Thu, 05 Mar 2026 08:49:45 -0500 https://educationmattersny.buzzsprout.com en-us © 2026 Education Matters NY yes 378e6704-c33a-5894-8c83-86e2e0d97108 Wayne Ackles episodic false Buzzsprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com) Wayne Ackles https://storage.buzzsprout.com/wr86bdsdc5qutgjxby92ef202qac?.jpg Adam Ruder from NYSERDA Electric Buses Wayne interviews Adam Rudder the NYSERDA Director of Clean Transportation. They discuss the role of NYSERDA as well as the promise and challenges to electrifying a school bus fleet. 

]]> Wayne interviews Adam Rudder the NYSERDA Director of Clean Transportation. They discuss the role of NYSERDA as well as the promise and challenges to electrifying a school bus fleet. 

]]> Wayne Ackles Buzzsprout-15634059 Sat, 24 Aug 2024 09:00:00 -0400 1583 3 2 full false Read, Watch & Listen 8/18/24 Leadership goes to the movies! Wayne uses a series, docudrama, and a documentary as jumping off points for leadership discussions. Check out the titles he recommends. 

]]> Leadership goes to the movies! Wayne uses a series, docudrama, and a documentary as jumping off points for leadership discussions. Check out the titles he recommends. 

]]> Wayne Ackles Buzzsprout-15608798 Mon, 19 Aug 2024 18:00:00 -0400 1110 3 1 full false Power of Curriculum-Let's Get the Basics Right Wayne describes the reasons for his over a year long hiatus from Education Matters. He also talks about the power of curriculum in regards to basic first steps and use a situation from his current role outside of traditional education to illustrate the point. 

]]> Wayne describes the reasons for his over a year long hiatus from Education Matters. He also talks about the power of curriculum in regards to basic first steps and use a situation from his current role outside of traditional education to illustrate the point. 

]]> Wayne Ackles Buzzsprout-15178857 Sun, 02 Jun 2024 15:00:00 -0400 1398 full false Mark Payne Skills USA April 2023 Edition It's April which means it is time for Skills USA. Mark Payne has returned to talk about his new role at DDS and this year's Skills USA competition. Mark will also discuss DDS Companies sponsorship of the Precision Heavy Equipment Competition. 

]]> It's April which means it is time for Skills USA. Mark Payne has returned to talk about his new role at DDS and this year's Skills USA competition. Mark will also discuss DDS Companies sponsorship of the Precision Heavy Equipment Competition. 

]]> Wayne Ackles Buzzsprout-12569158 Sun, 02 Apr 2023 13:00:00 -0400 941 3 2 full false Origin Story of the Podcast and Future of the Podcast Education Matters NY is back! In this episode Wayne Ackles explains his extended hiatus. Wayne also shares the circumstances that led to the creation of the podcast as well as the future of the podcast. 

]]> Education Matters NY is back! In this episode Wayne Ackles explains his extended hiatus. Wayne also shares the circumstances that led to the creation of the podcast as well as the future of the podcast. 

]]> Wayne Ackles Buzzsprout-12527750 Mon, 27 Mar 2023 17:00:00 -0400 1587 3 1 full false Hiatus 8/22 Time to take a breather from the show and concentrate on my current job and other personal matters. I will be back!

]]> Time to take a breather from the show and concentrate on my current job and other personal matters. I will be back!

]]> Wayne Ackles Buzzsprout-11217623 Sun, 28 Aug 2022 16:00:00 -0400 144 2 9 bonus false Read, Watch, or Listen- The Gatekeepers, Shake Hands with the Devil and The Power Broker Some summer or other season reads about leadership. Wayne shares two books on leadership with a twist and a book about how NYS has become the sometimes fiscally dysfunctional place that it is. What do bridges across the Lake Ontario State Parkway have to do with this dysfunction?

]]> Some summer or other season reads about leadership. Wayne shares two books on leadership with a twist and a book about how NYS has become the sometimes fiscally dysfunctional place that it is. What do bridges across the Lake Ontario State Parkway have to do with this dysfunction?

]]> Wayne Ackles Buzzsprout-11093833 Sun, 07 Aug 2022 10:00:00 -0400 1262 2 8 bonus false Dave Dunn 45 Years in Education David Dunn, the immensely successful principal for Martha Brown Middle School, reflects on his career. This emotional interview explores what created that success over 45 years and what kids really need from all of us in public education. 

]]> David Dunn, the immensely successful principal for Martha Brown Middle School, reflects on his career. This emotional interview explores what created that success over 45 years and what kids really need from all of us in public education. 

]]> Wayne Ackles Buzzsprout-11045560 Thu, 28 Jul 2022 19:00:00 -0400 2154 full false July 24 News Round Up & LW&R Segment spotlights a couple of  news articles on teacher recruitment and retention. The episode also looks at some geeky and fun channels from the satellite radio universe.

]]> Segment spotlights a couple of  news articles on teacher recruitment and retention. The episode also looks at some geeky and fun channels from the satellite radio universe.

]]> Wayne Ackles Buzzsprout-11026497 Mon, 25 Jul 2022 17:00:00 -0400 1045 2 3 bonus false Listen/Read/Watch 1 First in a series of recommendations of material to listen to, watch or read over the summer or after. These materials may provide some insights in your course matter, or if you are an administrator give you further material to help you illustrate why you are making a particular change.  This episode features- On the Media, Hidden Brain, Science Friday & The Ted Radio Hour.  

]]> First in a series of recommendations of material to listen to, watch or read over the summer or after. These materials may provide some insights in your course matter, or if you are an administrator give you further material to help you illustrate why you are making a particular change.  This episode features- On the Media, Hidden Brain, Science Friday & The Ted Radio Hour.  

]]> Wayne Ackles Buzzsprout-10934740 Sun, 10 Jul 2022 12:00:00 -0400 777 2 2 bonus false Season 2 Premiere Jim Zumbo Welcome back for Season 2 of Education Matters NY! Jim Zumbo is our kick-off guest for the second season. Jim discusses his career and the role of sports for the whole child. Jim also gives parents tips on how to make the transition to a school sports parent. We also discuss the role of travel leagues and AAU Leagues and their positive and negative impacts on athletes and families. 

]]> Welcome back for Season 2 of Education Matters NY! Jim Zumbo is our kick-off guest for the second season. Jim discusses his career and the role of sports for the whole child. Jim also gives parents tips on how to make the transition to a school sports parent. We also discuss the role of travel leagues and AAU Leagues and their positive and negative impacts on athletes and families. 

]]> Wayne Ackles Buzzsprout-10865887 Mon, 27 Jun 2022 20:00:00 -0400 4627 2 1 full false Buffalo and Uvalde Shootings- America We Have a Problem Special Edition Season Finale- A look at the shootings in Buffalo and Uvalde with special attention to Red Flag Laws, Mental Health and Guns in the United States of America. Are there solutions? Are we willing to look at possible solutions and ourselves?

]]> Special Edition Season Finale- A look at the shootings in Buffalo and Uvalde with special attention to Red Flag Laws, Mental Health and Guns in the United States of America. Are there solutions? Are we willing to look at possible solutions and ourselves?

]]> Wayne Ackles Buzzsprout-10728264 Thu, 02 Jun 2022 19:00:00 -0400 2654 1 19 full false Website Announcement 5/24/22 Education Matters NY has a home on a website now which allows you to send comments, ideas, or suggest a guest that you would like to hear on the show. 

]]> Education Matters NY has a home on a website now which allows you to send comments, ideas, or suggest a guest that you would like to hear on the show. 

]]> Wayne Ackles Buzzsprout-10676606 Tue, 24 May 2022 20:00:00 -0400 198 1 18 trailer false Reclaiming Your Life(RYL) 4 Work-Life Balance is BS A look at Dr. Melba Nicholson's article from Fastcompany.com about what we really mean by work-life balance and how to be adjusted to our work and personal lives in the post-pandemic world. 

]]> A look at Dr. Melba Nicholson's article from Fastcompany.com about what we really mean by work-life balance and how to be adjusted to our work and personal lives in the post-pandemic world. 

]]> Wayne Ackles Buzzsprout-10449623 Sat, 16 Apr 2022 14:00:00 -0400 1030 1 17 full false Upcoming Resilience and Equity Conference Joe Fantigrossi April 6 Joe Fantigrossi returns to discuss the Resilience and Equity Conference at Falk College on the campus of Syracuse University, May 17-20. Joe discusses the purpose, the guests and opportunities at this conference sponsored by Finger Lakes Community Schools. 

]]> Joe Fantigrossi returns to discuss the Resilience and Equity Conference at Falk College on the campus of Syracuse University, May 17-20. Joe discusses the purpose, the guests and opportunities at this conference sponsored by Finger Lakes Community Schools. 

]]> Wayne Ackles Buzzsprout-10393321 Wed, 06 Apr 2022 19:00:00 -0400 1638 1 16 full false Skills USA M.Payne Mark Payne returns to discuss the Skills USA Competition. Mark talks about his almost 30 year history with the competition and what it means for the young people who compete in it. This year's competition is April 28, in Syracuse NY.

]]> Mark Payne returns to discuss the Skills USA Competition. Mark talks about his almost 30 year history with the competition and what it means for the young people who compete in it. This year's competition is April 28, in Syracuse NY.

]]> Wayne Ackles Buzzsprout-10369694 Sun, 03 Apr 2022 13:00:00 -0400 1274 1 15 full false Reclaiming Your Life(RYL) 3 The 333 Method of Time Management Life hack cultivated from an article written in Inc.com by Jessica Stillman on a different way to look at managing your time.

]]> Life hack cultivated from an article written in Inc.com by Jessica Stillman on a different way to look at managing your time.

]]> Wayne Ackles Buzzsprout-10321335 Sat, 26 Mar 2022 09:00:00 -0400 433 1 14 bonus false Kim Stewart Community Family Outreach Coordinator Kim is our first Women in Leadership participant. Kim discusses her role as a Community Family Outreach Coordinator and her role in the realm of students with special needs. She also talks about risk taking and how to have professional dialogue among colleagues. 

]]> Kim is our first Women in Leadership participant. Kim discusses her role as a Community Family Outreach Coordinator and her role in the realm of students with special needs. She also talks about risk taking and how to have professional dialogue among colleagues. 

]]> Wayne Ackles Buzzsprout-10281989 Sun, 20 Mar 2022 10:00:00 -0400 2150 1 13 full false Kids as Props, Don't Say Gay, Transgender Police, and Teaching Controversial Topics 3/12/22 News round up where Governor De-Santis uses students as props and it backfires. We also look at Florida's  "Don't Say Gay" Bill. Texas and the role of child protective agencies and schools with emerging transgender students. We also examine the teaching of controversial topics.

]]> News round up where Governor De-Santis uses students as props and it backfires. We also look at Florida's  "Don't Say Gay" Bill. Texas and the role of child protective agencies and schools with emerging transgender students. We also examine the teaching of controversial topics.

]]> Wayne Ackles Buzzsprout-10241774 Sun, 13 Mar 2022 17:00:00 -0400 1564 1 12 full false Brian Schmitt and Community Schooling in Genesee Valley Central Schools 3/5/22 Brian Schmitt, the superintendent of Genesee Valley Schools, shares his work in creating a community schools model for his district. 

]]> Brian Schmitt, the superintendent of Genesee Valley Schools, shares his work in creating a community schools model for his district. 

]]> Wayne Ackles Buzzsprout-10192505 Sat, 05 Mar 2022 08:00:00 -0500 2011 1 11 full false Gene Gordon-NASA HUNCH 2-25-22 Gene Gordon former science teacher and current employee of NASA explains what the NASA HUNCH program is and how schools can get involved and work with NASA.

]]> Gene Gordon former science teacher and current employee of NASA explains what the NASA HUNCH program is and how schools can get involved and work with NASA.

]]> Wayne Ackles Buzzsprout-10145517 Fri, 25 Feb 2022 19:00:00 -0500 2384 1 10 full false Parkland Families OpEd, Indiana Law(LessonPlans), SUNY Microcredentials, How Smart is Your County? We explore some interesting news articles about active shooters, posting lesson plans for the year, microcredentialing and how smart is your county in New York State?

]]> We explore some interesting news articles about active shooters, posting lesson plans for the year, microcredentialing and how smart is your county in New York State?

]]> Wayne Ackles Buzzsprout-10097225 Thu, 17 Feb 2022 19:00:00 -0500 1932 1 9 full false Reclaiming Your Life(RYL) 2 Cultivating Personal Professional Development(PD) Today's episode focuses on a tool to help you cultivate your own professional development through the use of Flipboard. Next week will be a return to a full episode

]]> Today's episode focuses on a tool to help you cultivate your own professional development through the use of Flipboard. Next week will be a return to a full episode

]]> Wayne Ackles Buzzsprout-10061851 Sat, 12 Feb 2022 12:00:00 -0500 406 1 8 full false Mark Payne Alfred State Earth Moving Professor 2-5-22 Mark Payne a fellow Training Coordinator with me at DDS shares his unconventional path into a teaching career at Alfred State. He also shares lessons learned and offers explanations as to why the trades are not being filled and sought out as they once were.
Disclaimer- There were technical difficulties in this episode that did not allow for editing. Therefore there are some minor dips in audio quality during the interview.

]]> Mark Payne a fellow Training Coordinator with me at DDS shares his unconventional path into a teaching career at Alfred State. He also shares lessons learned and offers explanations as to why the trades are not being filled and sought out as they once were.
Disclaimer- There were technical difficulties in this episode that did not allow for editing. Therefore there are some minor dips in audio quality during the interview.

]]> Wayne Ackles Buzzsprout-10017724 Sat, 05 Feb 2022 15:00:00 -0500 3063 1 7 full false Reclaiming Your Life(RYL) 1 Email Notifications First Reclaiming Your Life segment. These segments provide quick life hacks to create more work life balance. 

Today's boundary maker- turning off email notifications on your smartphone. 

]]> First Reclaiming Your Life segment. These segments provide quick life hacks to create more work life balance. 

Today's boundary maker- turning off email notifications on your smartphone. 

]]> Wayne Ackles Buzzsprout-9977605 Sun, 30 Jan 2022 10:00:00 -0500 346 1 6 bonus false Covid 19 & Schools Rant Edition 1/23/2022 The episode examines the relationship between schools with the state and local governments during the pandemic. It also makes the case as to why the overall pandemic response has been the greatest public policy failure in American History. 

]]> The episode examines the relationship between schools with the state and local governments during the pandemic. It also makes the case as to why the overall pandemic response has been the greatest public policy failure in American History. 

]]> Wayne Ackles Buzzsprout-9936974 Sun, 23 Jan 2022 15:00:00 -0500 2005 1 5 full false Joe Fantigrossi 1-14-22 An interview with Joe Fantigrossi centered on trauma informed instruction. Joe explains what trauma informed instruction is and why it is important to schools. Also what can we all learn about human behavior from trauma informed instruction.

]]> An interview with Joe Fantigrossi centered on trauma informed instruction. Joe explains what trauma informed instruction is and why it is important to schools. Also what can we all learn about human behavior from trauma informed instruction.

]]> Wayne Ackles- Guest Joe Fantigrossi Buzzsprout-9890228 Sat, 15 Jan 2022 06:00:00 -0500 2413 1 4 full false Dave Paddock 1/5/2021 Mentor, colleague and friend describe former New York State Principal of the year Dave Paddock. We'll examine Dave's career along with his thoughts on school culture, schools suspensions as they relate to New York's new marijuana law and important advice for those approaching retirement age. 

]]> Mentor, colleague and friend describe former New York State Principal of the year Dave Paddock. We'll examine Dave's career along with his thoughts on school culture, schools suspensions as they relate to New York's new marijuana law and important advice for those approaching retirement age. 

]]> Wayne Ackles Buzzsprout-9844836 Thu, 06 Jan 2022 22:00:00 -0500 2424 1 3 full false Referees, The Governor, and Jingle Bells 1/1/2022 Referee resignations are at an all time high and may imperil youth/school sports. New York State Governor Kathy Hochul spoke with superintendents and principals about Covid 19 and testing. Jingle Bells has been removed from the playlist of a Brighton Elementary School.

]]> Referee resignations are at an all time high and may imperil youth/school sports. New York State Governor Kathy Hochul spoke with superintendents and principals about Covid 19 and testing. Jingle Bells has been removed from the playlist of a Brighton Elementary School.

]]> Wayne Ackles Buzzsprout-9815142 Sat, 01 Jan 2022 11:00:00 -0500 3618 1 2 full false Episode 1- Welcome to Education Matters NY Introduction of the podcast and education related news stories for the week of December 13. 

]]> Introduction of the podcast and education related news stories for the week of December 13. 

]]> Wayne Ackles Buzzsprout-9777682 Wed, 22 Dec 2021 21:00:00 -0500 2250 1 1 full false