Deeper Dive: Hilliard School Board Race

Featured School Board Candidates:

Jon Parker-Jones, Middle School Band Teacher in Upper Arlington, Running for Hilliard School BoardJon grew up near Dayton and was the first in his family to graduate college. He is proud to have earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Education at Ohio State University, and have completed additional coursework at Northwestern University, The Juilliard School, and Vandercook College. Jon and his wife, Kathy, have lived in Hilliard since 1995 where they raised their two sons who both attended Hilliard City Schools. He's a veteran teacher with three decades of experience, the past 29 years with Upper Arlington City Schools.Outside of his professional experience, he actively and passionately volunteers for students and education through his work with the Hilliard Education Foundation. The Foundation partners with local companies and individual donors to award classroom grants for innovative learning experiences for Hilliard students, and scholarships to HCSD graduates. He is committed to improving Hilliard schools and has attended every Hilliard Board of Education regular meeting and work session for the past two and a half years, more than some of the current Board members.MORE | To learn more about Jon Parker-Jones and where he stands on the issues, check out his campaign website.

Kara Crowley, Kindergarten teacher in Southwestern City Schools, Running for Hilliard School BoardAs a teacher and mother, Kara believes that a great school system is the backbone of a great community. Having great schools can draw in families and businesses that want to live and work in an area that is thriving. She believes Hilliard needs an educator’s voice on the board, and would be honored to serve on the HBOE, to create educational opportunities and a world-class education for every student in the district, and to cultivate strong relationships between our schools and our communities.Kara grew up in a small town outside of Akron, Ohio, where she served as Class President for four years in high school and was voted Most Likely to be President. It was in high school that discovered her love of serving, leadership and civic responsibility. In 2001, she moved to Columbus to attend The Ohio State University (OSU) as a Political Science Major to continue pursuing her passion for service.  However, during a trip around the globe, she discovered a new passion, working with children. During that trip, every country she visited allowed for unique opportunities to work with children in orphanages, various school settings and classrooms and through community based programs like Operation Hunger. When she returned to Ohio State from her travels, she changed my major to education.For the last 14 years, Kara has worked as a teacher in a Title 1 school in Southwestern City Schools. She has taught many different grade levels but is currently teaching kindergarten. Throughout her educational career, she has received numerous awards, including the 2014 COSI Science Teacher of the Year and the 2020 SWCS Outstanding Educator of the Year. MORE | To learn more about Kara Crowley and where he stands on the issues, check out her campaign website.

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The Ohio Education Association represents about 120,000 teachers, faculty members and support professionals who work in Ohio’s schools, colleges, and universities to help improve public education and the lives of Ohio’s children. OEA members provide professional services to benefit students, schools, and the public in virtually every position needed to run Ohio’s schools.Education Matters guest host Jeff Wensing serves as Vice President for the Ohio Education Association. A high school math teacher from Parma, Ohio, prior to his election as OEA Vice President in Spring 2019, Jeff Wensing served as the President of the Parma Education Association and as the President of the North Eastern Ohio Education Association. One of Jeff’s accomplishments was organizing members and the community to elect a new local Board of Education majority in 2017. This successful undertaking highlights his skill set by coordinating with local mayors, city council members, other unions, and the candidates themselves. Jeff has a history of listening to members prior to implementing decisions, communicating thoughtfully throughout the process, and engaging all stakeholders with full transparency.

This episode was recorded in late September and early October, 2021.