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
Today, as we celebrate National Principals’ Day, I want to take a moment to shine a light on the incredible individuals who serve as the backbone of our schools.
The role of a principal is often described as a balancing act, but in reality, it is an act of service. You are the instructional leaders who push for academic excellence, the mentors who support our teachers, the administrators who ensure our buildings run smoothly and, perhaps most importantly, the steady presence our students look to for safety and inspiration.
I see the long hours you put in, the difficult decisions you navigate with grace, and the way you celebrate every small victory in your hallways. Your leadership manages our buildings and creates a culture where students and staff feel seen and empowered.
To our principals and assistant principals: Thank you. Thank you for your whatever it takes attitude and for your unwavering commitment to the success of every child who walks through our doors. EEG is stronger because of your vision and your heart. Please join me today in showing our deep appreciation for these dedicated leaders!
With gratitude,
Wendy Rydarowicz
EEG Founder
Honoring the Heart of Our Schools
As we approach Teacher Appreciation Week (May 4th – 8th), it is the perfect time to pause and reflect on the incredible individuals who make our schools more than just buildings. They are the mentors, the motivators, and the steady hands guiding our students toward their brightest futures.
Teaching has often been called the profession that creates all other professions. While that is true, teaching is also much more than an academic pursuit. It is a daily commitment to seeing the potential in every child, even when they cannot yet see it in themselves.
Behind every successful student is a teacher who stayed late to explain a difficult concept, a teacher who provided a word of encouragement during a tough day, and a teacher who spent their own time finding new ways to spark a love of learning. Our teachers do not merely deliver instruction; they build confidence, foster curiosity and create a safe harbor for our children to grow.
Whether they are in a K-8 classroom teaching the foundations of literacy or in a high school lab guiding a complex experiment, their impact is immeasurable. They are the essential workers of our student’s dreams. Their energy is the engine that drives our pursuit of excellence, and their passion is what makes our community feel like a family.
To our teachers: We see your hard work. We value your dedication. We are honored to work alongside you. Thank you for your heart, your patience and your unwavering belief in our students.
Happy Teacher Appreciation Week!
“A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops.” — Henry Adams
Strengthening Our SC Community
This past month, we were honored to host Myrtle Beach Mayor Mark Kruea for an in-depth tour of Morning Star Academy and the South Carolina Construction Academy. During the visit, the Mayor experienced firsthand our vision for integrating STEAM and career exploration into the student experience. Our model moves beyond traditional lectures, prioritizing hands-on learning, small class sizes and the development of future-ready skills.
Visits like this underscore our deep appreciation for the Myrtle Beach community. As we prepare for our grand opening, we are proud to partner with city leadership to build a foundation for the next generation of local professionals. We look forward to welcoming our families into this innovative space where students can truly thrive.
The High School Hub
Our high school campuses have been alive with energy and inspiration throughout this past month. Driven by our mission to provide transformative support and unique opportunities for every student, we have achieved several significant milestones. We invite you to explore these recent highlights, which celebrate the dedication, enthusiasm and outstanding achievements of our school community.
Beating the Odds
Achieving excellence is a journey, and we are proud of our schools that are defying the odds and showing true grit to reach their goals. Please join us in congratulating Liberty Preparatory School, Ohio Construction Academy and Southern Ohio Career Academy for earning the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce’s Exceeds Standards Award.
This prestigious honor is reserved for schools dedicated to Dropout Prevention and Recovery (DOPR). To qualify, these schools must surpass rigorous state benchmarks on their annual report cards. While traditional schools have different metrics, an “Exceeds” rating in the DOPR category is a testament to excellence in four critical areas:
Achievement
Progress
Gap Closing
Graduation
For many students in DOPR programs, the road to a diploma begins several years behind their peers. Earning this award means these schools are significantly more effective than the state average at moving students toward graduation and career readiness.
We are incredibly proud of Principals Joseph Weisend, Katina Evans-Blakley, Gabriel Chaney and the staff and students at Liberty Prep, OCA, and SOCA for proving that with the right support, every student can succeed.
Momentum & Mentorship
Southern Ohio Career Academy – SOCA is entering the final stretch of the academic year with significant momentum, marked by a series of college acceptances, testing milestones and a high-impact new partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Central Ohio.
Academic Excellence and College Readiness
The academy’s commitment to post-secondary success continues to yield tangible results. In the past two weeks alone, four SOCA students secured university placements:
Ohio University Chillicothe – Three students confirmed enrollment.
Kent State University – One student accepted into the competitive Architecture and Interior Design program.
Inside the classroom, the school has nearly finalized its state assessment requirements, completing 97% of all End-of-Course testing. Notably, all senior testing requirements are now 100% complete. Faculty members report that new instructional strategies have significantly increased student testing endurance, a key indicator of improved academic focus and engagement.
Cultivating Leadership Through Mentorship
In a move to bolster student leadership and civic responsibility, SOCA has officially partnered with Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Central Ohio. This initiative allows SOCA students to serve as mentors to younger children in the community, providing a unique platform to develop professional soft skills, earn essential community service credits for graduation and bridge the gap between campus life and local service.
We commend Principal Gabriel Chaney and the entire SOCA team for their unwavering commitment to our core mission. Through their dedicated efforts, SOCA ensures every student is equipped to move confidently toward graduation, higher education and long-term career success.
Celebrating Excellence
CASTLE High School – East Campus – The Class of 2026 is reaching new heights, with one student accepted to Howard University and another to Central State University. These milestones are a powerful reflection of the resilience and determination our students bring to their studies every single day. These achievements represent the strength and commitment of our entire school community.
We could not be more inspired by our students’ hard work, and we know this is only the beginning. The Class of 2026 is truly shining, and we look forward to sharing even more great news as the year continues!
The Power of the Eckerd Connects Partnership
Capital High School and Empowered Tech High School – What happens when you combine a high school education with a high-speed career accelerator? You get a direct pipeline to success. We are thrilled to announce that Capital High School and Empowered Tech have officially joined Ohio Construction Academy in a transformative partnership with Eckerd Connects.
Beyond the Classroom
Eckerd Connects specializes in high-impact career development and bridge the gap between a high school diploma and a living-wage career. For students facing barriers, from financial instability to a lack of professional experience, this partnership provides the tools to clear the path.
The Earn-While-You-Learn Edge
Through this collaboration, our students gain access to a powerhouse of resources designed to make them immediately employable upon graduation:
Paid Work Experience – Students don’t have to choose between a paycheck and an education. Eckerd manages participant wages, allowing students to gain real-world experience in fields like Healthcare, Construction, Media Arts, and Business.
Industry Credentials – While finishing high school credits, students earn professional certifications that local employers actually want.
The Power of Support – Success is about skills as well as stability. Eckerd provides wraparound services, including transportation assistance, childcare, and mental health referrals, ensuring that “life stuff” never stands in the way of a career.
A Direct Pipeline to Local Jobs
This partnership turns our schools into hubs for local industry. By working with career coaches and securing intent-to-hire letters, our seniors are not looking for jobs after graduation. Conversely, they are stepping into pre-arranged careers.
We are proud to work alongside Eckerd Connects to ensure our students graduate with not only a diploma but a future. We are incredibly grateful to Sandy Calvert and Principals Bo Corbin and Shawn Connors for their visionary leadership and collaboration in bringing this transformative partnership to life.
The K-8 Chronicles
Our K-8 students continue to demonstrate that there is no limit to what they can achieve when given the proper tools and encouragement. From academic breakthroughs in the classroom to meaningful service within their communities, these young leaders are setting a new standard for excellence and inspiring everyone around them. Discover the remarkable milestones and success stories emerging from our campuses over the past month.
Recognition of Academic Improvement
In our ongoing pursuit of academic success, we are proud to highlight the achievements of three of our K-8 schools. Bridge Gate Elementary School, East Bridge Academy of Excellence and Cincinnati Technology Academy have officially received the Momentum Award from the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce.
This distinction is a testament to significant year-over-year improvement. Eligibility requires a school to increase its Performance Index by 3+ points from the 2023-24 to the 2024-25 report cards, coupled with a Value-Added progress rating of 4 stars or higher. This award confirms that our schools are delivering both high achievement and consistent academic growth. Congratulations to Principals Randall Printup, Lisa Lewis and Joe Nagelhout! Your leadership, and the tireless dedication of your teams, demonstrates what it truly means to put kids first.
Empowering Excellence
Cincinnati Achievement Academy – CAA students recently took Xavier University by storm at the 2nd Annual 100 Black Girls Breaking Barriers in STEM Conference. This transformative event, hosted by The STEM Lab, is designed to bridge the representation gap by connecting young women in grades 8–12 with the world of science and technology.
Our students took full ownership of their experience, choosing specialized tracks that sparked their interests. From the structural challenges of bridge building to the precision of drawing blood and entrepreneurship, the day was packed with “aha!” moments. Beyond the labs, our students networked with elite professionals in AI, law, and medicine, and even teamed up with the CEO of Metro Bus to solve a high-level leadership challenge. CAA was represented with such excellence that our students have already received an early invitation for next year!
School Safety and Security Spotlight
School safety is a collective effort, and our strongest defenses are often the simplest habits. With the arrival of warmer weather, we are officially launching the “Stop the Prop” campaign. This initiative serves as a critical reminder to keep all exterior doors closed and securely locked at all times. While propping a door for a quick breeze or a trip to the car may seem convenient, it creates a vulnerability that bypasses our security systems and compromises the safety of our students and staff.
Our Multi-Layered Defense
Every EEG building is equipped with high-tech safeguards designed to keep our community secure, including:
Locked entry points and controlled access
School Safe visitor check-in systems
Threat Extinguisher technology (horns and defense spray)
Staff Alerter instant notification apps
These systems are incredibly effective, but they have one Achilles heel: a propped door. An open door creates an unmonitored entry point that allows anyone to bypass our screening protocols.
Why It Matters
Beyond preventing unauthorized entry, closed doors allow school leaders to maintain an accurate headcount of who is in the building. In the event of an emergency, first responders depend on a secure perimeter and controlled entrances to do their jobs effectively. Whether it’s arrival, dismissal, or a special event, security must always come before convenience.
How You Can Help
To support the Stop the Prop effort, please keep these four rules in mind:
Never prop open an exterior door, even for a moment.
Do not let others enter through a secured door; all guests must use designated entrances.
Always use the main entrance and follow standard visitor check-in procedures.
If you see a propped door or suspicious activity, report it to staff immediately.
Building a secure environment does not always require a complex solution; it just requires consistent habits. Your vigilance is key to our success. Thank you for helping us ensure our schools remain a secure foundation for learning and growth.
Spring Clean Your Well-Being
This month, we are focusing on mental health, a vital part of our overall wellness. With 1 in 5 adults experiencing mental illness annually, building a culture of compassion and open conversation is more important than ever. From spring cleaning your daily routine to exploring the latest health news, including the 2026 Dirty Dozen list and new fitness research, we have curated the essentials for a healthier you.
Check out Wellness in the News, and our monthly issue (tab below) to learn more about your health.
At EEG, we believe that caring for your mental health is just as vital as maintaining your physical health. To support you on this journey, our HR department has provided vital information and resources, featuring wellness activities and a daily guide designed to help you navigate and understand your emotions.
Please remember that wellness is not about perfection but progress. Small, steady steps often lead to the most meaningful changes. Be patient with yourself, celebrate your growth, and never hesitate to reach out for support. Your mental health matters, not just this month, but every day.
If you feel you need additional support, you can access professional help through our medical provider, Teladoc, as well as our Employee Assistance Plan (EAP) through ComPsych. Here is how to use these resources:
Teladoc – Log in to your account online or through the mobile app, select mental health services, and schedule a virtual visit with a licensed provider at your convenience. To set up your Teladoc Health account, visit TeladocHealth.com, call 1-800-835-2362, or download the app.
Employee Assistance Plan (EAP) – ComPsych: Contact the EAP directly by calling 844-869-2365, visiting guidanceresources.com, or downloading the GuidanceNow app. When registering online, please use the Web ID: PrincipalCore.
Volume 44 | May 2026 EEG News & UpdatesMissionThe mission of the Educational Empowerment Group is to promote knowledge, wisdom and understanding to all stakeholders…
