MANSFIELD — Nearly 170 superintendents, principals and other administrators from 21 area school districts heard thought-provoking presentations at Mid-Ohio Educational Service Center’s annual Administrative Leadership Conference.
Held on Tuesday, Aug. 2, the program featured Deb Delisle, former State Superintendent of Public Instruction, who spoke on the importance of closing the opportunity gap — not the achievement gap — in schools.
“Students will succeed and be more engaged if they have the opportunity,” she told the group.
Motivational speaker Mark Anthony Garrett opened the conference with his personal story of how one teacher changed his life. Tom Ash, Director of Government Relations for the Buckeye Association of School Administrators, updated attendees on legislative changes and Thom Fladung of Hennes Communications gave his tips on handling communications in a crisis.
Mid-Ohio ESC Superintendent Linda T. Keller welcomed the group, saying, “It is a privilege to work with you—and to witness for myself the difference each of you makes in the lives of the children we educate.”
Attendees included administrators from Mid-Ohio ESC’s client districts, as well as others from Centerburg, Clear Fork, Colonel Crawford and Mapleton.
Jim Grubbs, Superintendent of Galion City Schools, says he agrees with Delisle’s statement that textbooks are a thing of the past.
“It’s not about going from A to Z but challenging kids to learn and research on their own,” he says.
Michael Hebenthal, Superintendent of Centerburg Local Schools, says the speakers at Mid-Ohio ESC’s Administrative Leadership Conference emphasized a return to a personal commitment to education.
“Today, we are talking about the culture, which has been minimized because of testing. We can’t do that.”
Lexington Local Schools Superintendent Mike Ziegelhofer said Garrett’s story was inspirational.
“From where he was to where he is now is amazing,” he says. “He makes his message meaningful and powerful.”
Mid-Ohio Educational Service Center, located at 890 W. Fourth St. in Mansfield, provides high quality, cost-effective, specialized academic/ therapy support services and professional development for school districts in the Central Ohio Region. These include offering alternative educational options, preschool education and printing services, as well as conference center facilities.
