JFYNetWorks Podcast

AI That Amplifies the Teacher’s Voice - JFY AI Podcast

Thu, 20 Nov 2025 10:03:39 -0500

NOVEMBER 2025 PODCAST -- Exciting information about JFY's upcoming professional development courses and AI tools are detailed in this podcast as we explore how artificial intelligence can support teachers and students, helping them become better prepared for post-secondary education, career opportunities, and civic life in an increasingly unpredictable future.

PODCAST HIGHLIGHTS

[23:10 – 23:51] "Computers, people have called that kind of innovation and adopted technology, meaning that people had to decide they were going to use it. It was offered to them, the box was sitting out on the doorstep, but they had to make the decision to take that box inside, open it up, and then figure out how to use it. Artificial Intelligence is a whole different thing, it's been called an arrival technology, which means that it's just there. The computers are already there; all the infrastructure of technology has been installed in schools over the past 25 years so it's all there and the various functions of our of artificial intelligence are just present." – Gary
[6:53 – 7:16] "We were able to build a system together where we could take a whole class worth of essays put it into the system and get feedback based on teacher input and based on the rubric so that teachers could help students improve their writing by giving them feedback quickly." – Eileen
[18:17 – 18:33] "The course is focused on what's called the Creative Edge and it’s sort of a course for both vocational and regular classroom teachers but it's focused on the use of AI as a creative medium and as a tool to introduce students to jobs of the future." - Mike

MORE ABOUT JFYNetWorks

Education Through AI Innovation
As Artificial Intelligence rapidly reshapes industries and the future workforce, JFYNetWorks empowers educators and leaders to navigate this transformation by building essential AI literacy, fostering innovation, and ensuring equitable opportunities for all students.

JFYNetWorks addresses the college/career readiness disconnect by providing focused blended, hybrid, and remote learning programs in high school to help students build the academic skills they need to enter college or technical training to earn academic credit. The JFYNetWorks blended program model — infusing specialized online content into the regular curriculum — also facilitates scalability, as the low cost of the online platform can easily be expanded to entire schools.

To learn more visit JFYNet.org

[Song Credit: “Epic Inspirational and Cinematic Motivational Background Music” - by AShamaluevMusic. License Code: 93750002]

Kevin McCaskill, NEW Brockton HS Principal, Podcast Highlights

Thu, 12 Sep 2024 08:14:10 -0400

SEPTEMBER 2024 PODCAST -- This podcast features highlights from our April edition, featuring Brockton High School principal Kevin McCaskill, who began his tenure in Brockton at the start of 2024. Described at the time as, “…a new chapter for our entire community” by Mayor Robert Sullivan, McCaskill discussed how Brockton High School was once a beacon of educational excellence in Massachusetts and will be again.

PODCAST HIGHLIGHTS

[Timestamp 00:01:42] The lore of Brockton High School.
[Timestamp 00:04:20} Gaining Trust.
[Timestamp 00:05:23] Be visible.
[Timestamp 00:06:45] Finding the successes already in place.
[Timestamp 00:09:50] It’s about the passion.
[Timestamp 00:10:22] Faith in the team.

MORE ABOUT JFYNetWorks

Today, JFYNetWorks addresses the college readiness disconnect by providing focused blended, hybrid, and remote learning programs in high school to help students build the academic skills they need to enter college or technical training to earn academic credit. The JFYNetWorks blended program model — infusing specialized online content into the regular curriculum — also facilitates scalability, as the low cost of the online platform can easily be expanded to entire schools.

To learn more visit JFYNet.org

[Song Credit: “Epic Inspirational and Cinematic Motivational Background Music” - by AShamaluevMusic is under a creative commons license Music promoted by BreakingCopyright: https://breakingcopyright.com]

Busing in the Boston Public Schools, Personal Insights on the 50th Anniversary

Thu, 25 Jul 2024 07:24:42 -0400

JULY 2024 PODCAST -- This September will mark the 50th anniversary of Judge Arthur Garrity’s decision to implement busing in the Boston Public Schools as a strategy to desegregate the school system. This past year, JFYNetWorks has featured three individuals who have had direct knowledge and experience in the long struggle for equity in education then and now. This podcast highlights our conversations with JFY’s Deputy Director and Director of Development Paula Paris, community activist Lew Finfer, and civic legend Hubie Jones.

PODCAST HIGHLIGHTS

[Timestamp 12:01 – 12:30] Paula Paris: "It was a live experience and something you just remember that human beings are capable of this behavior. People did not want the schools to be integrated and the purpose of the integration to me, and I think going back and reading the case was inequality and I think it was equality of resources."
[Timestamp 13:59 – 14:27] Lew Finfer: "Garrity set hiring goals for hiring teachers of color and principals of color and the exam schools, he ordered them to be 1/3 of students of color. So, there were a number of positive things that he ordered, and you know help change the system and some of that would have happened but not as dramatically without those court orders that were made you know between 1974 and 1980."
[Timestamp 26:52 – 27:15] Hubie Jones: "You have to have things like the arts, music, plays, dance, which are joyous things that are part of the learning process because if there's no joy in the school, then there's no joy in learning. Who's going to invest in [that type of school] in any major way?"

MORE ABOUT JFYNetWorks

To learn more visit JFYNet.org

Audrey Schindler from EBHS, joins JFY at MassCUE Spring Conference 2024

Thu, 23 May 2024 08:48:40 -0400

Dramatic Academic Progress at East Boston High School

MAY 2024 PODCAST -- This month’s podcast features a preview of a collaborative presentation to take place at the MassCue Convention on May 31st and June 1st at Polar Park in Worcester. Audrey Schindler, East Boston High School’s Director of ELA and Humanities and Dean of Students, will partner with JFYNetWorks for a presentation on East Boston High’s dramatic academic progress over the past decade. In this podcast she will provide a tantalizing sample of the upcoming presentation.

PODCAST HIGHLIGHTS

So when I was a teacher, I didn't see other teachers' data. At the time I was only seeing my own data. I could go in and I could look at individual students, obviously, and see how they were doing and make a plan with them on an individual, like on a one-to-one basis. And then as an administrator, I can see the individual students, but I can also see the teachers and I can say to the teachers, Hey, what's going on with these particular students? [Timestamp 00:05:25]
One of the other things that we did was we, as an admin team, developed slide decks that all teachers across the school had to use. We developed this whole school slide deck system. We had a common grading policy. And the reason behind it was that students would be able to focus on the content that they were learning and not on figuring out how to manipulate and get through unfamiliar technology. [Timestamp 00:14:30]
Our teachers can become buried with grading, especially English teachers, with the amount of writing that students are expected to produce. And it's not simply about grading, but it's about also providing feedback. That feedback needs to be relevant, it needs to be specific, and it really needs to be timely. It really doesn't do much good if a student receives a piece of writing that they've done from three weeks ago and they get some feedback on it, they're not invested in it anymore. They're not involved in it. And so the purpose behind getting AI programming involved, and this is where you guys have really stepped up and come in and said, you know, I think we can help you with this. [Timestamp 00:19:24]
Our teachers can become buried with grading, especially English teachers, with the amount of writing that students are expected to produce. And it's not simply about grading, but it's about also providing feedback. That feedback needs to be relevant, it needs to be specific, and it really needs to be timely. It really doesn't do much good if a student receives a piece of writing that they've done from three weeks ago and they get some feedback on it, they're not invested in it anymore. They're not involved in it. And so the purpose behind getting AI programming involved, and this is where you guys have really stepped up and come in and said, you know, I think we can help you with this. [Timestamp 00:20:39]

MORE ABOUT JFYNetWorks

To learn more visit JFYNet.org

‘A New Chapter’ Brockton High School Principal Has Faith, Podcast

Thu, 11 Apr 2024 09:21:23 -0400

‘A New Chapter’ Brockton High School Principal Has Faith

Kevin McCaskill, ‘I know that we can achieve at high levels’

APRIL 2024 PODCAST -- This podcast features newly appointed Brockton High School principal Kevin McCaskill, who began his tenure in Brockton at the start of 2024. Described as “…a new chapter for our entire community” by Mayor Robert Sullivan, McCaskill discusses how Brockton High School was once a beacon of educational excellence in Massachusetts and will beam even brighter in the years ahead.

PODCAST HIGHLIGHTS

Case in point, in the morning I see the vast majority of our students getting off the buses every day. 39 buses. And we’re being very consistent with morning greetings And so they get that recognition that someone's [Timestamp 00:09:00]
I know that we can achieve at high levels. But it's going to take some time and again, it won't be something that happens overnight or by magic. But if we have some folks who are really interested in moving the needle forward-- which I know we have here at the high school, I know it will be done. [Timestamp 00:13:06]
You have to have faith in everything you can do, faith in the individuals that you’re working with and faith in the belief that all things are possible. [Timestamp 00:16:34]

MORE ABOUT JFYNetWorks

To learn more visit JFYNet.org

JFY Deputy Director, ‘Education Equity, Still a Struggle’

Thu, 29 Feb 2024 07:26:21 -0500

JFY Deputy Director, ‘Education Equity, Still a Struggle’

FEBRUARY 2024 PODCAST -- This month’s podcast features JFY’s Deputy Director Paula Paris, who has been with JFY since 1995. She has contributed to the growth and diversification of the organization first as Director of Development and then as Deputy Director. Paula shares her personal history beginning as a bus safety monitor during the desegregation of the Boston Public Schools, and her informed insights on the continuing struggle to achieve equity in American education.

PODCAST HIGHLIGHTS

[Boston] Busing got so much national publicity. "...so, the buses took us to Day Boulevard. Yeah. And then they consolidated the buses and went the rest of the way with a police escort." [Timestamp 00:20:02]
Thinking about the learning loss question. "But it is about learning loss and how not being in school affected different populations differently. [Timestamp 00:36:08]
We’ve solved problems, but … "We've got a long way to go. And progress has been made for sure. But more progress needs to be made. Let's not lose sight of what we still need to do." [Timestamp 00:43:39]

MORE ABOUT JFYNetWorks

To learn more visit JFYNet.org

Music Credit: Song: “Epic Inspirational and Cinematic Motivational Background Music” - by AShamaluevMusic is under a Creative Commons license Music promoted by Breaking. Copyright: https://breakingcopyright.com

Lew Finfer, Boston Community Organizer since the 1970’s

Thu, 16 Nov 2023 07:16:00 -0500

Lew Finfer, Quiet Leader, Thundering Results

NOVEMBER 2023 PODCAST -- JFY’s podcast this month features Lew Finfer, a Boston community organizer since 1970. In an article published last year in the Boston Globe, Lew was described as “a quiet leader who spent the past four decades orchestrating some of Boston’s biggest campaigns for social and economic justice.”

PODCAST HIGHLIGHTS

'You have to do a lot of listening and outreach for any kind of issue you work on.' [Timestamp 00:13:57]

'Share something about yourself, about what you are.' [Timestamp 00:22:08]

'Starting back in 1973 and 74 when the whole shakeup of the Boston Public Schools started.' [Timestamp 00:30:04]

MORE ABOUT JFYNetWorks

To learn more visit JFYNet.org

Hubie Jones Remembers the Field of Battle in Boston’s Busing and more

Thu, 28 Sep 2023 08:00:25 -0400

Boston’s Historical Civic and Social Landscape: A Personal Account

SEPTEMBER 2023 PODCAST -- This month, JFYNetWorks will take the opportunity to expand on some of the history that Hubie Jones shared with our listeners when he was a guest for three JFYNet podcasts last year. [Podcast 1, Podcast 2, Podcast 3] Recently, PBS, in conjunction with local affiliate GBH, debuted the documentary “The Busing Battleground: THE DECADES-LONG ROAD TO SCHOOL DESEGREGATION” as part of the American Experience television series. The program featured reflections by many prominent Boston-area activists, including Hubie Jones, who has not only witnessed Boston history for 67 years, but has also shaped and defined the civic and social landscape.

MORE ABOUT JFYNetWorks

Today, JFYNetWorks addresses the college readiness disconnect by providing focused blended, hybrid, and remote learning programs in high school to help students build the academic skills they need to enter college or technical training earning academic credit. The JFYNetWorks blended program model — infusing specialized online content into the regular curriculum — also facilitates scalability, as the low cost of the online platform can easily be expanded to entire schools.

To learn more visit JFYNet.org

David P. Driscoll Responds Pt. 2: MCAS Chatter, ‘déjà vu’ all over again’

Thu, 31 Aug 2023 07:35:53 -0400

David P. Driscoll, former Education Commissioner, responds to: MCAS Chatter, ‘déjà vu’ all over again’

AUGUST 2023 PODCAST -- Our podcast this month features part two of our conversation with former Commissioner of Education David Driscoll. His 49-year career in public education leadership includes being appointed deputy commissioner in 1993, interim commissioner in 1998, and commissioner in 1999. Dr. Driscoll currently serves on a number of boards, including serving as chair of the Thomas B. Fordham Institute Board and the National Assessment Governing Board.

PODCAST HIGHLIGHTS:

What do we do about the fact that we're back again, asking the question of whether there should be, quantitative standards to get a high school diploma in Massachusetts? Do you feel like, it’s DeJa’Vu all over again? [00:03:17]
The Driscoll challenge: What would an educator do after looking at [student's] failing work? Would they grant that student a high school diploma? [00:09:12]
Every question is reviewed by teachers. No question goes on the test unless it's been approved by teachers. [00:31:07] Well, we don't have any leadership, or political leadership at the federal government. We don't have enough of it to start to look at solutions. [00:44:06]

'Look what you're [JFY] doing in East Boston High School. Why wouldn't every high school in Boston say, well, let's do that? And yet they don't.' - David P. Driscoll

[Song: 'Keys Of Moon - The Epic Hero' is under a creative commons license Music promoted by Breaking Copyright: https://breakingcopyright.com].

MORE ABOUT JFYNetWorks

Today, JFYNetWorks addresses the college readiness disconnect by providing focused blended, hybrid, and remote learning programs in high school to help students build the academic skills they need to enter college or technical training earning academic credit. The JFYNetWorks blended program model — infusing specialized online content into the regular curriculum — also facilitates scalability, as the low cost of the online platform can easily be expanded to entire schools.

To learn more visit JFYNet.org

David P. Driscoll, responds to: ‘Is it time to reconsider the Education Reform Act?’

Thu, 27 Jul 2023 06:42:47 -0400

David P. Driscoll, former Education Commissioner, responds to: ‘Is it time to reconsider the Education Reform Act?’

JULY 2023 PODCAST -- This month’s podcast features David P. Driscoll, who served as the 22nd commissioner of education in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts from 1998 to 2007. In his 49-year career in public education, Dr. Driscoll was a math teacher, an assistant superintendent, a superintendent, deputy commissioner, interim commissioner, and the state commissioner who inaugurated standards-based education in Massachusetts under the Education Reform law. Currently, he serves on a number of boards, including as chair of the Thomas B. Fordham Institute Board and the National Assessment Governing Board.

PODCAST HIGHLIGHTS:

Has the Education Reform Act of 1993 fulfilled its promise? [00:03:50]
The MCAS is a standards-based test, [but] teachers are still not consistently applying, sound pedagogical ways of getting the kids to the standards, part of which is to get kids engaged, get kids motivated, et cetera. [00:17:46]
Kids go through as part of a [grade] group, say the 8th grade, but we need to address their individual needs in addition to regular schooling and the school experience, we need an individual approach, almost like the medical profession. [00:29:26]

[Song: 'Keys Of Moon - The Epic Hero' is under a creative commons license Music promoted by Breaking Copyright: https://breakingcopyright.com].

MORE ABOUT JFYNetWorks

Today, JFYNetWorks addresses the college readiness disconnect by providing focused blended, hybrid, and remote learning programs in high school to help students build the academic skills they need to enter college or technical training earning academic credit. The JFYNetWorks blended program model — infusing specialized online content into the regular curriculum — also facilitates scalability, as the low cost of the online platform can easily be expanded to entire schools.

To learn more visit JFYNet.org

’SCI-FI to AI’ Fiction to Fact. A discussion with Mike Mino, Education Development in Technology Professional

Thu, 15 Jun 2023 06:32:52 -0400

'SCI-FI to AI' Fiction to Fact. A discussion with Mike Mino, Education Development in Technology Professional.

JUNE 2023 PODCAST -- This month’s podcast features Michael Mino, founder of MM Development Services, a provider of innovative education development services to schools and classrooms. With his over 25 years of experience working at all levels of education, he has a strong track record of innovation, transforming traditional 20th century classes into state of the art 21st Century Skills programs.

PODCAST HIGHLIGHTS:

It's important to engage students in things at school that are most like work and most like play. Here's an example. [00:26:00]
'Students can Collaborate with AI!' Mike identifies the distinction between using AI and collaborating with AI.[00:36:00]
People identify a concept, process, or objective. AI can enhance, help to determine the mapping towards achievement and, fix errors in that concept. Here's How. [00:39:00]

[Song: 'Keys Of Moon - The Epic Hero' is under a creative commons license Music promoted by Breaking Copyright: https://breakingcopyright.com].

MORE ABOUT JFYNetWorks

Today, JFYNetWorks addresses the college readiness disconnect by providing focused blended, hybrid, and remote learning programs in high school to help students build the academic skills they need to enter college or technical training earning academic credit. The JFYNetWorks blended program model — infusing specialized online content into the regular curriculum — also facilitates scalability, as the low cost of the online platform can easily be expanded to entire schools.

To learn more visit JFYNet.org

Artificial Intelligence. A Conversation with Dr. Michael Marrapodi, Dean of Academic Affairs at Cambridge College

Thu, 27 Apr 2023 06:48:37 -0400

What’s the AI impact on education, work, and society in general? A discussion with JFY

APRIL 2023 PODCAST -- This month’s podcast features Dr. Michael Marrapodi, the Dean of Academic Affairs, Cambridge College Global at Cambridge College, in a recent conversation with JFY’s Executive Director Gary Kaplan, discussing the latest developments in artificial intelligence and how they may impact education, work, and society in general.

PODCAST HIGHLIGHTS:

AI has been around for a long time [00:03:14]
Will it destroy education? [00:05:11]
It’s already in wide use [00:08:55]
Previous advances have made us well prepared [00:12:40]
Critical thinking [00:20:20]
Human interaction [00:21:41]
Moving a lot faster [00:39:09]
The human element [00:52:13]

[Song: 'Keys Of Moon - The Epic Hero' is under a creative commons license Music promoted by Breaking Copyright: https://breakingcopyright.com].

MORE ABOUT JFYNetWorks

Today, JFYNetWorks addresses the college readiness disconnect by providing focused blended, hybrid, and remote learning programs in high school to help students build the academic skills they need to enter college or technical training earning academic credit. The JFYNetWorks blended program model — infusing specialized online content into the regular curriculum — also facilitates scalability, as the low cost of the online platform can easily be expanded to entire schools.

To learn more visit JFYNet.org

Artificial Intelligence. A Conversation with Michael B. Horn on ChatGPT [Podcast]

Thu, 30 Mar 2023 07:06:28 -0400

Is ChatGPT a Threat in the Classroom, Or a Tool to Embrace?

MARCH 2023 PODCAST -- This month’s podcast features Michael B. Horn, a writer, and speaker who advocates for the transformation of education through innovation to improve the learning and the lives of all students. In this podcast, Michael and JFYNetWorks executive director Gary Kaplan discuss how ChatGPT and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in general will impact not only our schools but our entire society.

More about Michael B. Horn

An author, speaker, blogger, and consultant, Michael Horn has been at the forefront of education innovation and blended learning since his pioneering work at Harvard Business School with the legendary Clayton Christensen. He was a co-founder in 2007 of the Innosight Institute (now the Christensen Institute), a non-profit think tank that focuses on using disruptive innovation to improve education and other industries. In addition to writing or collaborating on six books since the 2008 classic Disrupting Class, Michael is a frequent speaker on education innovation at conferences around the world.

PODCAST HIGHLIGHTS:

’We're no longer homosapiens. We’re now homotechnicians.’ [Timestamp: 03:35]

’ChatGPT becomes this incredible tool to uplevel the products or capabilities that we as individuals ultimately use. In other words, the analogy made is that ChatGPT is to English what the calculator is to math.’ [Timestamp: 09:30]

’…technology, I think remains a wonderful tool and it is a terrible master.’ [Timestamp 36:49]

[Song: 'Keys Of Moon - The Epic Hero' is under a creative commons license Music promoted by Breaking Copyright: https://breakingcopyright.com].

MORE ABOUT JFYNetWorks

Today, JFYNetWorks addresses the college readiness disconnect by providing focused blended, hybrid and remote learning programs in high school to help students build the academic skills they need to enter college or technical training earning academic credit. The JFYNetWorks blended program model — infusing specialized online content into the regular curriculum — also facilitates scalability, as the low cost of the online platform can easily be expanded to entire schools.

To learn more visit JFYNet.org

Professor Rita Smith, ‘Helping Students Break Out of Their Box’ Yields Success in the Classroom and in Life

Thu, 23 Feb 2023 07:41:57 -0500

Rejecting society's norm, Rita Smith became a nationally recognized and celebrated Educator

FEBRUARY 2023 PODCAST -- This month’s podcast features Professor Rita Smith, a lifelong educator and the 1985 recipient of Time Magazine’s Teacher of the Year Award. Professor Smith’s career as an educator spans 44 years, beginning as a high school teacher and then spending nearly two decades as the chair of the Secondary Education Department at Stonehill College. She recounts for JFY many of the experiences and stories that helped her students find success in the classroom and in their lives.

PODCAST HIGHLIGHTS:

"And we went up and up and up and up [in the elevator] and then the doors just opened and I saw my future world’s largest typing pool. And I said to myself, oh my God, what have I done? [Timestamp: 10:01]

"Well, they [Stonehill College] had been an all male school. Right. And now the Korean War wiped out a lot of those young men. Right. You know, and so they had to take in women. They had to take us in. They had to fill the seats.” [Timestamp: 12:56]

”Breaking out of boxes, getting kids to break out of boxes.” [Timestamp 32:21]

”I established a teacher education program that promoted equity and, people working together and respecting one another.” [Timestamp 40:33]

[Song: 'Keys Of Moon - The Epic Hero' is under a creative commons license Music promoted by Breaking Copyright: https://breakingcopyright.com].

MORE ABOUT JFYNetWorks

To learn more visit JFYNet.org

Hubie Jones on Parent Engagement, Arts Exclusion in School and more

Thu, 15 Dec 2022 07:44:22 -0500

Missing voices in the classroom… Does not make good sense

DECEMBER 2022 PODCAST -- In this month’s podcast, JFYNetWorks Executive Director Gary Kaplan continues our conversation with Hubie Jones. A recent recipient of the Norman B. Leventhal Award from the organization A Better City, he continues to impact the civil and social landscape. This month, he shares his many ideas about how to ensure Boston is viewed as a world class city, including his thoughts about parent engagement in the Boston Public Schools.

PODCAST HIGHLIGHTS:

"The role of parent engagement in our schools is paramount, but their voices are missing in the process. That does not make good sense. [Timestamp: 11:07]

…and the importance of arts education

"The exclusion of arts in more recent years diminishes social integration. The ability to have an exchange of ideas with students, in an educational environment, covering topics that our students encounter on a day-to-day basis fosters student engagement, and civic joy and fosters respect for one another. [Timestamp: 13:59]

Other podcasts with Hubie Jones can be found here:

May 2022

A history maker in Boston’s civic and social landscape

September 2022

A leader in the formation of countless community organizations

[Song: 'Keys Of Moon - The Epic Hero' is under a creative commons license Music promoted by Breaking Copyright: https://breakingcopyright.com].

MORE ABOUT JFYNetWorks

To learn more visit JFYNet.org

Substantial Gains in MCAS for East Boston High & Northeast Metro Tech

Thu, 27 Oct 2022 06:24:11 -0400

Bucking the downward trend

OCTOBER 2022 PODCAST -- This month’s podcast celebrates the MCAS results of two JFYNetWorks Partner schools: East Boston High School, an open enrollment Boston Public School, and Northeast Metro Tech, located in Wakefield and serving students from 11 surrounding communities. We feature JFY’s own Cathie Maglio and Joan Reissman as they discuss how both schools posted substantial gains in ELA and in math compared to state averages.

East Boston High School is an open enrollment school in the Boston Public Schools with a very diverse student body. 75% of Eastie’s students do not have English as their first language, 82% are low income, and 93% are classified as high needs. (The state’s percentages are 24% first language not English, 44% low-income, and 56% high needs.) With 985 9th -12th graders, plus 107 7th graders, East Boston is the city’s largest open enrollment school. JFY has been working in East Boston High since 2015. On the 10th grade MCAS, the school made substantial gains in both subjects, far exceeding both the state and, the Boston school district.

Eastie gained 10 points in ELA and 15 points in math from ’21 to ’22, while the state declined 6 points and 2 points. The Boston Public Schools, including the three high-scoring exam schools, gained 2 points in ELA and 3 points in math. The Boston Public Schools are 48% first language not English, 71% low income, and 81.5% high needs.

Northeast Metro Tech is a regional vocational school that serves 11 communities north of Boston including Chelsea, Malden and Revere. The school has more than 1300 students. JFY began working in the school in 2018. Northeast Metro gained 18 points in English and 12 points in math, while the state declined 6 points and 2 points.

Ref: Blog post, 10/13/22, East Boston High & Northeast Metro Tech buck MCAS Downward Trend, https://jfynet.org/8881/general/east-boston-h-s-and-northeast-metro-tech-buck-mcas-downward-trend/

[Song: 'Keys Of Moon - The Epic Hero' is under a creative commons license Music promoted by Breaking Copyright: https://breakingcopyright.com].

MORE ABOUT JFYNetWorks

To learn more visit JFYNet.org

JFYNetWorks Sits Down With the Inspiring Hubie Jones Part II

Wed, 28 Sep 2022 23:16:32 -0400

A leader in the formation of countless community organizations

SEPTEMBER 2022 PODCAST -- This month, JFY continues our conversation with Hubie Jones. Hubie has not only witnessed Boston history for 67 years-- he has also shaped and defined the civic and social landscape. He has been a leader in the formation of at least thirty community organizations in neighborhoods across the city, most recently Higher Ground and the Boston Children’s Chorus.

Living Life by Scott Holmes Music is licensed under an Attribution-Noncommercial 4.0 International License.

MORE ABOUT JFYNetWorks

To learn more visit JFYNet.org

JFYNetWorks Highlight podcast part 2 – focus on Boston History

Thu, 25 Aug 2022 06:35:51 -0400

JFY Highlight podcast part 2 – Boston History, a focus on education, civil rights, and social services

AUGUST 2022 PODCAST -- This month’s podcast is the second installment of highlights from the past year, focusing on Boston history. Today you’ll hear excerpts from our conversations with civil rights leader Hubie Jones and his re-creation of a citywide daylong strike in Boston; Higher Ground Executive Director Mossik Hacobian and his collaborative strategy for bringing vital social services to families in need; and JFY Board of Directors Chairman Otis Gates and his 4-decade reflections on how JFY has been woven into the historic fabric of Boston. We also feature a preview of our September podcast.

MORE ABOUT JFYNetWorks

To learn more visit JFYNet.org

Music attribute: Keys Of Moon - The Epic Hero is used under a creative commons license Music promoted by Breaking Copyright: https://breakingcopyright.com

JFY Highlight Podcast with Students, Teachers, Pioneers in Education

Wed, 27 Jul 2022 21:39:08 -0400

Students at Needham High School, Dr. John Brown, Michael Horn, Isa Zimmerman, and Ed Lambert

JULY 2022 PODCAST -- This month’s podcast features highlights from our podcasts during the past year, focusing on educational topics. Today you’ll hear excerpts from our conversations with Bayley, Jason, and Jack (students at Needham High School), Dr. John Brown, Michael Horn, Isa Zimmerman, and Ed Lambert as they discuss returning to the classroom at the start of the school year, the need for teachers to listen to their students, the importance of both individualized student learning and learning outside of the classroom and how MCAS may not be perfect but does measure if students have necessary skills to ensure success after high school. If you missed these or any of our podcasts, you can always find the full episodes wherever podcasts are available and on our website.

MORE ABOUT JFYNetWorks

To learn more visit JFYNet.org

Music attribute: Keys Of Moon - The Epic Hero is used under a creative commons license Music promoted by Breaking Copyright: https://breakingcopyright.com

JFY Chats with Ed Lambert about the status and challenges of our educational system

Thu, 30 Jun 2022 07:06:33 -0400

JFY Chats with Ed Lambert to chat about the status, challenges of our educational system.

JUNE 2022 PODCAST -- One might assume that Ed Lambert, the executive director of the Massachusetts Business Alliance for Education, was a career-long dweller of the business world. But that assumption would be far from the truth. In fact, Ed’s career has traced a long trajectory of public service and education, giving him deep insight into the entire educational system and its political foundations, and broad experience of what needs to be done to ensure that all students acquire the necessary skills to succeed in life. This month’s podcast features a recent conversation between Ed and JFY’s Executive Director Gary Kaplan as they discuss Ed’s wide-ranging experiences and how they have shaped his unique perspective on the status and challenges of our educational system.

MORE ABOUT JFYNetWorks

To learn more visit JFYNet.org

Music attribute: Keys Of Moon - The Epic Hero is used under a creative commons license Music promoted by Breaking Copyright: https://breakingcopyright.com

Hubie Jones Visits with JFYNetWorks’ Gary Kaplan for a Sit Down

Thu, 26 May 2022 07:55:34 -0400

Taking an active role in history making events.

MAY 2022 PODCAST -- It’s hard to believe one man has had such an influence on Boston’s civic and social landscape. A leader of reform in Boston politics and civic leadership since his arrival from New York in 1955, Hubie Jones has been involved in the creation of more than 30 community organizations, spearheaded the laws that guarantee educational rights for English language learners and special education students, led a major study of the Boston Public Schools, organized a citywide strike of Black workers, and founded the Boston Children’s Chorus—to cull only a few of his achievements.

This month, the JFYNetWorks podcast continues our focus on history with a conversation between Hubie Jones and JFY's Executive Director Gary Kaplan. In this podcast, Hubie recounts some of the history he not only witnessed but one he played an active role in creating.

MORE ABOUT JFYNetWorks

To learn more visit JFYNet.org

Music attribute: Keys Of Moon - The Epic Hero is used under a creative commons license Music promoted by Breaking Copyright: https://breakingcopyright.com

JFY Chats with Quincy College Professor Steve Dooner

Wed, 27 Apr 2022 19:53:00 -0400

The link between history, literature and our world view.

APRIL 2022 PODCAST -- Do the winners really get to write history? Quincy College Professor Steve Dooner does not think so and explains why on the April edition of the JFYNetWorks Podcast, which features the link between history, literature and our world view. Professor Dooner recently directed and appeared in a performance of the play The Audience by Peter Morgan, which was the inspiration for the Netflix hit series The Crown. He is also the co-author of Lizzie of Fall River, a play that explores the brutal 1892 murders of Andrew and Abby Borden in in Fall River. Our conversation explores how history is written, why some only hear the version of news and history they want to hear and how science has an impact on the lens we use to view historic events.

MORE ABOUT JFYNetWorks

To learn more visit JFYNet.org

Music attribute: The Epic Hero - Epic Cinematic Music [FREE DOWNLOAD] by Keys of Moon Music, https://soundcloud.com/keysofmoon Music provided by https://www.plugnplaymusic.net

JFY Chats with Isa Zimmerman, a Pioneer in Bringing Technology to Schools.

Wed, 09 Mar 2022 22:39:34 -0500

Sharing the early challenges of bringing technology to schools, and envisioning its future there

MARCH 2022 PODCAST -- This month’s podcast features Isa Zimmerman, the principal of IKZ Advisors, LLC, where she serves as a resource for people in MA, and around the world, who are interested in STEM education. She served two terms on Governor Deval Patrick’s STEM Advisory Council and is the co-editor and contributor to two books published by the Massachusetts affiliate of ASCD. As principal and superintendent, Isa was a pioneer in bringing technology to schools for instruction and productivity in MA and started the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents Technology Task Force.

MORE ABOUT JFYNetWorks

To learn more visit JFYNet.org

Music attribute: The Epic Hero - Epic Cinematic Music [FREE DOWNLOAD] by Keys of Moon Music, https://soundcloud.com/keysofmoon Music provided by https://www.plugnplaymusic.net

JFY Chats with Michael Horn about Blended Learning and Future of Technology in Education

Wed, 26 Jan 2022 21:43:51 -0500

JANUARY 2022 PODCAST-- This month’s podcast features a conversation between JFY Executive Director Gary Kaplan and Michael Horn, author, speaker, and Distinguished Fellow at the Clayton Christensen Institute, discussing blended learning and the future of technology in education. Michael is the author and co-author of multiple books, white papers, and articles on education, including the award-winning classic Disrupting Class: How Disruptive Innovation Will Change the Way the World Learns with Clayton Christensen, and the Amazon bestseller Blended: Using Disruptive Innovation to Improve Schools. He was named by Tech&Learning magazine one of the most important people in the creation and advancement of the use of technology in education.

Music attribute:

Music (Optimistic Corporate) provided by: Exzel Music Publishing (freemusicpublicdomain.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0, http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

MORE ABOUT JFYNetWorks

To learn more visit JFYNet.org

JFYNetWorks Chats with Board Members, Otis Gates, Kevin Macdonald, Susan Dunningan

Thu, 16 Dec 2021 07:42:49 -0500

DECEMBER 2021 PODCAST -- This month's podcast features members of the JFYNetWorks Board of Directors, who come from a variety of backgrounds and provide their insight and expertise to staff. Their dedication to JFYNetWorks adds up to over 75 combined years of service. Chairman Otis Gates, along with Treasurer Kevin Macdonald and Secretary Susan Dunningan, discuss with Executive Director Gary Kaplan the origins of JFY, how each came to be part of the organization, and their thoughts about the future of JFYNetWorks as an innovator in the volatile world of educational technology.

Music attribute:

Music (Optimistic Corporate) provided by: Exzel Music Publishing (freemusicpublicdomain.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0, http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

MORE ABOUT JFYNET

To learn more visit JFYNet.org

JFYNet Welcomes Mossik Hacobian, Executive Director of Higher Ground, Boston

Thu, 28 Oct 2021 06:57:54 -0400

OCTOBER 2021 PODCAST -- This month’s podcast features Mossik Hacobian, the Executive Director of Higher Ground, a JFYNetWorks partner. Higher Ground was founded in 2010 to address the reasons for the historical lack of improvement in health and educational outcomes for children and families in Boston’s low-income neighborhoods despite the wealth of resources available in the city. It envisions a city where residents of all neighborhoods enjoy the benefits of a thriving city equitably. In a well-deserved gesture of recognition, Thompson Island Outward Bound will honor Mossik at the Evening Expedition Gala on Wednesday, November 3, at 7 PM, presenting him with the North Star Award for his lifetime of service to Boston bringing communities together.

Music attribute:

Music (Optimistic Corporate) provided by: Exzel Music Publishing (freemusicpublicdomain.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0, http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

MORE ABOUT JFYNET

To learn more visit JFYNet.org

Durfee & Needham HS Students Respond to In-Person Instruction

Thu, 30 Sep 2021 07:45:03 -0400

SEPTEMBER 2021 PODCAST -- This month’s podcast features students from Durfee High School in Fall River and Needham High School as they respond to the return of full, in-person instruction for the 2021-2022 school year. The Durfee students also share their excitement on entering a brand new, state-of-the-art building, while students from both schools express their hope that health and safety protocols will remain in place for the foreseeable future.

Music attribute:

Music (Optimistic Corporate) provided by: Exzel Music Publishing (freemusicpublicdomain.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0, http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

MORE ABOUT JFYNET

To learn more visit JFYNet.org

Dr. John Brown shares what Learning Can and Should Be

Thu, 26 Aug 2021 07:52:46 -0400

AUGUST 2021 PODCAST -- This month’s podcast features Dr. John Brown, Clinical Associate Professor at the UMass Lowell School of Education, and his journey within the vast world of instruction. Professor Brown is an instructor of both graduate and undergraduate education courses at UMass Lowell, after earning his doctorate from the same institution. He is also the founder of the Teacher Leadership Network, a community of professional educators committed to opening and maintaining a dialogue about what learning can and should be in the 21st century.

Music attribute:

Music (Optimistic Corporate) provided by: Exzel Music Publishing (freemusicpublicdomain.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0, http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

MORE ABOUT JFYNET

To learn more visit JFYNet.org

JFY chats with Heidi Heinlein, grants manager at the Cummings Foundation

Wed, 28 Jul 2021 22:04:49 -0400

JULY 2021 PODCAST -- This month's podcast features a conversation with Heidi Heinlein, grants manager at the Cummings Foundation, one of the leading foundations in the Boston area and the state, along with JFY Executive Director Gary Kaplan and Deputy Director Paula Paris. The Cummings Foundation was founded by Joyce and Bill Cummings of Winchester in 1986. Bill and Joyce provided the foundation’s financial base with the resources of their commercial real estate company, Cummings Properties LLC. Over the years, they have donated the majority of their commercial property revenue to the Foundation. Today, nearly all of Cumming's properties are operated for the sole benefit of the Foundation, now one of the largest in New England. JFYNetWorks has been a grateful beneficiary of Cummings’s generosity since 2018.

Music attribute:

Music (Optimistic Corporate) provided by: Exzel Music Publishing (freemusicpublicdomain.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0, http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

MORE ABOUT JFYNET

To learn more visit JFYNet.org

Dr. Michelle Holmes on the COVID effect in our schools and on our students

Thu, 24 Jun 2021 06:51:15 -0400

JUNE 2021 PODCAST -- Our June podcast features Dr. Michelle Holmes, an associate professor at Harvard Medical School and Harvard School of Public Health, as she discusses how widespread vaccination for Covid-19 will have a positive effect on school openings in the fall. Dr. Holmes answers many questions on the minds of students, parents, and teachers, including the safety of extra-curricular participation by students and if mask-wearing will be the norm in schools next fall. She also addresses the issue of inequities and disparities in the vaccination process, especially in the early days of vaccination availability. Dr. Holmes is a graduate of Harvard’s School of Public Health, Harvard Medical School, earned a Ph.D. in Public Health (Epidemiology) from Harvard’s School of Public Health, and has over 39 years of experience in the field. Dr. Holmes is the author of numerous studies and journal articles. She is the co-creator and co-Principal Investigator of the Africa/HSPH Partnership for Cohort Research and Training (PaCT) project, designed to study and prevent chronic disease, especially in women, across Nigeria, South Africa, Uganda, and Tanzania.

Music attribute:

The JFY Podcast features music Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4 International License. Composer: Alexander Hoff. Youtube Channel: https://goo.gl/9AGRKd

MORE ABOUT JFYNET

To learn more visit JFYNet.org

Early College Info Session: BMC Durfee High School Dual Enrollment with Bridgewater State University

Thu, 27 May 2021 06:57:10 -0400

MAY 2021 PODCAST -- This month's podcast features an early college information session held at BMC Durfee High School in Fall River, which is supported by JFYNetWorks. The session, hosted by Director of Counseling Andrew Woodward and Durfee Counselor Kerry Bulk, highlights the experiences of both faculty and students involved in the program. Early College at Durfee High School is a student-outcome-driven pathway designed to increase post-secondary enrollment, persistence, and graduation for all students including underserved populations in higher education.

Podcast transcript found here.

Music attribute:

Music (Optimistic Corporate) provided by: Exzel Music Publishing (freemusicpublicdomain.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

MORE ABOUT JFYNET

To learn more visit JFYNet.org

Teacher and Student from Kingsman Academy in DC: Some students more focused in online school

Wed, 31 Mar 2021 19:33:50 -0400

APRIL 2021 PODCAST -- April's podcast features a conversation with teacher Crystal Seawood and her student Takaria, both from JFYNetWorks partner Kingsman Academy Public Charter School in Washington, DC, as they discuss how some students may be more focused working in the online version of school. Kingsman Academy Public Charter School is an open-enrollment school that welcomes all students into a comfortable, therapeutic environment with personal attention and multi-tiered behavioral and academic supports. Due to the pandemic, the school has been forced to operate remotely this academic year and the diverse population of students, who already face many challenges related not just to education, but to life itself, have adapted to the new educational platform.

Podcast transcript found here.

MORE ABOUT JFYNET

To learn more visit JFYNet.org

English Professor Steven Dooner’s analyses Amanda Gorman’s The Hill We Climb

Wed, 24 Feb 2021 21:03:29 -0500

FEBRUARY 2021 PODCAST -- Our celebration of Black History Month continues with today’s podcast featuring an analysis of the poem The Hill We Climb presented by Amanda Gorman during the inauguration of President Joe Biden. It features Quincy College English Professor Steven Dooner’s analysis of the rich allusions, references and, wordplay woven into the texture of this densely patterned tapestry of the spoken word. Professor Dooner, a teacher and performer of literature for over 30 years and a favorite among Quincy College students, teases out Ms. Gorman's many evocations of the writings of African American poets, writers and leaders, a backdrop of reference that provided poignant and pointed context for the historic moment.

Podcast transcript found here.

MORE ABOUT JFYNET

To learn more visit JFYNet.org

In Their Own Words: ‘How the School Shutdown of 2020 Impacted Teachers and Students’

Wed, 27 Jan 2021 20:37:59 -0500

‘How Teachers Adjusted in 2020’ A Compilation

JANUARY 2021 PODCAST -- During this past year, we have explored relevant and topical educational issues each month. In today’s podcast, we’ll take a look back at some of the memorable moments from our 2020 podcasts. Our focus will be on how teachers adjusted to the school shutdown.

This compilation podcast features the following:

ADMINISTRATORS:

MICHAEL MARRAPODI, Dean of Online Programming at Cambridge College
JAMES WEAVER, the director of performing arts and sports from the National Federation of State High School Associations
KEVIN MCCASKILL, Executive Director, Madison Park Technical Vocational High School, Boston
JORGE SANTANA, Executive Director of the PACE Career Academy Charter School, Pembroke, New Hampshire
KENNESHA KELLY, co-founder and Executive Director of Kingsman Academy, Washington, DC

TEACHERS:

RACHEL SILVA, English Teacher, Durfee Academy, Fall River
LISA HONEYMAN, Math Teacher, Newton South High School
CHARLOTTLE BOCCUZZI, Special Education Paraprofessional, Ashland Public Schools
SETTENAH WRIGHT, English as a second language teacher for English Language Learning students, Madison Park Technical Vocational High School, Boston

STUDENTS:

JARIN, Durfee Academy, Fall River
EVAN, Durfee Academy, Fall River
HENRY, Needham High School
MAGGIE, Needham High School
SASHA, Needham High School

Podcast transcript found here.

MORE ABOUT JFYNET

To learn more visit JFYNet.org

Kevin McCaskill, Executive Director of Madison Park Technical Vocational High School, Part II

Wed, 09 Dec 2020 22:24:16 -0500

The COVID-19 pandemic exposed a lack of access to technology for some Boston families.

DECEMBER 2020 PODCAST - This month's podcast is the second part of the conversation between Executive Director Gary Kaplan and Kevin McCaskill, the Executive Director of Madison Park Technical Vocational High School, the only Vocational High School in the Boston Public School system. Mr. McCaskill has been working in education for over 30 years and between them, Gary and Mr. McCaskill have close to 75 years of experience advocating for public education. In this episode, they discuss how the current pandemic exposed a lack of access to technology for some Boston families, how progress and change continues to work its way across the country, and the most important types of leadership needed in our schools to ensure they provide the best possible education to our students.

MORE ABOUT JFYNET

Today, JFYNetWorks addresses the college readiness problem by providing focused blended, hybrid and remote learning programs in high school to help students build the academic skills they need to enter college or technical training earning academic credit. The JFYNetWorks blended program model — infusing specialized online content into the regular curriculum — also facilitates scalability, as the low cost of the online platform can easily be expanded to entire schools.

To learn more visit JFYNet.org

JFY Welcomes Kevin McCaskill, Executive Director of Madison Park Technical Vocational High School

Wed, 28 Oct 2020 19:28:00 -0400

Technology could be the great equalizer for underserved populations.

OCTOBER 2020 PODCAST - This month's podcast features a conversation between JFY Executive Director Gary Kaplan and Kevin McCaskill, the Executive Director of Madison Park Technical Vocational High School, the only Vocational High School in the Boston Public School system. Mr. McCaskill has been working in education for over 30 years. Between them, Mr. Kaplan and Mr. McCaskill have close to 75 years of experience advocating for public education. In this episode, we'll hear as they talk about a variety of topics, including Mr. McCaskill's reason for leaving the private sector and beginning a career in education, why urban schools struggle to hire diverse educators, and how technology could be the great equalizer for underserved populations.

MORE ABOUT JFYNET

To learn more visit JFYNet.org

PRESS RELEASE: ‘Connected Learning’ Support for Online Teaching and Learning

Wed, 09 Sep 2020 10:51:00 -0400

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Gary Kaplan, JFYNetWorks, 617-338-0815 ext.224, gkaplan@jfynet.org

JFYNetWorks offers online content and data serve as the anchor of instruction and accountability.

BOSTON – JFYNetWorks, the Boston-based nonprofit pioneer of online education, is offering middle and high school teachers support in the practice of online instruction.

With every school district in Massachusetts adopting either the remote or hybrid model, teachers will need methods and materials for online courses. JFYNetWorks has developed a library of resources for math and English teachers in grades 6 through 12.

JFY’s “Connected Learning” resource bank includes standards-aligned curriculum for math and ELA, training videos and PowerPoint decks, and specialized strategies for English Learning and Special Education to help teachers meet the challenges of learning loss, achievement gaps, and high needs student groups. It also offers curriculum resources for science and social studies.

JFY’s resources are backed up by training and support from JFY Learning Specialists.

Live online training sessions for groups of teachers are customized to fit into professional development schedules. Schools can choose to focus on ELA, math, EL, SPED, MCAS or other topics. Fees are flexible to accommodate strained school budgets.

The JFYNet online program has been in operation since 2000. It is approved and monitored by the state and the Boston Public Schools’ PartnerBPS.

JFY’s “Connected Learning” web page https://jfynet.org/jfynet-connected-learning/ offers a selection of the agency’s resources. Teachers and administrators are invited to email info@jfynet.org to discuss designing a professional development program for their staff.

About JFYNetWorks
For more than 40 decades JFYNetWorks has served the most vulnerable populations of Boston, Massachusetts and beyond by developing and delivering education and job training programs that improve the lives of disadvantaged young people by equipping them with the skills to earn a self- and family-sustaining living. JFYNet’s methodology, AIMS—Assess, Instruct, Measure, Support—guides students towards the two goals that are most critical to their future: high school graduation and college entry at the credit earning level. JFY’s ongoing professional development and in-class support help teachers use student performance data to drive continuous adjustments in instructional strategies.

JFYNet is the online learning program of JFYNetWorks, a nonprofit state-approved provider of online academic support to Massachusetts schools with a two-decade track record of improved student achievement.

Even as operational models shift in the course of the year, online content and data will serve as the anchor of instruction and accountability. The stability of the JFYNet online environment provides continuity of teaching and learning no matter what changes might come.

JFYNetWorks provides blended learning that combines online and teacher-led instruction in the classroom. Combining online resources with teacher direction gives students a wide range of materials to learn from and teachers a wide range of teaching tools to select from.

JFY’s academic support begins with high school MCAS prep and continues through the most critical leverage point in the education–employment continuum, the transition from high school to college. It has produced measurable results in high school achievement for 19 years and in college and career readiness for 8 years.

Gary Kaplan, the Executive Director of JFYNetWorks would be glad to discuss options for fall implementation with you. Please send him an email at gkaplan@jfynet.org so that we can arrange a phone or video conversation.

###

Downloadable version of release found here.

Dr. James Weaver of NFHS, Importance of Extracurricular Student Activities

Wed, 26 Aug 2020 23:37:47 -0400

Dr. James Weaver, Director of Performing Arts and Sports

AUGUST 2020 PODCAST - This podcast features Dr. James Weaver, the director of performing arts and sports of the National Federation of State High School Associations. Based in Indianapolis, Indiana, the Federation is the national leader and advocate for high school athletics, as well as fine and performing arts programs. Dr. Weaver has been the director of performing arts and sports for the past four years. In this interview, he discusses the importance of extracurricular activities for students, his own involvement in high school and college activities, how organizations are navigating during the Covid-19 era, and the groundbreaking preliminary results from a study of aerosol spread during performing arts activities.

MORE ABOUT JFYNET

Today, JFYNetWorks addresses the college readiness problem by providing focused blended learning programs in high school to help students build the academic skills they need to enter college or technical training earning academic credit. The JFYNetWorks blended program model — infusing specialized online content into the regular curriculum — also facilitates scalability, as the low cost of the online platform can easily be expanded to entire schools.

To learn more visit JFYNet.org

Kingsman Academy Public Charter School Presents in DC; JFYNet Partner School

Wed, 29 Jul 2020 22:02:37 -0400

Kingsman Academy Public Charter School Presents in DC; JFYNet Partner School

JULY 2020 PODCAST - This month's podcast features excerpts from a presentation by Kingsman Academy Public Charter School in Washington, DC, a JFYNet partner school. The presentation to the DC Public Charter School Board took place on June 20th, and describes the process begun shortly after the school's opening in 2015. The Kingsman staff and administration realized that their operational plan was not serving the needs of their student population as they had thought it would and spent the next few years redesigning the school from the ground up. The current move to competency- based learning is the final step of their rebuilding process.

MORE ABOUT JFYNET

To learn more visit JFYNet.org

PACE Career Academy Executive Director Paves Success Path

Wed, 24 Jun 2020 21:14:40 -0400

Once an at-risk student himself, Jorge Santana now leads his students towards success

JUNE 2020 PODCAST - This month's podcast features Jorge Santana, the Executive Director of the PACE Career Academy Charter School in Pembroke, New Hampshire, a JFYNet partner school. In this episode, you'll hear how Mr. Santana was an at risk student while growing up, worked early in his career to find systemic solutions to help students connect with mentors, and how PACE Academy works with students who are considered at risk and struggle with education due to other factors in their lives. We also hear two current students at PACE Academy discuss how they have found success with the help of Mr. Santana and all the staff members at PACE.

MORE ABOUT JFYNET

To learn more visit JFYNet.org

Teachers: Impact of COVID-19 on Daily Activities, Students and More

Wed, 27 May 2020 22:23:00 -0400

Teacher Perspectives: Shifting to Remote & Distance Learning

MAY 2020 PODCAST - This podcast features educators from Durfee High School in Fall River, Mindess Elementary School in Ashland, and Newton South High School discussing how the shift to remote learning due to the Covid-19 shutdown has impacted daily schedules, allowed some students to thrive, thrown other students off stride, and may create a “new normal” for education in the future.

MORE ABOUT JFYNET

To learn more visit JFYNet.org

Impact of School Shutdown, Students Perspective, APRIL 2020

Wed, 29 Apr 2020 21:17:37 -0400

Student Perspectives: Effect on Educational Programs

APRIL 2020 PODCAST - Our April podcast features students from Needham High School, Durfee High School in Fall River, Bridgewater State University and UMass Amherst as they discuss how the statewide school shutdown has affected their educational programs, their extracurricular activities, and how the Covid-19 virus may create a “new normal” in the future.

MORE ABOUT JFYNET

To learn more visit JFYNet.org

From face-to-face to online classes with Dr. Michael Marrapodi, MARCH 2020

Thu, 26 Mar 2020 07:43:00 -0400

JFYNetWorks College and Career Readiness through Blended Learning

MARCH 2020 PODCAST - Dr. Michael Marrapodi, Dean on Online Learning at Cambridge College, shares tips and ideas for instructors who suddenly find themselves transitioning from face-to-face to online classes. Dr. Marrapodi assures instructors this transition is more "crisis education" and the expectations should not be quite the same as a fully developed online course.

MORE ABOUT JFYNET

To learn more visit JFYNet.org

Madison Park Tech Voc Grad Now the Educator Podcast FEBRUARY 2020

Wed, 26 Feb 2020 13:22:31 -0500

Lessons taught during Black History Month

FEBRUARY 2020 PODCAST - Settenah Wright is a graduate of Madison Park Technical Vocational High School, where she now teaches English as a Second Language. She grew up in Roxbury, MA, attending the Boston Public Schools and spent two years living in San Juan, Puerto Rico, which is where her ESL teaching career began. In this episode, Ms. Wright shares her classroom lessons during Black History Month, and the local connections Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, Malcolm X and Barack Obama have to the Roxbury neighborhood.

Click here for a transcript of this podcast.

MORE ABOUT JFYNET

To learn more visit JFYNet.org

ADDED BONUS: Ms. Wright shared a video with her students while standing at the steps of Dr. Martin Luther King's Boston residence, 397 Massachusetts Avenue. Video can be found here.

Origins of JFYNetWorks. Inaugural Podcast JANUARY 2020

Wed, 29 Jan 2020 01:37:00 -0500

JFYNetWorks College and Career Readiness through Blended Learning

JANUARY 2020 PODCAST - Covering the origins of JFY. For nearly 40 years, JFYNetWorks, a Boston-based nonprofit organization, has served high-need populations in Massachusetts by developing and delivering education and job training programs that equip young people with the skills needed to succeed in our changing economy. Gary Kaplan, Executive Director of JFYNet, describes the origins of the non-profit, and how it has adapted to best serve a changing student population over the years.

Click here for a transcript of this podcast.

MORE ABOUT JFYNETWorks

To learn more visit JFYNet.org