Meet our New Team @ London & Marion
We’re excited to introduce the new staff and teachers who have joined our team at Buckeye Community School (BCS) in London and Marion. We have built a team that will help our students create brilliant futures and we interviewed each of them to help you get to know them better. Read their introductions below.
Welcoming our New Intervention Specialist
At our BCS in London, we have a new Intervention Specialist to support students in creating a clear path toward achieving their goals by helping them remove barriers to success.
Jasmine Featherstone, Intervention Specialist
How does the mission of Buckeye Community School align with your personal value system?
My personal values include cherishing each individual as a unique person, and that is the tenet that both Buckeye and myself adheres to. I enjoy working with the population of students we get, as their success and seeing them graduate is so rewarding for our students - I love seeing them achieve their goals.
When did you know you wanted to be an educator?
I must admit, being an educator was not my first choice, but failing chemistry miserably in college made me reevaluate my interest in the nursing field. I switched to special education, which was my second choice. I just completed my 45th year, with no thoughts of retirement and no regrets that I chose this career.
What do you like to do outside of work?
Outside of my job, I do a lot of church work. I am an ordained minister. I also head up a small grassroots ministry that helps breast cancer patients with things they may need while undergoing treatment. The entire group, including myself, are breast cancer survivors, thus we can relate to their situations and give personal insight from our own experiences.
How does the mission of Buckeye Community School align with your personal value system?
My personal values include cherishing each individual as a unique person, and that is the tenet that both Buckeye and myself adheres to. I enjoy working with the population of students we get, as their success and seeing them graduate is so rewarding for our students - I love seeing them achieve their goals.
When did you know you wanted to be an educator?
I must admit, being an educator was not my first choice, but failing chemistry miserably in college made me reevaluate my interest in the nursing field. I switched to special education, which was my second choice. I just completed my 45th year, with no thoughts of retirement and no regrets that I chose this career.
What do you like to do outside of work?
Outside of my job, I do a lot of church work. I am an ordained minister. I also head up a small grassroots ministry that helps breast cancer patients with things they may need while undergoing treatment. The entire group, including myself, are breast cancer survivors, thus we can relate to their situations and give personal insight from our own experiences.
Welcoming New Staff and Teachers at Marion
Celebrating the expansion of BCS in Marion, we are delighted to introduce you to new staff and teachers dedicated to supporting the individual journeys of each and every BCS student.
Barbara Koschnick, Tutor at Marion
How does the mission of Buckeye Community School align with your personal value system?
I believe in the positive worth of all students, all human beings, and all living things. Buckeye Community School believes that all students can earn a diploma, because BCS believes in all students. We agree - there are no bad students: only students who have not been given a fair chance. Many at BCS feel, for the first time, they are worthwhile human beings when they become a part of Buckeye Community School.
When did you know you wanted to be an educator?
I realized I wanted to be an educator when my boys were in elementary school. I was given the opportunity to be a parent volunteer to help once a week in the classroom working one-on-one with struggling students whether it be reading, assisting with an elementary program on a very archaic computer, or helping with many other tasks where needed. From there I started substitute teaching, as my college degree permitted me to do that. I have been in the education field in many different capacities for about 45 years.
How does the mission of Buckeye Community School align with your personal value system?
I believe in the positive worth of all students, all human beings, and all living things. Buckeye Community School believes that all students can earn a diploma, because BCS believes in all students. We agree - there are no bad students: only students who have not been given a fair chance. Many at BCS feel, for the first time, they are worthwhile human beings when they become a part of Buckeye Community School.
When did you know you wanted to be an educator?
I realized I wanted to be an educator when my boys were in elementary school. I was given the opportunity to be a parent volunteer to help once a week in the classroom working one-on-one with struggling students whether it be reading, assisting with an elementary program on a very archaic computer, or helping with many other tasks where needed. From there I started substitute teaching, as my college degree permitted me to do that. I have been in the education field in many different capacities for about 45 years.
What do you like to do outside of work?
I love the outdoors and being with people (old and young) and working with animals. To pattern my likes, I am a member of the Crawford County Fairboard (30 years). I have been a 4-H advisor for 42 years and with that capacity have worked on Ohio Volunteer Conferences. I also am a board member of The Friends of Lowe Volk Park. For relaxing time, I love to work in the garden and flower beds. There's nothing like pulling weeds!! I love the relaxation of being on the golf course and hitting that little ball around. Any sport I can attend is an exciting time for me, especially high school sports. Fishing is something I enjoy along with horseback riding and working in the barn with whatever animals might be residing there at the time. When time allows, I enjoy traveling and attending theatre presentations. I also like to do crossword puzzles when I finally sit down and relax in the evenings. I'm not one for sitting too often. I like to be busy.
Jennifer Hofacker, Science and Biology Teacher at Marion
How does the mission of Buckeye Community School align with your personal value system?
Buckeye's Mission is "To create an educational experience through positive relationships that empowers every person the opportunity to overcome personal challenges and pursue one's unique goals."
I appreciate the uniqueness of each person and teaching at Buckeye gives me more of a chance to work one-on-one with the students and get to know them as a whole person. To succeed, they need to be motivated; they need to find their "why." That is what I try to do.
When did you know you wanted to be an educator?
I first thought about teaching when I was in the second grade but by middle school I had decided on a career in science and ended up majoring in microbiology. I was in my senior year when I felt a pull toward teaching high school biology and other sciences. I wanted to develop an appreciation and awareness regarding the impact science has on all people, and also make it fun and not a chore. Now my focus is more directed toward showing students how to identify their strengths, work toward a goal, and become lifelong learners.
What do you like to do outside of work?
Outside of work I love to read and crochet, and I plan to resume participating in community theater, both on the stage and in the orchestra pit, and playing with the church choir.
Marlo Brown, School Psychologist at Marion
How does the mission of Buckeye Community School align with your personal value system?
I believe that each student blooms when they find caring and dedicated teachers/staff willing to help them and form relationships. I think these relationships foster trust and confidence and allow the students to become successful. Individual connections and relationships are the ingredients that allow our student population at BCS to thrive and these values align with my personal value system as an individual.
When did you know you wanted to be an educator?
I knew I wanted to become an educator during my freshman year in college. I was interested in the field of psychology and my parents are or were educators who inspired me to pursue the field. The role of a school psychologist was the perfect melding of both disciplines.
What do you like to do outside of work?
My personal interests include spending time with my family, exercising, reading, and spending time with friends and extended family. I also have an interest in interior design.
Shannon Limberios, Enrollment Specialist at BCS Marion
How does the mission of Buckeye Community School align with your personal value system?
I love Buckeye's Mission Statement because it reflects exactly what our students need. POSITIVITY, Encouragement and truly just someone who cares, are of utmost importance with our students.
When did you know you wanted to be an educator?
Although I do not consider myself an educator (I'm not a teacher), I must say that I LOVE my job! I worked in accounting for 25 years and thought that was my calling. I've since figured out that my current job truly is my calling! I'm so glad the COVID shutdown is over so that I can interact more with the students and families as I have missed that so much.
What do you like to do outside of work?
I am a HUGE Bruce Springsteen fan and am most happy when he is touring. I have seen him in concert 60 times over the last 30 years. I have 7 grandchildren that are my life and I love spending time with them. Lately my life has consisted of work during the day and baseball games in the evenings. All of which I love!
Sheri Ransom, Intervention Specialist at BCS Marion
How does the mission of Buckeye Community School align with your personal value system?
I have always believed that ALL students have the right to the best education possible. BCS serves students that for various reasons aren't successful in a traditional school setting and we help them reach their goals and earn their diplomas!
When did you know you wanted to be an educator?
I have always known I wanted to work with children, especially those with special needs. I decided my freshman year of college that I wanted to earn a degree in special education and general education elementary school.
What do you like to do outside of work?
I love animals. I have a dog named Scarlet and 2 bunnies named Lynn and Loki. They were all from rescues. In the future after my human kids graduate and enter the world as adults I would like to adopt special needs animals.
Steve Hofacker, Mathematics Teacher at Marion
How does the mission of Buckeye Community School align with your personal value system?
I enjoy working with students on a personal level. I enjoy seeing students achieve their educational goals, regardless of their obstacles.
When did you know you wanted to be an educator?
After graduating from BGSU with a business degree and working at a large Columbus bank, I decided my passion lies in helping our youth accomplish their dreams.
What do you like to do outside of work?
Gardening and growing flowers, especially day lilies.
Celebrating What We Accomplish Together
Everyone at BCS is here for you because we know the right kind of support makes a huge difference.. Wherever you are on your educational journey, we believe in you and know we can help you accomplish your dreams.
Take a chance, believe in your future, and give us a call @ 740-231-2444 or Toll Free at 833-544-4BCS and talk to a real person.
Send us an email at info@buckeyecs.org or fill out our Contact Us form.
About BCS
At Buckeye Community School (BCS), we create positive educational experiences that empower every student to overcome personal challenges and pursue their unique goals. We meet the needs of the whole student in our productive, safe, and nurturing learning environment. Our high expectations for achievement and student success are matched by our commitment to quality instructional leadership and positive home-to-school and school-to-community relationships. Get to know BCS, today. We’re enrolling!