Congratulations to our 2024 toy finalists

I have been a correctional educator for nineteen years. I began my career at a CBCF (Community Based Correctional Facility) in 2005 after a friend of mine convinced me to visit him at LoCI. It was at London, with Alan Brady, that I realized the positive influence and powerful recidivist factor education could be on incarcerated people. I was offered the job at the Franklin County CBCF shortly after my visit to LoCI, and gladly took it. 

There were many requirements outside the classroom at CBCF, one being Cognitive Behavior Therapy training. I was required to complete 24 hours of CBT each year (8 years times 24 for 184 hours) of training, which was a blessing because it allowed me to recognize and address criminogenic factors in my students for the rest of my career. This allowed for effective facilitation of programming because I could address social behavior problems that interfered with learning, which allowed my students to focus on the GED test, and not on the factors that initially led them to prison. I worked quickly, effectively, and in an organized way so that I was a factor in about 800 GED’s during my eight-year tenure there. We were the top program in the state during the last few years of my job, and it was highly satisfying. My students loved their new-found success and so did I. 

In 2012, I applied for and received a state grant and began working on a program with OSU that would certify me to teach braille (Teacher of the Visually Impaired, or TVI) to visually-impaired and blind students. I worked in that field for about a year, but oddly enough missed working with adults in the prison system. So, I earned my reading endorsement through Ohio University and was hired at Richland Correctional Institution where I and another teacher ran their literacy program. This was very challenging since I was teaching in the dayroom of a unit with 125 residents watching through windows as I facilitated education for thirty students in each class. However, I found success there evidenced by my evaluations and student movement on from literacy to ABE-GED classes. 

Next I moved on to teaching at CRC and Pickaway Correctional Institution for six months working with the under 21 students before coming to LoCI in a self-contained classroom to teach ABE-GED in 2019. I have excelled in a few areas (along with teaching adults to read) since I came to Loci, most notably with the Spanish-speaking population, and with the visually impaired. Let me explain. 

When I arrived in room 10 of the high school, I inherited the Spanish-speaking students. I do not speak that language, so I found the previous bilingual tutor who had been the liaison between the previous teacher and those students. Over the course of the past few years, we have built a program for those who read / speak Spanish so they can study and test in their native language. Additionally, beside working on diplomas, we have organized much curriculum that teaches lower-level Spanish students to read and write. It has been a steep learning curve for me, but the program we have developed is one that I am proud of. I advocated for these Spanish speaking students (and received approval) to do their initial testing and class advancement with a Spanish test instead of an English one as had been used previously, which gave them an equal playing field. 

For the visually-impaired population, I have set up a station in my classroom that utilizes a 32-inch TV, chrome book, headphones, USB boost adapter, enlarged keyboard, and mouse, so the curriculum is now accessible for those who need magnification. Additionally, I teach braille to a few students who are blind, and that has been remarkable. In April of 2019, I received the Employee of the Month for the state of Ohio (in part) for doing this. Additionally, one student who has learned braille is now writing a journal, which has allowed him an outlet that he desperately needed. He has been so successful with his writings that he has been invited to join the OSU / LoCI Sociology college class that will be conducted spring of 2025. 

Room 10, LoCI, in July of 2024 is a place of individualized instruction (regardless of language, visual status, reading level) that is leading to my (our) overall goal, which is to reduce recidivism in those we touch by giving each student hope: hope for more successful educational journey by believing in one’s own potential, and a chance for a better future. 

I grew up in the beautiful state of Wisconsin one mile from Lake Michigan. The youngest of 9 siblings I was left home with my mom and her plants very often. This is where my love of plants came from. She grew this love of plants in me at a young age. I knew I had to work outdoors, no office job or factory job for this young man.

I was one of those kids that graduated from high school when I was 17 years old. I went to Gateway Technical Institution in Kenosha, WI. I received my Associate Degree in Horticulture Production. I started my career in Horticulture at Green Circle Growers in Oberlin, OH at the age of 19 years old.

I worked in this industry for 19 years and got a lot of questions about everything dealing with plants. So, when my neighbor who worked at GCI said a Horticulture Teacher position was open, I applied. I thought, well I have been teaching everybody about plants all my life, so why not. Enlightening people about plants and how to care for them always gives me joy. I was looking for a change in my life anyway. So I went to prison. I have been locked up for 20 years now and due for parole in 6 years.

I am a simple man with simple needs. The Love of a good woman for the last 34 years. The love of my two dogs and the love of just being happy. Family and friends are very important to my wife and I, we also love talking with anybody who wants to talk with us. Sometimes that turns out to be some of the best times. We love friendly people. 

We are looking forward to retirement and becoming full time RV’ers and going where we want and when we want. We want to see the beautiful scenery this country has to offer.

The Simple Life!   

  Dave was a Bob Evans Manager in Cincinnati, when Dayton City Schools and Wright State recruited him into a non-traditional teaching internship. Dave had never much cared for school, but the career opportunity was too good to pass up.   Dave worked fulltime at Bob Evans at night and weekends while learning to teach durin g the day.

Dave successfully completed his 15-month Elementary Teaching Internship at EJ Brown Elementary in Dayton and was eventually hired by Cincinnati City Schools, where Dave taught Elementary at Roselawn-Condon School for four years.    

When Dave's son was born with a significant Brain Injury.   Dave and his wife Cindy Barno (also a Teacher, now at Big Walnut Local Schools) moved to Cindy's hometown of Columbus, where Dave again taught Elementary for 4 years.   Dave averaged 83 home visits a year, simply to thank student families and address any goals, observations or concerns each family might have. 

In 2007, Dave was working a summer construction job, preparing to teach at Gahanna Jefferson that Fall. On September 11, 2007, Dave fell face-first through an unmarked manhole at the construction site, falling face-first 15 feet onto concrete and breaking his skull in 8 places.  Dave was able to keep working, but gradually lost the ability to read.   After recovering, Dave went into Job Coaching started teaching at Pickaway Correctional Institution in 2015.

Dave is extremely grateful to his Principals, Ms. Luetta Wade & Dr. Carol Fails, as well as his teaching colleagues, including Gary Mullins, Deb Turner, Nacho Igwe, Lynne Graves, Bismark Owooh and Dr. Freddie Sikaneta.

I’m Ronalee McKnight - I currently work at MonDay Community Correctional Institution in Dayton, Ohio, finishing up my 19th year as the teacher of our female residents.  I grew up in Raleigh, NC and lived there until after college when I moved to Ohio for a job with Elder Beerman stores in Dayton (I worked there for 24 yrs). I worked in several stores and the corporate offices as a Buyer then a Merchandise Planner.

After the store closing, I began substitute teaching in schools until an acquaintance in a local dog club, asked if I would be interested in teaching in a correctional facility. This was the start of a job which I thought would “tide” me over for a little while. Little did I know how much I would love teaching and how much I would learn from my students.  I’ve learned quickly how to adapt to the unpredictable environment of corrections. One of the biggest changes was switching from a Therapeutic Community to a CBT based facility. I was also thrown for a loop when GED testing went from paper tests to electronic tests. We quickly developed our own GED binder with each subject to help students study as publishers were behind in getting new GED testing info out. Even with this change, MonDay was still one of the first correctional facilities in Ohio to have male/female resident obtain a GED in 2014. From 2014-May 2024, 468 MonDay females obtain their GED’s in house.

I’ve been married for almost 35 years and our children are Labrador Retrievers. We currently have 2 black Labs.  Storie is a 14 yr old, retired, and is best known for breaking the AKC Dock Jumping record, along with being on several TV shows (Letterman, TODAY Show, Fox & Friends, and many Incredible Dog Challenges). We also have Sequel, a 6 ½ yr old, who was just recently on the ESPN /AKC Fastest Dog show. She is best known for 100-yard dash (called Fast Cat) and runs an average speed of 28.2 mph. 

The dogs also make periodic visits to the facility for demos. These demos include the obedience that the girls can do along with watching some of their athletic events on YouTube. I often talk about the dogs when teaching averages & percents and to help the students feel more at ease with me.  

I’ve enjoyed being able to help students find joy in their own learning. Although I’ve had students that did not obtain their GED’s, I feel that each of them left our facility realizing that they CAN still learn and a “seed was planted” for them to see the opportunity they have to obtain their GED’s. I’ve often told my students/judges that would visit our facility that when I worked in retail sales, I made good money, however, buying underwear for the store/customers wasn’t going to change that person’s life (unless their underwear was giving them a wedgie!) but helping a student obtain their GED, that truly is changing a life!

  I am the oldest of 8 children. I lived in poverty growing up and oversaw much of the care of the younger children. I decided at an early age that I was going to live a much different life when I grew up and I always knew that education was the path I needed to take to make that happen. Growing up happened a lot sooner than I expected, however. I was married at 15 and my husband was drafted and left for the military. I gave birth to my daughter soon after turning 16. I returned to high school to complete my sophomore and junior years together. After my husband returned from Vietnam, we moved to Alabama. I was 17. But I knew that I still needed an education to pursue a life I wanted for myself and my family.

There was a private kindergarten next to the apartment where we lived. Our landlord was the owner/teacher there and Ms. Marsh hired me to be an aide. Eventually, I was left in charge of teaching classes. Ms. Marsh suggested I get my GED. I passed the first time I took the test.

When service time was up, my little family returned to Noble County, Ohio to live. As a family, we decided I should go to school and become a teacher. I attended the Zanesville branch of OU and the main campus in Athens, where I completed my bachelor’s degree in 3 years. I was hired as a 4th grade teacher and began my official teaching career. I earned my Master’s-in-Education, with reading certification. Later I became certified in Special Education (SBH) through Muskingum College. I also continued course work to improve my methods of teaching. I grew my family along the way, adding 2 more daughters.

After 35 years of teaching in public education, I retired. That lasted about a year because I felt I had more to offer, and I was not ready to leave the field of education. The opportunity to teach at Noble Correctional Institution became available. That was about 8 years ago, and I’m still there. I’m learning how to improve my instruction every day. Learning has never stopped. I’m constantly trying to find ways to make instruction more effective. My path does not look like anyone else’s, but I had people in my life and the tools I needed to get here. I hope to do the same for others.

At the age of 71, I am blessed. I have 3 adult children and 5 grandchildren. I am looking forward to my oldest grandson’s wedding in November. I have survived the death of my husband of 50 years, cancer, heart disease, and other ailments that accompany age. One of the most important lessons that life has taught me is that you must be willing to adapt to move forward. In my spare time, I enjoy reading, attending auctions, gardening, collecting antiques, scrap booking, and traveling. There are many people that have come and gone from my life. They have given me comfort and support when needed and helped me in my pursuit of a better life. I consider myself lucky to have this support through my family. I mean it with my whole heart when I include my NCI work family.