Why Do We Do What We Do?
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Quite simply, for LEARNERS OF ALL AGES.
Education and a life of learning should be an exciting and interesting prospect for learners of all ages. How many educational experiences have you had, as a student or an educator, where you have just gone through the motions, complying and not actively engaging in learning? It's time to use innovative tools and best practice to change that scenario! Welcome to connectingEd! 
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We wholeheartedly agree with Plutarch who said, "The mind is not a vessel to be filled, but a fire to be kindled."
Our professional learning, coaching and consulting is focused on helping educators design engaging and relevant learning experiences for learners by integrating best practice, technology and real world experiences. Each student is unique, from the experiences they bring to learning to the styles in which they learn best. The exponential growth in access to information and technological capabilities puts us in an exciting and transformational time for education. We can engage and empower ALL STUDENTS to learn to become effective learners, thinkers, problem solvers and innovators who are responsible collaborators and communicators. We believe that these values are at the core of adult learning as well. Teachers need support, resources and time to reflect in order to move their own teaching practice forward. |
Meet Stephanie Hollar |
Meet Sarah Folzenlogen |
Stephanie locally and nationally services schools and other educational organizations in professional development, instructional coaching and educational consulting. Stephanie consults with various organizations specializing in personalized learning in the 21st Century classroom, curriculum and unit design (UbD), and ELA CCSS. Stephanie also works as an instructional coach specializing in the use of blended learning to personalize learning for students in the modern classroom. Her experience in these areas has also lead to opportunities to work with innovative teams to design high quality, personalized, professional learning for school districts and organizations across the nation. Stephanie earned her B.S. in Elementary Education from Bowling Green State University and her M.ED. in Curriculum and Instruction from Penn State University. She ranks co-founding a project-based and blended learning school (with Sarah!) in the year 2000, before blended learning was really a “thing”, as one of her most valued learning experiences and professional accomplishments. Her current work with administrators and teachers across the country allow her to keep current and involved in the day to day joys and challenges of leading change in the age of digital learning. Stephanie credits her past experience as curriculum leader, director of education, classroom teacher and even as a student, as foundational pieces that have grounded her in her educational beliefs. She believes that students make the most academic and social gains with access to the right environment, tools, and support from effective educators and that with the right environment, tools and support from effective leaders teachers have the opportunity for success. Projects, Consult or Professional Learning: Leadership in Blended Learning (LBL) Ohio Blended Collaborative (OBC) Battelle For Kids Modern Teacher Faculty Buck Institute for Education Elmer's Products Central Ohio ESC Lorain County ESC East Central Ohio ESC ISTE Presenter Schoology Next Presenter, 2016 National With Modern Teacher: Baltimore County Schools, Pickens County Schools, SC, BRINC-DE, Garland, TX, Fairfax County Public Schools, Hope Public Schools, AR Local With connectingED: Olentangy, Westerville, Marysville, London, Grandview Heights, Licking Valley, Licking Heights, Johnstown, Dublin, Worthington, Gahanna, Reynoldsburg, North Canton, Perrysburg Local, Fairbanks, Buckeye Valley, Worthington Christian |
Sarah has 17 years of experience in both public and private education as a 6-12 science educator, administrator, curriculum designer and instructional coach. And she is happy to say that Stephanie has been her friend and colleague through the journey!
Sarah works not only as cofounder of connectingEd but also consults locally and nationally for other education organizations such as The Learning Accelerator, Ohio State University SpotOn, ESC Central Ohio, Modern Teacher. Battelle for Kids and Ohio Blended Learning Network . She has extensive experience in writing and delivering professional learning, creating exemplars for educators as well as supporting schools in curriculum development and instructional coaching. She has also completed Common Core Black Belt Leadership Training through the Common Core Institute in 2013. She and Stephanie had the privilege of presenting at ISTE's national conference in 2014 as part of Modern Teacher's "Architecting a Blended Curriculum" workshop. No matter where her work takes her, Sarah strives to support educators and leaders in creating engaging, challenging and authentic learning experiences that are grounded in best practice and leverage technology to meet the needs of all learners. Most importantly Sarah values problem solving, critical thinking and collaboration, which is infused in all of her work. She brings extensive experience in backward design, assessment literacy and inquiry to connectingEd. As the capabilities of technology continue to push the boundaries of what is possible in education, Sarah credits her experience co-founding and leading a "blended" school from 2000-07, and her continuing work and experience with both The Learning Accelerator and Modern Teacher as pivotal points in shaping her passion for working to innovate education in the 21st century. She is excited to see the continued evolution of education be able to truly meet the needs of all learners. . Ohio Blended Collaborative (OBC) Ohio State University SpotON Ohio Blended Learning Network Modern Teacher Faculty Battelle for Kids ESC of Central Ohio Lorain County ESC East Central ESC Local and National Districts: Olentangy, Westerville, Marysville, London, Grandview Heights, Madison Plains, Madison Christian, Licking Valley, Licking Heights, Johnstown |