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Toledo Education Resources 2023: Programs to Check Out in the 419

By
Emily Remaklus
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There are many educational institutions to choose from in the Toledo area, which can be a bit overwhelming when trying to select one that best fits your needs! We’ve listed some of the best options for performing arts, disability resources, athletics, inclusivity, the Reggio Emilia approach and more. For more lists of educational resources in our region, visit toledoareaparent.com’s Local Guides page.

iLead Spring Meadows

1615 Timberwolf Dr., Holland
419-491-7423
ileadspringmeadows.org/curriculum-culture


iLEAD Spring Meadows is about more than imparting knowledge; it’s about developing well-rounded individuals who can make a difference in the world. iLEAD Spring Meadows is committed to providing an innovative, K-8, tuition-free educational experience that prepares learners for a lifetime of leadership.

iLEAD Spring Meadows focuses on five pillars of education to prioritize each child’s individual needs, fostering a unique approach to learning tailored to their strengths and talents. Learners receive a comprehensive education that’s engaging and empowering through personalized learning plans, a project-based approach, social-emotional emphasis, and showcases of learning.

The school offers many exciting extracurricular activities, including visual and performing arts, technology programs, and a YMCA sports partnership that help learners explore their interests and passions beyond the classroom.

iLEAD Spring Meadows is a community school; they understand that education is a partnership between learners, facilitators, and families. The school encourages family participation in all learning activities, complementing our learners’ education and instilling a real sense of ownership in their learning.

If you’re looking for a school that can ignite your child’s potential and help them thrive, iLEAD Spring Meadows is the ideal choice.

Hope Learning Academy

4234 Monroe St.
419-297-6313
hopelearningacademy.org

Hope Learning Academy is a Toledo charter school that educates students from kindergarten to eighth grade while also providing an engaging, supportive environment for students with learning disabilities. Hope Learning Academy strives to create an inclusive learning environment where each child is supported in their growth and development. 

What makes Hope Learning Academy unique are the inclusive programs they offer, including dyslexia support, social skills, sensory integration, reading and math interventions, and small class sizes. More specific curriculum programs and interventions include Heggerty Phonemic Awareness, i-Ready Math and Reading, multisensory instructional strategies, conflict management, effective communication, a sensory rich occupational therapy gym, and a licensed occupational therapist on staff. 

The school has classes with ten or less students which allows each child to have more personalized attention. Hope Learning Academy understands that children have different learning styles, and they work hard to ensure that each child reaches their potential while learning in a healthy and safe environment.

Children’s Discovery Center

Franklin Park 1 (Talmadge 1), 3839 Talmadge Rd. 419-474-8303
Perrysburg, 11090 Ave Rd., Perrysburg. 419-874-8203
Harbortown 7033 Lighthouse Way, Perrysburg. 419-872-4510
Waterville, 8011 Dutch Rd., Waterville. 419-878-8689
Holland Wolf Creek, 1640 Timberwolf Dr., Holland. 419-861-1060
childrensdiscoverycenters.com

With five locations in the Toledo area, Children’s Discovery Center is a premier childcare option for children as young as infants and up to ten years old. The center follows a mission to be a place of educational discovery for children that encourages learning through exploration while supporting the whole family in a creative, nurturing, and Christian environment. 

Programs at Children’s Discovery Center are based on the Reggio Emilia approach to learning which focuses on developing and nurturing each child’s individual interests and abilities. The most important aspect of the Reggio Emilia approach is viewing each child as strong, powerful, and capable, all while upholding state standards for a strong educational foundation.

To help each child discover their own interests and abilities, teachers at the centers not only focus on the core subjects, but they also offer a variety of enrichment classes and programs such as Spanish, music, and art. The appreciation for creativity at the center can also be seen through the classrooms with decorations created by the children, art studios, and a discovery room with children’s museum exhibits. A Christian philosophy is also a part of the educational process at Children’s Discovery Center. Children participate in daily blessings, are taught based on Christian values, and can participate in the summer vacation Bible study. 

For more information about Children’s Discovery Center, and to view the many educational programs they offer, please visit childrensdiscoverycenters.com.

Books for Teens: Dr. Louis Tartaglia’s lessons on building character

By
Mary Rose Kulczak
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Dr. Louis Tartaglia has impressive credentials. He’s a board certified sleep medicine specialist serving at the Toledo Clinic, a motivational speaker and an author, with a list of friends and mentors who are equally impressive including the late author Og Mandino, Scott DeGarmo (editor of Success magazine), author Mark Victor Hanson and the late Mother Teresa. 

Yes, that Mother Teresa. 

It was his work in Rome that helped inspire him to write his latest book, Last Gift of the Magi. “I was in Rome helping with a rehab facility that I had set up for Mother Teresa,” says Dr. Tartaglia. “I was in this library, and there was an old encyclopedia from the 1800s. It was in Italian, and it listed the twelve magi according to the Eastern Orthodox, and the nine magi according to the Latin tradition. I found that intriguing since I thought there were only three magi.” This new information inspired Dr. Tartaglia to explore the Christmas and Epiphany accounts, using a young camel to tell the story of the Holy Family and their flight into Egypt. 

“I thought I’d write something for my kids about the fact that there were more than three magi, and it developed into this story,” he says. “Mark Victor Hanson kept telling me that I should have it published. I rewrote it so that we could focus more clearly on the virtues.” 

This parable tells the story of Jamil, a young camel who struggles to find his purpose in life. Dr. Tartaglia sees that as a theme that young people today struggle with as well. “Last Gift of the Magi is discovering your purpose in life. If you get out into the desert, the struggle of life, where things look bleak and you have to trust in God in order to survive, that’s where you discover your inner greatness and inner potential.” 

Faith and family

Faith formation is an important part of a child’s development, and is a recurring theme in Dr. Tartaglia’s books.  “You can’t be a whole individual and function in a family without faith,” he says. “With the mental health crisis, what you’re seeing is addictions to all sorts of things. It is a hole in your soul that people are trying to fill with other substances rather than God. There is something lacking within, and we are using other things to fill it. [Gaining] more followers on Facebook and Twitter are not going to fill a hole in your soul,” he adds. 

Mentors needed 

In his previous book, The Great Wing, Dr. Tartaglia tells a parable about a young goose preparing for migration with the help of older, wiser mentors. “Most people need to work with a mentor at some time in their life in order to help with their transformation,” he explains, noting that many young people today look to the wrong people to be their mentors. 

“They try to mentor each other rather than find someone who’s already been down the path. They look to celebrities as their mentors, and what you see with a celebrity is a manufactured ideal that is inflated to sell a product. Their beliefs are often distorted and made up. It’s not a true mentor relationship, and yet that’s who people look to for guidance.” 

Dr. Tartaglia hopes that these books will help readers in their personal transformations. “The more you learn, the more you incorporate into your life, the better your faith situation is going to be,” he says. “And the more faith you develop, the more trust you develop in God, the better your life becomes.” 

Dr. Tartaglia’s books can be found on Amazon.com.

Getting to Know Dr. Tartaglia


Where did you grow up?

Morristown, New Jersey.

Where did you go to school?

NYU and The University of Bologna, Italy.

Tell us about your family.

I’m married to Jeane. We have six children and five grandchildren between us.

How long have you been in Toledo and what brought you here?

Since 1994. I had an illness, left psychiatry and moved to the Midwest to be near family and friends.

Do you belong to a local parish or church?

St. Joe’s Sylvania on Sundays, and St. Joe’s Maumee for daily mass.

What are your favorite local spots in Toledo?

M Osteria, Domo Sushi and the Toledo Museum of Art.

Do you have any future projects in the works?

A sequel to Last Gift of the Magi titled The Return of the Cloth. The planned release date is January 2024.

What are your best words of motivation?

No matter how dire the situation looks, no matter how bleak it is, God has given you the talent somewhere inside to help you get through it.

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Road Trips from Toledo: The Mohicans Treehouse Resort

By
Erin Holden
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Photo Credit: Matthew Sackmann

In October of 2020, when I was about four months pregnant, my husband and I had the pleasure of enjoying a “babymoon” at The Mohicans Treehouse Resort. First, if you’ve never heard of a babymoon, it is essentially your last joyride alone with your partner when you are about to have your first child (I had no idea it was a thing, but I welcomed the excuse for a vacation). Matt and I loved our stay in The View, a treehouse with a loft bedroom, full indoor bath and outdoor shower, and kitchen. It was lovely. We soon found that there wasn’t much cell reception and no internet access, both of which we appreciated as well. 

Cut to 2023, when our little baby moon is no longer a baby, but an almost-two-year-old toddler who gets to go on a similar adventure with us, only now out-of-utero! Matt, little Townes, and myself recently got a chance to stay in another Mohicans Treehouse, this time The Silver Bullet, a beautifully renovated vintage Airstream camper mounted in the treetops. We chose this one because it did not have a loft, making it a bit safer for our adventurous climber who is still iffy with ladders.

The Silver Bullet has a patio with an outdoor chaise lounge in front, and the main entrance in back. When we put in our code to enter, we were amazed to walk into a sizable bathroom, half of which was a steam shower. This part is the built-on addition to the original camper, which we entered next. 

On one end we found a cozy dining table surrounded by throw pillows and adorned with twinkle lights (so hygge), and on the other end of the camper was the bedroom with a queen-size bed. In between was a turntable and records, a kitchen stocked with snacks and coffee, and a TV with DVD player. Like last time cell reception was limited and there was no Wi-Fi. It was wonderful to just unplug like last time.

The first thing we did with Townes was to roam the woods and explore the other sites. The Mohicans Resort is made up of treehouses, cabins, and a gorgeous wedding venue. Townes loved running around the area and enjoying nature. We stayed here for two nights, and I would absolutely recommend doing this with your family. It’s such a wonderful, quiet getaway to enjoy quality time without the distractions of technology. At only two and half hours away, it’s easy to plan!

Area attractions

First of all, there are TONS of outdoorsy things to do in the Loudinville-Mohican area. It’s actually the “Camp and Canoe Capital of Ohio,” so it is perfect for outdoor fun in the summer. You can actually learn quite a bit about the area from the Mohicans Treehouse Resort website. We stayed at the treehouse when it was still quite chilly, plus Townes isn’t ready for canoeing quite yet, so we did some sightseeing instead. 

One of the most memorable stops was at Landoll’s Mohican Castle, a meandering, ethereal 1,200-foot-tall hotel and ACTUAL CASTLE that was built room-by-room without any floor plans. We didn’t get to go inside any of the hotel rooms, but we did enjoy exploring the grounds and wandering around the hallways and stairwells that we had access to. It was a bit like being in a fairytale, with statues and elaborate fountains everywhere. We also ate a tasty lunch at The Copper Mug Bar & Grille, which itself is filled with historical artifacts.

All-in-all, if you are looking for a fun road trip any time of the year, you should certainly check out the Loudonville-Mohican area. I’m so glad that Matt and I got to take our beautiful memories from the last trip and add to them with Townes.

Disability-Friendly Awards 2023

By
Toledo City Paper
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Does Toledo Have Talent? Young Stars Take Center Stage in Maumee

By
Andrew Kersten
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Photo Credit BCAN Arts

Does Toledo have Talent? That’s the question at large for several young kids in our area, and it’s also the name of Toledo’s talent show. The show’s organizer, Tracy Haynes, a local singer and organizer of Does Toledo Have Talent, says that when he was growing up, he had to create his own avenues to express himself. Today, he wants a simple and affordable way for kids to have that avenue to help them chase their dreams.

Tracy Haynes, organizer of Toledo Talent Show
Tracy Haynes grew up in Toledo, Ohio, and fell in love with music at a young age. He wanted to give young kids a platform to showcase their talents so they can chase their musical dreams.

In November, the talent show welcomed 15 kids ages 5-17 who showcased their skills in front of a live audience at the Maumee Indoor Theatre with cash prizes at hand. From singers to dancers, the show had it all. “At one point, it was standing room only in the theatre,” says Haynes.

Four of the contestants were 10-year-old Ry’Lee Davis, 14-year-old Khali Moor, 13-year-old Aaliyah Morrow, and 12-year-old Gregory Buchanan.

Aaliyah Morrow

As Aaliyah’s mother says, “All she does all day long is sing. She sings in the window, in the shower, and of course, in a microphone.” You guessed it. Aaliyah flexed her singing skills for the judges.

She developed her love for singing at just six years old from with roots here in Toledo and influence from her mother and father. Listening to music with her mom and dad introduced Aaliyah to “older music.”

Surprisingly, it wasn’t until the talent show that she performed in front of people, giving the audience and the judges her rendition of “Caught Up in the Rupture” by Anita Baker.

“I feel that the talent show really opened her eyes about her talent and helped her get rid of her stage fright,” says her mom. “That was the day that I was most proud of her because she conquered her fear and gave her all the confidence in the world, confidence she never knew she had.”

Aaliyah did not finish in the top three, but she says it was nice seeing the other kids’ talents.

Gregory Buchanan

Gregory Buchanan is like a musical utility knife – he can do it all. He can play the keyboard and piano, the organ, bass, and drums. Like Aaliyah, his love for music began at a young age as he learned to play the drums at just two years old and the piano at four.

Residing in Toledo with his family, he practices his musical craft at his church where he serves as the minister of music for services.

Gregory’s performance was a tribute to Michael Jackson, and although he did not place in the top three, Gregory’s mother told him that sometimes you have to take a loss to make you stronger as a person.

Gregory continues his love for music and already has an instrumental CD called God’s Child.

Khali Moor

Toledoan Khali Moor was quick to impress the judges by singing, “Total Praise” by Ariana Stanberry. He began singing at four years old and continues to perfect his skill by practicing weekly with his voice coach to learn different techniques and how to keep a strong posture while singing.

“I am extremely proud of Khali and his hard work,” his mother says. This was the first time he performed publicly on stage, and he gave it all he had.” The butterflies in his stomach were nonexistent as Khali finished second in the talent show.

“I would like to thank my family, friends, and church family for coming out and supporting me and seeing me show my talent to Toledo,” says Khali. This event was a huge deal for young kids to show their talent and I will never regret doing this event because my dream is to be a singer, and I look up to many celebrities that went from nothing to something,” he adds.

Ry’Lee Davis

Ry’Lee is not a one-trick pony – she sings, dances, acts, writes, and – most recently – does comedy.

Following in her sister’s footsteps, Ry’Lee is now the head captain of her dance team, Squad Goals United by Dance. Unfortunately, she was not able to officially compete individually in the talent show as she chose to join her dance team in the competition.

In lieu of her individual performance, the judges wanted to at least hear what she had to say and let her perform during the show’s intermission. Ry’Lee gave the judges and audience a great laugh with her comedy routine.

“This is just one example of how she puts others before herself,” says her mother. “My daughter is physically talented and continues to amaze me since the day she was born.”

Ry’Lee says she wishes she could have competed and thinks she would have won, but she does not regret her choice of putting her team first.

Awarding Contestants

The talent show was free to families and participants thanks to five sponsors. “This show couldn’t have happened without them,” says Tracy. The sponsors generated a first-place prize of $1000, a second-place prize of $500, which was awarded to Khali, and a third place of $250.

You can view all the performances on the BCAN Arts YouTube page here.

Tracy is currently working on plans for the next show and he says he hopes to have the next show ready by September.

Educare Academy Fosters Development Through Safe Environment

By
Riley Runnells
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cheerful child with painted hands on white background

There are few aspects of parenthood more important than coming up with a child development plan that will help your child learn and grow in positive ways. At Educare Academy Child Development Centers, parents can feel safe about putting their child in an environment that nurtures curiosity and fosters discovery.

For over 50 years, Educare Academy has developed 10 locations with five-star ratings from Step Up To Quality, Ohio’s rating and improvement system, that surpass Ohio’s child care licensing standards. Each center is equipped with a highly trained staff that has a deep commitment to providing children with the proper education to reach their potential. 

Educare Academy has adopted a play-based approach to learning, which provides a space to focus on the whole child and their physical, emotional and cognitive needs in addition to academic needs.

Creative Curriculum is used at Educare Academy, too, for preschool. This comprehensive, research-based curriculum helps children develop their confidence and creativity, along with critical-thinking skills that can serve them throughout their entire lives.

Additionally, Educare Academy is part of the Early Learning Academies (ELA) family. This growing network of early childhood learning centers is trusted by parents and led by a team of seasoned childcare professionals.

But Educare Academy’s dedication to its students goes far beyond just their academic progress. Educare Academy also provides extended hours to best accommodate families’ needs, and transportation for families who need extra help in getting their children safely to and from lessons. 

Safety is also a top priority to the staff of Educare Academy. The teachers are all trained in first-aid and CPR, and have undergone extensive background checks; the academy utilizes a secure form of sign in/out technology that gives staff real-time attendance information; and Smartcare, its childcare system, can immediately notify parents of any urgent situations. Plus, with camera-monitored entrances, passcodes for entry and a staff that regularly trains in emergency preparedness, parents can feel safe knowing their children are taken care of.

The primary focus for Educare Academy is early childhood education and meeting the individual needs of each student. Educare Academy sees infants, toddlers, early head start, head start and pre-K, as well as provides school age programs for before and after school and summer camp for continued learning.

Because Educare Academy has 10 locations, the center’s presence is strong throughout the area. Toledo, Oregon and Rossford all house different academies, with Toledo harboring multiple. 

If you are unsure whether or not Educare Academy is the place for you, or would like to see the space up close, the staff encourages prospective parents and children to schedule a tour, meet the staff of each facility and see students learning and growing in real time.

Educare Academy fosters a love of learning and exploration, all while keeping your children in a nurturing, safe environment. The staff looks forward to hearing from you and answering any questions you may have.

To enroll, learn more about Educare Academy or schedule a tour, visit educareacademy.com, call 419-704-2009 or email [email protected].

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