Episode Details
Back to Episodes#61 - Gisela Ciancia (New Jersey) - Wash and Learn - Creating a Cultural Hub
Episode 65
Published 4 months, 2 weeks ago
Description
Gisela Ciancia is New Jersey's 2025-2026 Visionary Elementary School Leader of the Year. She is the proud principal of Roosevelt Elementary school in New Brunswick, New Jersey.
Ciancia is highly regarded for her culture-building and hands-on approach to education. Some of her most notable achievements and initiatives include:- Visionary Leadership: She earned the prestigious NJPSA Visionary award for her dedication to supporting faculty, engaging parents, and connecting with the local community.
- Wash and Learn: She pioneered highly creative community programs like "Wash and Learn," which brings reading and enrichment opportunities directly to students and families in local laundromats after school.
- Rock the Block: She also extends school influence and family engagement through community-wide events like "Rock the Block".
Gisela' s advice to school leaders:
1. Listen to community voices.
2. Meet Families where they are.
If you want to learn from a dynamic school leader who brings learning and partnerships with her community, this is the episode for you. Her journey and efforts are making a difference in her school community. NJPSA Gisela Ciancia Visionary Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nn1IbGkpli0 Contact Gisela for more information or to donate books to the Roosevelt Elementary Wash and Learn. Instagram@PrincipalCiancia
@nbpschools