How Educational Television Shapes Learning

Managing director at BTIG, Janina Casey has over two decades of experience working with some of the most successful brokerages in New York City. An alumna of St. John’s University, Janina Casey had a successful acting career in her youth and was on the iconic children’s educational television program The Electric Company. 

Educational television programs are a vital tool for teaching children positive social behaviors and basic numeracy and literacy skills. Additionally, children can learn about the wider world through educational programs focused on nature, travel, and other cultures. Children’s programming has also been shown to develop school readiness in young children, including skills such as following instructions and learning simple songs through repetition. 

This can have a long-term impact in a child’s academic performance. When compared to children who watch entertainment television regularly, preschool children who watch a large amount of educational television attain higher scores on achievement tests. For this and other reasons, experts advise parents to be selective about the type of programming their children watch.

Supporting Disadvantaged Youth through Mentorship Programs

Beyond her work as an equities and sales professional, Janina Casey is committed to addressing issues facing disadvantaged youth. In addition to her board position with the educational nonprofit Urban Tech, Janina Casey has coordinated fundraising events to help underserved schools purchase computers and spent several years mentoring high school students. 

Well-designed mentoring programs can help counteract many of the negative circumstances impacting disadvantaged youth, such as poverty, substance abuse, and violence. Studies have shown that at-risk students who spend time with a mentor are more likely to graduate high school and attend college. 

Mentors can help youth in a number of ways. Some mentorship programs provide one-on-one academic and homework support and tutoring. Other programs focus on college readiness and identifying a career path and match students with mentors working in their desired field. 

Besides the attention and guidance of a caring adult, youth benefit from the safe environment mentorship programs provide. A number of programs also train their mentors in conflict resolution and building relationships.

Urban Tech Bullying Prevention Program

New York City-based managing director Janina Casey has extensive experience working in research and equity sales at some of the world’s largest financial institutions. In addition to her professional accomplishments, Janina Casey is a long time advocate for social programs for at-risk youth and serves on the board for Urban Tech, a nonprofit curriculum developer.

Urban Tech's Dignity for All (DFA )program is a comprehensive bullying prevention curriculum designed to increase empathy, respect, and other soft skills among adolescents. The program incorporates Common Core standards of grade-relevant English language arts and STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) lessons.

DFA uses a holistic model that supports the development of safe and accepting school environments. Evidence has shown that students are less likely to experience bullying in schools staffed with supportive adults. 

The DFA curriculum is divided into three learning stages and combines readings, digital tools, and interactive activities to inspire discussion around important topics such as the dangers and signs of bullying and the concepts of mindfulness and restorative justice.

Ways to Stand Out When Auditioning for a Commercial

Philanthropist and finance professional Janina Casey graduated from St. John's University and has since led a career in research equity and sales. During her childhood, Janina Casey was involved in the acting world and appeared in several television commercials. as well as the television show The Electric Company.

Standing out during a commercial audition is challenging for actors of any age. Listed below are a few things to help young actors be more memorable during a casting call.

1. Dress appropriately. Casting directors audition young actors because they want actors who look the age they’ll be playing. For this reason, actors should always dress appropriately for an audition and avoid applying too much makeup, wearing provocative clothes, or doing other things that don't suit their age.

2. Make adjustments. During an audition, it’s not uncommon for the director to request that the actor do something differently than the sample script says. For example, directors may try changing which word is emphasized in a line. Directors often do this to figure out how well a young actor takes direction when it comes to their performance. Those who are unable to take direction well are more likely to be passed up for someone with more range.

3. Create a moment. While rehearsing, young actors can craft a scene that happens right before the section they are auditioning for. The creation of some backstory will help the actor get into character and demonstrates to the director that the actor understands the idea that scenes are a slice of life.