Many times, when considering what to include in my column, I look around for current trends.
I noticed a number of young adults who I watched grow up in Dublin were now stepping back into our schools, this time as teachers. I posted a question on Facebook asking if anyone was aware of this trend as well. Within hours, I had 125 responses naming dozens of current instructors, their connections to Dublin City Schools and why they are “the best teachers in the world!” As one of those wonderful educators told me, “It’s nice to be in a place where teachers are valued.”
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Here are just a few of their stories:
Kevin Simmons – Seventh grade math teacher, Grizzell Middle School
Simmons grew up in what he calls “country Dublin” and attended Deer Run Elementary School, Sells Middle School and Coffman High School. He still lives in Dublin with his wife, Amy, who is assistant principal at Scottish Corners Elementary School, and their three children, ages 4, 6 and 8. Not only did Amy teach in Dublin for 16 years, but Simmons’ mother, Linda Simmons, taught here, too, which is how Simmons got introduced to the idea of being an educator.
“I used to walk from Sells over to Indian Run Elementary and help my mom in her first grade classroom,” he explains.
For three years, Simmons ran the Dublin City School Alumni Association, so he is well aware of how many Dubliners are now teachers here.
“I believe the number is about 150,” he says. “I love Dublin. The people are friendly, the cost of living is low, the schools and rec center are great. Everything you want or need is right here.”
Susan Sparks Wittig – Principal at Deer Run Elementary School
Wittig is in her second year as principal at Deer Run, which is where she attended elementary school.
“It’s exciting to come back home,” says Wittig.
Her mother, Elaine Sparks, taught kindergarten in Dublin for 35 years at Deer Run and Scottish Corners elementary schools, and Wittig enjoyed “playing school,” laminating and coloring projects in her classroom.
“I love the shared pride in our school and watching the kids grow up to be leaders in our community,” says Wittig.
Liz Cramer and Allison Lodico – Fifth grade teachers at Glacier Ridge Elementary School
OK, follow along here. Cramer was Lodico’s fifth grade teacher at Bailey Elementary School. Now they both teach fifth grade at Glacier Ridge, and Lodico has Cramer’s son in her class.
“Allison shares her love of learning with her students, which makes her the perfect choice for any parent,” says Cramer.
Lodico even keeps her fifth grade graduation photo hanging in the classroom.
“I learn so much from Liz every day,” says Lodico. “I strive to emulate her attitude and passion in my own teaching.”
Jill Barth Buzzard – Teaches first grade at Indian Run Elementary School
Emily Barth – Teaches second grade at Riverside Elementary School
Connie Barth taught at Wright Elementary School for 23 years, and all three of her daughters are now teachers as well, including Dublin educators Emily Barth and Jill Barth Buzzard. They shadowed their mother on take your child to work day, helped set up her classroom at the end of summer, and visited while on break in college.
“Seeing how much my mom enjoyed her job and the difference she made every day definitely influenced my decision to go into teaching,” Buzzard says.
Shaun Rice – Intervention Specialist at Sells Middle School
Jason Rice – Teaches American History at Jerome High School
Jeff Rice – Intervention Specialist at Jerome High School
Three out of seven Rice siblings teach in the Dublin school district, and they rave about the Dublin pride and spirit that permeates our schools, businesses and homes. The Rice family experienced this firsthand when they lost their youngest sister/daughter, Lyndsey, at age 15 to a tragic car crash.
“The city came together, and the love was and remains everpresent,” says Shaun. “Honestly, words can’t express the gratitude we feel for the people of Dublin.”
Each of the boys found teaching in his own way, but all agree on its merit and rewards.
“Teaching in Dublin is a way for me to give back to the community that stood by my family and helped carry us through a time of need,” explains Shaun.
Jason Rice graduated from Scioto High School in 2006 and says two of the people who made the greatest impact on his life were teachers and coaches from high school. Karl Johnson has been the head football coach at Scioto since 2000 and had a Rice family member in his program for eight straight years. Now, Jason is an assistant coach on his staff.
“As a person and a coach, Karl is the best there is,” Jason says.
Jim Schafer was also Jason’s football coach and American History teacher, the same class that Jason teaches now at Jerome.
“Both men were huge influences on my life and are now two of my closest friends,” Jason says.
Jeff lives in Dublin with his wife, Deneka, and their two children. Mason is 9 years old and a third-grader at Chapman Elementary School, and Avalon is 5 years old. Jeff took a roundabout way into the school system by first working in sales and substitute teaching before realizing he had a knack for working with students with special needs. He began his post-grad teaching program while working a full-time job and helping raise two children.
“Dublin schools reassured me that I belonged in education and that they valued me as a team member,” says Jeff. “Rather than a community, it is more like an extension of my family. Dublin will always be home no matter where life takes me.”
Colleen D’Angelo is a freelance writer who lives in Dublin with her husband, three children and several small animals. She enjoys playing tennis, walking the Dublin bike paths and traveling.
