We continue our "Quakers Teaching Quakers" theme as we speak with Matt Mowery from the Class of 2003 in our sixth episode of the season. Matt currently serves as a mathematics teacher at Salem High School and is also the head girls basketball coach. Matt and his wife Brooke, who teaches second grade at Buckeye Elementary, are raising their two children here in Salem. Please note that this conversation was recorded last summer.

In our conversation, Matt reflects on growing up in Salem with deep family roots in the community and describes his path through Salem City Schools—from preschool at First Christian Church to Reilly Elementary, Southeast Elementary, Salem Junior High School, and ultimately Salem High School. Matt shares memories of playing sports with friends around town, participating in band, choir, and basketball, and how influential teachers—especially math teacher Mr. Alejars—helped transform his relationship with mathematics and inspired him to pursue a career in education. We also learn about Matt's time at the University of Mount Union, where he majored in mathematics and became involved in sports broadcasting through WRMU, even calling two national championship football games during his time on campus.

Matt also walks us through the early years of his teaching career at United Local Schools, where he spent more than a decade teaching mathematics and coaching basketball. Along the way, he reflects on the challenges and growth that came with becoming a head basketball coach at a young age, the personal hardships he navigated during those years, and the lessons that shaped his perspective as both an educator and mentor. Matt later continued his professional development by earning a Master's Degree in Educational Administration from Ashland University in 2011.

Finally, Matt shares what it meant to return home in 2021 to teach at Salem High School, reflecting on how education and students have changed over the past two decades while emphasizing the enduring importance of relationships, high standards, and community pride. We also hear about his involvement with the Salem Athletic Hall of Fame and his belief that success is ultimately defined by the positive impact we have on others, our families, and our communities. We hope you enjoy!

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Our latest episode features Shelley Miller Wilson from the Class of 1997, whose personal and professional journey reflects a deep commitment to education, community, and service. Shelley currently serves as a K–12 Literacy Specialist at Salem City Schools, after beginning her career as a kindergarten teacher and spending many years in the classroom. Outside of work, Shelley is a proud mom of three and continues to balance family life with a career centered on helping students and teachers thrive.

In our conversation, Shelley reflects on growing up in Salem, describing a childhood filled with bike rides around town, Booster Club sticker duty at Quaker sporting events, and strong family ties to Salem City Schools that stretch back multiple generations. She walks us through her unique path through nearly every Salem school building, her deep involvement in high school activities including cheerleading, athletic training, Key Club, yearbook, Spanish Club, and choir, and how early signs of her passion for teaching were present long before she realized education was her calling.

Shelley shares her college journey to Bowling Green State University, where she studied elementary education, joined a sorority, and found her leadership voice through Dance Marathon. She discusses the challenges and growth that came with leaving home, earning two master's degrees, navigating early career setbacks, and ultimately returning to Salem in a role that allows her to support both teachers and students. Shelley closes by reflecting on the rewards and challenges of being a literacy specialist, her enduring love for the classroom, and her belief that at the heart of both the Salem and West Branch communities is a shared commitment to putting kids first. We hope you enjoy!

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We continue our "Quakers Teaching Quakers" theme as we speak with Sean Kirkland from the Class of 1986 in our fourth episode of the season. Sean serves as Superintendent in the Salem City School District.

In our conversation, we learned about Sean's experience growing up on the west side of Salem, attending Prospect School, and experiencing the City of Salem back in the 1970s and '80s (playing outside and not coming home until the street lights turn on). Sean spoke about the tough times his family experienced, the wild turns his athletic career would take--both in high school and college, and the influence a few great teachers had on him that led him to realize education was the career path for him.

We also learn about Sean's rough first day of his first full-time teaching role, how he was ten minutes away from becoming a West Branch Warrior, and his experience moving from teaching Industrial Tech to sitting at the Superintendent's desk. We hope you enjoy!

Be sure to tune into the intro for a few reports regarding the Salem High School Alumni Association's classroom grant program and the Career Day program for Salem sophomores.

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