K-12 professionals recognized for service to Appalachian Ohio communities

NELSONVILLE, Ohio – Fifteen emerging community builders from Appalachian Ohio have received full scholarships to pursue advanced degrees, thanks to an anonymous  gift to the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio (FAO) and a new partnership with American College of Education (ACE).

Scholarship recipients are part of FAO’s Growing Home Fellowship, a five-year program designed to recruit and prepare young educators for leadership roles in their broader communities.

Through the Growing Home Fellowship, FAO has invested in more than 100 emerging leaders who have chosen to grow their lives and their careers in Appalachian Ohio. Fellows commit to live, work and serve in the region for at least five years. In return, they receive financial support, leadership coaching, immersive retreats, access to grant funding and a powerful network of peers who share their commitment to their communities.

“These scholarships will allow 15 of our Growing Home Fellows to earn doctorate degrees, principal’s certificates and other master’s level credentials they otherwise might not be able to pursue while managing work and family responsibilities,” said Cara Dingus Brook, FAO president and CEO. “These young community builders are already leading in deep and meaningful ways across Appalachian Ohio. But now, they’ll be able to strengthen their skills and advance their careers and their service to their communities.”

Co-founded by Jackson County, Ohio, native Tom Evans, ACE is a fully accredited online private college specializing in flexible and affordable programs in education, business, health care and nursing. Five Growing Home Fellows are enrolled in doctoral programs through ACE, and 10 are pursuing master’s degrees.

“These young leaders are committed to making a difference, both inside and outside the classroom,” said ACE Chief Growth Officer Monica Carson. “We’re proud to partner with FAO to provide them with opportunities to deepen their skills in ways that will benefit their students, their families and their communities for years to come.”

Four years into the pilot program, Growing Home Fellows are serving in 29 of Appalachian Ohio’s 32 counties, meeting critical needs and creating new opportunities to ensure that everyone in the region has opportunities to flourish. Through their service, they are addressing food insecurity, increasing health and wellness, strengthening economic vitality, creating access to arts, stewarding the environment and more.

Fellows currently serve more than 90 nonprofit and civic organizations, actively contributing to the vitality of communities throughout Appalachian Ohio.

Scholarship recipients were selected through a competitive application process. They are:

  • Jacob Alley, an intervention specialist at Valley Middle School in Lucasville (Scioto County), is pursuing a master’s degree in educational leadership. He is an active member of the Lucasville Kiwanis Club, where he was recently selected the youngest president-elect in the club’s 33-year history.
  • Summer Ballinger, principal of Hocking Hills Elementary School and academic enrichment coordinator for Logan-Hocking School District (Hocking County), is pursuing a master’s degree in educational leadership. She began a local community garden after noting the barriers to fresh food in her school district and serves as treasurer for the United Way of Hocking County.
  • Jessie Bennett, a naturalist with the Perry County Park District (Perry County), is pursuing a master’s degree in organizational leadership. She serves on the board of the Ludowici Community Foundation, where she assists with the board’s fundraising, outreach and marketing efforts, including taking the lead on a May 2026 Founder’s Day event.
  • Kirstin Carpenter, a fourth-grade math teacher at Cambridge City Schools (Guernsey County), is pursuing a master’s degree in elementary education. She is an active board member of Partners for the Park, a nonprofit organization dedicated to maintaining and improving parks in Cambridge to make them places for community engagement.
  • Isaac Floyd, a sixth-grade social studies teacher and coach at Wheelersburg Middle School (Scioto County) and a Lawrence County resident, is pursuing a doctorate in leadership. He serves through the Bobcat Academy, an Ohio University summer program for elementary students, where he has been pursuing grants to reduce financial barriers for attendees while helping strengthen the program’s long-term sustainability.
  • Kenzie Jadwin, a sixth-grade language arts teacher at Morgan Middle School (Morgan County), is pursuing a doctorate in curriculum and instruction. She serves on the board of Burr Oak Alive!, a group dedicated to preserving Burr Oak State Park. As a board member, she organizes large community events and helps coordinate local guest speakers to boost engagement at the state park.
  • Bri Jenkins, a high school science teacher at Jackson City Schools (Jackson County), is pursuing a doctorate in curriculum and instruction with a concentration in STEM education. She serves through the Jackson County Community Foundation, one of FAO’s 15 affiliate foundation partners, where she assists with grant reviews, manages social media and leads efforts to launch a new Fill the Freezer campaign to address local food insecurity.
  • Kathryn Matson, an eighth-grade science teacher and coach in the Meigs Local School District (Meigs County), is pursuing a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction. She has co-developed a children’s summer enrichment program at The Blakeslee Center, which has provided kids with intergenerational community, hands-on learning experiences and approximately 6,500 free meals.
  • Charli Montavon, a high school science teacher at Notre Dame Schools (Scioto County), is pursuing a master’s degree in biology education. She is an active board member of Friends of Scioto Brush Creek, which works to maintain and improve water quality through education and awareness. In November 2025, the waterway was officially designated as the 17th State Scenic River of Ohio.
  • Courtney Pepper, a school counselor at River View High School (Coshocton County), is pursuing a doctorate in leadership, focusing on public and nonprofit leadership. She serves on the board and promotional committee of Our Town Coshocton, working to revitalize the local economy through community events. She also speaks locally about the importance of community involvement.
  • Malachi Pulliam, a counselor and coach at Paint Valley Local Schools (Ross County), is pursuing a master’s degree in educational leadership. He serves on the board of Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Central Ohio, connecting local youth with mentors, involving middle and high school students in programming and boosting fundraisers.
  • Hanna Vera, a Spanish teacher, farm assistant and dorm parent at Olney Friends School (Belmont County), is pursuing a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction. She serves with Captina Conservancy, where she leads volunteer teams, plans community events, monitors newly acquired conservation sites, installs and maintains trail counters, and more.
  • Gracie Walburn, a sixth-grade English teacher at Jackson City Schools (Jackson County), is pursuing a master’s degree in literacy. She has partnered with another fellow to launch the Jackson Youth Volleyball League to provide girls in grades 3-7 with more opportunities for physical activity outside of school. In its first two years, the league attracted 50 girls across five teams.
  • Samantha Walls, a visual arts educator in the Scioto Valley Local School District (Pike County), is pursuing a Master of Business Administration. She is working to expand visual art opportunities for residents of Pike County through “Art Affects,” which brings free art experiences to the community through art workshops at local libraries and painting classes at local businesses.
  • Jackie Wayne, a second-grade teacher in the Crooksville EV School District (Perry County), is pursuing a doctorate in curriculum and instruction. She has partnered with the Community Foundation for Perry County to support and expand the local Fill the Freezer program to provide locally raised protein to food pantries in Perry County. She also mentors other fellows who are building similar programs in their communities.
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