Toledo is home to many dedicated educators who prioritize building strong communities within their schools to provide the best learning environments for students. Local school leaders share their efforts to support academic growth and create a positive impact.
Susan M. Rowe-Finley
Senior Director
Toledo Technology Academy of Engineering
3301 Upton Ave., Toledo
419-671-3900
tta.tps.org
How do you build community in your school?
Remembering that titles don’t make us better or worse than others, and to always treat people with the utmost respect. Establishing relationships with my students, their parents, our business partners, the Governing Board, my TTA staff and Toledo Public Schools leadership creates the foundation for a strong sense of community. Keeping the lines of communication open and striving to be a “listener” is what it takes. I’m not sure I have always hit that mark, but it is what I strive to achieve.
What sets your school apart?
Toledo Technology Academy has a very unique culture and climate. It is not just the academic and career tech curriculum we teach that sets us apart, but how we teach it. We function as partners/collaborators, not as ‘administration and teachers.’ We work together to teach our students to be self-directed, to communicate, to be trainable, reliable, problem-solvers and to work well with others (teamwork). You do not have to become an engineer when you graduate from here. When a student graduates from Toledo Technology Academy of Engineering he/she is prepared for a 2 or 4 year college program, the military, a skilled trade or to go directly into the workforce. That is achieved by establishing and maintaining strong relationships. Working together towards this common goal is what really makes us different from other schools. When a parent entrusts their child’s education to us, we provide the way for the student to be successful, but, ultimately, it is the student who determines whether or not that happens.
Evelyn Gillard-Jackson
Center Director
Educare Academy
111 Indiana Ave., Toledo
419-254-4000
educareacademy.com
What career-related achievement are you most proud of?
Evelyn Gillard-Jackson is the proud & amazing Center Director for the Educare Academy Indiana Ave. location. Her programs offer the highest level of care for children from 3 weeks to 5 years old, before and after school care, and an incredible summer camp program with a variety of offerings. Gillard-Jackson is an inspiring leader who navigates her daily tasks with a pleasant and loving presence. She is most proud of her career-related achievement of having children that attended her Center return with their kids to keep the generational learning going! She is proud to have generations of Educare Indiana families that keep coming back with both children and grandchildren. She is proud to direct and promote a truly “family first” early learning program that welcomes everyone!
What sets your school apart?
We exude a loving and strong teaching presence in this early learning program which offers the highest level of quality care. Our staff is a stellar group that would love to meet you and your beautiful families.
Kelly Staples
Assistant School Leader & Director of Special Education
HOPE Learning Academy
4234 Monroe St, Toledo.
419-297-6313
hopelearningacademy.org
What career-related achievement are you most proud of?
My greatest career-related achievement is all of the work I have done at Hope Learning Academy after receiving a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Toledo and a Master’s Degree in Mild to Moderate Special Education. I am proud of my career and my experiences at HOPE that have made me the leader I am today. I began teaching at HOPE in 2014. Throughout my time here I have been a general education teacher, an intervention specialist and now I am the Assistant School Leader and Director of Special Education. Over the years, every student and family at HOPE has helped me learn and grow as a parent and a school leader. I am very proud to be a part of the HOPE family.
What sets HOPE apart?
At HOPE, we take pride in meeting the individual learning needs of each student. Our small class sizes and academic programs, including a dyslexia support program, social skills classes and sensory integration allow us to give each student a personalized learning experience. Our intervention team collaborates with classroom teachers to ensure that students are getting the individualized support they need to be successful. This includes sensory breaks or calm-down strategies. Our Social Skills Program gives students the tools they need to regulate their emotions and to build healthy positive relationships with their peers. At HOPE our mission is to help students reach their highest potential.
Dr. John B. Weinstein
Provost and Vice President
Bard Academy and Bard College at Simon’s Rock
84 Alford Road, Great Barrington, MA
413-644-4400
bardacademy.simons-rock.edu
What career-related achievement are you most proud of?
I’m most proud of expanding access to Chinese language studies and changing the perception and reality of who Chinese language learners are. A large part of my teaching career has been focused on expanding Chinese language studies into non-native speaking populations. During my time at Bard High School Early College in Newark, NJ, that was expanded to Black and Latino students. I was the first to teach Chinese in Newark high schools, so that was incredibly rewarding to be the first to bring that to the students there.
At Newark, we also had a student in the program earn a scholarship to study Chinese in China, which demonstrated the broadened access to the language. Now, at Bard Academy, I’m proud to continue that expanded access through our Chinese Language offerings for high school students, in addition to our Chinese language courses through the Bard College at Simon’s Rock curriculum.
What sets your school apart?
As the first early college in the nation, Simon’s Rock has a responsibility to prepare students for an ever-changing world. We meet students where they are when they need us, particularly younger students navigating college early. Early college students’ perspectives are different because they are looking at things differently than traditional aged college students, with interesting and unique perspectives that inform out faculty’s approach. Simon’s Rock has always been a pioneer of intellectual curiosity and innovation in education.
What sets us apart is the in-depth mentorship from our faculty, who are not only talented educators but accomplished and passionate scholars; staff who go the extra mile to assist students in any way possible, from assisting with internship application to offering their influence to ensure that the student’s voice is heard; and a supportive and close-knit community of alumni, parents and peers who urge them on from their first exam in the classroom to the first day of their career.
Benjamin Cramer
Elementary Principal
Toledo Christian School
2303 Brookford Drive Toledo
419-389-8700
Toledochristian.com
What career-related achievement are you most proud of?
The achievement I am most proud of is becoming the Elementary Principal at Toledo Christian. After 11 years in education, I was blessed with the opportunity to return to my alma mater and pour back into a community that helped shape my life and provided me with a strong foundation in both academics and my faith.
How do you build community in your school?
I believe the best way that I can build community is by being present with those I am serving. I enjoy being able to build rapport with students, faculty and families through daily interactions and conversations.
What sets your school apart?
Our school is set apart by our Christ-centered education. From pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade, a student will attend school for roughly 16,000 hours. With this time commitment, it is important that the school represents the same values that parents want to instill in their children. Toledo Christian exists to partner with families to offer a continuation of the biblically-based education they are receiving at home and church.
Steven Thomas
Principal (Acting)
Jones Leadership Academy of Business (JLAB)
430 Nebraska Ave, Toledo
(419) 671-5400
jonesleadershipacademyofbusiness.tps.org
What career-related achievement are you most proud of?
I am most proud of assisting in the development of Toledo Public School graduates who are college and/or career ready.
How do you build community in your school?
Community is built at Jones Leadership Academy of Business (JLAB) through valuing the whole person. Whether it is a student, parent, teacher, staff or administrator, as human beings there is a need to be seen and included. At JLAB, we are intentional in building bridges (and not barriers) in charting a course of commonality through celebrating our differences and supporting one another through successes’ or challenges.
What sets your school apart?
What sets Jones Leadership Academy of Business (JLAB) apart is producing graduates who have the ability to continue on an educational pathway in business or in higher education while also possessing the knowledge and skills to allow them to be in demand by employers and/or starting their own business as an entrepreneur upon graduating from high school.
Lindsey Day
Principal
Madison Avenue School of Arts
1511 Madison Ave, Toledo
419-259-4000
madisonavenueschoolofarts.org
What career-related achievement are you most proud of?
I am currently working on my PhD in Educational Administration. I am very proud of the fact that I am a continuous learner who is persevering despite a busy schedule as a school leader, wife and mom of 4! I hope that my journey as a continuous learner serves as an example for our students to never give up despite challenges! Additionally, I am very proud of our students and staff at Imagine Madison Avenue School of Arts as we are the proud recipients of the National School of Character Award from Character.Org. This distinction was achieved through a community effort. We all worked very hard via a rigorous process to earn this distinction.
How do you build community in your school?
We build a sense of community within our school via relationships with a laser like focus on a positive environment that is inclusive and equitable. At Madison Avenue School of Arts we are all leaders and we make it a practice to share making decisions with staff, students and stakeholders in an effort to make them feel more vested in and accountable for the outcomes, resulting in a community of stakeholders that are engaged.
Christian Mocek
Head of School
Lial Catholic School
5700 Davis Rd., Whitehouse
419-877-5167
lialschool.org
What career-related achievement are you most proud of?
I am proud of the successful transition of leadership that has taken place at Lial this year. The transition is a great reflection on our Board, teachers, staff and families, demonstrating that the Lial spirit is welcoming and guiding. Former leaders of Lial and the Sisters of Notre Dame who sponsor our school have laid a strong foundation for which I am truly grateful.
How do you build community in your school?
Lial cannot exist without community. Our mission statement clearly states that we are united with parents in the development of each child. Parents and grandparents are welcome and encouraged to participate as volunteers in the classroom. We build community among our students through big buddy activities and weekly school Mass. We build community with our neighbors through our Live Nativity and other service projects with local and international partners.
What sets your school apart?
There is no other school in the area like Lial. Our multi-age classrooms are a blend of traditional and Montessori practices with the Catholic faith at the center. This educational philosophy allows Lial teachers to meet each child where they are and helps every child to achieve their personal best. We believe each child is unique and therefore should have the benefit of an educational program tailored to their development. A Lial student is a confident, curious learner who is comfortable sharing their God-given gifts with the world.
Nicole Smith
Pre-School B Lead Teacher
Children’s Discovery Center
Various locations
419-474-8303
childrensdiscoverycenters.com
What career-related achievement are you most proud of?
I started out as a part-time Children’s Discovery Center employee while going to school at the University of Toledo. I fell in love with CDC, the teaching philosophy and being with the children. Because of that experience, I started working full-time and have worked my way up to a lead teacher for preschool.
How do you build community in your school?
I encourage parent involvement whenever possible to create a good community feeling within the classroom. I also enjoy having outside speakers and resources visit the classroom to talk with the children about their role in our community.
What sets your school apart?
CDC has a wonderful environment where the children lead in what the class learns about. That is a wonderful aspect of our school which not only helps engage our children but makes them excited to learn.
Kurt J. Wicklund
Senior Director
Aerospace and Natural Science Academy of Toledo
Aerospace Campus: 11600 West Airport Service Rd., Swanton
419-671-1700
Natural Science Campus: 5561 Elmer Dr., Toledo
419-671-1800
What career-related achievement are you most proud of?
I am most proud of being part of the innovative team that established the Aerospace and Natural Science Academy of Toledo (ANSAT) as an independent school with exceptional, widely recognized programs that set it apart. Before becoming independent, ANSAT operated as a satellite campus of another local high school. Since becoming independent, we have nearly doubled our student population. In our first year, ANSAT was ranked by Niche.com as the #6 best public high school in the Toledo area and the #4 magnet school in Ohio. These accomplishments highlight the meaningful impact of our efforts, which include providing students with industry-recognized credentials and tuition-free college credits that prepare them for both high-demand careers and higher education opportunities.
How do you build community in your school?
Building community at ANSAT is both collaborative and intentional. We focus on cultivating a culture of care where every student feels safe, supported and valued. Partnerships with local organizations and industry leaders — such as the Toledo Metroparks and Delta Airlines — play a key role in connecting students with real-world experiences that extend learning beyond the classroom. Recognizing and celebrating student leaders, who exemplify service, academic excellence and leadership, fosters inspiration and connection. By engaging parents and working collaboratively with staff, students and families, we create a shared vision and unity. School events, student clubs and activities, internships and team-based projects further strengthen the sense of community and commitment to student success.
Jack Hunter
Principal
Pre-Med Academy
3301 Upton Ave., Toledo
419-671-3400
tpsmed.org
What career-related achievement are you most proud of?
I’m most proud of building a culture of high expectations and success at Toledo Pre-Med Academy. Through intentional leadership and collaboration, we’ve created a pathway for students to graduate with college credits and real-world experience in medical fields. Seeing students overcome challenges, earn certification and gain acceptance into competitive programs is deeply rewarding. It reflects our commitment to creating “no excuses, just results.”
How do you build community in your school?
Building community starts with fostering a culture of trust, inclusion and shared purpose. I prioritize visibility and accessibility, connecting with students, families and staff through frequent walkthroughs, open forums and personalized outreach. Programs like the Puma Club allow students to lead by example, supporting peers and maintaining a welcoming environment. We also host events that celebrate diversity and achievement, ensuring every stakeholder feels valued and invested in our collective success.
