We Got to Hang with the NYSCATE Influencers.

Jim jumped into the NYSCATE Influencer Program meeting to talk about the New York Inspired partnership, and it was a great room to be in. If you are a New York educator and you do not know what NYSCATE is yet, that changes today.

The NYSCATE Influencer Program exists to put one educator in every district in New York who can carry the message of responsible, thoughtful technology use into their buildings and their communities. One teacher per district, connected to a statewide network, sharing resources and pushing the field forward together. It is a simple idea that scales into something genuinely powerful when the right people are in it.

The energy was real when they welcomed to the newest influencers joining the team: Karen Starr from Rochester City Schools, Robin Wilensky from North Shore Hebrew Academy, Jen Melitski from Red Hook CSD, and Amy Fisk-Inguagiato from Broome-Tioga BOCES Virtual Learning Academy.

Jim shared two opportunities that are open right now specifically for New York educators.

First, we want to hear your story. If you are doing something interesting in your classroom or district, we want to interview you and put your voice in front of the Thinkering community. Fill out the form and we will be in touch.

Interview form: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScjuqHqkZs1rkd4op36efmqAQv2dXR6DKKraH2VRmqBH38a-Q/viewform

Second, NY Inspired is open. This is the Thinkering fellowship built specifically for New York educators who want to build their dream project with no red tape and no budget restrictions holding them back. If you have been sitting on an idea, this is the program that helps you actually build it.

Fellowship info: thinkeringcollective.org/fellowship/new-york-inspired

The Goose Chase contest is running and people are earning points, winning prizes, and having a genuinely good time with it. This is a fun group! Top five on the leaderboard right now: Stephanie Peborde Burke, Randi Neglia, Laurie Guyon, Robyn Bryant, and Stacy Seidman and Sarah Janis. Code to join the Agents of Innovation 2026 mission is D9JJGK. We see some THINKERERS in the leaderboard!! WOOHOO!

Scholarship and award nominations are open through NYSCATE. Go to nyscate.org/grants--awards.html to apply or nominate someone who deserves recognition.

Coming up on the calendar: Women in Tech Book Talk on August 6th, the NYSCATE Certified Coaching Program starting September 9th, Level Up XR/VR/AR immersive learning on September 17th at NERIC with no cost to attend, and the CETL Certification Cohort kicking off October 21st.

The next NYSCATE Influencer meeting is September 22nd, 2026. If you are a New York educator, you want to be involved in our partnership!

A movement empowering K-12 educators throughout New York state to design projects that transform learning, build community, and spark real-world change.

The NY Inspired Fellowship is a 10-week cohort experience designed specifically for K-12 educators across New York State who are ready to move beyond the constraints of traditional schooling.

Fellows work alongside peers, mentors, and community leaders to develop capstone projects with real-world impact, rooted in the unique energy, culture, and challenges of New York communities.

This isn’t professional development. This is a movement.

Learn more - https://www.thinkeringcollective.org/fellowship/new-york-inspired

If you are a New York educator reading this, two things. Join NYSCATE at nyscate.org/membership.html. And then go look at NY Inspired and ask yourself whether you have a project worth building.

We think you do.

For fellowship information visit thinkeringcollective.org. To share your story reach us at hello@thinkeringcollective.org