Speaker Information

Amy Szymanski, M.Ed. has over 25 years of experience in the field of education, primarily in the area of special education. Ms. Szymanski holds a level of expertise in the areas of secondary transition for students with disabilities and dropout prevention and has presented on this topic at the local, state, and national levels. Ms. Szymanski currently works as the statewide Secondary Transition and Workforce Development consultant at the State Support Team Region 1. Here, she serves as the lead in multiple projects for the Ohio Department of Education, Office for Exceptional Children. Prior to her current position, Ms. Szymanski developed a diverse skill set working as a Technical Assistance Consultant in the Education Program at American Institutes for Research (AIR) and serving in Ohio as an elementary special education teacher, a school district special education coordinator, and special education and school improvement consultant for the State Support Team Region1.

Travis Taylor is the Graduation Administrator in the Office of Graduate Success at the Ohio Department of Education; his primary focus is on Ohio’s High School graduation requirements. He joined the Department of Education in 2021, prior to working at the Department, he worked with youth in the non-profit sector in Central Ohio for 6 years.

Jill Arnett is Channel Vice President, Academic Markets, for the National Restaurant Association Solutions group. Jill and her team work with high school programs such as ProStart in addition to industry-based certifications, including the ServSafe Food Safety portfolio. The American Hotel and Lodging Educational Institute is part of the National Restaurant Association, and AHLEI has provided hospitality and tourism training, curricula, and certification for both industry and schools for 65 years.

The Academic team works with curricula and industry credentials for hospitality and tourism programs offered at both the high school and post-secondary levels. Jill is based in Columbus, Ohio, and has been with the National Restaurant Association for three years. She previously held a variety of management roles with McGraw-Hill Education’s K-12 group, including over ten years of experience in Career and Technical Education.

Rhonda Marsala lives in St. Louis, Missouri, and has worked for Telephone Doctor/Service Skills for 17 years. The mayors in her District elected here as a St. Louis County Commissioner. She also serves her community as the President of the St. Ann Business Association. While being extremely busy in her community, she spends time with her spouse and children (Sammy, 24 and Alex, 18).

Matthew Longfellow is an Apprenticeship Service Provider with ApprenticeOhio who specializes in developing and operating recognized Pre-Apprenticeship programs. ApprenticeOhio is housed within the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS). He is in his eighth year of employment at ODJFS, prior to joining the unit of Apprentice Ohio he served two years as a Disabled Veteran Outreach Program Specialist, helping veterans overcome barriers to employment. Matthew earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Indiana State University in Aerospace Administration.

With over 30 years of professional experience with IBM, Cisco Systems, Dale Carnegie, as an Academic Dean and now as a highly sought-after speaker and coach, Jim has the breadth of expertise that can only come from leading others successfully. After much corporate success, he now gives back by sharing his expertise with others. He is a life-long learner of what the best thought leaders have said. His areas of specific expertise and research are Leadership, Executive Coaching, Communications, Strategy, and Execution. The best results come in partnership with leaders to realize a new paradigm based on the truth (what’s actually going on) and improving levels of trust (strong, high-trust relationships). He is a certified, Co-Active Coach through the Coaches Training Institute.

Emily Jacobs has been an interpreter for over twenty years, working as a seasonal park ranger with the National Park Service, an instructor at an outdoor science school, and a naturalist at a nature center. More recently, she managed an interpretive program in one of the busiest national parks in the country, Yosemite, reaching tens of thousands of visitors a year. She is a Certified Interpretive Trainer with Guide and Host Trainer sanctions and a Certified Interpretive Guide. She holds a Masters of Science in Natural Resources with an emphasis in Interpretation/Environmental Education from the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point and joined the NAI staff as Certification and Training Program Manager in 2012. Emily is the only NAI staff member who works remotely (in Washington state) and when Emily is not on the road, she and her husband love to play outside and ride their road bikes just about anywhere.

Joshua Stephens is the instructor for the Lake Shore Compact’s Urban Agriculture Career-Technical Education program he created in 2019. Before this, he spent 13 years as a social studies educator for Euclid City Schools while completing his doctorate in urban education. Josh earned his undergraduate and graduate degrees from the College of Agriculture, Food, and Environmental Sciences at the Ohio State University. That education provided the necessary academic background to launch the CTE program. In addition, his practical experience as the owner/ operator of Urban Renaissance Farms has equipped him with the applied agricultural knowledge and skills needed to instruct his students to become a part of the urban agriculture movement. As a part of his program, students earn various industry credentials, including NAI’s Certified Interpretive Guide. In addition, Josh is his school’s FFA advisor, leads a pack of Cub Scouts, and is a father to five and a grandfather to two.

Brenna Bartlett serves as an Assistant Director in the Office of Career-Technical Education at the Ohio Department of Education. She leads a team of professionals that manage a variety of cross-office and cross-agency initiatives and programs, including Business Career Field Pathways, equity, work-based learning, Career Based Intervention, Job Training Coordination, and the Ohio Tech Prep Regional Centers grant. Brenna serves as the Board President for both the Business Professionals of America, Ohio Association, and Ohio DECA career-technical student organizations, and as the career-tech liaison to the Ohio Department of Education’s Office for Exceptional Children.

Matthew Longfellow is an Apprenticeship Service Provider with ApprenticeOhio who specializes in developing and operating recognized Pre-Apprenticeship programs. ApprenticeOhio is housed within the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS). He is in his eighth year of employment at ODJFS, prior to joining the unit of Apprentice Ohio he served two years as a Disabled Veteran Outreach Program Specialist, helping veterans overcome barriers to employment. Matthew earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Indiana State University in Aerospace Administration.

Tricia Moore is the Chief Operating and Engagement Officer for EnvisionEdPlus. With a background in community journalism and experience in innovative school district leadership, Tricia is part of the small team at EnvisionEdPlus that has won more than $215 million in grants for clients and partners. She has helped to stand up regional business advisory councils and fostered collaborations among schools, educational nonprofits, colleges, employers, industry associations, statewide networks, and national organizations. She regularly supports educators in improving family engagement, community partnership, and career pathway development. Tricia has a Bachelor of Science in Journalism and has a Career Pathways Leadership certification from the National Career Pathways Network.

Cassandra Palsgrove is the Director of the Office of Graduate Success in the Center for Teaching, Leading, and Learning at the Ohio Department of Education. The Office of Graduate Success is a critical enabler to supporting the state’s efforts to increase annually the percentage of high school graduates who, are enrolled and succeeding in a post-high school learning experience; serving in the military; earning a living wage, or engaged in a self-sustaining vocation.

Cassie currently is focusing on projects that engage stakeholders and partners from higher education, business & industry, workforce and other state agencies to help support school counselors, teachers, and school and district leaders to develop and implement systemic PreK-12 strategies to help students consider their post-high school paths and ensure they are well prepared to pursue them.

As a classroom career-technical educator prior to her work at the department, she engaged students in meaningful experiential learning and career exploration opportunities through Agricultural Education. She and her husband Brent reside in Fairfield County Ohio with their two children Carter and McKinley.

Amie Bigelow has been a Territory Manager with Certiport for 10 years working with instructors in Ohio, Kansas, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Arizona. She has a passion for helping people become as successful as possible. Prior to Certiport, she was in the staffing industry for over 15 years and understands how important industry certifications are. “Certifications backed by industry, provide a distinction when seeking qualified candidates to fill a position. It is proof that you are on top of your game, dedicated and your skills are verifiable.”

In her spare time, Amie loves to travel, camp, and spend time with her husband and 3 boys. She is an avid reader and loves spending time with her friends, new and old.

When you first meet Seth, you quickly realize that his ultimate goal is a meaningful dialogue about you, your goals, and any problems you are trying to solve. Seth left his teaching and football coaching career to join his family’s business management system consulting company in 1997. Seth has an M.Ed. in Educational Leadership and Curriculum Design and has completed post-graduate studies at MIT in Business Systems Design, Strategic Management, Innovation, and Problem Solving while earning his Lean Six Sigma Black Belt. Seth’s clients include the World Bank, L Brands, GE, P&G, the United States Air Force, and many more.

Dr. Abbie Cook is the supervisor of a unique blended learning career tech campus in southwest Ohio. She has more than 20 years of experience in various roles in education. Dr. Cook earned her doctorate from the University of Cincinnati in Curriculum & Instruction. She also has a Master’s Degree in Curriculum & Instruction: Instructional Technology and Design. To date in her career, Dr. Cook has also served as the District Director of Curriculum and Assessment, a virtual school curriculum coordinator, an online teacher, and a classroom teacher with at-risk students. She is a Phi Delta Kappa Curriculum Auditor, completing audits all over the United States, and has also served as a Malcolm Baldrige Examiner.

Rhonda Marsala lives in St. Louis, Missouri, and has worked for Telephone Doctor/Service Skills for 17 years. The mayors in her District elected here as a St. Louis County Commissioner. She also serves her community as the President of the St. Ann Business Association. While being extremely busy in her community, she spends time with her spouse and children (Sammy, 24 and Alex, 18).

Amie Bigelow has been a Territory Manager with Certiport for 10 years working with instructors in Ohio, Kansas, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Arizona. She has a passion for helping people become as successful as possible. Prior to Certiport, she was in the staffing industry for over 15 years and understands how important industry certifications are. “Certifications backed by industry, provide a distinction when seeking qualified candidates to fill a position. It is proof that you are on top of your game, dedicated and your skills are verifiable.”

In her spare time, Amie loves to travel, camp, and spend time with her husband and 3 boys. She is an avid reader and loves spending time with her friends, new and old.

Ms. Kayla Mack holds a master’s degree in Educational Psychology with an emphasis on learning and cognition. Ms. Mack started her career in education 10 years ago as an assessment coordinator and substitute teacher. Now working as an Education Program Specialist for the Department of Education, Kayla continues to fulfill her passion for education and contribute to growing and supporting partnerships that create equitable opportunities that inspire and engage students in career-preparation and planning for post-high school success.

Amy Szymanski, M.Ed. has over 25 years of experience in the field of education, primarily in the area of special education. Ms. Szymanski holds a level of expertise in the areas of secondary transition for students with disabilities and dropout prevention and has presented on this topic at the local, state, and national levels. Ms. Szymanski currently works as the statewide Secondary Transition and Workforce Development consultant at the State Support Team Region 1. Here, she serves as the lead in multiple projects for the Ohio Department of Education, Office for Exceptional Children. Prior to her current position, Ms. Szymanski developed a diverse skill set working as a Technical Assistance Consultant in the Education Program at American Institutes for Research (AIR) and serving in Ohio as an elementary special education teacher, a school district special education coordinator, and special education and school improvement consultant for the State Support Team Region1.

Travis Taylor is the Graduation Administrator in the Office of Graduate Success at the Ohio Department of Education; his primary focus is on Ohio’s High School graduation requirements. He joined the Department of Education in 2021, prior to working at the Department, he worked with youth in the non-profit sector in Central Ohio for 6 years.

Joel King is the Director of Teaching & Learning for Great Oaks Career Campuses in Southwest Ohio. Joel is passionate about learning and sharing information. He finds it very rewarding to train teachers in best practices for differentiation and using data to inform decisions. His goal is to foster a love of learning within all students and staff to help them reach their highest potential. One child, one teacher, one day at a time is his motto. He has his Master’s in Educational Administration from the University of Cincinnati. This is his twenty-third year in education and sixth in career technical education. Outside of work he loves spending time with his wife and four children. They enjoy being outdoors and playing or watching just about any sport.

Katie Fleming is a Supervisor/Consultant for Hamilton County Educational Services Center and supervises the Pathways to Employment program and other transition services (such as Transition Coordinators and Pre-Employment Transition Services). Katie has 11 years of experience working with students with disabilities. She served as a high school Intervention Specialist teaching reading intervention for the first five years of her career and prior to her current role at HCESC, she was a Transition Coordinator for a local school district serving students with disabilities attending vocational training or continuing their high school education to attend transition programming. Katie completed both her undergraduate degree in special education and her master’s degree in educational leadership at the University of Cincinnati.