The mission of the Educational Empowerment Group is to promote knowledge, wisdom and understanding to all stakeholders that empowers success in our global society.
Vision
The vision of the Educational Empowerment Group is to elevate the experience for students and stakeholders by positively changing the landscape of charter school education.
A Message from the CEO
As another incredibly successful school year draws to a close, I want to take a moment to express my profound gratitude and admiration for each and every one of you. You didn’t just make it to the end; you have brilliantly navigated challenges and celebrated triumphs.
Your hard work and unwavering dedication throughout the entire year have been truly remarkable. Day in and day out, you have poured your energy, passion and expertise tirelessly into the lives of our students. The impact of your commitment is immeasurable, shaping not just academic outcomes but also inspiring personal growth, resilience and a lifelong love for learning.
We see the countless hours, the creative problem-solving, and the deep care you invest. It is because of your collective efforts that our students are empowered to thrive and reach their fullest potential. Thank you for an extraordinary year!
Wendy Rydarowicz
EEG Founder
A Banner Year: Graduates Soar with CTE Success
What an incredible year it has been! We are thrilled to announce the close of another successful school year, highlighted by the remarkable achievements of our high school students. They have proudly crossed the graduation stage, each embarking on exciting new chapters in their lives.
This year, our schools celebrated a total of 231 graduates. The impact of our Career Technical Education (CTE) programs is more evident than ever. A remarkable 77 of these graduates are already employed or continuing their education in post-secondary programs, directly benefiting from the valuable skills and opportunities our CTE initiatives provide. We are also optimistic that this number will climb even higher as more students finalize their employment plans.
This fantastic outcome clearly demonstrates how our programming empowers students to shape their futures and gain essential abilities that lead to positive, lasting success.
Our deepest gratitude and warmest congratulations go out to our high school principals, school leadership teams and our entire, dedicated high school support team. Your unwavering commitment is truly inspiring, and we are excited to keep fostering an environment where our students can achieve their absolute highest potential.
The Amazing Shake Competition
The excitement at EEG’s State Amazing Shake Competition was palpable, as our school champions gathered at Akron Career Tech High School (ACT) to truly shine. These incredible students fearlessly navigated a series of challenges, demonstrating remarkable poise and skill. They confidently “worked the room” with professionals, showcased quick thinking and grace in resolving complex problems and sharpened their public speaking abilities by answering impromptu questions in front of a live audience.
A huge congratulations to Chloe G. from Beacon Academy, who emerged as the victor of this fierce competition. Every student contestant was absolutely amazing, and we are immensely proud of each one of them for their dedication and impressive performance.
Our heartfelt thanks go out to Kate Travers, Maria Hejnal, Brooke Yost, Zoe Williams, the dedicated ACT staff, EEG team members and everyone else who contributed to making this event such a resounding success. Your support made it possible for these students to showcase their talents and take a significant step in their development!
OCA Shines Brightly on Spectrum News 1
We are happy to share some exciting news! Ohio Construction Academy (OCA) received a prominent spotlight, airing statewide on Spectrum News 1 on May 11. This remarkable feature showcased the incredible work happening at OCA and the positive impact the school having on the community.
Our deepest congratulations go out to Director Matt Demosky, Principal Thompson, Dean Butler and the entire OCA team for their unwavering dedication to our students. Your commitment is truly affecting positive change in the lives of young people, and it is clear that Ohio is taking notice.
A special thank you to Dean DeShannon Butler for coordinating this fantastic publicity, bringing OCA’s inspiring story to a broader audience.
An inquisitive mind at The Bessie Sherrod Price Preparatory Academy (BSP) has ignited an incredible partnership. When one of our 5th-grade students expressed a keen interest in coding, Dr. Fant and his team quickly reached out to Google for support.
Within a few weeks, Google representatives were at BSP, opening up the fascinating world of coding to our students. During their visits, Google’s team recognized additional needs within our student body. As a result, they generously donated bookbags to some of our students. Their goodwill did not stop there. Google has also pledged to donate computers to BSP, and our school has even been nominated for a Google-sponsored grant!
We are absolutely thrilled about this burgeoning partnership and the invaluable opportunities it brings to our students. A huge thank you to the entire BSP team for their dedication to recognizing the immense value of community engagement and for always putting our students first.
Save the Date
Theme: Empowering Educational Excellence
The Educational Empowerment Group is excited to announce its 3rd Annual EleVate Education Summit! This Summit is an all-inclusive event filled with pertinent topics, proven techniques and actionable strategies to promote growth and achievement for educators and students.
When: Wednesday, August 13, 2025
Where: Cherry Valley Hotel and Conference Center, 2299 Cherry Valley Rd., SE, Newark, OH 43055
Unite and Learn
The EleVate Education Summit, with its theme of Empowering Educational Excellence, is your one-stop shop for professional development. Select from over 20 industry-relevant topics and updates facilitated by skilled experts. This informative, engaging and collaborative event is designed to unite educators and stakeholders from across Ohio.
Who Should Attend?
All School Staff
School Board Members
School Sponsors
All who are concerned about the future of education in Ohio
What to Expect
20+ Industry-Relevant Sessions: Gain valuable insights on the latest educational trends and best practices.
Expert Speakers: Learn from experienced educators and thought leaders in the field.
Collaboration & Networking: Connect with colleagues, share ideas, and build valuable relationships.
The EleVate Education Summit promises to be an enriching experience that will help you elevate your practice and empower you to make a positive impact on your students.
Make plans to join us! Additional information is coming soon!
New Partnership Builds Bright Futures
We are happy to announce an exciting new community partnership that will profoundly benefit students at The Steel Academy and Ohio Construction Academy. Thanks to the dedicated efforts of our Community Engagement Director in Northeast Ohio, Sandy Calvert, these schools have teamed up with the prestigious ACE Mentor Program of America.
This incredible collaboration will allow students to dive deep into the fields of architecture, construction, and engineering. They will gain invaluable insights and guidance through direct mentorship from industry professionals, exploring potential career paths with real-world expertise. The program features 15 hands-on, project-based learning sessions where students will apply their skills and bring innovative ideas to life. The experience will culminate in a special student presentation, a celebratory banquet and even the exciting possibility of scholarships for seniors pursuing college or trade programs in these fields.
The ACE Mentor Program is a national powerhouse, annually reaching over 12,000 students from more than 1,600 high schools nationwide. We cannot wait to witness the transformative impact this dynamic program will have on our students at The Steel Academy and Ohio Construction Academy, empowering them to build their futures. To learn more about ACE Mentor Program of America, click below.
Get ready to soak up the sun, as our latest wellness newsletter is your ultimate companion for all things summer! We are eagerly anticipating warmer days, perfect for both outdoor adventures and productive work.
To ensure your summer gatherings are safe and enjoyable, this health newsletter includes essential food safety tips for your cookouts. Remember to practice the core four: clean, separate, cook and chill to keep everyone healthy.
This issue also shares gardening tips. Gardening offers a wealth of health benefits, including boosting Vitamin D, reducing stress and anxiety, elevating your mood and fostering relaxation. Plus, it is a fantastic way to enjoy healthier foods and save on grocery bills.
Finally, discover valuable sleep tips designed to help you get restful nights during the longer summer days. Prioritizing quality sleep is crucial for your overall health and well-being, so you can fully embrace all the season has to offer. Click the tab below for more information.
Volume 33 | June 2025 EEG News & UpdatesMissionThe mission of the Educational Empowerment Group is to promote knowledge, wisdom and understanding to all stakeholders…