The Conversation

Reflections from the Smithsonian National Education Summit

ESC of Central Ohio — Tue, 10 Mar 2026 09:37:12 -0400

On this episode of The Conversation, hosts John and Rachel chat with Marnie Hallet Szymanski, a history teacher at Margaretta High School who attended the 2025 Smithsonian National Education Summit. She’ll share the insights she gained from the conference and how those strategies are transforming learning for her students.

Welcome to Season 3 of The Conversation! This season we’re exploring how educators can rediscover joy, cultivate hope, and reconnect with the educational journey. Join us for a season filled with inspiring stories and meaningful insights that celebrate the power of education.

Marnie Hallet Szymanski is a teacher at Margaretta High School. This is her 27th year in the classroom. She currently teaches 8th grade history, psychology, sociology and AP psychology. She is constantly striving to find creative and fun ways to teach her students. In addition to being a classroom teacher she is also the RE Program Coordinator, social studies department head, 8th grade Washington, D.C, trip advisor, student government advisor, senior class advisor, varsity cross country coach, varsity swim coach and JH track coach.

Contact the Guest: mhallettszymanski@margarettaschooldistrict.com

Links:

Smithsonian Newsletter Sign Up: https://si.us9.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=ef149f26b899566ccc91c2354&id=78ccd8b27a

The Smithsonian Educator Resources: https://www.si.edu/educators

Music:
Aaron Boylan, Marysville Early College High School Student

More Than a Dance: The Campus-Based Transition Prom

ESC of Central Ohio — Mon, 09 Feb 2026 10:56:32 -0500

Spring is right around the corner which means prom season is about to commence! On this episode of The Conversation, John and Rachel sit down with ESC Intervention Specialists, Kathy Meterko and Rachel Junge to talk about the ESC’s Campus-Based Transition Program and their main event—prom! They'll dive into the planning and logistics behind the event, this year’s theme, and why their prom is such a meaningful and hope-filled experience for CBT students, families, and educators alike. Let’s dive in!

This season we’re exploring how educators can rediscover joy, cultivate hope, and reconnect with the educational journey. Join us for a season filled with inspiring stories and meaningful insights that celebrate the power of education.

Our Guests

Rachel Junge is an Intervention Specialist in the CBT program. She has taught at WINGS for 19 years. Her favorite part of prom is seeing the prom develop from sketches on paper to the finished product and spending the evening with current and former students at the dance.

Kathy Meterko is an Intervention Specialist and is in her 19th year of the CBT program. She and Rachel taught together at WINGS for 11 of those years and now she leads the Step class at OSU. Her favorite part of prom is the week of prom because she likes seeing all of the decorations come together, feeling the excitement build, and then enjoying the night with her current and former students.

Contact the Guests

rachel.junge@escco.org

kathleen.meterko@escco.org

No Grades, New Mindset

ESC of Central Ohio — Fri, 05 Dec 2025 09:37:33 -0500

On this episode of The Conversation, hosts John and Rachel sit down with Olentangy Local Schools English teachers Andrea Vescelius and Hannah Rust to explore how their practice of not grading reshaped mindsets and renewed hope for both students and educators.

Contact the Guests:

Andrea_Vescelius@olsd.us

Hannah_Rust@olsd.us

Reigniting the Spark: How a Science Externship Brought Joy Back to Teaching

ESC of Central Ohio — Thu, 23 Oct 2025 11:00:49 -0400

On this episode of The Conversation, hosts John and Rachel sit down with Adam Philpott, a science teacher from Pickerington Local Schools. Adam shares how his externship aboard a research vessel reignited his passion for teaching.

Adam Philpott is an Environmental Science Teacher at Pickerington High School North. He graduated with a Master's in Science Education from the Ohio State University. He’s a dad to 5 kids and outdoor enthusiast. He’s a huge believer in having students learn about the natural world by being in it, because as Gandalf says: "The world is not in your books and maps, it's out there."

Human Centered Design with Smart Columbus

ESC of Central Ohio — Fri, 20 Jun 2025 09:58:14 -0400

On this episode of “The Conversation”, John and Rachel sit down with Andreya Veintimilla, Design Research Lead at Smart Columbus, to explore the world of human-centered design. Together, they discuss how this approach shapes project development, the importance of designing with people in mind, and how it drives innovation within communities.

This episode of “The Conversation” is a continuation of our series “Emerging Technologies”. This series aims to highlight new technologies that are transforming our everyday lives and local communities.

Andreya Veintimilla is a designer and human-centered urban development leader. Her approach to design is grounded in research and systems thinking to connect innovation initiatives to organizational and community goals. She has over 10 years of experience designing and delivering collaborative solutions across public, non-profit, and private sectors including product and service innovation, digital transformation, architecture, and urban planning. Currently, Andreya is the Design Research Lead at Smart Columbus where she leads design initiatives from discovery through implementation phases across an evolving portfolio of community innovation projects. Andreya is passionate about co-designing equitable and sustainable urban futures

Links Andreya Veintimilla Recommends to Learn More:

Connectcentralohio.com/digitalskillshub

Franklincountydigitalequity.org

Urban Air Mobility

ESC of Central Ohio — Wed, 28 May 2025 10:06:49 -0400

On this episode of "The Conversation", John and Rachel chat with Ted Angel at the National Advanced Air Mobility Center of Excellence (NAAMCE). Together they'll dive into the next transportation revolution: flying cars!

Ted Angel is the Director of Aerospace Affairs for the Dayton Development Coalition. He is charged with executing Aerospace and Defense strategy in the Dayton Region. Prior to his role as the Director of Aerospace Affairs, he was the Senior Enlisted Leader for the Agile Combat Support Directorate, Air Force Life-cycle Management Center and Chief, Acquisitions and Sustainment for the Aircrew Flight Equipment career field. He advised program executive officers and senior materiel leaders on enlisted matters and lifesaving aircrew flight equipment programs. Before his tenure at the Coalition, Ted spent 27 and half years in the United States Air Force, serving in every major leadership role including Aircrew Flight Equipment Superintendent, Squadron Superintendent, Command Manager and Senior Enlisted Leader. Ted was born in Texas and raised in the Warren, Ohio area. Ted received his B.A. from American Military University in International Relations and has completed all Senior Enlisted Military education, including the Joint Special Operations Forces Senior Enlisted Academy (JSOFSEA). Ted is an active volunteer in his community in his spare time and he and his wife Adina have three adult children and reside in the Dayton Region.

NAAMCE

Beyond the Buzzword: Practical Applications of AI in the Classroom

ESC of Central Ohio — Thu, 03 Apr 2025 15:42:12 -0400

On this episode of “The Conversation”, Rachel and Christina, sit down with Jake Miller, a Personalized Learning and EdTech Specialist at Summit ESC and the ESC of the Western Reserve. Together, they explore the real-world impact of AI in education, discussing how both students and teachers can leverage this technology for learning, creativity, and innovation. Tune in for insights, practical applications, and a look at the future of AI in the classroom!

Jake Miller has been a Personalized Learning & EdTech Specialist at Summit ESC and ESC of the Western Reserve since 2022. Before taking on that role, Jake spent 5 years as a technology integration specialist and 14 years teaching math, science, and STEM. Jake has also worked extensively in educational technology as a speaker, presenter, podcaster, blogger, and author (of the book Educational Duct Tape: An EdTech Integration Mindset). Jake has presented at several local and national conferences, including ISTE, FETC, OETC, and at Google’s New York City location.

Links Jake Miller Recommends to Learn More:

https://app.diffit.me/

https://chatgpt.com/

https://www.magicschool.ai/

https://app.schooljoy.com/login

The Future of Ohio - Trends & Predictions

ESC of Central Ohio — Fri, 07 Mar 2025 11:26:57 -0500

On this episode of “The Conversation”, John and Rachel chat with Dr. David Staley, a history professor at The Ohio State University and a futurist. Together, they’ll learn about rapid technology advancements and the impacts they’re having on our local industries, our economy and our daily lives. Let’s dive in!

This episode of “The Conversation” is the start of a new series “Emerging Technologies”. In this series, we’re highlighting new technologies that are transforming our everyday lives and local communities.

Dr. David J. Staley is a writer, designer, futurist, historiographer, educator, advisor, and journalist, and was recently described as an "eclectic academic." He is an Associate Professor in the departments of History and Design at The Ohio State University, and is the author of Alternative Universities: Speculative Design for Innovation in Higher Education, the co-author of Knowledge Towns: Colleges and Universities as Talent Magnets and author of Visionary Histories, a collection of his essays about the future. He is an honorary faculty fellow at the Center for Higher Education Leadership and Innovative Practice (CHELIP) at Bay Path University, where he contributes the "University Design" column, and was recently named a faculty associate at the Centre for Higher Education Transformations (CHET) at the University of Bristol. He is the host of the "Voices of Excellence" podcast, and president of Columbus Futurists, a local think tank. In 2022 he was awarded "Best Freelance Writer" by the Ohio Society of Professional Journalists for his "Next" futures column with Columbus Underground.

Links Dr. Staley Recommends:

https://columbusunderground.com/author/dstaley/

https://columbusfuturists.org/

https://podcast.osu.edu/voices-of-excellence/

Contact Dr. Staley:

staley.3@osu.edu

The Evolution of the Columbus Metropolitan Library

ESC of Central Ohio — Mon, 03 Feb 2025 13:11:13 -0500

On this episode of “The Conversation”, John and Rachel chat with the new CEO of the Columbus Metropolitan Library, Lauren Hagan, and their Chief Community Engagement Officer, Donna Zuiderweg. Together, they discuss the library's upcoming goals, explore some of their current programming, and highlight the vital role partnerships play in its continued success. Let’s dive in!

This episode of “The Conversation” is a continuation of our latest series: “Bridging Gaps: Partnerships and Educational Adjacent Organizations”. In this series, we’re highlighting community partnerships creating impactful change in our community.

Lauren Hagan became CEO of Columbus Metropolitan Library in October 2024. CML has 24 locations with more than 850 employees and an annual operating budget of $120 million. Prior to becoming CEO, Lauren served as the library’s Chief Financial Officer, joining the organization in 2018. In that role, she led several departments, including Finance, Information Technology and Capital Planning & Project Management. In addition, Lauren managed several key library initiatives: the planning and construction of 11 library branch projects and the issuance of $40 million in public debt. In 2023, she oversaw financial planning, internal communications, compliance and ballot process efforts for the successful passage of CML’s continuing levy. Prior to joining CML, Lauren spent nearly a decade at Loyola University Chicago in various leadership and financial positions, most recently as Senior Associate Vice President of Finance and Controller. She channels her passion about issues affecting women and families as a community leader, serving as board chair of the Affordable Housing Trust, an affordable housing lender and investor. In 2020, Lauren was named to Columbus Business First’s 40 Under 40 class. Lauren is a CPA and earned bachelor's and master's degrees in accounting from Loyola University Chicago. Lauren and her husband Jim Venetucci live in Hilliard and have two children.

Columbus Metropolitan Library: https://www.columbuslibrary.org/

Partnering with Metro Parks

ESC of Central Ohio — Fri, 10 Jan 2025 10:15:29 -0500

On this episode of “The Conversation”, John and Rachel chat with Jill Snyder, the Visitor Engagement Manager and Public Information Officer at Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks. Together, they’ll explore the exciting array of current park activities, discuss upcoming events, and learn about a new facility designed with accessibility and inclusivity in mind.

Jill Snyder is Metro Parks Visitor Engagement Manager, overseeing reservations, marketing, education and events. Jill has been a part of the Metro Parks team for over 20 years, leading programs, coordinating events, working in nature centers, and overseeing the education program for the park district. Along the way, Jill assisted with marketing, media requests and worked on monthly "Wander Wonder with Jill" videos highlighting the amazing features of Metro Parks. Jill grew up exploring the outdoors and loves running, hiking and sharing the park system with her family.

Links: www.metroparks.net

Contact Metro Parks:

snyder@metroparks.net

info@metroparks.net

CCMEP: One of Ohio’s Best Kept Secrets

ESC of Central Ohio — Mon, 16 Dec 2024 16:02:16 -0500

On this episode of The Conversation, John and Christina (filling in for Rachel) have an insightful conversation about the wide range of resources the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services offers. They chat with Gerrie Cotter, Manager of the Comprehensive Case Management and Employment Program, and Dalen Hill, a former student whose career has been transformed by these impactful programs.

This episode of “The Conversation” is part of a new series: “Bridging Gaps: Partnerships and Educational Adjacent Organizations”. In this series, we’ll highlight community partnerships that are creating impactful change in our community.

Gerrie Cotter manages the Comprehensive Case Management and Employment Program for the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services’ Office of Workforce Development. During Cotter’s 11-year career with ODJFS, she also managed OhioMeansJobs.com projects with the Ohio Department of Education and the Ohio Department of Higher Education as well as developed policy agencywide as the former Chief Policy Advisor for the Director’s Office. Cotter has her B.A. in International Studies and French from West Virginia University as well as her J.D. from Loyola University, New Orleans.

Dalen Hill is a dedicated healthcare professional with a passion for the arts, music, and media. While attending The Charles School, Dalen joined Lead the Way, which paved the path for a career in healthcare. With certifications as an STNA, phlebotomist, and medication aide through VIP Medical Academy, Dalen combines hands-on skills with a strong academic foundation. Earning an associate's degree in Cross Disciplinary Studies and Art from Ohio Dominican University in May, Dalen has experience in senior and pediatric care and has worked with OhioHealth and YAMO Media, driven by a commitment to care and creativity.

Links:

Mobility Managers Contact List | Ohio Department of Transportation

Connect with ODJFS

Guest’s Email: gerrie.cotter@jfs.ohio.gov

Podcast brought to you by:

The ESC of Central Ohio: Center for Achievement & Leadership

Podcast Hosts:

John Hambrick, Work Based Learning Coordinator
Christina Grady-Watts, Personalized Learning Specialist

Produced By:

Christina Grady-Watts, Personalized Learning Specialist

Brenna Schoen, Communications Specialist

Food, Friendship & Belonging: The Heart of Kitchen of Life

ESC of Central Ohio — Fri, 22 Nov 2024 10:05:58 -0500

On this episode of “The Conversation”, John and Rachel sit down with Shea Kaltmann, the Director of Kitchen of Life, to explore how the organization is transforming lives through the culinary arts. Discover how Kitchen of Life fosters resilience and strengthens interpersonal skills by bringing people together in the kitchen. Join us for an inspiring discussion about the power of food to create community, build confidence and spark personal growth.

Shea Kaltmann is the Director of Kitchen of Life, a non-profit organization based in Columbus, Ohio, dedicated to building resilience and fostering social-emotional skills for youth through culinary arts. Born in Columbus, Shea attended school in Columbus, Chicago, New York, and Los Angeles before returning to Columbus in March 2020. Additionally, Shea serves on the Education and Data and Research Action Teams for the Franklin County Suicide Prevention Coalition.

Links: https://kolc.org/

Guest’s Email: shea@kolc.org

Podcast brought to you by:

The ESC of Central Ohio: Center for Achievement & Leadership

Podcast Hosts:
John Hambrick, Work Based Learning Coordinator
Rachel Daniels, Adolescent Literacy Consultant

Produced By:

Christina Grady-Watts, Personalized Learning Specialist

Brenna Schoen, Communications Specialist

Voices in Conflict

ESC of Central Ohio — Fri, 18 Oct 2024 15:09:17 -0400

*Please note: the introduction of this podcast incorrectly refers to the high school as "Village Springs". The correct name of the school is "Village High School". On this episode of The Conversation, John and Rachel sit down with Village High School teachers Susan Nolan and Dan Takacs. Together, they dive into the teacher’s thought-provoking course, Voices in Conflict, which challenges students to explore diverse perspectives and embrace new ideas. This episode is part of our ongoing series, Democracy in the Classroom, designed to keep you engaged and informed this election season.

Susan Nolan’s path to education was not linear. She chose to leave her own stifling, traditional high school experience early, consequently because such a conventional environment only really served to further develop her natural sense of recalcitrance. At 17, Susan began traveling many parts of the world singing and dancing professionally and has also made a living as a personal trainer and in sales. At 30, she decided summers and weekends off would be great, so she earned her teaching credential. Turns out, she has a true passion for working with young people, building authentic connections with them, and helping them see and embrace their own self-worth and noble pursuits.

Meet Tak: once a third-grade reading class escape artist, he spent more time plotting his escape than decoding, The Cat in the Hat. His dreams of the NBA were swiftly derailed during his junior year of high school, thanks to a growth spurt that never happened. However, a move to Mississippi opened his eyes to social struggles, sparking a passion for deep dives into social histories. He found his way back to teaching with a goal to help spur hope in kids and maybe his third grade self. He somehow earned a masters in secondary education, too.

Links: https://village.asd20.org/

Podcast brought to you by:

The ESC of Central Ohio: Center for Achievement & Leadership

Podcast Hosts:

John Hambrick, Work Based Learning Coordinator
Rachel Daniels, Adolescent Literacy Consultant

Produced By:

Christina Grady-Watts, Personalized Learning Specialist

Brenna Schoen, Communications Specialist

American Political Thought and Radicalism – Part 2

ESC of Central Ohio — Wed, 11 Sep 2024 15:38:04 -0400

Tune in to the exciting conclusion of Episode 1 of The Conversation! In this episode, John and Rachel dive deeper into David Strausbaugh’s thought-provoking American Political Thought and Radicalism course at Worthington Kilbourne High School. Hear firsthand how this unique class has shaped the values and civic engagement of a former student. This episode is a part of our Democracy Starts in the Classroom series, designed to keep you informed and engaged this voting season.

David Strausbaugh has taught for over 30 years in Philadelphia and Columbus. At Worthington Kilbourne High School he has taught US History and American Political Thought and Radicalism, a senior elective class which has been featured on NBC Nightly News, the Columbus Dispatch and recently Columbus Monthly magazine for its unique format and content. Speakers from all over the country have participated in the class.

Bella Selph is a recent Worthington-Kilbourne grad and former student of the American Political Thought and Radicalism Class. An animal rights activist, Bella is based in Columbus Ohio. She will be attending Columbus State this fall.

Article: https://bit.ly/3SReEeb

Recipe: https://kristineskitchenblog.com/one-pot-vegetarian-chili-mac/

Emails:

dstrausbaugh@wscloud.org

Bellaselph55@gmail.com

Podcast brought to you by:

The ESC of Central Ohio: Center for Achievement & Leadership

Podcast Hosts:

John Hambrick, Work Based Learning Coordinator
Rachel Daniels, Adolescent Literacy Consultant

Produced By:

Christina Grady-Watts, Personalized Learning Specialist

Brenna Schoen, Communications Specialist

American Political Thought and Radicalism – Part 1

ESC of Central Ohio — Fri, 16 Aug 2024 14:36:41 -0400

Season 2 of The Conversation is here! This two-part episode is a part of our Democracy Starts in the Classroom series which will cover civic engagement topics to keep you informed and engaged this voting season. On this episode of The Conversation, John and Rachel chat with David Strausbaugh, a Social Studies teacher at Worthington Kilbourne High School. John and Rachel will learn about David’s American Political Thought & Radicalism class and hear from one of his former student’s, Bella Selph, to learn how the course opened her eyes to new ideas and perspectives.

Article: https://bit.ly/3SReEeb

Recipe: https://kristineskitchenblog.com/one-pot-vegetarian-chili-mac/

Emails:

dstrausbaugh@wscloud.org

Bellaselph55@gmail.com

Podcast brought to you by:

The ESC of Central Ohio: Center for Achievement & Leadership

Podcast Hosts:

John Hambrick, Work Based Learning Coordinator
Rachel Daniels, Adolescent Literacy Consultant

Produced By:

Christina Grady-Watts, Personalized Learning Specialist

Brenna Schoen, Communications Specialist

Emerging Talent & Workforce Engagement

ESC of Central Ohio — Wed, 12 Jun 2024 14:49:11 -0400

The final episode of Season 1 of "The Conversation, is here! Tune in as John chats with Opal Brant from One Columbus about their groundbreaking efforts to support and engage businesses with our region’s K-12 pipeline. Learn how they’re shaping the future workforce and creating opportunities for our youth. Don’t miss this inspiring discussion! Make sure to keep an eye out for Season 2 of The Conversation, premiering this August. #TheConversation #COWRC

Opal M. Brant is a talent strategist with over a decade of experience in workforce development, consulting, and training. As the Emerging Talent Manager at One Columbus, Opal focuses on the K-12 talent pipeline efforts around Central Ohio.

Opal has a blend of knowledge from her human resources and workforce development background that helps her build strategic partnerships and effective economic inclusion and talent pipeline strategies. Prior to working at One Columbus, Opal was the Director of Business Solutions with the Workforce Development Board of Central Ohio where she led a high-performing team and launched a variety of projects and initiatives to enhance workforce efforts in the region including the creation of the Central Ohio Healthcare Sector Partnership and Workforce Evolution, the inaugural conference for workforce and HR professionals. Opal also played a key role in securing half a million dollars in grants.

Before relocating her family and joining her husband in Ohio, Opal worked in the Human Resources Office of Strategic Workforce Development at Johns Hopkins Health System in Baltimore, MD. At Johns Hopkins, Opal worked on internal and external talent pipeline strategies leveraging partnerships with community-based organizations, local government, and local training providers.

https://columbusregion.com/

Podcast brought to you by:

The ESC of Central Ohio: Center for Achievement & Leadership

Podcast Hosts:

John Hambrick, Work Based Learning Coordinator

Produced By:

Christina Grady-Watts, Personalized Learning Specialist

Brenna Schoen, Communications Specialist

A District’s Focus on Service Learning

ESC of Central Ohio — Fri, 10 May 2024 15:07:43 -0400

Service based learning experiences are crucial to connecting with and understanding the needs of your school community. On this episode of The Conversation, John and Rachel chat with Angela Ullum, Chief Academic Officer at Grandview Heights Schools. Angela shares how a services learning simulation impacted and created change in their school community.

Angela Ullum is the Chief Academic Officer for Grandview Heights Schools. She has the honor and privilege of leading district-wide initiatives to elevate curriculum standards that are both growth-minded and strategically focused on personalized learning and well-being.

angela.ullum@ghschools.org

Grandview Heights Wellness: https://bit.ly/4aef58i

Podcast brought to you by:

The ESC of Central Ohio: Center for Achievement & Leadership

Podcast Hosts:

John Hambrick, Work Based Learning Coordinator
Rachel Daniels, Adolescent Literacy Consultant

Produced By:

Christina Grady-Watts, Personalized Learning Specialist

Brenna Schoen, Communications Specialist

Westerville City School’s Inclusive Approach to Well-Being

ESC of Central Ohio — Tue, 09 Apr 2024 09:48:04 -0400

Student and teacher well-being is crucial to the success of your district. On this episode of The Conversation, Rachel and John chat with Tami Cole-Santa, Executive Director of Student Services at Westerville City Schools. They’re also joined by Westerville City Schools’ Director of Student Well-Being, Jessie Martin, to explore the district’s inclusive approach to well-being.

Tami Cole-Santa is in her 17th year with Westerville City Schools and currently serves as the Executive Director of Student Services. In this role, she helps lead and support K-12 school counselors, school social workers/clinicians, nursing services, educational equity department as well as facilitates programming and initiatives falling under these umbrellas. Tami has a passion for leading mental health awareness, decreasing stigma and helping people throughout the district and community understand the importance of equitable practices and trauma informed resilience focused approach to learning and life.

Jessie Martin is a Licensed Independent Social Worker with 16 years in the field, with a focus on school social work She is currently the Director of Student Well-Being in Westerville City Schools. She has been a trainer and presenter for therapeutic crisis intervention and trauma-informed care. Jessie assists in the development and implementation of social emotional learning programs as well as supports mental health and school counseling programs. Jessie has a passion for supporting all students with a trauma-informed equity lens.

santat@westerville.k12.oh.us

martinjd@westerville.k12.oh.us

Metal Health Support: https://bit.ly/3PpZJmU

STARR: https://starr.org/

Podcast brought to you by:

The ESC of Central Ohio: Center for Achievement & Leadership

Podcast Hosts:

John Hambrick, Work Based Learning Coordinator
Rachel Daniels, Adolescent Literacy Consultant

Produced By:

Christina Grady-Watts, Personalized Learning Specialist

Brenna Schoen, Communications Specialist

Ohio Teacher of the Year

ESC of Central Ohio — Mon, 11 Mar 2024 13:15:12 -0400

Recognizing Ohio teachers starts with you! Nominations for the 2025 Ohio Teacher of the Year are now open. On this episode of The Conversation, Rachel and John chat with Jonathan Juravich, 2018’s Ohio Teacher of the Year winner. They’re also joined by Angela Dicke, the State Coordinator for the Ohio Teacher of the Year Program, to learn more about this rewarding experience.

Jonathan Juravich is the art teacher at Liberty Tree Elementary School with the Olentangy Local Schools outside of Columbus, Ohio. In his 19th year of teaching, he also serves as a leader of School Culture and Environment. He is the 2018 Ohio Teacher of the Year and was one of four finalists for 2018 National Teacher of the Year. He currently serves as the founding president of the Ohio Chapter of the National Network of State Teachers of the Year (OH-NNSTOY). Jonathan’s personal and professional focus is on the importance of Social and Emotional Learning in our daily lives. This is the topic of his presentations, including his TED Talk “How Do We Teach Empathy,” his limited series podcast "The Art of SEL," and his Emmy award winning digital drawing program "Drawing with Mr. J."

Angela Dicke is the State Coordinator for the Ohio Teacher of the Year program at the State Board of Education. Her vision is to promote teacher recognition statewide and continue to develop the successful cohort model for the Ohio Teacher of the Year program with inclusive connections, advocacy, and leadership opportunities. Her professional background includes teaching, training, educational non-profit programming, and grant management. She resides in Columbus, Ohio with her family.

Guest Emails:

JonathanJuravich@gmail.com

Angela.Dicke@SBOE.Ohio.Gov

Links:

Ohio Teacher of the Year Nomination Form: https://bit.ly/48OXjYn

Ohio Teacher of the Year Guidelines: https://bit.ly/3T4ntRe

Podcast brought to you by:

The ESC of Central Ohio: Center for Achievement & Leadership

Podcast Hosts:

John Hambrick, Work Based Learning Coordinator
Rachel Daniels, Adolescent Literacy Consultant

Produced By:

Christina Grady-Watts, Personalized Learning Specialist

Brenna Schoen, Communications Specialist

Racial Equity Discourse in the Classroom

ESC of Central Ohio — Fri, 09 Feb 2024 16:01:42 -0500

Episode 4 of The Conversation has dropped! Filling in for Rachel Daniels, Christina Grady-Watts and John Hambrick chat with Lisa Floyd Jefferson and Schyvonne Ross from Reynoldsburg City Schools. Tune in to learn about their efforts around equity and racial justice in the classroom.

Lisa Floyd-Jefferson’s 31 years of experience as a Black Educator, include serving in a multitude of capacities that all helped to mold her Leadership style. She has served as Parent, Volunteer, Paraprofessional, Substitute Teacher, Classroom Teacher, Teacher Leader, National Board-Certified Teacher, Assistant Principal, Central Office Administrator, Curriculum Specialist, Instructional Coach and now Deeper Learning Specialist. In her current role, she applies her years of experience towards a variety of efforts designed to positively impact curriculum, instruction, and leadership throughout both the district and the state.

Schyvonne Ross has nearly 20 years of experience in education and is currently an administrator with Reynoldsburg City Schools. Schyvonne has a passion for diversity, equity, and inclusion and is currently the Chairperson for the Board’s Citizens Advisory Committee on Equity and Inclusion as well as a Co-Lead of Digital Promise’s Inclusive Innovation Equity Team. During the summer of 2022, Schyvonne was honored with receiving the inaugural George J. Stebout Juneteenth Legacy Award for her contributions to the Reynoldsburg community in the areas of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Links:

https://digitalpromise.org/inclusive-innovation/oer-for-racial-equity-social-justice-project/

lfloydjefferson@reyn.org

schyvonne.ross@reyn.org

https://www.linkedin.com/in/schyvonne-ross-m-s-m-ed-11239bab/

Podcast brought to you by:

The ESC of Central Ohio: Center for Achievement & Leadership

Podcast Hosts:

John Hambrick, Work Based Learning Coordinator
Christina Grady-Watts, Personalized Learning Specialist

Produced By:

Christina Grady-Watts, Personalized Learning Specialist

Brenna Schoen, Communications Specialist

Supporting Ukrainian Students in Ohio

ESC of Central Ohio — Thu, 04 Jan 2024 10:42:54 -0500

As the two-year anniversary of Russia invading Ukraine approaches, The Conversation spoke with US Together, a non-profit organization providing services for immigrants and refugees in Ohio. Filling in for Rachel Daniels, Christina Grady-Watts and John Hambrick learn about US Together’s efforts to provide education and workforce services to Ukrainian immigrants and refugees affected by the Russia-Ukraine war.

Elizabeth Cusma is an immigration specialist and the current Site Director at US Together Cleveland, an immigrant and refugee serving organization.

Lyudmyla Pinchuk is a senior case manager and lead on Ukrainian integration services. She is also an immigrant from Ukraine and has worked for US Together for 13 years.

Links:

www.ustogether.us

info@ustogether.us

Podcast brought to you by:

The ESC of Central Ohio: Center for Achievement & Leadership

Podcast Hosts:

John Hambrick, Work Based Learning Coordinator
Rachel Daniels, Adolescent Literacy Consultant

Produced By:

Christina Grady-Watts, Personalized Learning Specialist

Brenna Schoen, Communications Specialist

SproutFive's Innovative Approach to Education

ESC of Central Ohio — Fri, 08 Dec 2023 08:31:00 -0500

Join us on Episode 2 of The Conversation to learn about SproutFive’s efforts to revolutionize our country’s approach to early childhood education. Don't miss this motivational episode!

Colin Page McGinnis, by his own admission, hasn’t had a conventional path through school or career. At 24, he assumed the role of CEO of SproutFive (formerly South Side Early Learning), a century-old early childhood nonprofit with a startup mindset working to reimagine early learning.

Colin attended The Ohio State University for his Bachelor's in Human Development and Family Science with Research Distinction in Teaching and Learning, The University of Nebraska—Lincoln for his Master's degree in Educational Psychology, Harvard Graduate School of Education, and Harvard Business School for a Certificate in School Management and Leadership, and The Ohio State University for his Doctorate.

Franki Sibberson is a literacy leader with over 30 years of experience as an elementary classroom teacher in Ohio. Franki served as president of the National Council of Teachers of English. She is the co-author of Classroom Design for Student Agency with Lynsey Burkins published by NCTE and In Community with Readers published by Stenhouse. She currently serves as the Executive Director of SproutFive’s Institute for Professional Learning. Franki provides leadership and consulting to schools and nonprofits.

Book mentioned in the podcast: https://www.amazon.com/Literacy-Learning-Infants-Toddlers-Preschoolers/dp/1952331080

SproutFive’s Website & Social Media

https://sproutfive.org/

https://www.youtube.com/@sproutfiveofficial

https://facebook.com/sproutfive

https://www.instagram.com/sproutfiveofficial

Podcast brought to you by:

The ESC of Central Ohio: Center for Achievement & Leadership

Podcast Hosts:

John Hambrick, Work Based Learning Coordinator
Rachel Daniels, Adolescent Literacy Consultant

Produced By:

Christina Grady-Watts, Personalized Learning Specialist

Brenna Schoen, Communications Specialist

Farm to School to Community: The Journey

ESC of Central Ohio — Tue, 07 Nov 2023 13:55:30 -0500

Join us on Episode 1 of The Conversation to learn about his remarkable journey and impactful work in food, education and community advocacy. Don't miss this inspiring episode!

Meet our guest, Trevor Horn. He's not your typical culinary expert. Trevor, currently the Farm Director at the Mid Ohio Food Collective, began his journey working in kitchens for 13 years and earning a degree from Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Academy. In 2018, Trevor took on a new role at Reynoldsburg High School (in Central Ohio), where he created the first Slow Food High School Chapter in the nation. He transformed unused tennis courts into a thriving Urban Farm, and the school's Garden Club evolved into a CTE Agriculture and Food Science Pathway, empowering students to become community food advocates. Trevor's work earned him The Boyd W. Bowden Garden Impact Award in 2019, and he secured a grant for his students to support biodiversity. In 2020, he received the Grow Next Gen Teacher Leader of the Year award for integrating agriculture into an urban school setting. In the summer of 2023, Trevor began serving as the Farm Director for the Mid-Ohio Food Collective.

Mid Ohio Farm Collective: https://mofc.org/
Mid Ohio Farm: https://mofc.org/mid-ohio-farm/

ESC STEM: https://www.escco.org/STEM.aspx

Trevor’s Email: thorn@mofc.org

Podcast brought to you by:

The ESC of Central Ohio: Center for Achievement & Leadership

Podcast Hosts:
John Hambrick, Work Based Learning Coordinator

Rachel Daniels, Adolescent Literacy Consultant

Produced By:

Christina Grady-Watts, Personalized Learning Specialist

Brenna Schoen, Communications Specialist