Marina Colombo, Assistant Director of Educational Services and Curriculum Consultant
⭐Which districts do you work with?
Directly working with Tuscarawas Valley Local Schools as Curriculum and Gifted Coordinator. Dover City Schools as Gifted Coordinator.
❤️What does your job entail, and what do you enjoy about your job?
At Tusky Valley – working with staff and administration on curriculum needs, compliance, professional development, gifted coordination, and whatever Dr. Varansky needs! As Regional Data Lead, I provide support through Professional Development to districts on the topic of Value-Added (EVAAS). With Literacy and Dyslexia, I provide PD for the ECOESC in both areas.
💡What’s your favorite memory as an employee of the ECOESC?
There is no one favorite memory but being part of this amazing team has been a professional reward. Hard working, proactive, reliable and kind!
🙂Tell us a little bit about your family and hobbies outside of work!
Can we say white sand and blue water is one hobby?🏖️
Keri Rosser, Career Connected Learning Coordinator
⭐Which districts do you work with?
Too many to name! I work with over 30 districts, mostly ECOESC member districts but also many outside districts.
❤️What does your job entail, and what do you enjoy about your job?
I work with the Career Navigators in the area to help mentor those individuals in the areas of work-based learning, career exploration, credentialing, pre-apprenticeships, and career counseling. Bringing businesses and schools together through the Business Advisory Council is also an area of my position as well. Recently, a large portion of my time has been working with school districts to implement pre-apprenticeships in order to expand opportunities to their students. I love the impact that this work has on students most about my job. These experiences can be so impactful to truly guide a student in a career path that was never really thought of previously. I also really love standing on the sidelines, observing the staff in the buildings and the businesses in the communities see the success of our programs.
💡What’s your favorite memory as an employee of the ECOESC?
Last year’s Christmas party was one of the best memories I have as an ECOESC employee. The amount of time that goes into that event really shows the appreciation that Randy and Matt have for all of us. Watching our co-workers get called down to be “the next contestant on the Price is Right” was hilarious!
🙂Tell us a little bit about your family and hobbies outside of work!
I have two daughters, Annabelle (11) & Aliza (9). I am happily married to my husband of 15 years, Chase. We love to travel, camp, hike, and play games together as a family. We are also a family that loves sports, and I enjoy coaching my children when possible.
Giovonna Harmon, Board Certified Behavior Analyst
⭐Which districts do you work with?
Cambridge, East Guernsey, and Rolling Hills
❤️What does your job entail, and what do you enjoy about your job?
I work with school districts to assess and develop effective behavior intervention strategies for individuals in need of support. I thoroughly enjoy the process of using my expertise as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst to create tailored interventions that positively impact students’ lives and witness the meaningful progress they make.
💡What’s your favorite memory as an employee of the ECOESC?
My favorite part about my role at ECOESC is the opportunity to collaborate closely with the exceptional staff and contribute to the development of a new program for the ESC.
🙂Tell us a little bit about your family and hobbies outside of work!
My husband and I reside in Zoarville with our two German Shepherds and our three cats. We are huge animal lovers and we enjoy spending time with our pets. My husband and I love to spend time outdoors, we love to camp, hike and overland. Our bucket list goal is to hike at every National Park in the US. I also enjoy traveling abroad and I love to experience the culture, food and sights of other countries. I am trying to visit as many countries as I can.
Andrea Tinlin, our Assistant Treasurer
⭐Which office do you work in?
The New Philadelphia Office.
❤️What does your job entail, and what do you enjoy about your job?
My job entails doing payroll for the ESC. I enjoy how it’s never the same each pay.
💡What’s your favorite memory as an employee of the ECOESC?
Finding out I got the job!!
🙂Tell us a little bit about your family and hobbies outside of work!
Married to Matt. We have three boys, Noah, Logan, and Anthony; a granddaughter who just turned one, Brailynn; and dog, Daisy.
Dallas Schwendeman, Level 1 Tech
⭐Which districts do you work with?
Crooksville Exempted Village
❤️What does your job entail, and what do you enjoy about your job?
My job is to provide tech support for the staff and students of Crooksville. I am responsible for nearly every device and many services that are used across the district.
I enjoy providing teachers and other staff with the resources and tools they need to do their jobs. It makes me feel good when I can assist a teacher with a problem and then receive immediate feedback about how the solution is going to help them in the classroom.
💡What’s your favorite memory as an employee of the ECOESC?
My favorite memories are the days when other members of our Technology team come to the district and assist on projects with me. I love collaborating with other ECOESC employees and getting a different perspective on what I’m working on. Everyone has been so easy to work with and these meetings are always productive.
🙂Tell us a little bit about your family and hobbies outside of work!
I got engaged to my fiancée – Taylor this year and we are currently planning a wedding. She is a 5th Grade teacher in a nearby district. We spend our time outside of work watching sports & playing videogames. We love to cook and entertain during football season and we only fight over our favorite teams a reasonable amount. Go Browns!
Vivienne Barrows, Intervention Specialist
⭐Which districts do you work with?
I work in Alternative Education in the East Muskingum Local School District and with various districts throughout the state.
❤️What does your job entail, and what do you enjoy about your job?
I teach in a one-room schoolhouse facilitating a personalized education for each student living in a therapeutic group home. The students and I identify and fill gaps in prior knowledge while striving to attain proficiency at grade-level standards.
I most enjoy the students. I love to see them grow and succeed. I love those moments when they realize they have power, intelligence, strength, resilience, and become confident and independent learners.
💡What’s your favorite memory as an employee of the ECOESC?
One of my favorite memories would have to be our first Christmas Program. The students wrote, directed, costumed, choreographed, rehearsed, sang, performed and even projected their own PowerPoint during the performance in case anyone needed a prompt for their lines. It was great fun, and all of these hidden talents came out that I would never have known about! There were leaders, dancers, actors, comediennes, and a camaraderie full of mutual support throughout the process; and in the end, high spirits and laughs.
🙂Tell us a little bit about your family and hobbies outside of work!
I have been a mom for four decades and my nest just emptied two years ago. Raising my family was the best and most important work of my life. I lived a very full life before I had children, so I feel like I have done it all by now. Now I enjoy my kids, friends, grandkids, and granddogs. I love animals, reading, travel, birds, trees, nature, and the beach. I love to cook different kinds of food! I also enjoy being a couch potato and watching foreign shows on MHZ. I like bicycle riding, yoga, and walking/hiking.
Wendy Ware, Director of Prevention and Student Supports
⭐Which districts do you work with?
Indirectly – All schools in Belmont and Monroe Counties.
❤️What does your job entail, and what do you enjoy about your job?
My job oversees school-based and community-based prevention programs. I ensure that we implement comprehensive, evidence-based prevention programs for students in grades K-12 following a Student Assistance Program model, as well as programs in the community that promote mental health and well-being and prevent substance use and problem gambling. I supervise a staff of 24 prevention professionals who provide the direct services in the schools and community. The part of my job I enjoy the most is hearing my staff talk about the differences they are making in children’s lives.
💡What’s your favorite memory as an employee of the ECOESC?
My favorite memory as an employee of the ECOESC is getting an umbrella when my staff and I did our onboarding with Nanette. I never received a welcome gift before!
🙂Tell us a little bit about your family and hobbies outside of work!
I am married to Scott. We live in Belmont with our dog and 2 cats. I have a daughter, Kaitlyn, who lives in Cincinnati and I have 2 stepsons, Spencer who lives in Barnesville and Sterling who is in the Navy. I have two beautiful granddaughters, Renly and Ayla. I am a certified Reiki 2 and Access Bars practitioner and spend a lot of my free time perfecting these energy healing modalities. I also enjoy reading, walking and relaxing in the sun.
Ashley Daugherty, Principal of Starlight School
⭐Which districts do you work with?
All Districts!
❤️What does your job entail, and what do you enjoy about your job?
I am the Principal of Starlight School. I have helped facilitate the merging of ESC and BDD classrooms within the Starlight School. I absolutely love the staff and students at Starlight. The staff encompasses the most dedicated and driven educators to work with this incredibly special population of students. The students make me smile everyday! I get to work in the hidden gem of education each and every day.
💡What’s your favorite memory as an employee of the ECOESC?
It is really hard to pick just one. I have had so many heartwarming experiences this year and I have only been here 3 months!
🙂Tell us a little bit about your family and hobbies outside of work!
I have been married to my husband, Boz for 16 years. We have 3 amazing kiddos Raegan (soon to be 15), Drew (13) and Nolan (8 ). Our kids are very involved with lots of sports, so we spend most of our time doing that! We also love to travel!
Scott Power, Family and Community Partnership Liaison
⭐Which districts do you work with?
I am available to all ECOESC member districts.
❤️What does your job entail, and what do you enjoy about your job?
My work involves assisting districts to connect vulnerable youth and families with necessary wraparound services in the community. We bring district personnel and community partners together to increase communication and collaboration, share resources and break down other barriers to services that may exist.
I truly enjoy working in such a dynamic, mission-driven, environment where integrity, professionalism and compassionate service are the norm for everyone and modeled so clearly by our leadership.
💡What’s your favorite memory as an employee of the ECOESC?
Last spring at a meeting of the McKInney-Vento Team in Guernsey County, we were given a report after one full school year of Care Coordination that highlighted how many students and families had received referrals and services and other relevant data including how many seniors graduated on time with support. While my role was very limited in the project, our Guernsey Team and district liaisons have done phenomenal work. It was/is so gratifying to see how the project has provided so much tangible, measurable assistance to such vulnerable kids and their families.
🙂Tell us a little bit about your family and hobbies outside of work!
My companion and I have been together for nearly 30 years and I love being GrandScott to her 5 grandchildren and their parents with one family in Idaho and one in Columbus. I am the youngest of three brothers and am a proud Uncle of 6 and Great Uncle of 10. Cooking is my favorite pastime as well as my therapy, which explains a lot about the picture of me.
Heather Vandyke, Administrative Assistant at Fox Run
⭐Which districts do you work with?
Fox Run
❤️What does your job entail, and what do you enjoy about your job?
My job entails working with the alternative education programs. Since the department has been growing each year, I get to work with many different programs and schools. But I have to say, it’s the people I work with that make the job enjoyable.
💡What’s your favorite memory as an employee of the ECOESC?
I’ve been with the ECOESC for 12 years. So, it’s hard to pick just one memory. The administration team I’ve been fortunate enough to work with over the years have become like a family to me.
🙂Tell us a little bit about your family and hobbies outside of work!
Well, I’m married, have 2 wonderful sons, and a boxer named Gracie. My sons keep me very busy when I’m not at work. We are heavily involved in wrestling and football. When we are not running around kids to sporting events and practices, I enjoy spending my time at Seneca Lake.
Frank Ferrel, Assistant Director of Technology
⭐Which districts do you work with?
Barnesville, Bellaire, Belmont-Harrison Career Center, Crooksville, Union Local, Cumberland Trail Fire Department, Sargus Juvenile Detention Center, Belmont County Veterans Association, & Belmont County Health Department.
❤️What does your job entail, and what do you enjoy about your job?
I approach my role as a Technology Director with the utmost seriousness and dedication. My commitment to the growth of our services, combined with the support of our talented technology team, allows me to provide valuable support to the districts we serve. Through project management, professional development, and effective communication, I strive to facilitate the seamless integration of technology into the educational landscape, ultimately enhancing the learning experience for students and educators alike.
💡What’s your favorite memory as an employee of the ECOESC?
One of my most cherished memories from my job at our Saint Clairville office revolves around the incredible wildlife that graces our surroundings. Every morning, I would begin my day by checking the dumpster. Occasionally, a curious raccoon would find itself stuck inside the dumpster. Whenever I spotted a raccoon in distress, I would take action without hesitation.
During one memorable summer, our office became a temporary home to approximately 20 baby king snakes. Rather than resorting to harm or eviction, I embraced a no-kill policy at our St. Clairsville branch. With utmost care, I rehomed the baby king snakes, allowing them to continue their journey in the wild where they truly belong.
🙂Tell us a little bit about your family and hobbies outside of work!
I’m happily married to the wonderful Brooke Ferrel, who is an intervention specialist at Skyvue Elementary. Our shared journey has been a source of joy and support, and I cherish every moment we spend together. We’re proud parents to our 18-year-old son, Codin, who is growing into an incredible young adult.
Molly Kaplet, Curriculum & Federal Programs Consultant
⭐Which districts do you work with?
Although I work with over 20 districts in the Mathematical Modeling & Reasoning Course facilitation, I primarily support Cambridge City and Noble Local.
❤️What does your job entail, and what do you enjoy about your job?
I support districts in the areas of school improvement, data, federal programs, and curriculum & instruction. I have the pleasure of working with a fantastic team of professionals who are so supportive and create a positive work culture. Each day is unique and the work is focused on growth and improvement.
💡What’s your favorite memory as an employee of the ECOESC?
The Price is Right was such an exciting experience! I really appreciate all the hard work that was put forth to provide not only entertainment but also made us feel valued as employees.
🙂Tell us a little bit about your family and hobbies outside of work!
We have a son who is a junior in high school, a daughter in her senior year of college, and two dogs that keep us busy. Outside of work, I enjoy audiobooks, movies, puzzles, crochet, and cross stitch.
Shauna Holmes, Speech-Language Pathologist
⭐Which districts do you work with?
Bellaire, Bridgeport, Martins Ferry, Shadyside
❤️What does your job entail, and what do you enjoy about your job?
I provide preschool speech therapy services to ECOESC, Head Start, and private daycare classrooms in Bridgeport, Bellaire, Martins Ferry and St. Clairsville. I LOVE working with this age group! Helping them learn through play is so much fun and it is so rewarding to see how much progress they make.
💡What’s your favorite memory as an employee of the ECOESC?
In June 2020, I was unexpectantly told by the district that I was working with at the time that they were switching to a different ESC. At a time when a lot of things in the world was uncertain, I was no longer employed by the ESC that I had been with for 18 years and there were a lot of questions and apprehension. Mr. Lucas and his team quickly met with all of us, welcomed us to the ECOESC, answered any questions that we had and made the transition to a new employer seamless. It was very much appreciated by all of us and reassured me that this was an organization in which I would be happy to work.
🙂Tell us a little bit about your family and hobbies outside of work!
I live on a small hobby farm near Tappan Lake with my husband and daughter. We have horses, miniature donkeys, fainting goats, and chickens. I also have a granddaughter who lives near Columbus with my son and his wife. I enjoy being outdoors, hiking, gardening, and thrifting.
Marcia Murphy, Curriculum & Federal Programs Consultant
❤️What does your job entail, and what do you enjoy about your job?
My job involves a wide range of responsibilities, including but not limited to grant coordination and compliance monitoring, data analysis and systems improvement, employee coaching and mentorships, program coordination, professional development provision, workshop facilitation, resource creation and implementation, and meeting facilitation. What I find most exciting and fulfilling about my job is the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on students, families, and educators. By focusing on increasing effectiveness and improving systems, I aim to achieve better outcomes that benefit not only individuals but also the broader education community.
💡What’s your favorite memory as an employee of the ECOESC?
With just 16 months of experience at the ESC, I don’t have a specific employee memory that stands out. However, I have consistently been amazed by the incredible dedication of the entire ECOESC team. Each member has shown a remarkable willingness to lend a hand and go above and beyond. I am truly grateful for their helpful nature, collaborative spirit, unwavering support, and positive attitudes. These qualities have not only fostered a wonderful working environment but have also made our achievements possible. Being part of such an extraordinary team is truly an honor.
Tell us a little bit about your family and hobbies outside of work!
Apart from my work, nothing brings me more joy and fulfillment than spending time with my family, especially my children and grandchildren. Watching them grow successful in their careers and start families of their own fills my heart with pride and gratitude. Witnessing their accomplishments and seeing them thrive independently is truly heartwarming. I hold family traditions dear to my heart, and I’m proud to say that we still gather for Sunday dinner every week. It’s a time for my children, parents, siblings, their families, and all significant others to come together and enjoy each other’s company over an amazing meal. And let me tell you, no food compares to my mom’s cooking! Her delicious dishes have been a staple at our family gatherings for as long as I can remember, and they always bring us closer together.
When it comes to finding joy outside of my family, I seek activities that ignite my creativity, enhance my skills, and expand my knowledge. Engaging in home improvement and landscaping projects allows me to express myself artistically while also creating a more comfortable and appealing environment. Additionally, I find joy camping at Seneca Lake, exploring new destinations, learning new skills, immersing myself in books, and spending time with friends. These activities help me unwind and gain fresh perspectives on life.
Leann Doty, Teacher Assistant
⭐Which district do you work with?
Bellaire
❤️What does your job entail, and what do you enjoy about your job?
My job consists of keeping the room clean, helping the teacher with circle time/small/large groups, collecting data, interacting/playing with the children, and helping out where I’m needed. I would say I enjoy the kiddos. Everyday is something new with them. I love seeing the kids in the morning or in the halls with my previous classes. They get so excited, yell my name, and give me a hug. It makes me happy to know that I made an impact on them.
💡What’s your favorite memory as an employee of the ECOESC?
I don’t have a favorite memory that comes to mind. Looking over the years, I would say the craziness that the teachers and I got into to make the room fun for the kids. Like the year we made a gingerbread house that the kids could actually play in. The struggles for that were completely worth it.
🙂Tell us a little bit about your family and hobbies outside of work!
I’m married to my high school sweetheart whose name is Roger. I have 2 children named Sammi and RJ. My family loves animals so we have 3 big dogs (Zoey, Ford, and Grizzly Bear), 1 cat (Crybaby), and best of all Derrick the chinchilla. I love to go camping and ride four wheelers.
Angela Hicks, Curriculum Consultant & 21st CCLC Grants Management
