LifeChanger of the Year Nominee Profile

Garilee Ogden

Position: Superintendent
School: Reynoldsburg City Schools
School District: Reynoldsburg City Schools
City, State: Reynoldsburg, OH

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Garilee Ogden was nominated by her colleague, Lori Green.

“Leadership is not about titles, positions, or flowcharts. It is about one life influencing another," - John Maxwell

Superintendent Odgen has worked incredibly hard over the past five years to change the culture and climate of Groveport Madison Local Schools (GMLS). Chief among her accomplishments towards being a LifeChanger across the school district is her leading work on fulfilling the belief statement to give all Cruisers hope and understand their potential to get the results in life that they want. Working through the focus areas of academics, intention, and mindset (A.I.M.), GMLS has increased academics, decreased discipline, and increased the overall culture in the district.

Most of this movement has been a result of Mrs. Ogden having what Simon Sinek calls, "Starting with Why," at the core of her work. In his book, Mr. Sinek talks about good organizations and what makes them successful by focusing on the notion of why people do the work they do, rather than what they do. Mrs. Ogden believes in the elevation of staff and offering opportunities for growth. She's also a model of teaching and learning for her staff and the community she serves. With the staff on her leadership team, she shares her knowledge and experiences, while continuously willing to learn from them. She has worked with The Ohio State University to mentor two women working on their superintendent licenses while doing their internships with her, and another on receiving her Ed.D. Mrs. Ogden will also complete her Ed.D. from OSU in December of 2022.

Because of the strong foundation of her leadership and A.I.M. work across the district, GMLS was able (and still is able) to successfully navigate its way through the COVID-19 pandemic. Mrs. Ogden and her cabinet team worked tirelessly to begin remote schooling 48 hours after Governor DeWine put all Ohio schools on "extended Spring Break" in 2020. GMLS has seen growth in its students. Mrs. Ogden has led two successful interest- based union negotiations during the pandemic, and, most importantly as a LifeChanger, has kept improving the culture and climate, despite many obstacles.

Under Mrs. Ogden’s leadership, GMLS has worked hard to serve its students. The district received the 2020-2021 Ohio Schools Breakfast Challenge, Breakfast and Beyond "Super Star" award and the Children's Hunger Alliance Program of the Year Award for 2021-2022. It has been a continued focus and goal of Mrs. Ogden’s to serve the students and community of GMLS despite the challenges of the pandemic.

Not only has Mrs. Ogden continued to support and serve the students and community of GMLS, but under her direct leadership, teacher efficacy (the belief of the staff that they can succeed in challenging times, reach their most difficult students, and teach quality content) went from the 10th percentile nationally to the 60th percentile nationally during the COVID-19 pandemic! Her impact is far-reaching and meaningful.

Because of Mrs. Ogden’s drive to stay focused while continuing to serve staff and their well-being during the pandemic, the district’s Panorama survey results showed an increase in positive feelings during tough times of teaching. Staying the course and focusing on the A.I.M., Mrs. Ogden has supported teachers and staff and their belief that they can do hard things.

"Mrs. Ogden lives out strength and resilience. She elevated the entire GMLS community and continues to be a LifeChanger, both directly and indirectly through her leadership. Bringing this nomination back to the beginning quote, Mrs. Ogden truly does influence the lives of those in her community. This type of leadership is world-changing, one life at a time," said Green.

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Comments (8)

Sue Posted over a year ago

Great leader!

Jeff Warner Posted over a year ago

I have worked in public education for 26+ years, for seven different superintendents, and Garilee Ogden is most certainly among the best superintendents I have had the pleasure of working with. She has an unwavering commitment to students and staff alike. She is determined and focused on the school district fulfilling its mission - and she has been able to bring that same determination and focus to our staff. She has the unique ability to be the keeper of the vision and a firm grasp on the most minute of details. Few people I've known are more organized than Garilee! Through her leadership, staff and students have developed a sense of a common vision, purpose, and belief in themselves, and student achievement and employee satisfaction have improved as a result. She has worked hard to create a welcoming and inclusive environment in our schools and to create a sense of community pride in our school district which has been lacking for many years. Garilee is most deserving of the LifeChanger of the Year Award. Her efforts have positively impacted thousands of lives - and hopefully, she will continue to do so in Groveport Madison Schools for many years to come.

Rachel Owens Posted over a year ago

I have been involved in the Groveport Madison School District in some way my entire life, as a student, teacher, and parent. Groveport Madison Schools have never been in a better position and it's all thanks to Mrs. Ogden's leadership. Every decision made is grounded in current research and is student-focused. Her vision and goals for the district (AIM - Academics, Intention, and Mindset) is evident in every school, with every administrator and teacher, and even the students. The idea that mindset is equally as important as academics is what is truly life-changing for all of the students and staff at Groveport Madison. The staff and students carry our belief that "Cruisers can do hard things" with us into the world. Garilee Ogden is incredibly deserving of the honor of the Lifechanger of the Year award.

Jamarr pimento Posted over a year ago

Hey ms ogden i just want to say congratulations and im glad to see your work isnt going unnoticed because you helped me through alot! And ur support while in school and transitioning over to the military was extraordinarily! The effort you put into changing school for the better was AWESOME! Thanks again as once a student to now a successful adult with your help!

Debbie childers Posted over a year ago

Congradulations on being picked as a Life changed.You deserve it and Thank You for all you do for the students and Employees at Groveport you are a great Leader. Thank you Debbie Childers

Shay Charles Posted over a year ago

There is no one more deserving of this award than Garilee Ogden. I have never met another individual who has put so much time and energy fighting for positive change in her schools and in life in general! I am honored to have known and worked with this Superstar!!

Tya Taylor Posted over a year ago

Garilee Ogden was very accurately described in her above nomination. I had the privilege of working with her in Deming Public Schools some years ago when she led the district in a data driven decision making approach to improvement. Join her focus was on accountability, she worked to weave in the considerations of the people involved in the data that she analyzed. She trained the district to utilize the data in meaningful ways that helped teachers to see that this was inherently built in to what they were doing rather than making them feel like it was “just another to do on the list”. She is an excellent educator to all, a wonderful leader by vision & example and a person with a big heart. I am so happy she was nominated. Her ability to focus, scale, and reach from the one to the masses is truly impressive. Her tenacious determination to work efficiently as well as effectively serves all around her! Congratulations! She’s a winner!

Nasa Speer Posted over a year ago

I have watched you for years as you have become a force to be reckoned with. Your determination for excellence is amazing. You expect it from yourself and from those you work with. Because you are willing to work in the trenches, others are willing to jump in with you. The progress at Groveport Madison is amazing! Congratulations!!