OSBA Leading the Way

When Students Lead, Innovation Follows: AI and Literacy at Ridgewood Local Schools

What if students weren’t just learners — but problem-solvers? At Ridgewood Local Schools, a group of senior honors students identified a growing literacy challenge and decided to do something about it. The result: an AI-powered platform that allows students to generate their own stories, read at their level, and build stronger engagement with reading. In this episode of Leading the Way, host Scott Gerfen talks with the students behind the project and their teacher, Lester McCurdy, about how the idea came to life and why it’s gaining national attention. You’ll hear: * How the project started from a real classroom need. * What makes student-created storytelling so effective. * How the platform supports both students and teachers. * Why equity and multilingual access were built in from the start. * What students gained from leading the work. * Lessons for districts looking to empower student innovation. The team’s work has already taken them to Washington, D.C., where they met with leaders from government and major tech companies. This conversation offers a fresh perspective on AI in schools — not as a shortcut, but as a tool for deeper learning, creativity and ownership.

Collaborative Leadership in Schools: Aligning District Teams for Student Success

Strong schools are built on aligned leadership. In this episode of Leading the Way, host Scott Gerfen is joined by Dr. Elizabeth Lolli and Mike Trego from the Ohio Leadership Advisory Council (OLAC) to discuss collaborative leadership and why alignment among school boards, superintendents, principals and teachers is critical to district success. The conversation explores how leadership teams move from isolated decision-making to shared direction, common goals, and sustainable improvement. Guests share real district examples, warning signs when collaboration breaks down, and practical tools districts can use to strengthen leadership coherence and improve student outcomes. 🎙 This episode is sponsored by Lincoln Learning Solutions, which provides accredited K–12 digital curriculum and supports schools with flexible instructional content and expert professional learning for educators in all learning environments. Subscribe to Leading the Way for more conversations with education leaders shaping public education across Ohio.

Starting Strong as a New Board Member

In this episode of OSBA’s Leading the Way podcast, host Scott Gerfen sits down with OSBA board consultants Kristi Robbins and Teri Morgan — both former school board members — to break down what new members need to know as they step into public service. They discuss:• What to expect during the first 90 days on the board• How to prepare for your first board meeting• Governance vs. day-to-day management• Building strong relationships with fellow board members and the superintendent• Handling community expectations• Staying student-focused in every decisionWhether you're newly elected or simply seeking clarity on your role, this episode offers firsthand lessons, practical tips, and encouragement to start your term with confidence!Thank you to our sponsor: Lincoln Learning Solutions. Learn more: https://www.lincolnlearningsolutions.org [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqblNwdS1PMzhfV29LSzdlMkc2NlNRZnVJUFdOZ3xBQ3Jtc0ttX0ZXZ0YxMFNsZFhHNjRaUlBWdDk4Vk5nMktaNE5ZQXdQMFpBeHZaQjZEVlhpN29ERlE5bXREOGJSc2R6X2k2NVp5SU54ZldkWmkwcjh3UVYwOEZ4V0ZNdDJKckVtcW81YktTTndJZkNpQWZYYXE4TQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.lincolnlearningsolutions.org%2F&v=_5Y0DgjF_28].

OSBA Capital Conference Recap: Student Achievement Fair and Trade Show Highlights

n this special on-site episode of OSBA’s Leading the Way Podcast, host Scott Gerfen takes you inside the 2025 OSBA Capital Conference & Trade Show, exploring two of the event’s biggest highlights:• The Student Achievement Fair, where students from across Ohio showcase hands-on learning, career pathways and innovation in action.• One of the largest education-related trade shows in the nation, featuring more than 500 exhibitors supporting Ohio’s public schools.Whether you attended the conference or couldn’t be there this year, this episode gives you a front-row seat to the innovation and energy at Ohio’s premier education event.Thank you to our podcast sponsor: Lincoln Learning Solutions!

Supporting Military Families: How Ohio’s Purple Star Schools Lead the Nation

November is Military Family Appreciation Month, and in this episode of OSBA’s Leading the Way podcast, host Scott Gerfen sits down with Pete LuPiba, Ohio’s Purple Star school liaison, to explore how schools across the Buckeye State are supporting military-connected students and families.LuPiba shares the story behind the Purple Star Schools Program — a first-of-its-kind initiative that started in Ohio and has become a national model for recognizing and supporting military families. From classroom initiatives and community partnerships to new programs like Collegiate Purple Star, this conversation highlights how schools are honoring service and building belonging for every student.🔗 Learn more about how OSBA celebrates Military Family Appreciation Month: https://www.ohioschoolboards.org/celebrate-military-family-appreciation-month. Thanks to our sponsor: Lincoln Learning Solutions!#PurpleStarSchools #MilitaryFamilies #MilitaryAppreciationMonth#SupportOurStudents #MilitaryConnectedYouth