TCESC Educator Fall 2022

Covering News Related to Trumbull County Public Schools

TCESC Educator Fall 2022

Welcome back, and to the 2022-2023 school year!

It has been a wonderful experience to see our students, staff, classrooms, and communities moving forward in the aftermath of what has been, no doubt, two of the most challenging years throughout our careers. I cannot adequately express my appreciation for and gratitude to each and every one of you for the great work you have done in our schools and here at the TCESC. This September, we began preparing all K-3 teachers in our partnering school districts for the rollout of House Bill 436, which addresses dyslexia, through training opportunities facilitated by our staff. The first set of students has started classes at our Education Extension Pre-Apprenticeship classroom in Lordstown. In addition, it goes without saying how proud we are to have the 2023 Ohio Teacher of the Year, Miss Melissa Kmetz, represent Trumbull County!

As we move toward the holiday season, I want to thank everyone for their continued hard work and dedication to our students. Your passion for their growth is why we continue leading in Educational Excellence.

Mic hael H ansh aw

TCESC Governing Board Jeffrey Dreves President

Denise Domhoff Vice President

Deborah Patchin Al Haberstroh Tom Krispinsky

Trumbull County Educational Service Center

TrumbullESC

TCESC Administrative Team Michael Hanshaw

Superintendent michael.hanshaw@trumbullesc.org

Lori Simione, CPA

Treasurer lori.simione@trumbullesc.org

Robert Marino, Jr.

Assistant Superintendent Curriculum & Instruction robert.marino@trumbullesc.org

Kathleen Vilsack

Director of Pupil Services kathleen.vilsack@trumbullesc.org

Carlotta Sheets

www.trumbullesc.org

TCESC App

Human Resources carlotta.sheets@trumbullesc.org

Christopher M. Hubinsky

Technology Administrator chris.hubinsky@trumbullesc.org

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Congratulations to Lakeview Elementary School 3rd grade teacher Melissa Kmetz on being named the 2023 Ohio Teacher of the Year! The announcement was made on September 27 during a special surprise assembly at Lakeview Elementary. She is in her 17th year of teaching English Language Arts and says she strives to spark an enthusiasm for learning within her students, noting that some of the most important lessons learned in her classroom go beyond academics. Each year she connects her classroom lessons with the community by encouraging students to develop various service projects.

“It’s an honor just to be nominated, but being the actual Teacher of the Year is just the best surprise ever.”

Since its inception in 1964, the Ohio Teacher of the Year program annually identifies exceptional teachers statewide, celebrating their effective work in and outside the classroom. The program's mission is to provide opportunities for professional learning to exemplary teachers as leaders and advocates for public education.

“It’s about so much more than testing and curriculum,” Kmetz says. “We need to make sure that our environment and the things that we’re doing are equitable and that our curriculum is diverse, and that no one slips through the cracks, that everyone feels valued and appreciated.”

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Along with Lakeview’s first, second, third, and fourth-grade classes, several district, local, and state officials attended the assembly, including Lakeview Board of Education members, Cortland Mayor Diedre Petrosky, state Representative Michael O’Brien, state Senator Sandra O’Brien (who presented Kmetz with a Proclamation), State Board of Education District 3 President Charlotte McGuire, Vice President Martha Manchester, District 9 member John Hagan and Ohio Department of Education Interim Superintendent of Public Instruction, Dr. Stephanie K. Siddens.

“It is an honor to be here to celebrate Miss Kmetz and her 2023 Ohio Teacher of the Year Award,” says Dr. Siddens. “She has exemplified a safe, caring, loving, learning environment while developing leadership qualities within her students.”

2023 Ohio Teacher of the Year, Melissa Kmetz, gives a tour of Lakeview Elementary to Ohio Department of Education Interim Superintendent of Public Instruction, Dr. Stephanie K. Siddens.

“Her literacy work is something to recognize, but really it’s those soft skills that set her apart,” says Lakeview Elementary Principal Scott Taylor.

“She has a knack for helping kids learn how to put others in front of you, and through her community service projects, students realize there’s a big world out there, and if you give a little bit of yourself, the rewards are immense.

That’s what you know about Miss Kmetz.”

“I am thankful to be in a position where I can shine a light on all of the amazing things that are happening in schools,” Kmetz says. “I get to be the voice of that and the champion for education and teachers, and that’s exciting.”

Maxton Bush, Melissa Kmetz, Scott Taylor (LES Principal), Illina Shafai

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Educational Excellence Kmetz will be honored at the state Board of Education meeting in October and will likely spend time traveling throughout the state, on behalf of the Ohio Department of Education, to share more about her teaching and leadership practices. The Ohio Teacher of the Year program is a two-year opportunity. The first year is dedicated to recognition, celebration, and professional development, with the second year dedicated to service as a Teacher Fellow at the Department of Education.

"On behalf of the TCESC Governing Board and myself, we would like to congratulate Miss Melissa Kmetz on being named Ohio Teacher of the Year. Your daily dedication and commitment to your students is a prime example of Leading for Educational Excellence. We look forward to your continued educational achievements and pursuit of student achievement," says Michael Hanshaw, Superintendent - Trumbull County Educational Service Center.

"Being around such an impressive group of teachers is amazing. I feel confident our committee went to great lengths to pick a genuinely incredible candidate and couldn't be happier with how it turned out," said Bill Bosheff, District 7 Chairperson for the Ohio Teacher of the year program. "In this position, you get to read about all the candidates, which indicates impressive individuals working with our students all over the state, which is very uplifting."

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Soar into Literacy The Trumbull County Educational Service Center and the AIM Institute for Learning & Research hosted over 230 educators in September for the rollout of the state-required literacy professional development as stated in HB 436: Ohio’s Dyslexia Support Laws.

Through Extended Learning Grant Funds, the TCESC partnered with AIM to provide all K-3 teachers, administrators, and various support staff with the mandatory 18-hour training.

September 27 was the first of three training sessions this fall.

AIM facilitators hold the credentials needed to train our Trumbull County teachers; they also provide courses that meet the International Dyslexia Association Accreditation and Accreditation Plus status.

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"This is bringing our county together for a greater purpose."

“This training is so nice because our K-3 staff is all together; we can collaborate as a team and talk about strengths and weaknesses; this is a great opportunity for our teachers, and the impact it will have on our kids will be tremendous,” said Lordstown Elementary Principal Rich Zigarovich.

“This is massive; we are really helping children become readers proficiently so that they can go on and focus on content as they get into upper grades,” said literacy coach Mary Smith. “We are generating a mindset for the teachers; this is a training we really needed and is going to bring our county together for a greater purpose.”

This first cohort consists of 11 of our Trumbull County districts, with the remaining districts participating this spring.

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NEXT GENERATION JOB TOUR VISITS TCESC Lt. Governor Jon Husted visited the TCESC's Education Extension on Friday, September 16th.

TCESC Assistant Superintendent Robert Marino, Ohio Lt. Governor Jon Husted, and C&I Supervisor James Rook

On Friday, September 16th, Ohio Lt. Governor Jon Husted visited the TCESC’s Education Extension in Lordstown as a part of his Next Generation Job Tour.

The Lt. Governor participated in a round table discussion with Trumbull County public school administrators, workforce leaders, and students attending the Education Extension program. The panel talked about the future of the workforce, the need we currently have for more skilled laborers, and the opportunities these students attending the Education Extension have before them.

“A pre-apprenticeship program prepares you for many careers right out of high school, but you also have a good academic background, and that's what we want our students to have,” said Lt. Governor Husted. “This economy will continue to change, and we want these students to have a good foundation to launch into their careers and have a prosperous future.”

With the support of Innovative Workforce Incentive Program (IWIP) grant funding made possible by the Governor’s Office of Workforce Transformation and the Ohio Department of Education, the TCESC began offering an Ohio State Apprenticeship Council (OSAC) recognized pre-apprenticeship program earlier this fall.

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“We are trying to lift this up both with our investment and our voices to let people know career centers and trade schools are great pathways to wonderful careers,” said Lt. Governor Jon Husted.

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TCESC Invites Future Educators to Teacher Workshop Asst. Supt. Robert Marino speaks to YSU teaching candidates.

YSU teaching candidates complete a ProjectBased learning project.

Over forty Youngstown State University teaching candidates came together at the TCESC on August 19 for our student teacher workshop. These future educators went through seminars on teaching strategies, technology, and ideas on ways to connect with their students and make an impactful difference.

“We’re so excited to see these YSU candidates as they prepare to enter the classroom," says TCESC Assistant Superintendent Robert Marino. "There has never been a better time to enter the profession.”

Ohio Teacher Leader Liaison Network Two Trumbull County educators have been selected for the Cohort 4 Ohio Teacher Leader Liaison Network! Congratulations to both Melissa Kmetz of Lakeview Local, and Maggie Sponseller, an ESC employee working at Brookfield Local as a Math Coach. The cohort is comprised of innovative and prestigious teachers from across the state. Those wishing to be considered must apply to the Ohio Department of Education (ODE). Those who are then selected to the committee engage with ODE on topics related to current and future education initiatives that support Each Child, Our Future: Ohio's Strategic Plan for Education. Members of the cohort meet once a month, either virtually or in person.

Maggie Sponseller Trumbull County ESC / Brookfield Local Schools

Melissa Kmetz Lakeview Local Schools 3rd Grade Teacher

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Trumbull County Elementary School Recognized Nationally Congratulations to the Weathersfield Local School District and Seaborn Elementary for being selected by the United States Department of Education as a 2022 Blue Ribbon School! The announcement was made by U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona on Friday, September 16, 2022. Seaborn Elementary is one of 13 Ohio and 297 schools nationwide to receive this year's award.

“What an outstanding honor for our district to receive,” says Weathersfield Local Schools Superintendent Damon Dohar. “I am so proud of our students, staff, and community for all of their hard work. These successes happen when everyone works together as a team.

This 2022 Blue Ribbon Award and our state report card scores are a testament to the outstanding work we are doing every day.”

The National Blue Ribbon Schools Award was created in 1982 to bring public attention to the best schools in the United States and to facilitate communication and sharing of best practices within and among schools.

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Educational Leaders

County Principals have new inspiration for enhancing classroom instruction after meeting with Creative Leadership Solutions Partner Tony Flach. Flach met with leaders in September to help them find new ways to utilize data discussed in the TBT process to foster worthwhile and meaningful student outcomes.

Rule Less. Teach More.

Over the course of this fall, classroom behavior expert Amie Dean is working with Trumbull County educators on ways to build connections, utilize de-escalation tactics, and maintain consistency with classroom systems. Amie's mission is "to help teachers implement positive, practical strategies in their classrooms by saving our most challenging students and themselves."

Dean, a former special education teacher, has nearly 30 years of experience working with students who are hard to reach by building relationships, trust, and confidence.

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Creative Communication

Champion Schools, which paid for the board, was happy to add the accommodation to their playground. They’re hoping the board will help raise awareness and understanding among their regular education students about the communications challenges some face.

TCESC Speech Language Pathologist Tanya Romanini works with third grader Ethan Urmson

“It definitely gives them more independence; it helps reduce anxiety. Many times, if they’re unable to communicate, it can help with meltdowns or things of that nature,” says TCESC Speech Language Pathologist Tanya Romanini. “It just helps them be more like everybody else and communicate.”

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2022

Students across Trumbull County received hands-on experience at the Mahoning Valley Skilled Trades Expo.

Students had the opportunity to explore a variety of trades, including bricklaying, carpentry, pipefitting, sheet metal fabrication, and many others. The two-day event reaches thousands of students across six counties to showcase the opportunities going into a skilled trade presents to graduates.

“The goal is to create that pathway, that memorable experience for them, giving students something else to think about,” said Gary Hartman, Association Service Director. “Even if we are not snagging them right out of high school, life happens, and people change careers; maybe a day like today is something they remember 5 to 6 years from now and say, hey, I want to try that.”

Students ranging from 7th to 12th grade took part in exploring these opportunities. Antonio D’avanzo, a junior at McDonald High School, said the event is eye-opening, “Getting the ability to learn new things is amazing, and even if you don’t plan to go into this field, it's always nice to have something on the back burner.”

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Trumbull County Administrator Conference TCESC Superintendent Michael Hanshaw welcomed Megan Bair and Kyle Wheeler to share legal updates on current legislation.

Principals heard from educational leader Dr. Doug Reeves as they continue to work on their 100 day plans

C&I Supervisor Arlo Brookhart shared curriculum and professional development updates.

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C&I Supervisors Jaclyn Rausch and Lisa Iberis presented about the requirements of Ohio's new dyslexia laws to Special Education Supervisors and Principals.

Susan Willeke talked about Ohio Ethics Law Attorney Pam Liest with special education updates

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TCESC SERVICE AWARDS

Congratulations to our employees who have hit career milestones.

Thank you for your years of service to the students of Trumbull County!

30 YEARS Jonelle Bahrey Kimberly Webb

25 YEARS Kimberly Budny, Richelle DiBacco, Susan Hartman, Cynthia Hoppert, Cathy McCloskey, Melissa Nicholas, Valerie North, Lori Simione, Dianne Walker

20 YEARS Donna George, Paula Holowatuk, Colleen Kellar, Rebecca Lewis, Derinda Seitz

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15 YEARS Tammy Culler Kimberly Meckley

10 YEARS Rosalyn Blystone, Danielle Clark, Sharon Dugan, Dawn Essad, Denise Holloway, James Meckley, Diane Piacquadio, Jaclyn Rausch, Jennifer Reed, Mark Smith, Kristy Stokes, Charity Washington, Kara Wert

5 YEARS Megan Arnoto, Christine Fullerman, Melissa Humphrey-Gee, Kate Keller, Rebecca Lucanski, Edward Mackiewicz, Shannon Miller, Taylor Pagano, Jenny Pancake, Lacey Rae, Rodney Reiner, Tamara RoembkeCrooks, Amy Rossler, Virginia Shank, Kayla Spielvogel, Jeff Studer, Kristopher Sutton, Arianna Toth, Arianna Wilson

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The Trumbull County ESC will be closed on Thursday, November 24th, and Friday, November 25th, for Thanksgiving break. Regular TCESC central office hours will resume on Monday, Nov. 28th.

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