(Gnadenhutten, Ohio) – Indian Valley Middle School Principal Brent Carter and School Counselor Jessica Swaldo were recognized by the Ohio Middle Level Association (OMLA) at its annual state conference recently in Columbus, Ohio. Carter and Swaldo were recognized with a Best Practice Award for the East region. The program that merited the award was the school’s daily Advisory Period. Advisory Period is a 20 minute period each morning where social-emotional learning occurs and positive mental health strategies are taught.
“The leadership of Mr. Carter and Mrs. Swaldo is paramount to the success we are seeing with students through the Advisory Period program,” says Superintendent Dr. Ira Wentworth. “However, they would be the first to tell you that it is the teachers who work with students on a daily basis who are responsible for its success. Credit to all for working together for the well-being of our young people.”
Founded in 1973 by a group of middle level educators, OMLA is the fastest growing professional organization in Ohio with more than 9,500 members. OMLA’s purpose is to promote the middle level concept and provide a medium for those involved with Ohio’s elementary, middle and junior high schools to share with one another.
Carter and his wife, Sandy, reside in Gnadenhutten with their two children Sam and Emma. Swaldo and her husband, Nick, reside in Tuscarawas with their two children Bryley and Beckett.
