Whole Brain, Whole Child at Ulster BOCES
Join host Dr. Jillaine Berardi, Assistant Superintendent for Learning & Design at the Center for Innovative Teaching and Learning (CITL) at Ulster BOCES, for this podcast series featuring the dynamic Whole Brain, Whole Child learning framework. At Ulster BOCES CITL, learning is personal, purposeful, and powered by design. Each episode features conversations with educators, school leaders, students, and change-makers who are experiencing this comprehensive approach to teaching and learning—where cognitive, emotional, and social growth are all essential parts of the experience. Together, guests explore how and why schools should build learning experiences and environments that nurture the whole child, activate the whole brain, and prepare learners for a complex and ever-changing world through Equity-Centered Practices, Relationship-Based Learning, and Trauma-Informed Education, an approach that helps meet students' unique needs and empowers them to drive their own learning.
Whether you're a teacher, related service provider, administrator, parent, or student, this podcast offers insight, inspiration, and practical ideas to help you rethink what's possible in education.
Whole Brain, Whole Child at Ulster BOCES
Reimagining School Through Student Voice
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In this episode of Whole Brain Whole Child, Dr. Jillaine Berardi, Assistant Superintendent for Learning & Design at the Center for Innovative Teaching & Learning (CITL) holds space for voices from CITL at Mount Marion Middle School for a powerful, student-centered conversation about learning, belonging, and the systems that shape their experiences.
Joined by Assistant Principal Shelbi Hamilton, middle school students Kestrel and Isaac share their perspectives with honesty and courage, offering insights into what helps them feel supported, what challenges them, and what they envision for the future of education. Their reflections highlight the importance of connection, identity, and creating spaces where every learner is seen, heard, and valued.
At Ulster BOCES, we believe in elevating student voice as a cornerstone of deeper learning. This conversation reflects our North Star Educational Commitments: fostering inclusive environments, nurturing the whole child, and designing learning experiences that empower students to think critically, advocate for themselves, and contribute meaningfully to their communities.
This episode invites educators, families, and community members to listen closely, because when students speak, we learn.
🔹 What does it mean to truly support the whole child?
🔹 How can schools better respond to student needs and strengths?
🔹 What happens when we center student voice in educational design?
Join us as we explore these questions and continue the journey toward more responsive, human-centered education.
Episode Details:
00:00 – Introduction: Whole Brain Whole Child Podcast
Dr. Jillaine Berardi opens the conversation, setting the stage for a student-centered discussion on learning, belonging, and the future of education.
00:48 – Meet the Students: Kestrel & Isaac Share Their Stories
Kestrel and Isaac introduce themselves, sharing early insights into their experiences and what matters most to them as learners.
03:07 – Student Experiences: What School Feels Like
Students reflect on their educational journeys, highlighting the supports, challenges, and moments that have shaped their growth.
07:36 – Belonging, Identity & Inclusive School Communities
A powerful conversation about inclusivity, representation, and the importance of feeling seen, valued, and supported in school.
08:43 – What Students Want: Designing the Ideal School Day
Kestrel reimagines the school day—emphasizing choice, creativity, outdoor time, and more personalized learning experiences.
17:43 – Rethinking School: Equity, Testing & Student Voice
A critical look at grading, testing, and equity—through the lens of student experience and the need for more responsive systems.
24:03 – Future of Education: Creativity, Labs & Real-World Learning
Students envision hands-on learning environments, innovation labs, and opportunities to create, build, and explore real-world applications.
34:00 – Student Voice in Action: Curiosity, Projects & Innovation
Student-driven learning comes to life through projects, field trips, and inquiry-based experiences grounded in curiosity.
44:12 – Skills for Life: What Students Really Need to Succeed
The episode closes with reflections on essential life skills—highlighting creativity, critical thinking, and real-world readiness.