The Northwest Region Spring Conference was held on March 13 in the Bowen-Thompson Student Union on the campus of Bowling Green State University. With a pleasant backdrop of quiet dinner music provided by pianist Lynne Long of Grand Rapids, the guests enjoyed appetizers during the social hour. Northwest Region President Linda Steinbrunner, Coldwater EV, served as mistress of ceremonies. She was joined by her husband, special guest Steve Steinbrunner.

Conference attendees were greeted and registered by new Northwest Region Executive Committee members Jody Strong, Tiffin City; and Jackie Brown, Rossford EV. All but three executive committee members were present for the evening’s events.
Strong and Brown also serve on the region’s Arrangements and Hospitality Committee. Tom Patterson, Sandusky City, assisted with registration.

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Zelman, Executive Director Lewis and President Bischoff shared remarks with the 94 guests in attendance. Legislative Specialist Francis discussed the importance of Kids PAC and congratulated the Otsego Local (Wood) School District for its organized Kids PAC drive and subsequent donation.

Other OSBA representatives attending included Marketing Manager Amanda Levy; Deputy Executive Director and Director of School Board Development Delane; and Deputy Director of Communication Services Scott Ebright.

Former executive committee member David C. Smith, who previously served as a board member at Elida Local (Allen) and Apollo JVSD, delivered the invocation. The 2008 Ohio Teacher of the Year, Deborah Wickerham, Findlay City, was the keynote speaker. She shared a humorous “up-close-and-personal” look into her world as a fifth-grade hearingimpaired inclusion teacher. Wickerham’s talent was clearly illustrated in her ability to reach all her students through her “bag of tricks” and unconventional teaching strategies.

All attendees had an opportunity to participate in the entertainment as the region presented its edition of the TV show, “Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader?” Three students from Bowling Green City’s Kenwood Elementary School joined the Grand Rapids Elementary Quiz Bowl Team from Otsego Local,coached by Edward “Fritz” Wolfram, to form the student side of the contest. Northwest Region President-elect Lisa Ann Hatfield, Otsego Local, rounded up 12 attendees to play against the fifthgraders.

Despite the best efforts of the adults, the fifth-graders were victorious in the end. A photograph from the event was published in a local newspaper.

President Steinbrunner honored Immediate Past President Sandra Griggs, Wauseon EV, for her service as region president in 2007.
Steinbrunner also recognized current executive committee members.

Bischoff and Lewis presented Awards of Achievement to six recipients, and recognized OSBA Immediate Past President Martha F. Rothey, formerly of Findlay City, as a Master Board Member.

Kenneth Beck, Montpelier EV and Four County Career Center, recognized the region’s Ohio Teacher of the Year nominees. The region also was proud to recognize nine teachers who earned National Board Certification.

The final recognition of the evening went to districts that have supported the Northwest Region by sending four or more board members to every spring and fall conference since 2003. Those districts were: North Baltimore Local (Wood); Putnam County ESC; Springfield Local (Lucas); and Wood County ESC.

Upcoming region events include:

• April 30 — Region Educational Book Grant recipients announced;
• June 1 — Executive committee meeting and legislative update, Bowling Green State University;
• Oct. 2 — Fall Conference, Bowling Green State University.

Regions OSBA

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