Happy Tiger Tuesday!

Our Warsaw Community Schools Board of Trustees helps to support the district in many ways! Not only do our board members serve on many internal WCS committees and external committees within the community, they are also heavily involved in our strategic planning initiatives.

They are a great example of how to move the WCS mission forward by supporting the four Strategic Plan Pillars: Empathy, Experience, Adaptability, and Inclusivity!

One of my favorite words is “pivot.” While I no longer teach, I pivoted to use my teaching career as a strong foundation for education theory and advocacy for education as a life-changing institution.

A consistent passion in my life has been education and the impact quality education can make on our collective community.

I have served the last 9 years as one of 7 trustees on the Warsaw Community Schools Board of Trustees. In engaging my passion for education from outside the classroom, my experiences have allowed me to gain a deeper understanding and appreciation for the education system as well as the community that surrounds it. I largely consider my current education involvement as a community service that is grounded in a desire for a healthy, vibrant community.

After receiving my B.A. in Social Studies from Bluffton University, I taught at the secondary level (grades 7-12) in Iowa. Courses I taught included modern American history, American government, sociology, psychology, and world history. Nothing made me feel better than overhearing my students say my courses were their favorites, or that they did not know history was fun until they took my class.

My goal in teaching was to ignite their passion for the world around them. The world that came before, the current times, and the history yet to be written. I was fortunate to teach courses with curriculum and methodologies that presented opportunities for project-based learning, understanding, reflection, and inspiration. Planning lessons was a highlight – only dimmed by facilitating the content and witnessing the “aha” moments in students’ eyes.

Beyond school board, I am a member of Warsaw Tri Kappa, serve on the Bluffton (Ohio) University Board of Trustees Executive Committee, and serve on the Board of Directors of the Indiana School Board Association as Region 2 Director. I have also previously served on the Board of Directors of CASA of Kosciusko County, the Warsaw Education Foundation, the WNIT Education Counts Steering Committee, and various church committees.

Although much of my “free time” is currently spent studying as I pursue my master’s degree in public administration and policy, I still really enjoy watching my two kids, Jonah (19) and Claire (17), pursue their passions whenever I can. My stress reliever activities include running, reading, good chats with good friends, and playing cards.

WCS Committees

Accountability

Discussion Committee (WCEA)

I love all four pillars and it's impossible to choose just one.

Successful community members should possess a balance of all of these components as they contribute to the places they live. My hope is that Warsaw Community School prepares graduates with opportunities to engage in these areas through their K-12 careers. In so doing, they will have the life skills needed to successfully navigate and impact an ever-changing world.

I love the many ways our schools provide space for all students to succeed, wherever they are at. There is nothing more pleasing than to see students excited about their accomplishments, connecting with others, and doing their own "thing" - whatever that may be!

After growing up and attending WCS, returning to teach and serve as a principal and then retiring from Warsaw Schools after 34 years, I felt that I wanted to give back to all of our schools. Since my retirement, I have been blessed to serve our children on the School Board for 10 years. Currently, I am serving as the Vice President.

I have been blessed to serve the children in our community for 34 years as an elementary teacher and principal. I am married to the love of my life, Rachael, and we have two children, Tiffany and Nathan. Tiffany and her husband Alex have two children, London and Liva and live in Carmel. Nathan and his wife Krista live here in Warsaw and have two children, Maddox and Nash. Nathan and Krista both continue to impact lives in our community as they both have careers with WCS.

When I retired from WCS in 2011, Grace College offered me a position to build an academic program for students at Grace. After eight years with Grace, I then joined the Combined Community Services family as their Executive Director. I love the blessing of continuing to impact lives in Kosciusko with this team. When I am not at CCS or a School Board meeting, I love just spending time with Rachael who resides at Paddock Springs and spending time with the kids and grandkids. I live on Chapman Lake and always find time to take the grandkids and kids on the lake for tubing and fishing.

WCS Committees:

Calendar Committee

Professional Relations Group

Warsaw Safety Team

Winona Lake Redevelopment Commission

Legislative Action Network

Curriculum Council.

Outside of WCS:

In our community, I serve with Suzi Light on the CCEI-Critical Corridors and Connections and on the Community Advisory Board for Paddock Springs Nursing Home. I also mentor young principals through INALI, Indiana Administrative Leadership Institute

I think that they are all incredibly valuable, but if I had to choose, I would say the Inclusivity Pillar.

During my years as the principal at Harrison, I worked very hard on creating an atmosphere of Least Restrictive Environment. Creating an inclusive building for all students was our goal. We were very successful thus the pillar of inclusivity continues to tug on my heart.

The clothing closets within our schools are so impactful. Two in particular, the Leesburg Blazer Boutique and the Harrison Shamrock Shop are very close to my heart.

After reading these stories, I was able to connect with the parents that are involved in both of these schools and invite them over to look through our donations of clothes to take what they needed as well.

Our schools are truly impacting lives in our community.

Elected to School Board in 2016, I began serving in January 2017. In January 2023, I began serving as the board secretary. In that service, my focus is a “desire that WCS students stand out in the world for being exceptionally respectful, capable and helpful citizens in all of their endeavors.”

My path and interest to serving on the Board of Trustees began over 16 years ago. In that time, I have been involved in various school roles. Volunteering my time as PTO President at both the elementary and middle school levels, working as a guided reading instructor at the elementary level and serving on various advisory committees within Warsaw Community Schools.

I have always held an interest in supporting WCS students however possible. When asked if I’d consider serving on the school board, it made sense as the next best way for me to support our great schools in this great community.

Since taking office, I have learned much about process and procedures for board work. I was surprised that doing business takes much longer than expected because of procedures that must be adhered to throughout the process of each and everything that is accomplished at WCS.

I continue to be impressed by the numerous people who serve Warsaw Community Schools. Our seven board members come from different professional backgrounds with different beliefs and understanding on many issues, but all are committed to learn, grow and stay aligned for the good of WCS. Our staff display a heart and action for their students that is truly Warsaw special.

“It takes a village… and we are one great village.”

Beyond School Board, I balance working full-time in marketing for SYM Financial Advisors and volunteering with Tri Kappa, CLCA and church.

I also attend many of my children’s events, play tennis, garden and enjoy boating & traveling with my family.

My husband Troy and I have been members of our community since 2000. I graduated from Elkhart Central High School and continued my education at Indiana University in Bloomington where I received my BS in Marketing and Telecommunications.

My children, Audrey (Ball State senior) and Lewis (Purdue sophomore), are both Warsaw grads and have always known Warsaw as home. They attended Madison Elementary, Edgewood Middle School and WCHS.

I would say the Adaptability Pillar. Life doesn't always go as planned, and often our plans are not fully informed anyway so adaptability is key. Disappointments and setbacks in life can become your biggest blessings if you allow yourself to be present, observe, learn, and adapt.

The biggest growth moments in my life (often also my biggest successes) occurred when I was forced to adapt. I hope that all Warsaw students embrace the unexpected and become good at adapting because their lives will be so much more enriched when they do!

I have spent my career as both a small business owner and a process controls engineering divisional director for a large corporation. This has provided me experience in many facets of business including management, finance and engineering roles. I have brought this experience base into my role as a school board of trustees’ member.

When you couple that with an amazing wife that works within the corporation as a special education teacher (at Harrison Elementary), it has allowed me deep insights to both the administration and staff perspective. I know that from time to time, both of these sides are not always on the same page, but they are always on the same team with a common objective of providing a safe and positive educational experience for all students.

It never fails to warm my heart when I get to witness the effect of a student within our corporation having a deep, positive and memorable experience that can sometimes, change the direction of lives at the direct influence of an amazing teacher.

I would probably say the Experience Pillar. I feel that real-world experience based learning can be very impactful on the trajectory of a student or individual. Exposure to these experiences can either solidify or redirect an individual and provide practical and meaningful experiences through enrichment at all levels of education. This is one of the many reasons why the trades utilize apprenticeship programs while other fields like the medical field utilize clinicals and residency programs.

I have interacted with my wife as she has gone through the "Leader In Me" book study and visited with other school corporations. I have found this to be a very exciting opportunity for students and staff within our corporation as it provides students with the opportunity to become true stake holders in their own education. The tools that an implemented program like this will provide student and staff will be impactful for their entire life's journey.

Erica and I have a passion for the community and education, which led to me serving on the school board, and it is an honor to serve with this incredible team.

When my family moved here in 2014, we were blown away by the quality of the Warsaw Community Schools. I was privileged to serve on one of the strategic planning committees a few years ago and I was stunned to find such a clear vision and group of passionate leaders all across our schools. It was inspiring and continues to be inspiring as our educators work selflessly through such a challenging time. Our family is grateful for this community and I am thrilled to serve in this role.

I'm the Co-Founder and Executive Producer for DreamOn Studios. I love telling stories, meeting new people, and solving problems. I found production to be the place where I can do all these things.

I've been making movies since my brother and I borrowed a family video camera at a family reunion in the 1980s. My career began as a production assistant working as a freelance broadcaster in professional sports in Atlanta, GA.

My wife Erica and I married in 2004 and have three kids, Caleb, Jeremiah, and Reagan. We left our lifelong home in Georgia and moved to Warsaw in 2014. Erica is the Founder and President of Spoonful of Imagination where she teaches families to add creativity to their lives through art projects. During our free time we love taking road trips as a family, playing games, and enjoying our two dogs, Chewie and Marvell.

Long Range Facilities

Communications Council

Curriculum Council

PRG (Professional Relations Group)

I would say the Inclusivity Pillar. I want every student that comes to Warsaw Community Schools to feel like they are home. When every student feels welcomed, loved, honored, and cared for, I believe they will have the greatest opportunity to excel in their education.

I am constantly blown away by our teachers and staff's commitment to our students. There are endless stories of our people going above and beyond to make this a special place. I am proud to be a small part of the team and excited to do whatever I can to help our people excel.

I joined the school board in January 2023 after recognizing the many important decisions that take place that affect my children’s education, the teachers, and the community. I have two kids currently in the Warsaw school system and I knew that in joining the board, I wanted to do more than attend meetings and post on Facebook.

One thing that we’ve been told at IU is that we are here for the students. That same principle can be applied at Warsaw Schools. If we continue keeping the best interests of the students in mind when making decisions, we can be confident we are continuing down the right path for the school system.

I've been in the Warsaw area for most of my life. I attended elementary school at Madison, went to Warsaw Middle School, and graduated from Warsaw Community High School. I attended Grace College where I graduated with a double major in criminal justice and psychology. My wife Nicole and I have two wonderful children, Harper and Hayes.

In my spare time, I enjoys writing, coaching soccer and spending time with my family.

WCS Committees

Calendar

Curriculum

Policy

Technology

Outside of WCS

Board Member for Warsaw Education Foundation

Board Member for CASA of Kosciusko County

Because I think the ability to step outside of your own view of the world into someone else's is key to becoming a better person, so I'd probably say the Empathy Pillar.

Taking the time to understand someone's thoughts and feelings and why they may be reacting a certain way helps break down barriers, resulting in growth and that is never a bad thing.

One story that resonated with me ties into our "Year of Kindness" theme.

Taylor Binkerd, a teacher at Leesburg, created "the kindness challenge." Using the quote, "“It takes our minds 4 seconds to process a compliment, yet only ½ a second to process a negative comment," Taylor had her students write down what they appreciated about their classmates. Then they shared those with everyone and the result was endless encouragement and smiles.

The theme for me was something I stress to my kids - "when you can choose to be anything, choose to be kind."

I'm excited for the opportunity to be a part of the Warsaw School Board and it has been an exciting few months (since joining in January 2023).

I invested my entire career in the field of education, my children attended Warsaw Schools, and I have grandchildren currently in the school system. There is nothing I'm more passionate about than the well-being of the children in our community. I truly believe our school system is among the best in the state, and it's a privilege for me to contribute in this way.

My wife Glenda and I have been married for forty-three years and have five daughters, who all attended and graduated from Warsaw Community Schools. I am also the proud grandpa of nine grandchildren and one on the way; four of my grandchildren also attend WCS.

I came to the Warsaw area as a Grace College undergraduate student and have since stayed in the area. As a previous WCS educator & administrator, I taught at Washington Elementary, served as assistant principal at Warsaw Community High School and served as the principal at Atwood Elementary. I eventually retired from WCS after serving as Jefferson Elementary principal for 18 years.

After retiring, I worked for several years as the Alumni Director and women’s golf coach at Grace College; I am currently working as a real estate agent with the Brian Peterson Real Estate Group. In my free time, I enjoy golfing, traveling, and mountain biking, along with spending time with my children and grandchildren.

WCS Committees

Accountability

Strategic Planning

Discussion Committee (WCEA)

Outside of WCS

I have experience serving on several boards within the community. These include United Way of Kosciusko County, Grace Village, Indiana Lakes Federal Credit Union, and the Winona Lake Town Board.

I think they are all important! I am looking forward to participating in my first Strategic Planning session this fall and learning more about each of the pillars and their impact here at WCS.