The Communicator

Email: aadrean@wscloud.org
Website: worthington.k12.oh.us
Location: 200 East Wilson Bridge Road, Worthington, OH, USA
Phone: 614-450-6000
Facebook: facebook.com/WorthingtonSchools
Twitter: @wcsdistrict

Summer Learning Programs See Strong Enrollment and Continued Growth

Worthington Schools is preparing for an engaging and impactful summer, with strong enrollment across its learning programs.

As of early April, more than 600 students have registered for targeted intervention and enrichment opportunities, with many programs already at full capacity. Summer Reading Camp, Literacy Boost, Math Boost, and English Learner Boost (K–2 and 3–5) are filled, reflecting strong family engagement in early learning. Other offerings—including Middle School Project-Based Learning Boost, Bridge programs for rising ninth graders at Thomas Worthington High School and Worthington Kilbourne High School, Explore STEM, and Kindergarten Bridge—are either full or nearing capacity with waitlists forming.

New this year, the Kindergarten Bridge Program provides incoming kindergarten students without prior preschool experience a welcoming introduction to school. The program focuses on building confidence, developing social skills, and helping students become comfortable with school routines—prioritizing readiness and positive connections so children begin their school journey feeling secure and excited.

Worthington’s Summer Enrichment Academy (WSEA) returns with its highest enrollment to date, with more than 850 students registered across 70+ courses. WSEA will run June 1–4 at Worthingway Middle School. Camp Broadway (Acting Track) is full with 45 students, while the Tech Track has limited space remaining. Get-ahead courses in Algebra 1, Geometry Content Support, Math 3, Economics and Personal Financial Literacy, Physical Science, and Biology are also open for enrollment.

Families interested in additional opportunities are encouraged to explore the Summer Learning Catalog, which highlights programs offered through the McConnell Arts Center, Worthington Libraries, and other community organizations.

From foundational skills to future-ready experiences, Worthington students are set for a summer of growth, discovery, and possibility.

Three Thursdays Professional Learning Returns This Summer

We are all excited for the return of our Three Thursdays Professional Learning Series for Summer 2026. Staff are encouraged to take advantage of these valuable learning opportunities designed to support professional growth and collaboration. This year’s sessions will take place on May 28, June 25, and August 6.

Participants can explore and register for sessions by logging into Frontline and visiting the Activity Catalog. Once there, select the “Three Thursdays (Summer 2026)” option under Events to view all available sessions. This summer’s offerings include a variety of timely and relevant topics, such as AI in Education, Seesaw, Securly, Canva, Responsive Classroom and more. Additional details will soon be available on the Worthington Schools Professional Learning Portal under Worth U Professional Learning (In District) – Three Thursdays. In the meantime, staff can explore past sessions and resources in the Archives section of the portal.

We are excited to introduce Kristen Kearns and Linnea Gallo as our new Coordinators of Teaching and Learning for Worthington City Schools.

Kristen brings over 17 years of experience in education, with a background that spans classroom teaching, instructional leadership, building and district wide administration. She currently serves as an assistant principal at Bexley High School, where she has supported MTSS, systems of teaching and learning, professional development, and student-centered support. Prior to that, she served as the Director of Curriculum in Jefferson Local Schools, leading curriculum review, instructional coaching, and professional learning initiatives across grade levels. Kristen is a solution-oriented leader who keeps students at the center of her work and is deeply committed to supporting educators through collaboration, coaching, and continuous improvement. We’re excited to learn from her as she joins our Worthington team.

Linnea brings deep experience as an instructional leader within Worthington, having served as an instructional coach since 2018 and previously as a classroom teacher in our district. In her role, she has led instructional improvement efforts across multiple buildings, partnering closely with teachers and leaders to strengthen instructional practice, ensure curriculum fidelity, and improve student outcomes. Education represents a second career for Linnea, and her prior professional experiences bring a unique perspective to her leadership, strengthening her ability to support adults, lead change, and build coherent systems across schools. She is known as a reflective, collaborative leader who builds trust and helps teams move forward together.

Together, Kristen and Linnea form a dynamic team that will support teaching and learning across our district. Their combined experience in curriculum, instruction, coaching, and leadership positions them well to partner with our schools in strengthening instructional practices and improving outcomes for teachers and students.

Please join us in welcoming Kristen and Linnea to their new roles.

Angie has dedicated 35 years to public education, including 15 years in Worthington. She served as principal of WKHS for 6 years before spending 9 years as the Assistant Superintendent for Academics.

What will you miss most about working at Worthington Schools?

The PEOPLE! I have been so fortunate to work in an environment that is consistently warm, welcoming, and rooted in true collaboration. Worthington Kilbourne High School as the building Principal and Assistant Superintendent at the WEC.

Starting my Worthington Career as the Principal at WKHS showed me the true power of team, a united staff. The teachers and staff didn't just work together, they formed a genuine family, creating a supported and loving environment for our school community. "For the strength of the Pack is the Wolf and the strength of the Wolf is the Pack.” They took care of each other.

Within our AAPL team, we built a culture of profound trust; we had the freedom to be honest, to challenge one another, and to push for excellence, yet we always walked out of the room with admiration for each other’s unique perspectives. At the end of the day, it was always 'kids first,' but also 'humans first.' I am leaving not just with colleagues, but with a community of people who are as dedicated to their families and to being good humans as they are to their profession. Working alongside individuals who lead with such heart has been the greatest gift of my career.

In the end, I am simply overwhelmed with gratitude for those who gave me a chance. If my 35 years in education have taught me anything, it is that while having a plan is important, having trust and faith in the system and in each other is what truly sustains us. My guiding philosophy has always been simple: leave things better than you found them, take care of others, and above all, be kind.

If I have one regret, it is that I didn’t always 'stop to smell the roses.' I’ve learned that we must take the time to celebrate the small wins rather than dwelling on the plans that didn't go perfectly. We have to be able to laugh at ourselves and prioritize doing right by others. Ultimately, people won't remember every project or task, but they will always remember how you treated them. As I move into this next chapter, that is the legacy I hope to leave behind. All in all, I am so thankful for those in my career that gave me a chance.

What is one memory or moment here that stands out the most to you?

Choosing just one moment is difficult because my time at both WKHS and the WEC was defined by a constant stream of meaningful experiences. At WKHS, what stands out the most is the sense of empowerment: our students and staff had the autonomy to lead because there was a foundation of trust. Our staff worked hard to create defining moments for students. We talked a lot about what our students would say about their high school experiences when they moved on to college, career, military or the workforce. That mattered to us. Life is measured in moments and it was our hope that students and families would remember those positive moments of creating a culture of connections and pride for being a Worthington Kilbourne Wolf. Once a wolf, always a wolf.

Transitioning to the Worthington Education Center (WEC) introduced me to the AAPL team, a group of leaders who define what it means to lead with Pride and intentional care. This team is the heart of our district supporting our buildings, giving of themselves daily to ensure our teachers and principals never feel alone. What I will treasure most is the rare balance they struck: they took the success of others deeply seriously, yet never failed to support me with humor and fun.

They were my 'think-out-loud' partners. I never had to carry the weight of a difficult decision alone because they were always there to help me weigh the pros, the cons, and the human impact of every choice. Their courage was never more evident than during the COVID-19 pandemic. While that era was incredibly difficult, it created a bond of Connection that made us stronger and more unified for the sake of our district. We proved that no problem was too big to solve when you have a team that leads with both their heads and their hearts.

Is there a favorite quote or saying you frequently shared with colleagues?

The best leadership goes unnoticed...Building capacity by empowering and trusting in others to collectively translate the vision into a reality.

What are you most looking forward to in retirement?

For the first time in my life, I don’t have a plan, a reality that is as freeing as it is a bit daunting. After 35 years of schedules and bells, I am looking forward to the gift of a more flexible life, though I know it will take some getting used to. I’ve already accepted that my golf game will never lead me to the Pro Tour, but I’m excited to have the time to at least try and get better every day!

Perhaps most of all, I’m looking forward to being a regular presence in my Nephew's life. My nephew has been begging me to pick him up from school, and I can’t wait to finally say 'yes' and see what kind of after-school adventures he has in store for us. I’m stepping into this next chapter ready to celebrate the small wins, enjoy the quiet moments, and embrace the joy of a wide-open calendar. Well, maybe not wide-open, but definitely more choices.

Hoping to do more of this in retirement…The closest I think I’ve ever been to a hole-in-one this weekend so spending more time on the golf course in retirement.

Brian with his wife (Ann) and daughters (Katie and Abby)

Tom dedicated 33.26 years to Worthington Schools - his mathematical mind would not let us round down. He began his career as a Math Academic Assistant before spending 20 years as a math teacher at TWHS. For the past 12 years, he has served as a curriculum leader.

What will you miss most about working at Worthington Schools?

The day to day interactions with quality people.

What is one memory or moment here that stands out the most to you?

There are too many 'stand out' memories to select just one. As I reflect on my time as a Worthington City Schools staff member, what I will remember most are the small, daily moments that defined our culture: the TWHS cookie warmer, the morning runs, building community in the classroom and with my TWHS department members, attending co-curricular events and the amazing talented student performances, the AAPL work sessions, the way over the years we leaned on each other to navigate difficult times, the shared laughs, and the consistent kindness of my colleagues. These everyday interactions built a foundation of support that made even the toughest challenges feel surmountable. It is really the cumulative impact of these interactions and events that I will take with me.

Who had the biggest impact on you during your career and why?

The biggest impact on my career hasn't come from one individual, but from multiple mentors: the dedicated, innovative, and empathetic life-long learners who were willing to explore new ideas and ask deeper questions.

Watching them grow from their mistakes and treat challenges as growth opportunities rather than failures, I learned to approach every situation looking for opportunities as opposed to obstacles. This mindset is what still drives me today; it ensures that I am constantly refining my process, staying curious, and—most importantly—consistently working to creating high-quality outcomes.

Is there a favorite quote or saying you frequently shared with colleagues?

While they might not be classified as a quote or saying, I am sure many of my colleagues will always think of me when the topic of the 8 Mathematical Practices comes up :-)

What are you most looking forward to in retirement?

New beginnings and more flexibility.

Tom through the years as a Worthington employee. Tom with his wife (Becky) and daughter (Madi)

Trish with her daughters (Meredith, Natalie) and husband (Dave)

What will you miss most about working at Worthington Schools?

What I will miss most about working at Worthington Schools is the relationships I’ve built with my colleagues.

What is one memory or moment here that stands out the most to you?

There are many moments that stand out, but what I value most are the relationships and interactions I experienced while moving through different roles in the special education department and connecting with so many people along the way.

Who had the biggest impact on you during your career and why?

My career path was shaped by two key individuals. The first was my principal at the time, John Johnson, who encouraged and guided me toward pursuing a Master’s degree in administration. The second was Lynne Hamelberg, a long-serving Director of Special Education, who trusted in and provided me with my first opportunity in administration as a Special Education Supervisor.

What are you most looking forward to in retirement?

I am looking forward to slow mornings and having more time to spend with my friends and family.

Kim with her husband (Kevin) and grandkids (Brynlee, James and Lilah)

Kelly dedicated 34 years to Worthington Schools. She began her career at McCord Middle School as an Academic Assistant. After one year, she transitioned to an ELA teaching role, spending 13 years between McCord Middle School and WKHS. She then served for 8 years as an instructional coach, first across all secondary schools and then focused at Worthingway and TWHS; at TWHS she was grateful for the opportunity to teach an English 2 class for 3 of those years. She has spent the past 12 years in her current role as Director of AAPL.

What will you miss most about working at Worthington Schools?

I began my career at McCord Middle School, convinced I had landed among the very best staff in the district. After two years, budget reductions led to a transfer to WKHS. I didn’t want to leave McCord, but it didn’t take long to realize that WKHS—especially the English department—was just as exceptional. The colleagues and students there pushed my thinking, strengthened my practice, and made the work a lot of fun along the way.

A few years later, I reluctantly stepped away from WKHS to become an instructional coach, only to discover the same level of talent and dedication in every corner of the district. That realization has only deepened in my current role.

All of that is to say: I will truly miss the incredible staff and students of Worthington Schools—the meaningful work we did together and the joy we found in it.

What is one memory or moment here that stands out the most to you?

There are so many moments that stand out across the years, but one of my favorites began with a simple question a student asked during conferences. Back when the school year extended into June, we had a unique opportunity to create something meaningful after the early May AP test. Students chose a genre of writing to study in depth with a mentor, developed an original piece, and then shared both their work and their process during an exhibition held in our final exam block.

The energy in the room—and the quality of what students produced—far exceeded my expectations. They invited teachers and family members. They also welcomed participants from the Griswold Community Center writing club, with whom they had partnered on a memoir-writing project. The experience felt authentic, celebratory, and deeply connected.

Who had the biggest impact on you during your career and why?

I’ve been fortunate to learn from so many incredible educators, students, and families throughout my career. Rather than one individual, it’s the collective influence of colleagues who pushed my thinking, challenged me to grow, and modeled what it means to lead with both heart and purpose.

Is there a favorite quote or saying you frequently shared with colleagues?

One thing I say frequently is, “Professional learning is the work of our careers.” I’ve always believed that growth isn’t something we arrive at but rather something we commit to, over and over again. Professional learning isn’t an add-on to the work—it is the work.

Dr. Bowers also insists that he remembers the first time I said, “#itsworthit,” so that may be my fault, too!

What are you most looking forward to in retirement?

I’m looking forward to having more time to slow down and be present—spending time with family and friends, reading, being outside (especially at Canadohta Lake!), and exploring new interests. At the same time, I know I’ll stay connected to education in some way, because it’s been such a meaningful part of my life. This next chapter feels like an opportunity to reflect, recharge, and enjoy a different pace.

Kelly with her daughter (Leanne), husband (Pete), daughter-in-law (Kassie) and son (Andrew)