The Blue Ribbon Project

The Transformative Power of Education: A Panel Discussion with Dr. Lester YoungEducation is more than just classrooms and curriculum—it's a powerful force for change, shaping the future of individuals, communities, and society as a whole. Educators play a pivotal role in fostering critical thinking, inspiring innovation, and creating opportunities for students of all backgrounds.Tune in for an insightful panel discussion featuring Dr. Lester Young, Chancellor of the NYS Board of Regents, as we explore the evolving landscape of education. From policy shifts to new learning approaches, this conversation will provide valuable insights into the current changes and what's on the horizon for the future of education.A heartfelt thank you to all who attended and contributed to this important discussion. Your engagement helps drive meaningful progress in education. Stay tuned for more events like this, as we continue to highlight the voices and efforts shaping the next generation.Special thanks to Dr. Young for his leadership and dedication to education!For more information about CITE and our programs, visit www.citeprograms.com

Welcome to today's episode of CITE's Blue Ribbon Project series. I'm beyond thrilled to have Dr. Josephine Yeboah Van-Ess, a true powerhouse in education.On today's episode, we'll be getting into what it truly means to follow your purpose. Join us as Dr. Van-Ess shares her inspiring journey—from her beginnings as an English teacher to her impactful roles as Assistant Principal, Principal, Deputy Superintendent, and now Superintendent overseeing multiple districts.We're also excited to celebrate Dr. Van-Ess' new role in overseeing and building an HBCU College Prep High School in South Queens, NY, in partnership with Delaware State University and Dr. Asya Johnson, the founder and creator of this impeccable initiative. This is a monumental project with immense potential to empower and uplift students in the community. Dr. Van-Ess, we're so honored to have you here today! To kick things off, could you introduce yourself and share what ignited your passion for a career in education?To learn more about our administration SBL/SDL program with Russell Sage College please visit www.citesageadmin.com or email Diane@citeprograms.com and to learn more about our Doctorate program with Russell Sage please visit www.citesage.com or email Jennifer@citeprograms.com for more information.

This episode features a very special guest, Deepak Marwah a CITE SBL alum and newly appointed Principal of Laguardia High School. This episode is pretty special since Principal Marwah attended Laguardia High School as a student. Listen as we discuss what it's like going from student to administrator of your former high school. We also get into what it's like transitioning from teacher to administrator, tips for educators looking to get into admin and so much more. Learn more about our administration program at www.alfredapply.com

Today's episode features a very special guest, Kristina Persaud, a NYCDOE educator who's been in the field for over 5 years. Tune in and learn as Kristina discusses how working as a teacher in the Bronx helped shape her transition into administration today. There are a lot of teachers who may be apprehensive when it comes to making the switch from teacher to administrator, listen as Kristina provides helpful tips for making that switch. For more information on our Administration program please visit: www.stroseapply.com or email Diane@citeprograms.com

On this very special episode we're talking to “Minecraft” creators Sean Arnold (NYCDOE - Director of School Pathways) andAnthony Casanovas (Ed Tech Program Manager & Teacher Team Leader | Division of Instructional and Information Technology (DIIT).Join as they take us through the inspiration behind this innovative, advanced, and surreal experience they call “Minecraft Education!”Special “Thank you” to Sean and Anthony for the abundance of intel shared on “Minecraft Education.” It's beyond beautiful to see your visions come true and to see how it's already changing lives.If you or your school is interested in “Minecraft Education” or just want more information please visit:www.schools.nyc.gov/learning/subjects/stem/minecraft-education-challengeFor information on everything CITE please visit: WWW.CITEPROGRAMS.COM

On today's episode, we get to speak to Georges Leconte, Chief Executive Officer of Harlem Hospital (NYC Health and Hospitals).It's no secret that the field of Public Administration isn't easy but one thing we can all agree on is that it's a rewarding field.Learn all you need to know about working as a CEO in a New York City hospital during the most challenging of times.During this episode, Georges also goes into the plethora of jobs and fields one can go into with a Master's Degree inPublic Administration. For more information on our Public Administration Master's Degree program with Alfred University please visit www.alfredapply.com or email Shaye@citeprograms.com  Be sure to RSVP to our next VIRTUAL OPEN  HOUSE via Zoom, all information on www.citeprograms.com

On this very special episode, we get to chat with Theresa DeMatteo, the New Professional Development Coordinator at Nassau BOCES!Tune in as Theresa discusses how she balanced her work and home life while still being in our administration program! Theresa also touches on tips and skills future students should consider!For more information on our Administration program please email Diane@citeoprograms.com

CITE/Russell Sage College Grads, Dr. Dorcely and Dr. Hansford discuss their latest business venture "StrategiesMatters" a blog set out to inform and support various projects throughout education with a unique team of bloggers that are seasoned educators and administrators. For more information on CITE please follow us: www.instagram.com/citeprograms www.twitter.com/citeprograms https://www.facebook.com/CITEprograms

This very special episode features Charlotte Beckman, the current Administrative Dean Of Students at Walt Whitman High School — South Huntington Union Free School District. Tune in and find out why Charlotte chose Administration and to join our program. Charlotte knows what it takes to be a good Administrator and shares some essential tips within this episode. Be sure to share this special episode with your current Administrators and aspiring Administrators too. Another special “Thank you” to Charlotte, we are so proud of all the amazing work you've done and wish you all the best from CITE! To find out more information about our Administration program please visit: www.stroseapply.com or e-mail Diane@citeprograms.com Be sure to sign up for our next ONLINE OPEN HOUSE! You can RSVP now via Zoom, link on www.citeprograms.com

In this very special episode, Dr. Donald James is back with the Blue Ribbon Project!This episode focuses on Dr. James discussing the Teacher Education & Leadership shortage.Tune in as he examines the reasons behind being in this current state as well as what we can do to impact a positive change for the near future.

CITE is the Center for Integrated Training and Education.For over 25 years, CITE has trained:TEACHERS: General and Special Ed Masters (Early Childhood or Childhood), Adolescent Special Ed / Professional Certification Masters, TESOL Masters, Special Ed license extension courses,Bilingual license extension courses, TESOL license extension courses, Early Childhood license extension coursesCOUNSELORS: School Counseling Masters, Mental Health Counseling Masters, Advanced Certificate in Mental Health or School CounselingADMINISTRATORS: School Building Leadership, School District Leadership, Doctorate for CSA members,Doctorate for non-CSA members, Public Administration Master's— in NYC, Yonkers, Westchester, Nassau and Suffolk.CITE PD: CITE offers CTLE-approved in-school or online professional development tailored to your school's needs and your vision. We can work remotely with your staff and parents. Info: citepd.com

In this special episode we get the chance to talk to Eva, one of our amazing TESOL Master's in Education graduates. Although Eva has successfully obtained her Master's Degree in TESOL and can work in a classroom she chose to work in EdTech! We want to let this episode serve as a reminder that you can be impactful in education in and outside of the classroom with the same Master's Degree in Education. Special thank you to Eva…

Obtain your Doctorate of Education in Leadership in Innovation and Continuous Improvement through Concordia University Wisconsin! This cohort is for non-CSA members and will begin in February 2023! For more info visit http://www.citecuw.com Or e-mail JENNIFER@CITEPROGRAMS.COM

This episode features one of our amazing Admin CITE grads Davina Ruiz! Listen as Davina takes us through all the various positions she's held throughout the field of Education.

In this episode Dr. Donald James (CITE's Executive Director) talks to Dr. Chris Zublionis the Superintendent of North Shore Schools! Dr. Christopher Zublionis has been the assistant superintendent for instruction for North Shore Schools since 2019. Don and Chris talk about his new promotion as Superintendent as well as what it's like to be a leader in this position.

Today's episode features a very very special guest, Peter Dellegrazie. Peter completed our Admin program and is a proud CITE grad! Listen to Peter talk about what it's like to work in administration in the high school that he once attended. Peter also discusses the importance of networking and believing in yourself.

This episode is a two-parter, we'll be hearing from Hannabelle Mendez and Catherine Nunez who have both experienced our Teacher Ed program. Listen and learn as they both share the passion behind their purpose and what keeps them motivated as it pertains to working in education… First off we have Hannabelle, you could just start off by introducing yourself and letting us know how you heard about our program…

Jason's currently the Director Of Technology/CIO/Digital Privacy Officer at Irvington Union Free School District. Listen to Jason break down what it's like transitioning from a teaching role into an administrative one as well as everything you need to know about our SBL program with the College of Saint Rose!For more information on the SBL program, visit www.stroseapply.comCITE's mission is to serve those who typically aren't served well by institutions of higher learning — we make training accessible, affordable, and meaningful and we work to get good people into the system. We believe that access and opportunity are key drivers in changing the face of education, and we're proud to work towards that goal.Find out more about CITE Programs in teaching, administration, counseling and more at www.citeprograms.com

Cite Executive Director Dr. Donald James speaks with Dr. Meisha Porter about her decision to take on the role of NYC Schools Chancellor in a difficult time, the opportunity we have to reinvent the systems in our schools, and what the pandemic taught us about the classroom and about leadership in moments of crisis. Dr. Porter is a graduate of our College of St. Rose School District Leadership program, and speaks about her time in that program and why people might want to go into education now. She talks about coming full circle with her new position at the Bronx Community Foundation, addressing inequities in the city. Dr. Porter and Dr. James discuss mission, service, and how rethinking “normal” may be what we need.Find out more about the Bronx Community Foundation at https://thebronx.org/CITE's mission is to serve those who typically aren't served well by institutions of higher learning — we make training accessible, affordable, and meaningful and we work to get good people into the system. We believe that access and opportunity are key drivers in changing the face of education, and we're proud to work towards that goal.Find out more about CITE Programs in teaching, administration, counseling and more at www.citeprograms.com

Today's episode features two very special guests — Dr. Jacqueline Baer and Joseph Toles who both have been instructors for CITE's Alfred University Counseling program!   Tune into this very informative episode as Dr. Jackie sheds light  on the ins and outs of opening her own private practice with Joseph  right by her side. In this episode Joesph talks about coming out of  retirement and the importance of remote counseling, both Joseph and  Dr. Jackie talk about the differences between being a social worker  and a licensed mental health counselor.   We also talk about career opportunities for  CITE students and grads as well.CITE's mission is to serve those who typically aren't served well by institutions of higher learning — we make training accessible, affordable, and meaningful and we work to get good people into the system. We believe that access and opportunity are key drivers in changing the face of education, and we're proud to work towards that goal.Find out more about CITE Programs in teaching, administration, counseling and more at www.citeprograms.com

CITE's mission is to serve those who typically aren't served well by institutions of higher learning — we make training accessible, affordable, and meaningful and we work to get good people into the system. We believe that access and opportunity are key drivers in changing the face of education, and we're proud to work towards that goal.Find out more about CITE Programs in teaching, administration, counseling and more at www.citeprograms.com

David Wicks is a CITE grad and is currently the District Superintendent of the Eastern Suffolk BOCES. David works directly with his board and directly with the State Education Department as well. Tune in as David and Donald discuss life as a Superintendent and how David juggles it all.CITE's mission is to serve those who typically aren't served well by institutions of higher learning — we make training accessible, affordable, and meaningful and we work to get good people into the system. We believe that access and opportunity are key drivers in changing the face of education, and we're proud to work towards that goal.Find out more about CITE Programs in teaching, administration, counseling and more at www.citeprograms.com

This episode features a very very special CITE Grad, Andrea Mancuso! Andrea completed her Advanced Certification in Mental Health Counseling through our Master's Degree Program with Alfred University and continues to break barriers.Listen as Andrea discusses how she bridged the gap between being a school psychologist and stepping into the possibility of owning her own practice while being the founder CEO of “Intentional Healing and Wellness” her own coaching company  all while managing her own podcast.If you're interested in anything related to the importance of self-care, Counseling, Mental Health, Public Administration, Psychology or just need some encouraging words to listen to, this episodes definitely for you.____________________________________CITE is the Center for Integrated Training and Education.For over 25 years, CITE has and continues to train:TEACHERS:General and Special Ed Masters (Early Childhood or Childhood),Adolescent Professional Certification Masters,TESOL Masters,Special Ed license extension courses,Bilingual license extension courses,TESOL license extension courses, Early Childhood license extension coursesCOUNSELORS:School Counseling Masters,Mental Health Counseling Masters,Advanced Certificate in Mental Health or School CounselingADMINISTRATORS:School Building Leadership,School District Leadership,Doctorate for CSA members,Doctorate for non-CSA members,Public Administration Master's— in all five boroughs of NYC, Yonkers, Westchester, Nassau, and Suffolk.CITE PD: CITE offers CTLE-approved in-school or online professional development tailored to your school's needs and your vision. We can work remotely with your staff and parents. Info: citepd.comHEAR MORE: Find our podcast, The Blue Ribbon Project, here 

Toby Elmore is a graduate of the CITE / St. Rose SBL Program, where teachers learn about school leadership and earn their certification. He wears many hats for the Commack School District. He's the Director for Student Affairs, Business, Library, and the Director of Summer Programs for the district.Toby speaks about how teachers can use Black History Month in their classrooms, and how to think about teaching Black History year-round, not separated from what gets called "American History," but has excluded much of Black History.  He touches on the CRT controversies springing up around the country and how school leaders can support teachers through it. For more information on the CITE / St. Rose School Leadership Program, please visit www.stroseapply.com ____________________________________CITE is the Center for Integrated Training and Education.For over 25 years, CITE has and continues to train:TEACHERS:General and Special Ed Masters (Early Childhood or Childhood), Adolescent Professional Certification Masters, TESOL Masters, Special Ed license extension courses,Bilingual license extension courses, TESOL license extension courses, Early Childhood license extension coursesCOUNSELORS: School Counseling Masters, Mental Health Counseling Masters, Advanced Certificate in Mental Health or School CounselingADMINISTRATORS: School Building Leadership, School District Leadership, Doctorate for CSA members,Doctorate for non-CSA members, Public Administration Master's— in all five boroughs of NYC, Yonkers, Westchester, Nassau, and Suffolk.CITE PD: CITE offers CTLE-approved in-school or online professional development tailored to your school's needs and your vision. We can work remotely with your staff and parents. Info: citepd.comHEAR MORE: Find our podcast, The Blue Ribbon Project, here 

Damian Pacheco teaches in the Alfred University / CITE Master's in Public Administration Program which starts each fall. This is a weekend program, which students complete in 18 months. At $1095 for each 3-credit course, this is by far the lowest-cost weekend program in the NYC area.  For information on the program, please visit https://www.alfreddownstateeducation.com/mpa/ 

Andrew Henry sits down with Dr. Steve Dorcely and Dr. Shawna Hansford to discuss: earning a doctorate while workingwhat their research unearthed about student learning and achievement gapshow Culturally Responsive Sustaining Education impacts student learning capacity4 principles of CRSEthe cognitive aspects of teaching and learning how cultures impact learning knowledge constructionkey factors impacting student learningaligning educational goals for school leaders to reinforce support for families and students (especially during COVID)methods for monitoring and assessing CRSE impact CITE is the Center for Integrated Training and Education.20% of Principals in NYC are graduates of our programs (other educational leaders including a former Chancellor, a head of BOCES, and a multitude of district and city-level leaders). We run the largest Counseling Master's program in NY state. Thousands of teachers have earned certification through our programs, which are designed for working professionals. We currently offer programs for:TEACHERS:General and Special Ed Masters (Early Childhood or Childhood), Adolescent Special Ed Professional Certification Masters, TESOL Masters, Special Ed license extension courses,Bilingual license extension courses, TESOL license extension courses, Early Childhood license extension coursesCOUNSELORS: School Counseling Masters, Mental Health Counseling Masters, Advanced Certificate in Mental Health or School CounselingADMINISTRATORS: School Building Leadership, School District Leadership, Doctorate for CSA members,Doctorate for non-CSA members, Public Administration Master's— in all five boroughs of NYC, Yonkers, Westchester, Nassau, and Suffolk. CITE Professional Development: CITE offers CTLE-approved in-school or online professional development tailored to your school's needs and your vision. We can work remotely with your staff and parents. CITE PD has served over 1,000 schools. Info: citepd.com 

Our Blue Ribbon Project episode today follows a group of principals in Brooklyn who have formed a PLC. They are reading a book together, The Fundamental Five, and working through the concepts in their schools. Before this conversation, they watched a number of videos of classroom teachers working with students in class that included English Language Learners. The problem of practice (POP) they focused on had to do with developing academic vocabulary, among other things discussed during this podcast.The conversation is hosted by Dr. Donald James, the Executive Director of CITE and former superintendent of schools in the Commack school district where his high school won a blue ribbon in 2021.__________The administrators in the PLC highlighted in this podcast are from District 17 in Brooklyn. They are:Berthe Faustin PS 189Marc-Heralde Mardy PS 289Marie Casseus-Monteau PS 397Marie Chauvet-Monchik PS 138Ana Dejesus (AP) PS 249, a Blue Ribbon SchoolElisa Brown (Principal) PS 249, a Blue Ribbon SchoolThey discuss leadership strategies for creating and empowering PLCs of teachers in their schools:Sharing learning among schoolsEngaging in conversations about teaching practicesDefined structures for PLCs - creating teacher teams in a school, by building, grade-level, and to analyze data to inform teaching strategieslab structure for high-impact instructional strategiesPLC roles for teachers within a schoolSupervising teacher PLCs for administratorsIncluding teacher input on staff professional developmentHow to empower teachers to become leaders who are invested in continuous improvement for their classrooms and the school__________This PLC of principals is reading the book The Fundamental Five, and implementing teaching strategies from the book. Some of the classroom concepts from the book that they are discussing in this podcast:Engaging students as learning partnersEmpowering students as learning partnersCreating a student-centered classroomPeer and Self assessment for students__________For more on the book: Fundamental Five - The Formula for Quality Instruction by Sean Cain and Mike Laird, see below.The Fundamental Five: The Formula for Quality Instruction, shares with teachers and school leaders the five practices that every teacher can, and should, use to dramatically improve instructional rigor and relevance, and student performance.https://www.amazon.com/Fundamental-Formula-Quality-Instruction-ebook/dp/B0054R5B5SFor more on Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) please see the work of Douglas Reeveshttps://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08H3J8FNB/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i6__________Elisa Brown mentions the CITE / Russell Sage doctoral program, where she is a Doctoral Candidate, which stresses the importance of empowering teachers as leaders. Learn more about the program at www.citesage.com__________ CITE is the Center for Integrated Training and Education.For over 25 years, CITE has trained high-achieving professionals such as:TEACHERS: General and Special Ed Masters (Early Childhood or Childhood), Adolescent / Special Ed Professional Certification Master's, TESOL / Professional Certification Masters, Special Ed license extension courses,Bilingual license extension courses, TESOL license extension courses, Early Childhood license extension coursesCOUNSELORS: School Counseling Masters, Mental Health Counseling Masters, Advanced Certificate in Mental Health or School CounselingADMINISTRATORS: School Building Leadership, School District Leadership, Doctorate for CSA members,Doctorate for non-CSA members, Public Administration Master's— in all five boroughs of NYC, Yonkers, Westchester, Nassau, and Suffolk. CITE PD: CITE offers CTLE-approved in-school or online professional development tailored to your school's needs and your vision. We can work remotely with your staff and parents. Info: citepd.com

CITE / St. Rose graduate Stephen Ritz has a dream, and it starts with the power of community. He brings this to life through his Green Bronx Machine, a non-profit he started to bring Urban Farming to a school in the Bronx. In this interview, Stephen recounts his journey, and highlights how his project helped turn around a school. He's a passionate educator, and his organization has taught nationally and internationally. He's created local farm stands across the Bronx. He provides after-school programming, and online cooking classes. He hosts a show on youtube. He's working to deliver fresh food to public housing, and deliver door-to-door food for seniors, as well as grab-and-go bags across the Bronx. He's been visited by Chancellors, Mayors, and First Lady Michelle Obama, among others. Stephen Ritz and his students observed that as waistlines expanded, engagement and opportunities in school decreased, school performance suffered, and hope and ambition became minimized. Originally an after-school, alternative program for high school students, Green Bronx Machine has evolved into K-12+ model fully integrated into core curriculum. Its students grow, eat and love their vegetables en route to spectacular academic performance. Learn more about the Green Bronx Machine at https://greenbronxmachine.org/ and find Stephen's inspiring new book "The Power of a Plant," on his site, where all proceeds will go to the organization. An inspiring story about how incorporating gardening and plants into teaching curriculum moved the graduation rate of students from 17% to 100% and improved attendance to 93% in his South Bronx high school. Stephen is a graduate of our CITE / St. Rose school building leadership program. Learn more at http://www.stroseapply.com and find all of our cite programs at http://www.citeprograms.com 

The Blue Ribbon Project is a conversation with change-makers in education, government, and mental health in NYC, Nassau, Suffolk, and Westchester, about how we support all community and school leaders as they learn and grow; how do they support their staff and students, so that all can succeed? We believe that if we give people access and opportunity, great things happen. In this intro to the Blue Ribbon Project, CITE's Executive Director Dr. Donald James talks about some of the change-makers and disruptors you'll hear from in this interview series, and lays out who CITE is and why we're excited about this work. Learn more about CITE at www.citeprograms.com

CITE is the Center for Integrated Training and Education. CITE's mission is to disrupt the traditional model of higher education that just replaces the people at the top with carbon copies of themselves, who look and think just as they did. That old model stands in the way of growth, change, and diversity. Instead, CITE's goal is to make high-quality training accessible to people who have been locked out of leadership positions historically in the fields of education, mental health, and governmental and hospital administration. By bringing dynamic and practical training to a new generation of change-makers, training designed to support working professionals, at an affordable price, CITE is literally changing the face of education and administration in NYC, Westchester, Nassau and Suffolk. For over 35 years, CITE has grown in this mission, to the point where our graduates are now achieving at the highest levels of building, district, and city leadership in schools, hospitals, and government. Among our diverse and talented alumni are 25% of school principals in NYC, a multitude of superintendents, a former chancellor of schools, the head of BOCES, and the CEO of NYC Health + Hospitals / Harlem. If you are a change maker, or wish to become one, please visit our website for current program offerings WWW.CITEONLINE.COMTwitter @CITEonlineInstagram @CITEonlineFacebook  www.facebook.com/citeonline