Hello! I'm Kristie Hughes, and I am an Educational Technologist for Northern Buckeye Education Council. I have been employed with Northern Buckeye for 14 years now.  My office is located in the Cleveland area, specifically Avon. 

I graduated from Bowling Green State University with a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary and Special Education. My Master's Degree is in Classroom Technology, also from Bowling Green.  I enjoyed teaching Third Grade for two years before moving to Northern Buckeye. 

In my job, I assist teachers, administrators, and students with integrating technology into the curriculum, classroom, and school. I work with teachers one-on-one, and in a group setting.  In addition to face to face classes, I enjoy hosting webinars to offer options for teachers that may not want to travel.  I am also a Google for Education Certified Trainer.

I am married to my husband, Jim, and we have three children - Bridget, Clayton, and Ashlynn. I enjoy spending time with my family and helping out with all of the sports and events that they are involved in. 

Hello! I’m a Trainer / E-Rate Specialist for Northern Buckeye Education Council (NBEC). 

As a trainer, I’m passionate about making learning fun! Technology enhances my lessons by motivating, engaging, and challenging students of all ages. With E-Rate being the single largest external funding program for K-12 schools, I’m proud of my work in helping customers with program reviews and funding appeals. 

I earned a Bachelor of Arts, specializing in Communications, and a Master of Education, focusing on Educational Technology, both from the University of Toledo. I’m also recognized as a Google for Education Certified Trainer. Go Rockets!   

 Hope to see you at an upcoming training! 

I'm John Mansel-Pleydell, and I am the Professional Learning Group Supervisor. I started out as an Educational Technologist with Northern Buckeye back in 1999. I have been supervisor of the PLG since 2016.  My office is located in the PLG area at the West Office in Archbold.

I am a 1996 graduate from Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW, Australia with a Bachelor's Degree of Applied Science in Agriculture and a Graduate Diploma in Education. I completed my Master's Degree in Classroom Technology in 2014  at Bowling Green State University.  I was a computer studies teacher in Australia before emigrating to the US in 1997. I worked in agriculture for the first few years in Ohio before joining Northern Buckeye. Much of my early career was in agriculture in Australia. You can read more about that an other interesting things in my online biography.

With a background of 20+ years as an educational technologist,  I bring a passion for using technology to make learning fun. I have become a big advocate for STEAM education and a promoter of MakerSpaces in our schools. I am also a Google for Education Certified Trainer. In 2021 I became a project leader for the Professional Learning Collaborative of Ohio. The PLG is a part of this project which is builiding courses and communities for professional learning across the state.

My wife Rebecca and I have 7 children. Rose, Josh, Dominic, Michael, Kateri, Gemma, and Lucy. We live on a farm in rural Defiance county. I enjoy spending time with my family, working on projects around the farm. My hobbies include, guitar, amateur theatre and gardening.

I’m Chris Malanga and I’m an Educational Technologist with the Northern Buckeye Education Council/NWOCA since 2016. In this role, I help teachers, administrators, and students integrate technology into our schools. My passion is helping people develop skills to change the world of education!  

I am a 1997 graduate of Bowling Green State University (Roll Along!). My degree is in Communications, with a minor in journalism. Prior to joining NBEC, I have been a radio DJ, non-profit executive, and a national professional development facilitator for Apple. I am a Google Certified Trainer as well as an Apple Teacher and Apple Certified Coach.

In addition to my work at NWOCA, I am also a sports broadcaster for Bryan High School.

I have been married to my wife, Nikki, since 1999. We have three children Tony, Dominic and Gabriella. We reside in Bryan.

Hi! I’m Kim Murry and I’m the INFOhio Coordinator for Northern Buckeye Education Council.  As the INFOhio Coordinator, I’m responsible for day-to-day and on-site support to media specialists at our member school districts and other schools in the region. In addition, I provide training on INFOhio tools and resources, as well as assist teachers, students and administrators with integrating technology into the classroom. 

I am a 1988 graduate of Bowling Green State University where I earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. Prior to moving to NBEC,  I enjoyed working in sales for two fortune 500 companies, as well as being the library director for Wauseon Schools. 

I have been married to my husband, Mike, since 1990. We have two grown children, Chase and Morgan, and a very mischievous Yorkie named Charlie.

I am Eric West and I serve as an Instructional Coach for the Professional Learning Group.  I promote the use of technologies to support students achievement while also supporting leadership, staff development and instructional support to instructional and administrative staff.  I have great enthusiasm for finding new technology that educators can use or new ways of using existing tech in order to better facilitate student learning and achievement.

I am a 1999 graduate of Bowling Green State University with a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education.  I have 23 years experience in public education.  Prior to coming to NWOCA, I was the vocal music director and video production teacher at Defiance High School from 2006 to 2016, and the vocal music director at Tinora High School from 1999-2006.  Inside both of those positions I have had a constant and evolving use of technology in facilitating the educational goals of my students. I also enjoyed helping my colleagues with their technology. I also serve as the state IT Coordinator for the Ohio Choral Directors Association.

I am also an OHSAA and USA licensed softball umpire.  I have been married to Jessica since 2006 and live in Defiance with our children, Bailey and Conner.