Collaborative Reach Expansion

Conducts advocacy before the New York State Board of Regents, legislative education committees, and federal bodies by providing testimony, written reports, bill memos, budget analysis, and veto requests to advance the interests of rural school districts. Coordinates legislative priorities based on input from regional forums and collaborates with national organizations like the National Rural Education Association.

Organizes and hosts an annual summer conference in Lake Placid, NY, as well as regional and statewide conferences to address key issues facing rural school districts, featuring professional development sessions and networking opportunities.

Operates as a clearinghouse for information by publishing newsletters (RSA Today), alerts (Albany Alerts, Washington Watch, RSA Alerts), and video clips to keep member districts informed about policy developments, programs, and advocacy progress. Facilitates communication among rural school leaders across New York State.

Travels to member school districts upon request to deliver presentations on timely educational issues and participates in conferences and forums to engage with educators, business leaders, and higher education institutions.

Provides professional development through webinars, regional forums, annual conferences, breakout sessions, and collaborative events focused on practical strategies for rural school districts. Offers ongoing support in areas such as curriculum, instruction, staffing, and administration.

Administers awards and recognition programs including the Rural Teacher of the Year, student video contests, and an annual awards dinner to highlight excellence and achievements in rural education. Recognizes both individual educators and schools for their contributions to rural communities.

Conducts and publishes research reports on key challenges facing rural and small school districts in New York State, including findings from statewide forums and collaborative advocacy statements. Research is used to inform members, the public, and policymakers.

Provides five rural elementary schools with mobile Maker Carts containing over 18,000 STEM components each and awards $2,000 in professional development funding per district to support hands-on engineering and STEM instruction.

Completed construction of a broadcast facility at the Brooklyn Navy Yard with support from a $12 million grant and provides technical infrastructure including fiber connectivity, power distribution, and transmission services for live international broadcasts.

Receives and administers federal grant funding, including a $30 million Ready To Learn grant from the U.S. Department of Education, to support the development and implementation of early childhood educational programming and transmedia learning pilots.

Manages HITN Go, a video-on-demand platform offering authenticated access to educational programming, and Edye, a global subscription service for Spanish-speaking preschoolers. Also operates VidaySalud.com, a Spanish-language health information platform with thousands of articles, videos, and live doctor chats.

Collaborates with organizations like Aspira to produce public service announcements on financial fraud prevention, supports community events such as Fiesta Boricua by donating technology, and broadcasts emergency information during disasters like Hurricane Sandy.

Develops and broadcasts educational, cultural, and public affairs content in Spanish for U.S. Hispanic audiences through a national television network and digital platforms, with a focus on history, heritage, and community engagement. The network has received multiple New York Emmy® Award nominations for its programming.

Creates interactive online hubs and streaming content that enable users to explore U.S. states through gamified learning, video excerpts, and facts. Produces documentary series such as "America 250" and "Aerial America" to teach U.S. history, geography, and culture.

Develops and delivers multi-platform educational content and digital media for Hispanic preschool and early elementary children (ages 2–8), with a focus on early brain development, STEM learning, and closing the achievement gap. Resources are designed to promote curiosity, critical thinking, and problem-solving for children, families, and educators.

Published a resource page with emergency contacts and humanitarian aid information for individuals affected by natural disasters, such as earthquakes in northern Venezuela.

Engages in efforts to reduce light pollution on Long Island and across New York State to preserve dark skies for astronomical observation and environmental health.

Hosts and participates in public stargazing events such as "Stars on Sunday" at Hofstra University, Music Under the Stars at Eisenhower Park, International Observe the Moon Night at Jones Beach, and Astronomy Day at the Cradle of Aviation, using club telescopes and volunteer members to engage the public with astronomy education and viewing opportunities.