E1B in the Know shares updates and staff interviews showing the expertise and enthusiasm across Erie 1 BOCES in Western New York.
Erie 1 Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) supports school districts with comprehensive services to enhance the region's educational environment. Erie 1 BOCES offers diverse instructional programming to K–12 students, provides career training to adult learners, and optimizes school district performance through administrative services and technology integration. Founded in 1957, Erie 1 BOCES is part of a public organization created by the New York State Legislature. The function of a BOCES is to provide shared programs and services to support high-quality education across multiple school districts.
E1B in the Know is a production of Erie 1 BOCES Communication Services. Learn more about Erie 1 BOCES at https://www.e1b.org/
For this episode's interview, we're talking about the Erie 1 BOCES Emergency Medical and Fire Services program with instructor Joshua Lembke and student Ava Kwiatkowski. The two-year program helps students explore a wide range of career paths in Emergency Medical and Fire Services while developing hands-on skills in patient assessment, treatment, team communication, and safe transport.
Learn more about the program at https://careerandtech.e1b.org/programs/emergency-medical-and-fire-services
-Erie 1 BOCES Student Art Challenge: https://artsined.e1b.org/events/art-challenge
-Erie 1 BOCES FUSION Fashion Show 26: Unification: https://careerandtech.e1b.org/programs/fashion-design-technology/fusion-fashion-show-2026
Episode Rundown
00:00 - Opening
00:43 - Announcements
02:43 - Interview
11:05 - Trivia
11:59 - Closing
13 Feb 2026
Episode 5: Instructional Services Expansion with Jim Fregelette and Christa McHale
For this episode's interview, we're talking about Erie 1 BOCES' Instructional Services expansion with Jim Fregelette, Executive Director of Administrative Services and Operations for Erie 1 BOCES, and Christa McHale, Director of Educational Partnerships and Workforce Development. The 219,000 square foot space at Walden Avenue in Depew will incorporate a wide range of educational opportunities. The new center is scheduled to open in the fall of 2027.
Learn more at https://www.e1b.org/programs-for-students/instructional-services-expansion
In this episode's announcements, we learn about how Erie 1 BOCES is highlighting its connections to local school districts through updated Collaborate reports. We also hear about hands-on substitute training through the STARS program, a major milestone in its LPN program with a 100 percent licensure pass rate for May 2025 graduates, as well as Erie 1 BOCES Participation Season.
-To learn more about the Erie 1 BOCES STARS (Substitute Training and Recruiting Services), visit e1b.org/STARS.
-Learn about the LPN Program at http://e1b.org/lpn.
-Check out student highlights from the Collaborate series at https://www.e1b.org/view-all-news
Episode Rundown
0:00- Opening
0:50 - Announcements
3:45 - Interview
19:31 - Trivia
20:28 – Closing
5 Jan 2026
Episode 4: IDEA Committee
For this episode, we talk with Nicole Kerner and Amy Tuzzolino of Erie 1 BOCES' Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Advocacy (I.D.E.A.) Committee about how the committee works to create an environment where all can be heard and valued. The pair also spoke to how the committee identifies issues of importance to staff, creating opportunities across the staff to take part in professional development and empowering students at Erie 1 BOCES to become leaders in their buildings and their communities.
In the announcements, learn about how Workforce Development students are giving back and some of the ways you can support students at Erie 1 BOCES CTE centers.
-Salon, Spa and Barbershop Client Services: https://wfd.e1b.org/ourprograms/salon-and-spa-client-services
-Harkness CTE Center Clothing Drive: https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:va6c2:c70ef78f-7d0f-4e13-b45a-7d3c31fddf3a
-Potter CTE Center Career Closet: For information, contact Beth Feeney at efeeney@e1b.org or by calling 716-821-7351
Episode Rundown
0:00- Opening
0:42 - Announcements
1:56 - Interview
11:24 - Trivia
12:17 - Closing
2 Dec 2025
Episode 3: Artificial Intelligence
For this episode, we talk about artificial intelligence with Michelle Okal-Frink, Director of Business Continuity, Research and Innovation for the Western New York Regional Information Center, also known as the WNYRIC; Joe Roaldi, Supervisor for Leadership, Mentoring, & Technology Integration for the WNYRIC, and Nathan Thoma, a Technology Coordinator in Erie 1 BOCES Instructional Services.
In the announcements, learn about the inaugural SMART Collaborative Youth Mental Health Summit, the induction of students into the National Technical Honor Society and the first-of-its-kind Theatre Jam event to support the learning of high school arts performers!
SMART Collaboraitve Youth Mental Health Summit: https://www.e1b.org/post-details-page/~board/erie-1-boces-news/post/empowering-student-wellness-smart-youth-mental-health-summit-launches
Theatre Jam: https://www.e1b.org/post-details-page/~board/erie-1-boces-news/post/theatre-jam-2025-a-day-of-creativity-and-collaboration
00:00 - Opening
00:58 - Announcements
02:14 - Interview with Michelle Okal-Frink, Joe Roaldi and Nathan Thoma.
13:11 - Trivia
13:43 - Closing
22 Oct 2025
Episode 2: Board of Education Service
For this episode, we had a chance to speak with Cameron Hall, a Board of Education member for Erie 1 BOCES and the Hamburg Central School District. Hall shared his experiences as a Board member, recalled his favorites parts of serving local schools and offered advice for those considering board service in their school community.
Learn more about the Erie 1 BOCES Board of Education at https://www.e1b.org/about-us/board-of-education
In the announcements, learn about the declaration of Erie 1 BOCES Day, CTE educator reimbursement rate changes in New York and Erie 1 BOCES' Sunrise Seminar.
Erie 1 BOCES Day: https://www.e1b.org/post-details-page/~board/erie-1-boces-news/post/e1bexpansiongroundbreaking
CTE Reimbursement Changes: https://www.e1b.org/post-details-page/~board/career-and-technical-education-news/post/erie-1-boces-celebrates-increase-in-state-funding-to-cte-instructors
Sunrise Seminar: https://www.e1b.org/post-details-page/~board/erie-1-boces-news/post/inside-the-sunrise-seminar-2025
Episode Rundown
00:00 - Opening
00:40 - Announcements
02:12 - Interview with Cameron Hall
10:40 - Trivia
11:05 - Closing
22 Sept 2025
Episode 1: Educator Hour
Learn about the Educator Hour, a professional development program connecting educators with some of the most interesting sites and groups in Western New York. Dan Lynch, senior coordinator of the Arts in Education program for Erie 1 BOCES and creator of the Educator Hour program, speaks with host Gordon Block about how the program began and how it benefits participating educators.
Learn more about the Educator Hour program and how to register at https://artsined.e1b.org/events/educator-hour
00:00 - Opening
01:10 - Announcements
02:00 - Interview with Dan Lynch
09:54 - Trivia
10:21 - Closing
22 Sept 2025
E1B in the Know Trailer
Welcome to E1B in the Know, the podcast that shares some of the great people and initiatives across Erie 1 BOCES.
For those not familiar, Erie 1 BOCES supports school districts in Western New York with comprehensive services to enhance the region's educational environment. Almost 70 years since its formation, Erie 1 BOCES plays a key role in education through its diverse instructional programming to K–12 students, career training to adult learners, and administrative and technology services to optimize school district performance.
Through interviews with our award-winning staff, organizational news updates and even a little bit of trivia, we hope to leave you a little more informed about our organization and feeling great about the things that are possible in education when we all work together.
I'm your host, Gordon Block. Join us each month for a new episode of E1B in the Know. We look forward to you joining us.
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