Rotareminder: August 20, 2024:
President Rachel opened the meeting at Stanton Middle Schools cafetorium. Along with our guests, the 15 new teachers in the Kent City School District, club members sang the National Anthem and recited the Pledge of Allegiance. Laing Kennedy provided the invocation. Led by Dominique, those present were invited to sing, “I Wanna Hold Your Hand,” a 1964 Beatles tune.
Guests: Justin Gates introduced his wife, Carrie. John Emig introduced his guest, Avery Huizinga of “Your Life.”
Announcements: Brian Bachtel encouraged Rotarians to upon departing from Stanton to stop and look at the site for the new $2.3 million Advanced Manufacturing and Innovation Center at the north end of Roosevelt High School, a project 3,500 square foot addition paid entirely by a grant from the state of Ohio. It will serve the Six District Education Compact for which Mary Jane Stanchina is executive director. Bachtel also reminded us that Friday at 7 p.m., the Rough Riders kick off their football season, playing archrival, Ravenna Ravens.
Program: New Kent City Schools teachers. Anthony Horton, Director of Personnel, introduced 15 teachers hired by the Kent City School District, letting each person introduce himself or herself. The new teachers were praised by Superintendent Tom Larkin who said Horton in his capacity as Director of Personnel, hired one of the best groups ever. Teachers introducing themselves were:
Trenton Slattery, Athletic Healthcare teacher and trainer, a graduate of The Ohio State University with a master’s degree from Kent State. He comes to the Kent City School District from Summa Health.
Brenna McNamara, 6th grade teacher who holds a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and political science from Kent State and Master’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from John Carroll University. She spent five years teaching in Bedford City Schools.
Delany Streby, 7th grade Science teacher on the Trailblazer Team. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Middle Childhood Education from Kent State and taught last year teaching in Alliance City Schools.
Anthony Zavarella, 5th grade at Walls. He holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from Ohio University and a master’s degree in early childhood education from Ursuline College. He taught last year at Gross Schecter Day School. He has coaching experience in baseball, basketball, and football.
Cara Misitigh, who received her bachelor’s degree from Kent State in Special Education, and her master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Akron, will open a Positive Behavior Classroom Program at Walls Elementary. For the last 13 years, she has been an Intervention Specialist in Akron City Schools.
Erin Michel holds a bachelor’s degree from Kent State in English and a master’s degree in special education. She will be an Intervention Specialist at Walls Elementary. She spent the last nine years teaching as an Intervention Specialist in Stow-Munroe Falls City Schools.
Jordan Korinek is opening a Multiple Disabilities Classroom at Walls Elementary. She received her bachelor’s degree from Kent State in Special Education. She spent four years teaching Special Education in Akron City Schools. She has experience coaching girls’ basketball and volleyball and spent two years playing professional basketball in Greece and Germany.
Bryan McKenzie will be a Media Specialist at Walls and Davey. He received his bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from Malone University and a master’s degree in Instruction Technology. He holds an EDS I Curriculum and Instruction and Administration from Kent State. He comes to Kent from Chagrin Falls Exempted Village Schools.
Krysten Barnes will teach in 4th grade at Davey Elementary. She received her bachelor’s degree from Gannon University in Psychology and a master’s degree in early childhood education from Edinboro University.
Rachel Bailey will be an Intervention Specialist for Multiple Disabilities Classroom at Longcoy Elementary. She holds a bachelor’s degree in special education from Kent State. She was a tutor in the district.
Elena Soster is opening a Cross-Categorical Classroom at Longcoy Elementary. Her bachelor’s degree from Kent State was in Special Education and her Master’s was in Educational Administration from Cleveland State. She was an Intervention Specialist in Akron Public Schools for 10 years.
Megan Marks will teach 3rd grade at Longcoy. She holds a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education from Kent State and previously served as a Title I tutor at Holden.
Ryan Kitay will teach 5th grade at Holden. He received his bachelor’s degree in marketing from Ohio University and his master’s degree in early childhood education from Ursuline. He taught last year in Streetsboro City Schools. He has baseball coaching experience.
Taylor Bower will reach First Grade in Holden. Her bachelor’s degree in criminal justice is from High Point University in North Carolina. She received her master’s degree in early childhood education from Kent State. She has experience in Kent and Ravenna as a Title 1 teacher.
Ryleigh Bever will teacher 3rd grade in Holden. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in early childhood education at Kent State. She was a Title 1 Teacher at Holden.
A video was shown of alumni of Stanton Middle School declaring how much teachers at Stanton Middle School had affected their lives in a positive manner.
Response: Rebekah Wright Kulis responded. Shel has served as a Kent Board of Education member for 17 years. She said graduation day is her favorite assignment because she witnesses all the good Kent Schools have done for Kent youth. She said her next favorite day is the annual Rotary teacher introduction program where she meets all the wonderful new teachers in the district.
David Dix
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