Applications to take part open now through July 1
By AMY ADAMS
news@readthereporter.com
With the motto “Educate, Experience, Engage,” Shamrock Academy offers parents and community members in the Westfield Washington School (WWS) district an up-close, behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to run a successful school district.
“The coolest part for me was that we got to go to each of the different schools,” said Ali Hoover. “They each have different personalities, and we got to learn about programs I wasn’t familiar with.”
In addition to having two daughters in WWS, Hoover also serves as PTO president and a substitute teacher at Maple Glen Elementary School. Now she can add Shamrock Academy graduate to her list of experience in the district.
“Being in Shamrock Academy offers a level of access to information and insight that you can’t get anywhere else,” WWS Director of Communications Joshua Andrews said.
As part of the Shamrock Academy cohort, Hoover met with around 30 other participants one morning a month from August to May in different buildings throughout the district. In addition to touring the schools for a first-hand look into the educational experience of students, they heard from those tasked with operating the facilities. They engaged in dialogue with leaders like Superintendent Dr. Paul Kaiser, Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction Dr. John Atha, and Assistant Superintendent for Business and Operations Brian Tomamichel. They covered topics such as finances, security, technology, and more.
Participants also got to take part in hands-on experiences while they explored the ins and outs of school operation. A meal catered by the high school’s professional-level culinary team and a school bus ride with Director of Transportation Larry Johnson were among the favorites.
“The facilities are great, the programs are phenomenal, but I think we would all agree that none of it would be possible without our teachers,” said Matt McNally. “You can really tell that these people care not just about the kids but about the community.”
McNally, an airline pilot and senior vice commander of Carmel VFW Post 10003, has a son and daughter who have been in WWS for the past eight years. His son graduated from Westfield High School in May and will attend Ball State University to study sports media and production because of his experience in the media department at WHS with mass media teacher John Oestreich.
As a member of Shamrock Academy this past year, one of McNally’s favorite topics was curriculum selection.
“It’s a time-consuming, structured, very transparent process, and it’s amazing how much the parents are involved in the process,” McNally said.
He also felt that the data presentation by Director of Student Support and Counseling Services Kyle Miller and Data Specialist and Assessment Coordinator Carmen Carnes helped correct some confusion within the community.
“When our graduates hear something in conversation that they know isn’t correct, oftentimes, they will step in and give proper information or provide additional context to the conversation,” Andrews said.
Along with fellow past graduates of the ambassador development program, Hoover and McNally will continue to build genuine relationships with school leaders and to partner on projects to share the vision and mission of WWS. They will often receive information before it goes out to the public and will be invited to share their perspectives and insights with the school board and district administration.
“The district has benefited from building strong relationships with our Academy members,” Andrews said. “Getting their feedback allows us to provide the community with even more transparency and clarity.”
Hoover encourages anyone who has questions about the school district to apply.
“If you are a person who likes to know how things work, it is a really great look behind the scenes at those major operations,” McNally said. “I honestly wish it was something that everyone could do.”
Moving into its third year, Shamrock Academy will see some changes this year, such as extended meeting times. While exact session dates will be announced before the final selection process, the meetings will begin at 9 a.m. and end at noon to allow for more in-depth presentations and conversations.
Also new this year, participants will be expected to commit to school engagement by attending four additional events, one at the district level, one at the high school, one at the middle levels, and one at an elementary school.
Shamrock Academy is open to any Westfield resident or community member interested in learning more about the school system. To find out more and to apply for the 2023-24 cohort, click here.
Photo provided by Westfield Washington Schools