LHS leader: ‘This is place for me’

New executive director of secondary academies holds meet and greet event

Lorain High School has a large, important and exciting mission ahead, said its new director.

About 30 people came out to meet the high school’s new administrative team, led by Daniel Garvey, who will serve as executive director of secondary academies for Lorain City Schools.

A native of Fairview Park, Garvey returns to northern Ohio by way of teaching in the Mississippi Delta region, then spending six years at the helm of a school system in the Dominican Republic.

Garvey introduced himself first by speaking Spanish, then English.

“So, welcome all,” Garvey said. He explained how the meeting would break up into smaller groups for individual conversation.

Lorain City School CEO David Hardy Jr. said it has been “quite the journey” to find a leader for the school.

Lorain High School is a beautiful building and the school district and community have many things to be proud of, Hardy said.

The challenge has been finding a way to ensure that the quality of education matches the building, for all scholars, Lorain Schools CEO Hardy said.

The challenge has been finding a way to ensure that the quality of education matches the building, for all scholars, Hardy said.

There were multiple rounds of trying to find the leadership team, he said. Lorain High School needs a leader who understands the transition of the school structure and the expectations of the school district, Hardy said.

The leader also must connect with the community, Hardy said.

Garvey understands that, is excited about it and is coming home, Hardy said.

“I want to begin just by saying that, I’m coming to Lorain High School as an outsider, but then again, I’m not,” Garvey said.

Garvey has spent six years leading a bilingual school in the Dominican Republic. He learned about the opportunity to return to Lorain in February, so he began researching the leadership team and The Lorain Promise

academic turnaround plan.

“The process for me was interesting,” he said.

Garvey came to the school and met some of the district high school and elementary scholars. He also began learning about Lorain.

“As I learned more and more, I decided, this is truly the place for me,” Garvey said.

He had no intention of leaving the Dominican Republic soon, Garvey said, and he loved his school, teachers and students.

But Lorain was “a unique opportunity that I really wanted to take full advantage of,” Garvey said.

“One, because I think I have something to contribute,” he said. “I think this model, the academy model, is going to be a major benefit for the school.”

Starting next school year, Lorain High School will transition with academies, or learning tracks dedicated to specific subject areas. By the 2021-2022 school year, the high school will have the Titan Academy, Success Academy, Early College Academy, Arts and Media Academy,

Civic Engagement and Social Justice Academy and STEM Academy for science, technology, engineering and math.

On June 21, Garvey walked the Lorain High School building with the district leaders.

Realizing 2,200 students, their teachers, staff and services show up every day, “it’s — ahhh — it’s kind of crazy to think about,” Garvey said.

“It’s a lot,” he said. “But at the same time, completely enthused by the many opportunities that students have here.

“I just think, I wanted to sign up for an HVAC class, maybe go to the graphics room, sign up for an Early College class,” Garvey said. “There’s just a lot going on here that I think is a tremendous opportunity for the scholars that are in this community.”

Garvey remains the general director of schools for Universidad Central Del Este in San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic. He will begin his contractual duties in Lorain on Aug. 1. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Ohio State University, his master’s degree in educational

leadership from Columbia University and a post graduate degree in executive management from Barna Management School.

Garvey also introduced the leadership team: Ninth Grade Academy • Bryan Hilko, director • Emily Rogoff, dean of academics

• Jackie Ziegler, dean of scholar and family engagement 10th Grade Academy • Andrea Kelley, dean of academics

• Nikole L. Davis, dean of scholar and family engagement

11th and 12th Grade Academy

• Nancy Lecorchick, dean of academics

• Staci Starr, dean of scholar and family engagement Early College Academy • Amanda Haney, director Success Tech Academy • Mic Becerra, director Tim Jama will be the Lorain High School building administrator.

The director of the 10th grade and the 11th and 12th grade academies will be determined.