Superintendent

Superintendent

Saturday, January 30, 2010

Welcome!

Social media is prevalent in the world of business and education today. It has tremendous value as a tool to keep in touch with our district residents and partners in career-technical education. Vantage has begun using social media by the introduction of my weekly blog. Our staff members, Board of Education, and community members are welcome to follow my blog to keep up on news about Vantage, as well as what is happening as I fulfill my role as superintendent for the Vantage district. Be sure to check out my profile to learn a bit more about me.

So why is my blog titled "Today Matters"? This brief quote is one of my favorites, and I have a sticky note on my desk that bears this daily reminder. It traveled with me from my former position as a career-technical supervisor at Four County Career Center in Archbold to my desk at Vantage. It's been rewritten more than a few times over the years on new paper! But it reminds me of the value of one day, and how we don't get that day back again. My days are packed with activity and interaction with many different people--what I accomplish daily will impact more lives than my own. TODAY MATTERS is a reminder to myself to use the time I am blessed with wisely.

When the devastating news of earthquakes in Port-Au-Prince, Haiti was heard,
Vantage Interact Club students and their lead advisor, Peg Bollenbacher,went straight to work. They have done an amazing job raising funds and securing new clothing to be sent to an orphanage in Haiti, nearby the school where we sponsor a small carpentry program. I will tell you more in future blogs about Vantage's work in Haiti, as well as local student and staff activities. But for now, kudos to Peg and our students who sent over $1100 and new clothing. Many thanks to Mengerink's Source for Sports, who donated the clothing items to help the children of Haiti.

Vantage had the pleasure of attending the annual Van Wert Chamber of Commerce awards dinner last Thursday evening. Dee Whitcraft, former long-time employee of Vantage was nominated for the prestigious Ray Miller award. We were thrilled to represent Vantage as her nomination was reviewed for the crowd. Dee spent several years at Vantage as an early childhood education instructor, adult education director, and as a career-technical supervisor. On a personal note, Dee was responsible for introducing me to the work of the Van Wert Rotary Club. I enjoy participating in service to our community via club membership, very much.

Two days last week found me in Columbus visiting our district's legislators to keep them informed of career-technical education issues and student success. Adult Education director Pete Prichard, CTE Director Bob Vennekotter and I met with House Representatives Jim Zehringer and Lynn Wachtmann, as well as the aides of Senator Steve Buehrer and Keith Faber. The event is hosted annually by Ohio Association of Career Technical Education. One major concern we shared is appropriate funding for career technical education, which does not provide an application for career center districts such as Vantage, under the current Evidence-Based Model for education reform included in House Bill 1.

I enjoyed attending the Van Wert/Defiance basketball game Friday night. It was an exciting game! And even though I was born and raised in Defiance, I will admit I was hoping Van Wert would catch up in the final minutes when Defiance outscored the Cougars and maintained the lead to win.

I hope you'll log on weekly to keep up with news from Vantage! Have a great week!