The Chagrin Falls Board of Education held its organizational meeting on Jan. 10, ushering in new leadership while affirming its ongoing commitment to education...
BOE Continues the Legacy
The Chagrin Falls Board of Education held its organizational meeting on Jan. 10, ushering in new leadership while affirming its ongoing commitment to education.
Newly elected board members Laura Hui and Dr. Danielle Sabo were sworn in, bringing enthusiasm and fresh ideas to the group. In a unanimous vote, the board appointed Lori Bendall as its new president and Lauren Miller as vice president.
“This marks both a new chapter and a continuation of excellence for Chagrin Falls Schools,” said Superintendent Jennifer Penczarski. “Their proven leadership and deep commitment to our district’s success make them the perfect choices to guide us forward.”
As they embark on this journey, Dr. Penczarski noted the board remains focused on remaining steadfast on inspiring growth and thriving within the community. Additional updates are expected as the new board settles into leadership and shapes the future direction of Chagrin Falls Schools’ education by inspiring all to grow and thrive.
Tiger Forum: A New Chapter in District Collaboration
As students and staff return from winter break, an exciting new initiative is launching in Chagrin Falls Schools – the Tiger Forum. The collaborative body brings together parent-teacher organizations, boosters, administrators and community partners to align efforts and resources for the benefit of students.
The Tiger Forum replaces the previous Inner Council as a way to foster communication and innovation and move forward the district’s strategic plan across all groups supporting our schools. The new name reflects a shared commitment to enhancing educational resources and embodies the district’s commitment to grow and thrive together. The new logo proudly displays the organizations supporting this mission.
At their last meeting, Chagrin Falls Schools Treasurer and CFO Ashley Brudno and Director of Technology and Innovation Mike Daugherty provided guidance on financial policies and procedures as well as streamlining grant requests.
“With improved alignment through the Tiger Forum, just imagine the inspiration and uplifting experiences we can create for Chagrin Falls students,” said Superintendent Jennifer Penczarski. “All community partners are welcome to join the table. Please reach out if you would like your organization represented in this collaborative effort as we write an exciting new chapter together.”
Math Teacher Wins National Teaching Award
Longtime Chagrin Falls Middle School math teacher Geoff Brown has received the prestigious Edyth May Sliffe Award for Distinguished Mathematics Teaching in Middle School. The national award, given by the Mathematical Association of America (MAA), recognizes exceptional teachers who motivate students in math by getting them involved in national math competitions.
Brown has taught math at both the middle and high school for more than 20 years. He has long promoted participation in the MAA’s AMC 8 competition among his Honors geometry and algebra students. In their nomination letter, Superintendent Jennifer Penczarski and Director of Curriculum Becky Quinn praised Brown’s “exceptional work with students” and his “deep understanding of not only the academic needs of his advanced and gifted students, but also the social and emotional needs they possess.” CFMS Principal Laila Discenza, Brown’s colleagues and parents of current and past students could not agree more.
The nomination also described Brown’s commitment to ongoing high-quality teaching and learning, “His continued efforts to connect topics in Math to real world experiences, daily news, and student interests through problems posed in the classroom enhance student enjoyment in math. His classroom grading practices, which allow and encourage students to retake quizzes or tests, are highly successful in building student confidence and perseverance in math problem-solving. Mr. Brown first encourages students to make corrections to missed items and explain why an error occurred. Students are then provided a new problem on the same topic to apply their new understanding. This reinforces a growth mindset for our students and encourages them to try problems that may initially seem impossible.”
Through his engaging teaching methods, enthusiasm for math, and dedication to building students’ confidence in tackling tough problems, Brown inspires a lifelong love of mathematics in many students. As part of his award, he will attend the 2024 MAA MathFest national conference in August. He also will receive a $500 award. The event draws mathematicians from across the country.
At Chagrin Falls Schools, Brown is not only a leader in the classroom, but within the district. He serves on the District Leadership Team and continues to seek out ongoing professional development opportunities for teachers of gifted learners.
“Geoff Brown truly exemplifies a teacher who inspires his students to grow and thrive,” said Penczarski.
