Leading the Way - October 23rd 2025

Leading Moments - Indian Hill High School

'Leadership begins with YOU'

Last week, our middle school and high school staff participated in a dynamic professional learning experience centered on The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. Throughout the training, educators engaged in reflective discussions, collaborative activities, and personal leadership exercises designed to strengthen both individual and collective effectiveness. Staff explored how to integrate the 7 Habits, such as being proactive, beginning with the end in mind, and seeking first to understand, into their daily practices and interactions with students.

The work was deeply student-centered, empowering our teams to model these principles in ways that enhance relationships, build stronger classroom cultures, and foster the lifelong skills of leadership and responsibility in every learner. Before we can truly lead others we must be able to effectively lead ourselves. A powerful day of learning for all!

Empowering Students to Connect and Lead!

In connection with HighAIMS and WeEmpower LLC, students from across SW Ohio had the chance to come together at Princeton City Schools and dive into what leadership meant to them. For over 4 hours students were engaged in collective conversations and reflections on how students (K-12) can be leaders and help lift the success of school and organizations. Led by former Superintendent and CEO & Founder of WeEmpower, Mr. Tom Burton, students were constantly moving, laughing, thinking and dreaming of the culture they wanted to help create in their respective schools. Before leaving each student representative group creating a Leadership Acrostic to bring back to their home districts and share with their building principals!

IHExperienceships

Big Ideas, Bold Minds: IHExperienceships Meet StartUpCincy!

Last week, a select group of our IHExperienceships students had the opportunity to immerse themselves in the energy and innovation of StartupCincy Week. They joined hundreds of entrepreneurs, investors, and innovation leaders in Cincinnati for four days of curated panels, workshops, pitch sessions, and mentorship opportunities.

Our students engaged with startup founders, participated in upskilling sessions, and even attended the pitch competition, gaining firsthand insight into what it takes to launch and scale a venture in today’s fast-paced economy. The experience challenged them to think big, collaborate boldly, and stretch their entrepreneurial mindset—a powerful complement to their classroom learning. We’re immensely proud of how they represented our school and deepened their own capacity for innovation and leadership.

Shout out to our incredible IHExperienceships Coordinator, Mrs. Lauren Richardson for connecting with StartUpCincy and finding a way for our students to attend. This is the start of an annual opportunity for sure.

Braves Learn the Power of Connection at the Career Connections Finance Panel



Our high school students recently had the incredible opportunity to engage with industry professionals in a one of a kind, 'Finance Panel.' The event, moderated by IHExp Student Advisory Board Member, Senior Derek Zee, offered valuable insights into the world of finance, emphasizing that true success in the field goes beyond numbers and technical skills, it’s built on relationships.

Students discovered how networking, authenticity, and collaboration can open doors to opportunities that hard skills alone can’t unlock. It was an inspiring reminder that in the finance world and beyond who you know and how you connect truly matters.

Special Thanks to IH Parent Frances Josephic and Class of 1986 Brave Alum Carin Fike for leading this way during this experience!

Harvard Law Wisdom: Passion, Purpose, and the Pursuit of Excellence.

As part of IHExp Career Connection Guest Speaker series students had the privilege of learning from Mrs. Stephanie McMahon — IH parent and Harvard Law School graduate — who delivered an incredibly candid and insightful conversation about the journey into the legal field. She emphasized the importance of finding your true area of passion, being bold in your decisions, and staying relentless in your pursuit of excellence.

Her wisdom came fast and real — so much so that students were racing to capture every insight. Mrs. McMahon’s authenticity and energy made a powerful impact, offering our future leaders a true insider’s perspective on what it takes to thrive in law and beyond.

How to compete in the highly sought after area of Engineering?

Our IHExperiences students found out at the University of Cincinnati's College of Engineering! Key takeaways shared by our group were the value of skills like Python and CAD, the impact of taking AP Physics & Calculus classes and the immense opportunity of having a top-ranked co-op program right here in their backyard!

Our HS Counseling Team Selected to Present at both the National & State Level!

We are proud to announce that our outstanding counseling team was selected to present at both the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) Conference in September and the Ohio School Counselor Conference (OSCC) in October. This year, NACAC received more than 530 proposals for just 130 presentation slots, each reviewed by over 180 peer evaluators to ensure an engaging and diverse lineup of sessions. To be chosen among such a competitive group is an incredible honor and a reflection of the innovative work being done within our school community.

Their presentation featured Application Bootcamp—a signature program designed to make the transition from high school to college more equitable, structured, and supportive for seniors. Held on the first Friday of the school year, the program provides a full day of hands-on collaboration with counselors and college admissions representatives. Students engage in sessions on application logistics, essay writing, and a mock admissions review, capped by personalized one-on-one feedback that helps them leave with confidence and a clear plan for their college journey. Participants from both conferences praised the program as “inspiring,” “energizing,” and a model to replicate—an incredible testament to the positive impact our counselors are making on students and educators across the country.

Leading Moments - Indian Hill Middle School

Peeling Back the Layers of Character

Students in Mrs. Ward’s class brought Edgar Allan Poe’s "The Tell-Tale Heart" to life today as they finished analyzing the story and launched into a character autopsy experience. Their engagement was unmistakable — students leaned into the suspense of the text while using active listening and evidence-based reasoning to uncover the narrator’s psychological unraveling. The guiding question, “What is the allure of fear?”, pushed them to think deeply and connect literature to human behavior.

From there, students transitioned into collaborative investigation mode, stepping out into flexible learning spaces to begin constructing their character profiles. The activity demanded leadership, creativity, critical thinking, and effective teamwork, all key professional skills that mirror today’s workplace expectations. The excitement was palpable, and it’s clear that they are not just learning about literature , they are practicing the real-world competencies that prepare them to lead.

Investing, Depreciation of Products, Exponential Decay and it's connection to Math!

Middle school students, in Mr. Bass's class, engaged in a dynamic and highly collaborative math learning experience today as they explored graphing algebraic expressions and the concept of asymptotes. Working in teams, students graphed various functions and discovered how certain curves approach—but never touch—specific lines, building a strong conceptual understanding in real time. The energy was high, and the learning was driven by student discussion, peer explanation, and shared problem-solving.

What made the lesson especially powerful was the connection to real-world financial applications. Students examined how these types of mathematical curves directly relate to investment trends, exponential growth and decay, and how products gain or lose value over time. They weren’t just graphing — they were analyzing the patterns that drive modern economics. It was an exceptional example of focused, future-ready learning where math became meaningful, relevant, and alive.

Waves in Motion: Students Take Charge of Seismic Exploration

Students in Mrs. Hartings's science class engaged in an investigation of seismic activity and wavelengths on Earth through a self-guided, inquiry-based learning experience. Rather than being given answers, they were empowered to explore, utilizing a variety of high-quality digital and print resources to deepen their understanding of how energy travels through the Earth during seismic events. The lesson was rooted in curiosity and self-discovery, allowing students to take ownership of both the questions and the learning process.

Throughout the experience, students demonstrated impressive leadership, collaboration, and independent problem-solving. Working both in teams and individually, they actively grappled with essential questions and applied real scientific reasoning to interpret data and evaluate their findings. It was a powerful glimpse into future-ready learning, students thinking like scientists, leading their own learning, and developing the critical skills that extend far beyond the classroom.

Jeff Damadeo, Director of K-12 Leadership & Career Development

Jeff.Damadeo@ihsd.us

Twitter: @indianhillEC

My #IHPromise - to work tirelessly for our students, providing them with the most exceptional educational opportunities & experiences to help ensure that they develop into outstanding academic students and future ready individuals!