District bi-weekly newsletter | May 12, 2022 | Volume 2, Issue 21
Jeniah Williams .Pickerington Central. PreNursing. engaged students .and their teacher. by teaching them about what makes a good social media ad then challenges students to quickly create their own
Dr. Kim Miller's Blog
Dr. Kimberly Pietsch Miller is the superintendent and CEO of Eastland-Fairfield Career & Technical Schools.
Don't Plan. Prepare.
Organizational health author and speaker Patrick Lencioni published a podcast in March entitled “Plan is a four letter word.” So, that title caught my attention. How does someone who coaches leaders to develop organizations that are healthy for their employees and communities as well as their bottom lines say that planning is somehow not a positive strategy. So of course, I listened. Turns out, I agree with Lencioni. In fact, I have been saying the same thing for years.

Here is the heart of the matter. In a world of constant and exponential rates of change in a multitude of arenas (Check out "Thank You for Being Late" by Thomas Friedman), one would think that planning is the way to be successful…to stay in front of the change. But the reality is that we can’t plan for the future because it is changing so fast. We just cannot know what is going to happen in the six months or year, let alone five years down the road. 

“So what are you saying, Kim? We shouldn’t make plans? It’s all hopeless?” 
Build skills and relationships now that will last a lifetime!

Amy Doeflor is not just an alumna of Eastland-Fairfield but also an advocate of career-technical education, in general! Amy built relationships and skills during her time at Eastland Career Center that guided her into a career in education and still resonates today. Now, she is advocating for CTE in her current marketing and communications position at another nearby career technical institution. Hear more from Amy and click below to connect with EFCTS and other alumni.
Spotlight: Thanking Our Teachers and Staff!
Now, we serve our staff to show our appreciation for their hard work and dedication.
With the students doing a lot of testing at the moment AND the week of May 2-6 having been Teacher Appreciation Week, we felt that it was only appropriate to shift our spotlight from our students in the seats to our staff in the labs, classrooms, and throughout the buildings.

Our staff is one of the many things that makes Eastland-Fairfield a wonderful place to be and to learn. Both campuses gave daily tokens of appreciation throughout the week, and the District Office made special visits to each campus to show its thanks, as well. Frozen fruit treats and ice cream sandwiches were handed out to staff as they gathered to express appreciation for the wonderful work they continue to do with and for our students and one another.
The staff at FCC gather for a moment for all to express appreciation for their commitment to our students.
Books were donated to our libraries with a commemoration inside to those retiring teachers who will continue to give on.
We gather together as educators and supporters of young people.
Join us in thanks to those who are celebrating special service anniversaries, and to our staff that will soon celebrate their retirement. THANK YOU!

5 years
Todd Hoffman, AWD Supervisor
Kara Pontius, WBL Coordinator
Justin Gordon, Technology Coordinator
Vicki Huey, Student Support Systems Coordinator
Sharlene Messer, Custodian (ECC/DO)
Bonnie Moran, ECC Cafeteria Manager
Daniel Watts, Intervention Specialist
Anne Boucher, Science Teacher (FCC)
Dean-Andrew Coleman, Math Teacher (FCC)
Jamie Evans, Tutor (FCC)
Megan Jones, English Teacher (FCC)
Chance Lamb, Custodian (FCC)
Amberlee Lockard, Custodian (FCC)
Patricia Morris, Science Teacher (FCC)
Doug Thomas, Intervention Specialist
10 years
Jennifer Gordon, AWD Fiscal Specialist
Paul Dalsky, English Teacher (ECC)
Brian Huston, Welding Instructor
Larry Mezquita, Science Teacher (ECC)
Scott Pinoni, Special Education (ECC)
Shane Schooley, Electrical Instructor
Stacey Valentas, Exercise Science Instructor
15 years
Derek Roeth, Programming & Development Instructor
David Eichorn, Culinary Instructor
Chris Rollins, Social Studies Teacher (ECC)
Eric Wallace, Criminal Justice Instructor (ECC)
Kevin Colburn, Lead Custodian (FCC)
20 years
Crystal Crabtree, Pre-Nursing Coordinator
Buffie Clippinger, Special Education/Social Studies Teacher (ECC)
Kelly Robinson, Marketing & Logistics Instructor
Rhoda Langel, Employability Prep Instructor
25 years
Shelley Groves, Assistant Superintendent
Randy Harper, Science Teacher (ECC)
Congratulations on the move toward retirement to:
Mr. Todd Seymore - Interactive Media
Ms. Tawni Kelly = Custodian
Tami Hartman (33 years) - English Teacher (FCC)
*to commemorate their contributions to EFCTS, a book was purchased and dedicated to the library of the building they served.
Thank you to Tawni Kelly (L) and Todd Seymore (R) for your tireless service to our students and District!
Around Eastland-Fairfield
It's never too early to learn about finances!
Leah Poling .Amanda Clearcreek. Criminal Justice. taught students about the importance of their academic work now and how it can impact earning potential later in life.
Leah Poling (Amanda Clearcreek, Criminal Justice) taught students about the importance of their academic work now and how it can impact earning potential later in life.
Jeniah Williams .Pickerington Central. PreNursing. engaged students .and their teacher. by teaching them about what makes a good social media ad then challenges students to quickly create their own
Jeniah Williams (Pickerington Central, Pre-Nursing) engaged students (and their teacher) by teaching them about what makes a good social media ad, then challenges students to quickly create their own!
On Monday, May 9, at Fairfield Career Center, juniors taking an Economics and Financial Literacy course put their knowledge to the test when they became the "experts" on a topic of their choosing. Ms. Jennifer Levacy's class put together its first Financial Fair and welcomed sixth-grade students from the Walnut Township/Millersport School District to share information and activities. Nearly 15 tables were set up with students covering areas such as loans, inflation, entrepreneurship, scarcity, information security, taxes, and other relatable topics.

Each table presented an activity and offered chances for students to win tickets, which could later be used at a prize and snack table, putting to practice the art of spending wisely! Some guests were challenged to create their own advertisements, played a Trivial Pursuit-style board game, and were given presentations with real-world examples.

Thank you to our students and our guests for putting on this fair and participating!
Mario Cardamone .Pickerington North. Construction. and Brandon Simao .Gahanna. Construction. created a display to show us the benefits and drawbacks between buying new and used cards.
Mario Cardamone (Pickerington North, Construction) and Brandon Simao (Gahanna, Construction) created a display to show us the benefits and drawbacks between buying new and used cards.
Chaniya Harris .Whitehall. PreNursing. created a board game Econopoly as a fun way to teach students basic principles of Economics.
Chaniya Harris (Whitehall, Pre-Nursing) created a board game "Econopoly" as a fun way to teach students basic principles of Economics.
Logan Cram .Pickerington Central. Automotive. quizzes a student following his presentation and rewards are given for correct responses.
Logan Cram (Pickerington Central, Automotive) quizzes a student following his presentation and rewards are given for correct responses.
FCCLA state champs and national qualifiers!
Thirteen students from the Culinary Arts program at Eastland Career Center (ECC) competed at the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) state competitions with great success at the Ohio Expo Center (Columbus, Ohio) on April 27-28, 2022. Two students won state championships in their respective events while two more will head to nationals in San Diego, Calif., this summer.

Congratulations to state champions and national qualifiers!
(name, class, home school, event category)
Amarra Haines (Jr., Whitehall, Hospitality Tourism and Recreation) - 1st place, Gold 
Faith Horton (Sr., Pickerington North, Leadership) - 1st place, Gold 
Daniela Rank (Sr., New Albany, Culinary Math Management) - 2nd place, Gold 
Lahna Nelson (Sr., New Albany, Baking and Pastry) - 2nd place, Gold

We are very proud of all of our students that competed and placed, and those that will move on to compete at the national FCCLA conference. For a complete list of top placements and international qualifiers, click the link below.
Congratulations to our students!
Gaven Morningstar. Jacob Saxour. Zachary Smith. complete their 12-point COTA training .2022
Many of our students have been earning industry-related credentials throughout the year, but there has been a massive wave of credentials earned over the last few weeks of the school year. Congratulations to all of our students on earning your credentials and certifications. Below are just a few of those reported in recent weeks. (pictured: students from the Agriculture & Heavy Diesel program) * homeschools abbreviated next to student's name

STNA
the following students passed their STNA exam to become a licensed STNA
Smriti Adhikari (REY), Leah Antle (BC), Laniee Jackson (REY), Kaya Nomo (REY), Danna Rosales (GM), Ruby Scott (REY), Janvier Serrano-Shaw (CW), Elizabeth Tackett (GM), Payton Wallace (CW), Meadow Ward (TV), Jeniah Williams (PC)

DENTAL ASSISTING
the following Eastland Career Center students passed their RDA national certification
Maria Barker (GM), Ariana Campbell (REY), Dieynaba Djigo (GM), Nanyeli Encarnacion (GM), Alexis Henize (TV), August Hughes-Hemsoth (GAH), Chloe Jackson (PC), Averyana Laga (GM), Youwonna Marbury-Bradford (GM), Saynab Mohamed (GAH), Sompet Ngamsanith (REY), Mikaylah Phares (PC), NahJae Pinager (GAH), Mya Reeves (HAM), Lapri Rigsbee (GAH), Alana Ward (GM), Sidney Wolford (GM), Brooke Zealer (TV)

AGRICULTURE & HEAVY DIESEL
the following students have become the first to successfully complete their COTA certification
Jacob Saxour (AC), Zachary Smith (TV), Gaven Morningstar (PC)

ANIMAL MANAGEMENT
the following students passed the Elanco Veterinary Medical Applications Certification Test
Molly Bishop (REY), Maren Bown (PN), Alexis Estave (WH), Sunni Kean (BC), Jaden Klinger (BC), Miranda Meyers (REY), Kate Morris (BC), Michael Owen (CW), Megan Randleman (GM), Brysen Six (HAM), and Emma Smith (TV)

CYBER SECURITY
the following students earned their CompTIA Security+ Certification
Armani Davenport (CW), Matthew Foster-Skerness (HAM), Laytn Roark (AC), Roger Saunders (GAH), Nicholas Vandegriff (CW)

MARKETING & LOGISTICS MANAGEMENT
the following students qualified and were one of 300 teams to present at the DECA national conference
Lindsey Jones (GM), Dillon Comer (GM), Natalie England (GM) *pictured below
Upcoming Events
MAY
May 18: Senior Recognition (Fairfield Career Center)
May 19: Senior Recognition (Eastland Career Center)
May 19: Senior Recognition, Satellites (Eastland Career Center)
May 24: Last day of classes for students

JULY

Poll Question
If you were given $1 million the first thing you'd do is:
buy the car of your dreams!
begin investing!
buy the house of your dreams!
pay off all debts!
keep going as if nothing changed at all.
Check out the results plus a new poll question in the next edition of the District Newsletter!
Last week's results
Last week: Your preferred vacation will take you to the:
Beach: 35.1%
Woods: 18.9%
Another country: 27%
Mountains: 10.8%
Stay-cation at home: 8.1%