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

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

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.