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Sines named SLHS assistant principal

Ron Sines

SALINEVILLE — Ron Sines is stepping out of the classroom and into the administrator’s seat as he becomes Southern Local High School’s new assistant principal.

Sines, who has served as an English teacher at SLHS for the past nine years, replaces Rich Wright, who is taking over administrative duties with the Utica Shale Academy lodged inside the school. Sines said he is excited about his new role and is keen to work with the faculty, staff, students and administrators at another level. The Toronto native has spent the past 21 years in education. After graduating from Toronto High School in 1989, he earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Akron. However, his experience in the schoolhouse led him on a different path.

“I was in Utah visiting relatives and decided to sub there, and that led me into education. Until then, I never had the desire to be a teacher,” he said, adding that a chance encounter with a student inspired him to change his outlook. “I subbed for math and a seventh-grader said, ‘Thanks for being my teacher today.’ I loved being around the kids and challenging their minds.”

He would head back to the University of Akron and earn a secondary education degree in English. Sines eventually taught at Buckeye Local High School from 1996-98 before returning to his roots at Toronto from 1998-2009. He has been with Southern Local since that time and is currently working towards his principal’s licensure and a master’s degree in educational leadership at Ashland University. He officially began his new duties on Aug. 1 and finds the experience humbling.

“I get to serve a lot more students and I get to serve the teachers of the district, and I think we’ve got some awesome teachers. I work for and with great people and get to put my fingerprint on something more than just a classroom.”

He looks forward to working with SLHS Principal Tony Delboccio and the faculty, staff and students and also thanked district leaders for giving him the opportunity. One of his goals is to improve learning by having teachers work together in a new way.

“In this position, it gives me a chance to be a learning leader. I’m hoping to make our vision statement visible and to implement a school improvement plan. I call it Project Greenlight, and teachers put a green sign outside their door and ask people to come see [their class program]. Other teachers can look at it and email comments and ideas,” he continued. “We’re a professional learning community and our biggest asset is each other. This will allow them to see other classrooms, improve communication and get different ideas.”

Meanwhile, Delboccio and district Superintendent Tom Cunningham said having Sines aboard is a major benefit to the district.

“Ron’s a great guy. I’ve worked with him for the past five years and he’s excellent with the students, he’s excellent for the staff and he’s excellent for the district,” said Delboccio. “He’s an asset to Southern Local Schools and I’m excited to welcome him.”

“He’s been talking to staff members and parents and they are excited,” Cunningham concluded. “They know he was a great schoolteacher and will be positive in the administrative role. He’s jumped into the role with his sleeves rolled up and is ready to learn.”

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