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ALISON HINESMAN

For students at Garfield Middle School, STEM class with Alison Hinesman is a place where curiosity is encouraged, mistakes are part of the process, and learning feels exciting. Known by Principal April Patton as a “constant source of energy and positivity,” Alison creates an engaging, supportive environment that helps students tackle challenges with confidence and creativity.

As the only teacher in her subject at Garfield, Alison makes a concerted effort to stay connected her colleagues, such as communicating weekly through her weekly “Tech Tips” email that she sends to staff as the school’s Techno Buddy.

Alison, who joined the District in 2022, doesn’t just connect with her Garfield peers. She has built a strong partnership with Harding STEM teacher Erin Andrzejewski. The two collaborate in weekly meetings where they plan lessons, review what worked well and what could be improved, and truly work in tandem to bring the best STEM experience to all our middle school students.

Besides her communication and collaboration skills, Alison also relies on our Vision of a Lakewood Ranger competency of empathy. Noting that STEM is a challenging subject for students, often leading to frustration, Alison puts herself in their shoes to understand what they are going through. “I tell them it's OK to struggle, it’s OK to feel that way. That’s how they grow,” says Alison.

The nature of STEM, where there is often no “right answer” lends itself to Alison applying her growth mindset skills every day. A student may often come up with a solution for an assignment that she has never seen before and she and the student then walk through the process together so she can evaluate it properly.

Through her collaborative approach, openness to feedback, and willingness to innovate, Alison consistently enhances the student learning experience while supporting those around her. Her leadership and teamwork make her an invaluable member of our staff.

 

REBECCA KING

Garfield Middle School paraprofessional Rebecca King joined the BRIDGES classroom last school year and has since become an integral part of the BRIDGES team through her patience, kindness, and dedication to every student she serves.

Rebecca relies most on her Vision of a Lakewood Educator competency of empathy and her calming presence to help students navigate their day. Her care and support for each student shines through and is noted by her colleagues.  

Rebecca’s BRIDGES colleague Erica O’Grady says that, “Miss Rebecca is dependable, kind, and so easy to be around. She makes an effort every single day to connect with our students in ways that are meaningful.”

Rebecca knows how important empathy is in working to make those student connections.

“I know every kid is different. I listen to them and give them moral support and my love,” Rebecca says.

Rebecca also depends on her growth mindset to help serve her students. She is a keen observer of her more experienced team members and says she is always absorbing their techniques and then implementing them as well. Additionally, Rebecca frequently watches videos that help her better understand some of the challenges her students face and give her insight into how she can help them.

All of this makes Rebecca’s colleagues appreciative of her presence. Shares Erica, “Rebecca’s reliability, creativity, and care make a lasting impact on our students and our school community, and we are incredibly grateful to have her as part of the BRIDGES team.”

 

 

Garfield’s two teams together won one of four possible “Best Attorney” awards and two of four possible “Best Witness” awards. Harding’s two teams won one "Best Attorney” award and two “Best Witness” awards.  Garfield’s “Best Attorney” was Antonia Nicholson. Harding’s “Best Attorney” was George Statton and Garfield’s “Best Witnesses” were Isaac Cornwell and Amelia Ketter. Harding’s “Best Witnesses” were Ainsley Tracey and Caleb Chan.

Team scores are ranked into three tiers. Forty-three teams from districts across Ohio competed over three days, and only 14 teams scored in the top tier. The Garfield Gold Team received a rating of “Outstanding.” Garfield’s Purple Team as well as Harding Teams 1 & 2 received ratings of “Excellent.”

This year the Middle School Mock Trials were based on the book The Witch of Blackbird of Pond by Elizabeth George Spear in which the Connecticut Colony pressed charges of attempted murder, arson, and criminal mischief against the individuals suspected of leading an angry mob to Hannah Tupper’s home. 

Each middle school team subdivides into a prosecution and a defense squad, and prepares for two different trials against other Ohio middle schools. Students take on the roles of attorneys, witnesses, and bailiff/timers. The trials take place in front of real attorneys who act as trial judges and who rate teams on case understanding, professional demeanor, oratory skills, and understanding of trial technique and courtroom procedure. Garfield sent two teams of seventh graders and had two trials running in the morning as well as two in the afternoon. Harding sent two teams, one seventh grade and one eighth grade, and had two trials running simultaneously in the morning and repeated that schedule in the afternoon.

Special thanks to attorney Sarah Cleves, a Lakewood resident and senior claims attorney with ABA Insurance Services, Inc., who acted as a legal advisor for Garfield’s teams, coached by Mrs. Colleen Gromek. Garfield’s seventh-grade participants were Maryam Adigun, Sarah Ali, Auden Brickner, Josie Bunsey, Isaac Cornwell, Enzo Flasher, Sophie Higgins, Jaiden Gibson, Luci Jones, Amelia Ketter, Gianna Martorello, Antonia Nicholson, Joseph Norris, Rilyn Rohde, Derek Schwab, Blake Sciulli, David Sharosky, Julia Sharpe, Finn Spade, Sebastian Tougouma, Stella Vinkovic, and Morgan Williams. 

At Harding, Mrs. Batkiewicz, Mrs. Varga and Ms. Basinski guided their seventh- and eighth-grade teams along with help from countless attorneys and judges present during the week of playoffs, which decided Harding’s teams. Special thanks to attorney Jeff Gardner who acted as a legal advisor for Harding’s teams.

Harding’s eighth grade students participating were Sofia Brown, Marie Brosky, Deagan Carney, Ace Griggs, Lucy Heller, Lily Lipowski, Caroline Lubas, Ingrid Matera, Sulley Mestek, Italo Moncrief, Alex Schneider, Amelie Snipes, Amelia Tousley, and Anna Winchester.

Harding’s seventh grade students were Julia Babson, Vivian Baker, Caleb Chan, Elise Dux, Scarlett Gage, Keira Hummer, Evelyn Payne, Audrey Revehl, George Stratton, Ainsley Tracey, Carson Westfall, and Penelope Yeager.