October 28, 2024
For Marion-Franklin High School junior Kaleese Vickers-Ghee, a top-performing student in the theater arts program at Fort Hayes Career Center, October 15, was an unforgettable experience. By 9:00 a.m., she was immersed in district leadership, shadowing Columbus City Schools Superintendent and CEO Dr. Angela Chapman.
"I'm excited to have the opportunity to provide Kaleese with an opportunity to shadow me," said Dr. Chapman. "She gets to see how we are working behind the scenes. A lot of the work that we do in the District, the decisions that we make, the planning that we do, the preparations that we make, all of that happens behind the scenes. It's an opportunity to provide insight into the work that supports and prepares our students and staff for an excellent day of learning in Columbus City Schools."
District Meetings
The day began with a virtual meeting, during which Kaleese joined Dr. Chapman. As part of the Superintendent Student Ambassador (SSA) Program's Shadow District Leadership Series, Kaleese gained first hand insight into the fast-paced decisions shaping the district.
"This opportunity was suggested by our advisor, Mrs. Mia Pruitt, and she told us we'd be shadowing someone," said Vickers-Ghee. "There were originally 30 people interested, but only five of us filled out the forms. When I found out I was chosen to shadow Dr. Chapman, I was so excited! I had to tell everyone – it felt like I was meeting a celebrity. A lot of students don't know much about her, and that's underrated. I'm really happy to be here and can't wait to see how the rest of the day goes!"
The SSA program launched its first-ever CCS Shadow District Leadership Series. Four ambassadors were selected to participate in this unique opportunity, spending the day with Dr. Chapman and senior district leaders.
This experience gives students an up-close look at leadership in action, allowing them to deepen their understanding of the decision-making process and the complexities of prioritizing district needs.
Mia Pruitt, SSA advisor, reflects on the Shadow District Leadership Series's impact on the student ambassadors.
"For some, it sparked new ideas about their future paths, from discovering a passion for public speaking to gaining insights into finance,” said Prewitt. “They especially appreciated the hands-on opportunities to attend meetings, interact with staff, and connect with leadership teams. It's clear this experience has already made a lasting impact on their leadership journeys, and I'm excited to see how they will continue to grow as leaders in their schools and beyond."
The SSA program offers students the unique opportunity to develop the skills outlined in Columbus City Schools' Portrait of a Graduate framework.
The District's "North Star," Portrait of a Graduate, emphasizes the development of adaptability, strong communication, creativity, critical thinking, global empathy, and technological skills—key attributes that CCS believes will prepare future leaders by immersing them in real-world leadership environments.
"The experiences our students are having today are directly connected to our district-wide goals—whether it's early literacy, middle school math, or graduation. Every opportunity is aligned, working toward ensuring our students meet these key milestones," said Dr. Chapman. "It's all part of a larger plan, and we are committed to maintaining that laser-like focus so every student can reach their full potential in and out of the classroom."
A Trip to LifeTown Columbus
After a busy morning of leadership discussions, the day took a hands-on turn with a visit to LifeTown Columbus. This one-of-a-kind learning center simulates real-world environments.
It is designed to teach students with special needs essential life skills, such as budgeting, job training that includes proper interviewing techniques, and navigating community services. It extends CCS's commitment to preparing students to be productive citizens.
Rabbi Areyah Kaltmann, the director of LifeTown Columbus, emphasized the importance of LifeTown's partnership with CCS.
"We are so proud to work with Columbus City Schools," said Rabbi Kaltmann. "We want to give our kids a chance to reach their full potential. That's all we want. We thank our hero, Superintendent Dr. Chapman and Columbus City Schools for allowing us to help students gain the confidence and skills they need to thrive in life."
For Kaleese, the visit to LifeTown was a powerful experience. It showed her how Columbus City Schools supports students with special needs and those with Individualized Education Plans (IEPs). The immersive environment helped her better understand these students' challenges and opportunities.
Reflecting on her visit to LifeTown, Kaleese was impressed by how smoothly Dr. Chapman manages many daily responsibilities efficiently.
"I think LifeTown is awesome," said Vickers-Ghee. "Dr. Chapman was already juggling two or three things before we even got to LifeTown. It's amazing how she stays on top of everything and still finds time to connect with people. I want to ask her how she manages to keep her stress down—because that's definitely something I'd like to learn from her."
Kaleese continued shadowing Dr. Chapman at various meetings and events, which helped her understand the superintendent's responsibilities. From district operations to community engagement, the experience provided Kaleese with a look at what it takes to lead a district the size of Columbus City Schools.
It became evident to Kaleese that no two days in the life of a superintendent are the same.
"I can see what it's like being so busy; what it's like just knowing you make an impact on such a large district," said Vickers-Ghee. "You know, that's honestly amazing. I realized she [Dr. Chapman] was enthusiastic and passionate, with a great work ethic. Seeing her this busy, I want to strive to be a leader like her. I really admire her for taking up all these responsibilities and being able to uphold them."
Final Destination: Board of Education Meeting
The day's final stop was at 6:00 p.m. for the Board of Education meeting. Kaleese observed the District's governing body as Board President Christina Vera welcomed her and fellow SSA member Makya McMutary, a South High School senior who shadowed CCS Treasurer Ryan Cook.
"I feel very honored to be at the Board meeting, and it was really interesting to hear the public comments from parents, teachers, and community members about the various situations involving CCS," said Vickers-Ghee.
President Vera commended both student's participation in the Shadow District Leadership Series. Vera highlighted the importance of student voices in shaping the District's future and encouraged Kaleese and Makya to continue pursuing leadership opportunities.
"We are excited to see how these students apply the lessons they've learned to their future endeavors," said Board President Vera. "Let's take a moment to recognize and applaud their commitment to leadership and the bright futures ahead of them!"
Despite the long day, Dr. Chapman continued to lead enthusiastically, showcasing her dedication and tireless work ethic to the students and staff in Columbus City Schools.
Dr. Chapman reflects on her day with Kaleese, expressing how inspiring it was to work alongside a future leader. She highlights the importance of fresh perspectives and the impact of mentoring students in leadership, sharing key insights from the experience.
"One lesson I hope Kaleese takes away from today is that leadership matters,” said. Dr. Chapman. “Leadership is essential in any organization, but particularly in our schools, and I see Kaleese as a leader right now as a junior in high school. I want to continue to reinforce the message and let her know that leadership is not about the position that you hold; it's about the way you approach your work and making sure that you have a voice in whatever it is that you're doing. Kaleese is demonstrating and modeling good leadership behaviors in all that she does."
When asked how it felt to shadow Dr. Chapman and take on a leadership role for the day, Kaleese expressed her excitement and appreciation for the experience. She reflected on the opportunity to share her voice and the significance of being included in important decision-making moments alongside the superintendent.
"It was nice to work next to Dr. Chapman, and I would love to represent her one day," said Vickers-Ghee. "I love sharing my voice, though I can be nervous and shy sometimes. Her asking me my perspective on things means a lot because she's the superintendent. I'm just a high school student and the superintendent is asking me my opinion! That's what she cares about. I will always speak highly of Dr. Chapman."
