building the Future of Manufacturing in WNY.

www.didiwny.com

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In this episode, we were privileged to interview Dr. Genelle Morris, the Superintendent of the Olean City School District. Genelle spoke about their comprehensive Music program spanning UPK- 12th grade. Joining us as guests of this podcast were: Tobi Snyder (Music Chair, OIMS Band/Orch), Susan Boyle (Orch, 4th grade and OHS), Bill Hughey (WW General Music, Prek-3), Evan Snyder, senior in Orchestra and valedictorian and Iraya Prosser, senior in Band, Orchestra and Chorus.

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In this episode we interviewed Dr. Mark Beehler, the Superintendent of the Salamanca City School District. Mark introduced us to the district's Native American Curriculum Team and they shared their incredible journey of developing, designing and publishing a holistic understanding of the indigenous experience using Onöndowa’ga:’ (Seneca) /Hodinöhšö:ni:h (Iroquois) language, history, and culture as examples for students growth and development. Joining us on the podcast were Mrs. Rachael Wolfe and Ms. Andrea Cooke both are Native American Instructional Coaches. We also interviewed Ms. Gabriele Papa who is a Native American Curriculum Consultant.

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